17-Nov-22
Joe Rogan Experience #1900 – Steve-O Topics
This podcast features a conversation between Joe Rogan and Steve-O, a stunt performer, comedian, and author, who discusses his life, career, and views on a wide range of topics. Provocative and controversial themes include addiction, self-harm, the entertainment industry, and the dangers of societal pressures.
Underlying themes explore the complexities of human behavior, the pursuit of personal growth through challenging experiences, and the importance of confronting one’s own mortality. The podcast delves into the nature of consciousness, the allure of extreme activities, and the struggles of navigating societal expectations.
Topics
- UFC and MMA:
- Steve-O expresses his passion for MMA and analyzes the fight between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira.
- He discusses the impact of the calf kick in MMA, arguing that it has changed the game.
- He praises Izzy’s handling of the loss and compares his style to that of Alex Pereira.
- He highlights the dominance of Pereira in kickboxing and his potential in MMA.
- The Dangers of Head Trauma:
- Steve-O reveals his history of self-harm, including regularly smashing beer cans over his head during his “Don’t Try This At Home” tour.
- He discusses the phenomenon of CTE and its link to repeated head trauma, even without concussions.
- He explores the potential genetic predisposition to CTE and the difficulties in diagnosing it.
- He shares his experience with various attempts to acquire cauliflower ear, a common injury among fighters.
- The Role of Pain in Life:
- Steve-O reflects on the importance of pain in guiding behavior and learning from mistakes.
- He contrasts his aversion to pain killers with Joe Rogan’s experience, highlighting personal differences in pain tolerance.
- He discusses the risks associated with over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, emphasizing the importance of moderation.
- He explores the intriguing case of congenital insensitivity to pain, a rare and potentially dangerous condition.
- Extreme Activities and the Pursuit of Adrenaline:
- Steve-O expresses his disapproval of free solo climbing, highlighting the potential for fatal consequences.
- He shares his experiences with parkour enthusiasts and the social backlash they often receive.
- He discusses the allure of extreme activities and the potential psychological motivations behind them.
- He reflects on the dangers of mountaineering, particularly on Mount Everest, and the often tragic consequences.
- The Fear of Mortality and Living Deliberately:
- Steve-O questions the societal aversion to contemplating mortality and its impact on living deliberately.
- He explores the challenges of caring for aging parents and the potential for abuse in nursing homes.
- He discusses the learned behavior of avoiding risks and its impact on overall well-being.
- He highlights the importance of confronting fear and challenging oneself to maximize personal potential.
- Addiction and its Transference:
- Steve-O discusses his family history of addiction and its impact on his own struggles.
- He explores the potential genetic predisposition to addiction and the importance of acknowledging its existence.
- He contrasts his own aversion to gambling with his family history, highlighting individual differences in susceptibility.
- He reflects on the transference of addictive tendencies into positive pursuits, such as fitness and personal achievement.
- The Role of Steroids and Hormones in Performance:
- Steve-O discusses the impact of steroids on bodybuilders and the potential for dangerous side effects, including aggression and hormonal imbalances.
- He distinguishes between the use of steroids for bodybuilding and the use of TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) for medical purposes.
- He explores the potential for abuse of TRT and the importance of responsible use and regulation.
- He delves into the opioid crisis and its impact on individuals and society.
- The Stand-up Comedy Scene and its Challenges:
- Steve-O discusses his journey into stand-up comedy and the initial skepticism he faced from some in the industry.
- He explores the mentality of scarcity in some comedy circles and contrasts it with Joe Rogan’s mentality of abundance.
- He emphasizes the importance of supporting and encouraging aspiring comedians, regardless of their background.
- He shares his experience with developing his own multimedia stand-up special and the benefits of studying his performance.
- The Power of Challenging Experiences and Personal Growth:
- Steve-O highlights the significance of skateboarding in developing his resilience, dedication, and tenacity.
- He discusses the role of difficult experiences in confronting character flaws and maximizing human potential.
- He emphasizes the importance of treating aspiring comedians with the same respect as established ones.
- He encourages listeners to embrace challenges and learn from their struggles, regardless of their chosen field.
- The Nature of Consciousness and the Universe:
- Steve-O explores the nature of consciousness and shares his theory that the brain is a receiver rather than a generator of consciousness.
- He discusses the concept of a universal consciousness and its potential interaction with individual consciousness.
- He reflects on the limitations of language in defining consciousness and the complexity of the human experience.
- He acknowledges the mystery surrounding consciousness and the importance of embracing its unknown nature.
- The Importance of Self-Awareness and Managing Emotions:
- Steve-O reflects on the complexities of navigating emotions, instincts, and social interactions.
