JRE #1177 – Sober October 2

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1-Oct-18






Joe Rogan Podcast Episode #1177 – Sober October 2: Topics and Summary

This podcast episode of the Joe Rogan Experience features Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura as they discuss the Sober October 2 challenge. The episode delves into various topics, ranging from personal experiences with sobriety to the power of mental focus during workouts, and even touches on the current state of comedy.

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

Sober October

  • The Sober October Challenge: Bert and Tom discuss their previous experiences with Sober October and their plans for this year’s challenge. They acknowledge the difficulty of abstaining from alcohol for a month, particularly for those who enjoy drinking. Bert also shares a funny anecdote about being high after Sober October and being unable to control his marijuana use.
  • Sobriety and Mental Clarity: Tom talks about the mental clarity he experiences while sober, noting the challenges of avoiding temptations. He also acknowledges how being sober can sometimes make him a bit more grumpy. The conversation also touches upon the use of marijuana and its effects on mental state.
  • The Influence of Sobriety on Comedy: Bert shares his experiences with performing standup while sober, admitting he felt lost on stage due to the lack of his usual “substance-fueled” energy. This highlights the role of substances in some comedians’ creative process and performance styles.
  • The Importance of Discipline: The Sober October challenge underscores the importance of discipline and willpower. The conversation touches on various strategies for maintaining sobriety and how a break from substances can lead to a renewed perspective and self-awareness.

Workout Strategies & Motivation

  • Mental Focus and Performance: The conversation delves into mental strategies for pushing through challenging workouts. Joe and Tom share their techniques for staying motivated, including visualizing worst-case scenarios and channeling anger. They discuss the benefits of sustained, accelerated heart rate during exercise and how it can improve fitness levels.
  • Embracing the Suck: Joe discusses the concept of “embracing the suck,” popularized by David Goggins, as a way to push through physical and mental discomfort during workouts. He acknowledges the difficulty of sustaining this level of effort but also recognizes its importance for achieving significant results.
  • The Power of Visualization: Tom and Joe share their visualization techniques for enduring intense workouts. Joe describes imagining protecting loved ones from harm, while Tom imagines a scene of rage and physical violence. These mental images provide a powerful mental boost to overcome physical fatigue.
  • The Role of Martial Arts: The conversation touches on the influence of martial arts in developing mental toughness and the ability to push through pain and fatigue. Joe suggests that the intense focus and mindset cultivated in martial arts translate well to challenging workouts.
  • The Importance of Health: While embracing intensity, Joe acknowledges the need to prioritize health and avoid pushing too hard, especially as he gets older. He expresses his concern about the potential for injury or even a heart attack if he pushes his body too far.
  • Fitness Tracking: Joe and Tom discuss the use of fitness trackers like Myzone, highlighting their role in monitoring heart rate and calorie expenditure during workouts. They acknowledge the motivating aspects of seeing their progress and the potential for friendly competition.
  • Workout Goals: Joe and Tom outline their ambitious workout goals for Sober October, including multiple workouts per day and challenging yoga classes. They discuss the importance of staying disciplined and the potential for achieving significant fitness gains through focused effort.
  • The Role of Competition: The conversation emphasizes the motivational aspect of competition. Joe and Tom discuss the competitive nature of their Sober October challenge, with each individual pushing themselves to achieve higher scores and ultimately win the competition.

