3 Quick Lessons from Joe Rogan that Will Help You Dominate Your Industry

The year is 2009, and Joe Rogan is debuting his first JRE episode.

He’s unaware of the planetary recognition he is about to receive. The first podcast originates in his bedroom with a comedian and co-producer, Brian Redban. The duo is using a webcam with a snow effect, and I’m struggling to understand a single word that comes out of their mouth.

The internet of 2009. The world of possibility and magic. The content game. The whole shebang. Joe Rogan hits record on that cheap camera, and the second episode is out. Then the third, and suddenly he’s in a bi-weekly show. Brian leaves the show, and Joe Rogan receives a godlike status of being the new Oprah.

The difference this time is that we have a precious meathead instead of a strong woman of color.

• The new Oprah is politically incorrect while preaching about DMT, Global Warming, eating habits, and conspiracies.
• The new Oprah is also smoking weed and drinking whiskey on air. And this Oprah is doing it from his bedroom, with a camera and a bunch of friends.
• Soon, the politicians and billionaires jump the train. And everyone from Bernie Sanders to Elon Musk is podcasting world-changing conversations. Joe doesn’t discriminate against left or right.
• He buckles heads with Right-wing provocateurs like Ben Shapiro, Alex Jones, and Candice Williams.
• Joe hosts Jihadists and listens to a right-wing Congressman talk down on the world of comedy.

Suddenly, what happens in front of Joe’s camera is everyone’s deal.

We’re all under the influence. The new public arena is on fire. New technologies debut live on the show. Journalists talk about kidnapping and drug cartels. Women spit on Hollywood.

Jihadists explain their ill ways. Elon musk decides to sell his possessions and rent a house after earning almost $40B. He is the first billionaire to do so.

Joe Rogan is Oprah, but in every sense that Oprah is not. Both figures influence and raise whole generations. Both figures are essential for political and public discourse in their time.

Besides the gender, race, and pretty much everything, Oprah Winfrey and Joe Rogan are different breeds serving the same purpose. I’m not sure if Joe wants to have this role. If you ask the 2009 Joe what he thinks about the future, the answer is probably ‘nope, not a chance.’

The educational-psychedelic-enthusiast-comedian-conspiracy fighter is our new nanny. He is also the UFC commentator, Fear Factor guy, Big Foot Enthusiast, and he loves questions about DMT. Joe Rogan is everything we didn’t know we need.

Joe Rogan can blame his planetary success on three categories.

First: he is the exact opposite of the big media and fully funded TV shows. Joe is a guy with a camera. Well, technically two guys, if you include young Jamie.

Second: Joe Rogan is serving as a nanny, fulfilling the gap between our parents and school. Joe is a friend that talks about stuff you can’t hear in the classroom, and stuff that parents lock their kids over and throw away the keys for the summer.

Third: Rogan owns his category. The long-format-interview podcast is fantastic to explain complex ideas. The format is Joe’s third big strength. Joe Rogan debuted in a world of sound bites. Our attention span is shortening, but we love 3h long Rogan episodes. He is different, but not better. Joe is not even comparable to the world of Big TV and multimillion-dollar productions like the Tonight show. But Joe from 2020 is enjoying more global relevance than both Jimmy’s combined.

The moral: Be like Rogan, but not in the same meathead-conspiracy way. Be like Rogan in his approach. Rogan is not the first nor the best. Rogan is different. He is new and fresh, and he questions the same issues. He talks about society, politics, relationships, health, finance, coming-to-age, and everything that is a part of our life.

When you can’t be the best, simply strive to be different.