- He observes the struggles of individuals who seek love and connection through unhealthy behaviors.
- He discusses the importance of personal self-reflection and the limitations of external guidance.
- He highlights the importance of finding healthy coping mechanisms for managing emotions and achieving self-awareness.
- The Impact of Social Media and Technology:
- Steve-O discusses the dangers of social media addiction and its impact on mental health.
- He reflects on the challenges of navigating conflicting opinions and the impact of negative feedback.
- He highlights the importance of managing one’s time and limiting exposure to social media platforms.
- He encourages listeners to prioritize real-life interactions and authentic connections.
- The Importance of Personal Expression and Creative Pursuits:
- Steve-O discusses his initial hesitation to embrace podcasting and his eventual decision to create his own podcast.
- He shares his experience with setting up a mobile podcast studio and the importance of prioritizing time and energy.
- He emphasizes the importance of pursuing creative passions and finding ways to express oneself.
- He encourages listeners to embrace their unique talents and pursue their passions, regardless of societal expectations.
- Ethical Considerations in Food Production:
- Steve-O discusses the ethical concerns surrounding factory farming and its impact on the environment and animal welfare.
- He explores the benefits of regenerative farming and its potential to address issues related to sustainability and food production.
- He shares his own journey toward becoming a hunter and his commitment to ethical meat consumption.
- He encourages listeners to be mindful of their food choices and support sustainable and ethical practices.
- The Dangers of Processed Foods and Seed Oils:
- Steve-O discusses the negative health consequences of consuming processed foods and seed oils.
- He explores the impact of processed wheat and gluten on the body, highlighting the benefits of consuming whole grains and traditional diets.
- He discusses the potential health risks associated with GMOs and the use of herbicides in agriculture.
- He encourages listeners to prioritize whole, unprocessed foods and adopt a healthy and mindful approach to eating.
- The Importance of Personal Hygiene:
- Steve-O discusses the importance of proper hygiene and the dangers of flushing flushable wipes down the toilet.
- He highlights the environmental impact of these wipes and their potential to clog sewer systems.
- He praises the use of bidet systems and encourages listeners to adopt more sustainable and hygienic practices.
- He shares his experiences with using butt wipes and his preference for using a bidet.
- The Pursuit of Personal Brand and Business Ventures:
- Steve-O discusses his entrepreneurial endeavors, including selling fanny packs and hot sauce.
- He shares his insights into marketing and branding, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and connecting with one’s audience.
- He highlights the challenges of maintaining a personal brand and the importance of staying true to oneself.
- He discusses the potential for success through unconventional ventures and encourages listeners to think outside the box.
- The Importance of Self-Reflection and Personal Growth:
- Steve-O reflects on his life journey and the importance of personal growth and self-improvement.
- He shares his insights into overcoming challenges and finding purpose in life.
- He encourages listeners to embrace challenges and to strive for personal growth.
- He emphasizes the importance of finding joy and fulfillment in life’s journey.
Memorable Quotes
- “The thing that gets me is, like, at this point, with the amount of fast food that people desire, and this is what the conversation that I had with Will Harris, I said, ‘Is it possible to feed people the way we’re doing it now with regenerative farming?’ And he said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Not the because, but should we be feeding people the way we’re feeding them now? Like, the way that, like, is the the question is like, well, I’m like, ‘If you have a place like Los Angeles, where you have 18,000 people that are or, you know, probably 18,000,000 people rather, that are living this one spot, and no one’s growing anything. How are you gonna get those people enough food?’ And his thing was like, ‘Maybe we shouldn’t be living like that because that is an unsustainable way to live.'”
- “If you go through your life and you get to maybe you have a family and your family is your mother and your father or averse to risks, and they play everything safe, and then they drill it into your head to play it safe. And then all of a sudden you’re 35, you don’t know how to do anything risky. Right. This is like the life you’ve always lived.”
- “I just thought, ‘Fuck everybody and their mom has a fucking podcast.’ You know? And it’s been like, over the years, one of the more annoying questions, like, ‘Will you do my podcast?’ You know? Like, like, for God sakes, like, I don’t wanna…”
- “I think that I I think that the actually, like, typing up material comes after working on it. For for me, I think Sometimes it’s about most effective I mean, there’s a bunch of different ways. The whole idea is just ideas. Right. The whole idea is, like, finding these premises and these thoughts and then just molding them into something that’s really good. And people do it different ways.”
- “I think that I I think that the actually, like, typing up material comes after working on it. For for me, I think Sometimes it’s about most effective I mean, there’s a bunch of different ways. The whole idea is just ideas. Right. The whole idea is, like, finding these premises and these thoughts and then just molding them into something that’s really good. And people do it different ways.”