September 26, 2024 • 2hr 48min

#2207 - Shawn Ryan

The Joe Rogan Experience

Joe Rogan welcomes Shawn Ryan, a former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor who now hosts The Shawn Ryan Show podcast. They discuss their experiences starting and growing successful podcasts, their approach to content creation, and a wide range of topics including politics, media, psychedelics, UFOs, and more. The conversation provides insight into their perspectives as influential independent media voices.

#2207 - Shawn Ryan

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Key Takeaways

Shawn Ryan started his podcast in 2019 to document military history, address the veteran suicide crisis, and help veterans transition to civilian life and business
Joe Rogan believes there is still room for new successful podcasts if the content and host are compelling
Both hosts emphasize the importance of authenticity and following your own interests rather than having producers dictate content
They discuss concerns about media manipulation, government overreach, and threats to free speech, especially around controversial topics
Ryan had a transformative experience with ibogaine that helped him overcome alcohol addiction and other issues
Rogan and Ryan are skeptical of mainstream media narratives and believe independent voices are crucial
They speculate about UFOs, remote viewing, and other paranormal phenomena, keeping an open but critical mind
Both express concern about China's growing influence and potential threats to US infrastructure and technology
They worry about political polarization in the US potentially leading to further division or conflict

Introduction

Joe Rogan welcomes Shawn Ryan, a former Navy SEAL and CIA contractor who now hosts The Shawn Ryan Show podcast. They discuss their experiences starting and growing successful podcasts, their approach to content creation, and a wide range of topics including politics, media, psychedelics, UFOs, and more. The conversation provides insight into their perspectives as influential independent media voices.

Topics Discussed

Podcast Origins and Growth (2:37:45)

Rogan and Ryan discuss how they got started in podcasting:

Rogan started casually with a friend, inspired by other early podcasters like Adam Carolla
Ryan began in 2019 to document military history and help veterans, recording in his attic initially
Both emphasize organic growth through word-of-mouth rather than advertising
Rogan believes there's still room for new successful podcasts if the content is compelling

"I think if you've got a good show, it's gonna rise," says Rogan about the potential for new podcasts to succeed.

Authenticity in Podcasting (2:36:28)

They discuss the importance of authenticity:

Both hosts talk to guests they're genuinely interested in
They avoid having producers dictate content or guests
Authentic conversations resonate more with audiences than scripted interviews

"I can 100% tell this is just you talking to these guys," Rogan says about Ryan's interview style.

Media Manipulation and Censorship (33:30)

Rogan and Ryan express concerns about media manipulation and censorship:

They discuss examples of biased coverage and suppression of certain viewpoints
Both believe independent voices are crucial to counter mainstream narratives
They worry about the impact of social media censorship on free speech

"It's a creepy form of censorship because you do it to yourself," says Rogan about self-censorship due to demonetization threats.

Political Polarization and Potential Conflict (2:27:55)

They discuss growing political divisions in the US:

Ryan speculates about the potential for civil conflict
They note increasing alignment of states along political lines
Both express concern about extreme positions driving further division

"I think we're all kind of already there. It's just not...it's just gonna look a lot different," Ryan says about potential civil conflict.

Psychedelics and Addiction Treatment (2:08:16)

Ryan shares his transformative experience with ibogaine:

It helped him overcome alcohol addiction and other issues
He lost cravings for alcohol, Adderall, and sugar
Both hosts believe psychedelics have great potential for treating addiction and PTSD

"It was zero effort. It wasn't like, I'm not f**king drinking...I just didn't want it," Ryan says about quitting alcohol after ibogaine.

UFOs and Paranormal Phenomena (1:50:52)

They speculate about UFOs and other unexplained phenomena:

Rogan believes there may be multiple explanations for UFO sightings
They discuss the possibility of advanced technology from other countries
Both keep an open but critical mind about paranormal claims

"I think it's a bunch of things," Rogan says about potential explanations for UFO sightings.

Concerns About China's Influence (1:36:42)

They discuss potential threats from China:

Concerns about Chinese ownership of land near US military bases
Worries about vulnerabilities in US infrastructure and technology
Both believe the US needs to be more vigilant about protecting strategic assets

"They make some of the most incredible electric cars you could buy," Rogan notes about China's technological advancement.

Impact of Technology on Human Development (2:05:33)

They speculate about how technology is changing humans:

Discuss potential loss of peripheral vision due to smartphone use
Worry about decreased social skills in younger generations
Both see positives and negatives in technological advancement

"It's almost like we're moving towards becoming a different kind of person," Rogan says about the impact of technology.

Conclusion

Joe Rogan and Shawn Ryan's conversation covers a wide range of topics, from their experiences as podcast hosts to their views on politics, technology, and unexplained phenomena. They share a skepticism of mainstream narratives and a belief in the importance of independent voices. Both emphasize authenticity in their approach to podcasting and see it as a powerful medium for exploring ideas and sharing stories. While they express concerns about various threats to freedom and stability, they also see potential for positive change through open dialogue and new approaches to treating issues like addiction and PTSD.