Why he’s one of us:

As our own Guy Shepherd says in this PM story:

“I was inspired to launch Planned Man because Joe’s success and the success of others showed that there was a market of men—already with their heads screwed on straight—ready to recognize and respond to a voice like this. I spent countless hours watching, enjoying and taking notes.”

“This guy has some manly range: comedian, ring commentator. He’s a black belt’s black belt. But Rogan’s gift to the world is The Joe Rogan Experience—an experience that is showing the way forward to a shared, sane lane.”

– Guy Shepherd

And over at The Atlantic, which we see as a pretty sensible mainstream liberal publication of ideas, here’s what they have to say about him:

“He understands men in America better than most people do.”

“He understands men in America better than most people do.”

We like that a guy like Joe Rogan is Atlantic-worthy, and we also appreciate that they point out that Rogan has “managed to recruit a following the size of Florida” and “They’re (Joe Rogan’s fans) not aligned around any set of curiosities or politics.  They are aligned around Joe.”

Who he was before he was famous:
If you’re a fan you already know this but for the rest of the world, Rogan was a comedian, actor for Disney(!), martial arts champion, UFC color commentator and the host of Fear Factor. He starred in an NBC sitcom called NewsRadio as a radio station’s electrician and handyman; Ray Romano was originally cast in the role and he was fired after one rehearsal and Rogan replaced him.

Here’s a sign you should take Joe’s advice when he offers it:
Comedian Phil Hartman from Saturday Night Live appeared on NewsRadio with Rogan, and Hartman often told Rogan about his marital problems. Rogan tried to convince Hartman that he should divorce his wife, but Hartman would say he was staying in the marriage for his kids. In 1998, Hartman was murdered by his wife.

Range of guests, range of attitudes, and an unexpected endorsement:
If you try to categorize Rogan as Democrat or Republican, or liberal or conservative, you’ve going to fail. He thinks for himself and the end result is that you can’t fit him or his guest choices in a box.

If you want to see more PM coverage of Joe Rogan, below:

As Joe Rogan goes, so goes America

The Experience that is Joe Rogan

Experiencing the Joe Rogan Experience: Guest Jordan Peterson

Massholian Exceptionalism