Comedy & The State of the Industry

  • The Evolution of Comedy: Joe, Bert, and Tom discuss the changing landscape of comedy, noting a greater sense of camaraderie and collaboration among comedians. They attribute this shift to the rise of the internet, podcasts, and the decline of traditional competition for coveted late-night talk show spots.
  • The Importance of Live Audiences: The conversation highlights the value of performing in front of live audiences, emphasizing how it helps comics develop their material and refine their delivery. Joe also discusses the importance of giving up-and-coming comedians opportunities to perform on established platforms.
  • The Role of Podcasts: Joe, Bert, and Tom acknowledge the transformative impact of podcasts on the comedy industry. They highlight the role of podcasts in fostering a sense of community, providing a platform for sharing ideas, and connecting with fans.
  • The Rise of Standup: Joe, Bert, and Tom discuss the current boom in standup comedy, noting the increasing number of comedians selling out venues at all levels, from clubs to theaters to arenas. They attribute this to the accessibility of online platforms and the popularity of standup comedy with diverse audiences.
  • The Power of Social Media: The conversation acknowledges the influence of social media in promoting standup comedy and creating a network of comedians who support each other. They highlight the ability of social media to share funny content, connect with fans, and create buzz for upcoming events.
  • The Impact of the Internet: Joe, Bert, and Tom discuss the profound influence of the internet on the comedy landscape. They emphasize how the internet has democratized comedy, giving rise to new voices and platforms for sharing standup content.
  • The Importance of Collaboration: The conversation highlights the collaborative spirit among contemporary comedians. Joe, Bert, and Tom point to their mutual support and promotion of each other’s work, as well as the general tendency of comedians to share their material and help each other grow.
  • The Importance of Being an Artist: Joe emphasizes the importance of comedians striving to be artists who constantly evolve and improve their craft. He cites Dave Chappelle as an example of a comedian who consistently pushes boundaries and challenges himself creatively.
  • The Evolution of the “Alt” Label: The conversation touches upon the evolution of the “alt” label in comedy, noting how it has been hijacked by the alt-right movement. They acknowledge that the term “alt” in comedy often implies a progressive, left-leaning perspective, but that the broader public perception of the term is now associated with the alt-right.
  • The Importance of Freedom of Speech: The conversation delves into the complexities of freedom of speech in comedy, particularly in relation to controversial jokes. They discuss the potential for audiences to misinterpret jokes, the importance of allowing comics to develop their material, and the need for greater understanding and tolerance in the comedy community.
  • The Challenges of Performing for Diverse Audiences: Joe and Tom discuss the challenges of performing for diverse audiences, particularly in light of the potential for misunderstandings and offense. They acknowledge the need for comics to be sensitive to the nuances of different audiences and to be aware of the potential impact of their jokes.
  • The Importance of Authenticity: The conversation emphasizes the importance of authenticity and genuine connection in comedy. They discuss the value of honest humor and the ability of comics to connect with audiences on a personal level.
  • The Importance of Self-Awareness: Joe and Tom touch upon the importance of self-awareness in comedy. They acknowledge the need for comics to be aware of their own biases and to be open to feedback and criticism from their audiences.
  • The Importance of Pushing Boundaries: The conversation highlights the importance of comedians pushing boundaries and challenging conventional norms. They discuss the value of bold and provocative humor in challenging audiences and sparking critical thought.
  • The Importance of Respect: The conversation underscores the importance of respect and understanding in the comedy community. They discuss the need for comedians to support each other, to be mindful of the potential for offense, and to create a safe and inclusive space for all.

Personal Anecdotes & Observations

  • Joe’s Personal Life: Joe shares his experience with high blood pressure and his commitment to proactively managing his health. He discusses his use of medication and his desire to improve his lifestyle in order to reduce his reliance on medication.
  • Bert’s Parenting Challenges: Bert discusses the challenges of single-handedly parenting his children while his wife is traveling. He acknowledges his shortcomings as a parent and seeks advice from Joe on how to improve his parenting skills.
  • The “Mickey Mouse Gene”: Joe playfully talks about the “Mickey Mouse gene,” referring to his belief that Bert has a predisposition to being lazy and avoiding difficult tasks. This playful banter highlights the long-standing friendship between the two comedians.
  • The Importance of Goals: Joe, Bert, and Tom discuss the importance of setting goals and the motivational power of having a clear target to strive for. They emphasize how having a goal provides focus and direction, driving them to push their limits.
  • The Importance of Connection: The conversation highlights the importance of genuine connection and shared experiences in life. They discuss the value of friendships that allow for open communication, shared humor, and mutual support. Joe emphasizes the transformative power of conversations and how they have changed his ability to communicate and connect with others.

Throughout the podcast, Joe, Bert, and Tom engage in playful banter, sharing personal anecdotes and observations about life, comedy, and their own experiences with sobriety, fitness, and the ever-evolving world of entertainment.

Memorable Quotes

  • “You gotta put yourself in this this state of just 100 percent effort. Now, I was pegged at like a hundred and 80, a hundred and 77 beats per minute for the last 35 35 minutes. That’s really that’s really gotta do it.” – Joe Rogan on workout intensity.
  • “I love your face. I’m not kidding. Birds. Birds. Birds. I think about my second wife. I think about I think about protecting people I care about.” – Tom Segura on visualizing his workout motivation.
  • “I think it’s the pot tooth, though. I think it’s, like, guys like Diaz and Ari and you and me. Like, there’s a different sensibility. There’s like a more generous sensibility.” – Bert Kreischer on the impact of marijuana on comedy.
  • “It’s the worst. Yeah. I used to feel terrible when I was around those people. I used to feel like there’s something wrong with me. Yeah. You could. Yeah. Of course. Real stuck up super conservative people. I would just think something wrong with me. Why do I think this way? Why do I always wanna say the inappropriate thing?” – Tom Segura on his experiences with uptight people.
  • “I’m gonna get blitz, grieved after Halloween kids. Oh, yeah. I imagine how high you’ll get to after 30 days off.” – Bert Kreischer on his anticipation of indulging after Sober October.