JRE #68 – Iliza Schlesinger

This podcast features a conversation between Joe Rogan and comedian Iliza Schlesinger. They cover a wide range of topics, ranging from the realities of stand-up comedy to the darker side of human behavior.

Here are 20 major topics discussed in the podcast, along with a concise summary of each:

Stand-Up Comedy

The podcast delves into Iliza Schlesinger’s experiences on the stand-up comedy circuit, specifically her participation in the NBC show “Last Comic Standing”.

• The Competitive Nature of Comedy: While some comedians focus on self-improvement, Iliza describes the cutthroat competition in stand-up, where performers often see each other as rivals.
• The Importance of Tough Rooms: Iliza believes that performing in challenging, unforgiving comedy clubs like the Comedy Store helps develop a comic’s resilience and ability to handle hecklers.
• The “Comedy Storm” Vibe: Joe Rogan recognizes Iliza’s unique stage presence, attributing it to her experience in combative comedy environments.
• The “Comedy Under the Gun” Format: Iliza discusses the unique pressure of stand-up competitions like “Last Comic Standing”, where comics face immediate audience judgment.

Ghosts and Supernatural Phenomena

The conversation takes a supernatural turn, with discussions about ghost sightings at the Comedy Store and broader theories about the existence of ghosts.

• Ghost Sightings at the Comedy Store: Iliza and Joe share stories about alleged paranormal activity at the iconic Los Angeles comedy club, including reports of a ghost in a top hat and Blake Clark’s encounter with a non-responsive entity.
• The “Disrespectful Ghost” Theory: Iliza proposes a humorous theory for provoking ghosts, suggesting that disrespecting a murdered person’s deceased wife might trigger a paranormal reaction.
• Ghosts with “Problems”: Joe Rogan posits that the ghosts that manifest are those who died prematurely or in traumatic circumstances, unable to fully transition.
• Energy and Memory: The discussion touches upon the concept of “energy memory”, suggesting that objects like houses and furniture hold residual energy from events, explaining why certain places can feel “creepy”.

Animal Behavior and Exploitation

The conversation explores various aspects of animal behavior, including a disturbing documentary about zoophilia.

• Pig Behavior: Iliza and Joe discuss the aggressive nature of pigs, highlighting how pigs are responsible for more human deaths on farms than any other animal.
• Zoophilia: They discuss the documentary “Zoo” that exposes a community of individuals who engage in sexual activities with animals.
• The “Unnatural” Nature of Zoophilia: Iliza condemns zoophilia as a violation of animals and a reflection of humanity’s capacity for exploitation.
• The Law Changes: Joe reveals that Washington State’s laws were amended after a man died as a result of zoophilia, signifying its severity.

Technology and Its Impact

The conversation touches upon the evolution of technology and its impact on human intelligence and communication.

• Blackberry vs. iPhone: Iliza expresses her strong preference for Blackberry phones, citing the touch screen issues she has encountered with iPhones and her need for a physical keyboard.
• The Diminishing of Practical Skills: Joe Rogan argues that reliance on technology has led to a decline in practical knowledge and skills, exemplified by the difficulty many people face when dealing with basic car maintenance.
• The “Dumbification” of Technology: Both agree that technology’s increasing complexity can lead to people having less understanding of how things work, making them more dependent on experts for even simple tasks.
• The Future of Communication: They speculate about a future where personal internet TV channels will allow individuals to share their lives and perspectives in real-time, blurring the lines between private and public spaces.

Human Behavior and Society

The conversation explores a variety of aspects of human behavior, including social trends, societal issues, and individual quirks.

• The “Gimmick” of Homelessness: Iliza highlights the trend of homeless individuals adopting specific “gimmicks” to elicit sympathy or attract attention.
• The “DJ Voice”: The conversation analyzes the distinctive “DJ voice” common in radio broadcasting and strip clubs, noting its often exaggerated and attention-grabbing nature.
• The “Leprechaun in Alabama” Video: Joe Rogan and Iliza analyze a viral video of a man dressed as a leprechaun, considering the absurdity of the situation and the potential for misinterpretation.
• The Importance of Diversity: Iliza expresses her interest in engaging with people and perspectives that differ from her own, highlighting the value of cultural diversity and learning from contrasting experiences.

Controversial Topics and Conspiracy Theories

The conversation tackles provocative topics and conspiracy theories, delving into areas that spark debate and challenge conventional thinking.

• The “Birds and Fish” Conspiracy: Joe Rogan and Iliza discuss a recent conspiracy theory that connects a mass bird death and fish kill to a murdered chemical warfare expert.
• The “Toxoplasma” Parasite: The discussion focuses on the “Toxoplasma gondii” parasite, which is known to affect human behavior, potentially increasing aggression and recklessness.
• The “Alien Rewiring” Theory: Iliza speculates that the toxoplasma parasite’s influence on human behavior might be analogous to an alien species manipulating our brains.
• The “Cure for AIDS” and “Cure for Cancer”: They discuss conflicting reports about potential cures for AIDS and cancer, highlighting the complexities of medical breakthroughs and the allure of unconventional treatments.

Personal Experiences and Anecdotes

The podcast includes a wealth of personal anecdotes from both Joe Rogan and Iliza Schlesinger, offering insights into their lives, perspectives, and experiences.

• Iliza’s Dog, Blanche: Iliza shares details about her beloved dog, Blanche, including her neediness and her tendency to get upset when Iliza leaves her.
• Joe’s Car Trouble: Joe recounts a harrowing experience where he hit a section of railroad track while driving, causing significant damage to his car.
• Iliza’s Experience with “Chat Roulette”: Iliza shares a humorous story about witnessing her stepdaughter and her friends using “Chat Roulette”, a random video chat service.
• Joe’s Encounters with MMA Fighters: Joe discusses his relationships with MMA fighters, noting how they often struggle with balancing the physical demands of the sport with the need for self-preservation.

Society and Cultural Commentary

The conversation offers observations and critiques of contemporary society, highlighting both humorous and troubling trends.

• The Kardashian Phenomenon: Iliza criticizes the Kardashian family, arguing that their fame is based on superficiality and empty values.
• The Rise of Reality TV: Both acknowledge their own participation in the reality TV trend, recognizing that it contributes to the obsession with superficiality and celebrity culture.
• The “Nanny State” Debate: Joe expresses his opposition to government interference in personal choices, arguing that individuals should have the right to make their own decisions.
• The “PC Culture” at Colleges: Iliza discusses the challenges of performing stand-up comedy at colleges, noting that students can be overly sensitive to issues of race and political correctness.

Memorable Quotes:

• “There’s something about the door and all the murder that’s been committed there.” – Iliza on the haunted history of the Comedy Store.
• “Some people get real competitive. Some people get super Saiyan about it.” – Iliza on the varying degrees of competitiveness among comedians.
• “If you’re disrespecting your murdered wife, do you wanna get serious?” – Iliza’s humorous theory for provoking ghosts.
• “The line between intelligence and absolute insanity, and the line is a horse cock.” – Joe Rogan’s dark humor about the bizarre nature of zoophilia.
• “You gotta concentrate on being real with these bitches. And find one who’s willing to be real with you back.” – Joe’s advice for navigating relationships.