JRE #100 – Brian Redban

This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience dives deep into a casual conversation with Brian Redban, a comedian and Joe Rogan’s long-time friend and producer. They explore a range of topics, from personal anecdotes to societal observations, revealing insights into their own lives and perspectives.

Provocative topics include their experiences with drugs, stand-up comedy, and the entertainment industry. Underlying themes explore the complexities of human behavior, the search for meaning, and the pursuit of happiness.

Major Topics:

1. The Origins of the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast:

• The podcast started organically, with Joe and Brian simply messing around on camera.
• They were inspired by early live-streaming platforms like Justin TV and wanted to experiment with video content.
• The podcast initially lacked structure, featuring unscripted conversations and even dead air, which they later regretted releasing on iTunes.
• Their goal was to create a casual and authentic experience for their online community.

2. The Impact of Drugs on Their Lives and Perspectives:

• Joe and Brian openly discuss their experiences with psychedelics, particularly shrooms, and their impact on their outlook and creativity.
• They acknowledge the power of psychedelics to reset their minds and offer new perspectives on life.
• They debate the value of psychedelics for self-exploration and personal growth.
• They also touch on the dangers of excessive drug use and the importance of self-control.

3. The Struggles of Stand-up Comedy and Maintaining Creativity:

• Brian discusses his ongoing struggle to balance stand-up comedy with his relationship and other commitments, highlighting the challenges of being a comedian.
• He shares his perspective on how stand-up comedy can feel like a necessary workout for his mind, allowing him to explore creative ideas and express himself.
• They ponder the pressures of staying relevant in a competitive industry and the potential for stand-up to become a career rather than a passion.
• They discuss the evolution of their stand-up routines and how they’ve grown as performers over time.

4. The Role of Laziness in Life and Society:

• Joe and Brian dissect the concept of laziness, exploring its role in human behavior and societal issues.
• They argue that laziness often underlies a desire to blame external factors for personal failures, contributing to a sense of victimhood.
• They express their frustration with people who rely on others for support without contributing their own efforts.
• They emphasize the importance of taking responsibility for one’s own actions and working towards personal goals.

5. The Controversial Nature of Burning Man and Hippie Culture:

• Joe and Brian engage in a heated debate about the merits and flaws of Burning Man and the hippie movement.
• Joe expresses his disdain for what he perceives as a culture of entitlement and laziness within the hippie community, particularly in places like Boulder and Portland.
• Brian offers a more nuanced view, acknowledging the existence of both genuine and problematic aspects of hippie culture.
• They discuss the importance of personal responsibility and the potential dangers of relying on social systems for support.

6. The Power of the Internet and the Evolution of Pornography:

• Joe and Brian explore the impact of the internet on pornography, highlighting the dramatic shift from print media to online content.
• They delve into the changing economics of the industry, discussing the challenges faced by porn stars in a highly competitive market.
• They offer contrasting perspectives on the morality of pornography and the motivations of those who participate in the industry.
• They also discuss the evolving nature of pornographic content and the increasing accessibility of niche genres.

7. The Fascinating World of Morticians and the Disrespect of Dead Bodies:

• Joe and Brian explore the morbid fascination with death and the dark side of human behavior, focusing on the practice of necrophilia.
• They delve into the psychological motivations behind this taboo behavior and the unsettling nature of disrespecting dead bodies.
• They discuss the increasing availability of online content depicting necrophilia and the potential for exploitation.
• They also discuss the potential for corruption within the mortuary industry, highlighting the risks involved in working with deceased bodies.

8. The Power of Dreams and the Mystery of UFO Abductions:

• Joe and Brian explore the nature of dreams and their potential to influence our perceptions of reality.
• They discuss the psychological and physiological factors that contribute to vivid and bizarre dreams, particularly during REM sleep.
• They debunk the concept of UFO abductions as a form of sleep paralysis, attributing these experiences to the release of psychedelic chemicals within the brain.
• Joe expresses his skepticism towards UFO abduction claims, emphasizing the lack of verifiable evidence and the potential for misinterpretation of dreams.

9. The Importance of Physical and Mental Health:

• Joe and Brian discuss the importance of taking care of one’s physical and mental health, highlighting the benefits of exercise, healthy eating, and supplementation.
• Joe advocates for a holistic approach to wellness, embracing both physical and mental well-being.
• They debunk the notion that taking care of oneself is vain or trivial, emphasizing the connection between physical health and mental clarity.
• They also discuss the potential benefits of nootropics, highlighting their role in enhancing brain function and cognitive performance.

10. The Impact of the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast:

• Joe and Brian reflect on the evolution of their podcast, from its humble beginnings as a casual experiment to its current status as a successful and influential platform.
• They discuss the power of the podcast to connect with a diverse audience and create a sense of community.
• They acknowledge the positive impact the podcast has had on their lives and careers, highlighting the opportunities it has created for both of them.
• They express their gratitude to their listeners for their ongoing support and engagement, emphasizing the importance of their role in the podcast’s success.

Memorable Quotes:

• “We got no bells and whistles. We got no guests. We got shit. This is the hundredth episode, and it will go to 100 the way it began. With no form, not knowing what the fuck we’re doing, sit in front of a laptop with snow. This stupid karaoke snow effect. Yeah. I listened to it today. I’m actually on the way over here. It’s it’s unlistenable. There there was times where there was, like, 15 seconds, 20 seconds of dead air where we’re just fucking sitting there, like, looking at things. Yeah. That wasn’t really supposed to be on iTunes. We should’ve never let it go on iTunes.”
• “I think if the shit hits the fan, gold’s not what we’re gonna need. We’re gonna need bullets and gasoline. That’s what I think. Bullets, gasoline, guns, places to stay. Somewhere you go where there’s no radiation.”
• “I think it you know, what would I don’t know. That I’m hippie is just what’s mostly there. Right? Like, people that are working out and hippie. Yes. Boulder’s a lot of that. Boulder’s hippie and Boulder’s people are in a really good shape. Right. No 1 wears makeup. No 1 looks like a horror. Yeah. Shit. And that’s kind of a bummer.”
• “The biggest thing is, like, if it wasn’t for Regan, this that this not I’m like, yeah. If it wasn’t for Rogen, he saw my work. He liked what I did. He hired Talking about me, like, I’m not even here. I I know. It’s but but what is like a company. Like NBC, the way like Jay Leno should, you know, keep our magic. Like, if it wasn’t for NBC, you would be nobody. You know, that’s it’s it’s me getting dosing my work and then hiring me. I got a job. It’s it’s very simple.”
• “I think at this point, it’s almost like it’s too easy to beat off. You know, it’s all it’s all out there. It’s it’s almost like unavoidable. Like, it used to be hard as hell to get some pornography. When I was a kid, like, we were talking about earlier about magazines, man. That’s the way you got magazines, man. You you had to go to liquor store and ask for the back shelf and you know, nowadays, man. It’s it’s it’s so fucking easy to get pornography.”