Despite my desire to do otherwise, I have accepted that Joe Rogan has the most listened to podcast in the United States. Based on podcast charts and endless surveys, the man is the official king of podcasts. Does that comfort me? No. Do I think it signals the era of anti-intellectualism? Yes. But I’ve stopped spending precious minutes of my one life on Earth spiraling about this looney guy putting Make America Healthy Again ideology into the minds of millions.
It becomes a more bitter pill to swallow, though, when guests on The Joe Rogan Experience aren’t random “former CIA agents,” “retired Navy SEALS” and Riyadh-performing comedians like Andrew Santino. It even makes sense for Charlie Sheen to go on Rogan — he’s currently promoting his book and his Netflix documentary, and hasn’t had a lot going for him since his biggest fall from grace nearly a decade ago.
With Rogan’s incredible reach though, it’s not just various iterations of has-beens that appear on the podcast. Last week, Matthew McConaughey appeared on the show to promote his new book of poetry. Somehow Rogan ended up coming across as a bit more even-keeled than McConaughey when it came to religion in public schools.
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This week, Lionel Richie appeared to promote his new book, Truly, a memoir about his wild life as a global star. And yes, promoting your work on podcasts is the new big thing. However, it feels insane to watch Lionel Richie have this two-hour-long, intimate and honest conversation with the same guy who spent hours just a few weeks ago running a poorly reviewed blood-test clinic.
As someone on the YouTube video commented, “Kids, this is a true legend. Not some bullshit TikToker. This man is a true legend and there’s a lot to learn from him and his life. There aren’t many left, but he’s one.”
Another commenter added: “Perhaps the least expected Joe Rogan podcast, instant click.”
Even fans of the show — who were thrilled to see Richie on the program — were surprised by his presence. And while I don’t begrudge Richie too much for his decision to be on Rogan, it just still confuses me that Rogan’s podcast empire can have this much legitimacy.
It’s not just that Rogan is now booking bigger names with his bigger audience; it’s that he’s padding out his interview schedule with these huge iconic figures while still mixing in three-hour conversations with Mike Baker. The big names lend unearned credibility to these other figures, whose credentials might not ladder up to “former co-lead singer of The Commodores” and the singer of “Hello.”