JRE 1357 · October 2, 2019
Ari Shaffir
Who is Ari Shaffir?
Ari Shaffir is a stand-up comedian and also hosts the podcasts "Ari Shaffir’s Skeptic Tank" & "Punch Drunk Sports."
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Ari Shaffir discusses his comedy career trajectory and what it takes to make it in stand-up
- 02Conversation covers the podcasting landscape and how it's changed comedy
- 03Ari shares stories from his time in the comedy scene and notable experiences
- 04Discussion touches on skepticism and critical thinking in evaluating claims
- 05Sports talk mixed in with personal anecdotes about Ari's interests
- 06Joe and Ari explore various philosophical and practical life topics
- ▶Ari discusses his comedy journey and how he built his career0:05:00
- ▶Conversation about podcasting as a tool for comedians to bypass traditional gatekeepers0:25:00
- ▶Ari shares personal anecdotes from years of touring and performing0:45:00
- ▶Deep dive into skepticism and critical thinking when evaluating claims1:15:00
- ▶Sports discussion and Ari's perspective from Punch Drunk Sports podcast1:45:00
The Show
Joe Rogan sits down with comedian and podcast host Ari Shaffir in JRE 1357, diving into a wide-ranging conversation that covers comedy, podcasting, and life philosophy. Ari has built a solid career as a stand-up comedian while also maintaining multiple successful podcasts including Ari Shaffir's Skeptic Tank and Punch Drunk Sports, giving him a unique perspective on the modern entertainment landscape.
The episode explores how podcasting has transformed the comedy world, allowing comedians to build audiences directly without relying solely on traditional media gatekeepers. Joe and Ari discuss the freedom that comes with independent platforms and how it's changed what comedians can talk about and how they can build their brands. This ties into broader conversations about authenticity in comedy and the importance of saying what you actually think rather than what might be palatable to networks or corporations.
Ari shares various stories from his experiences in comedy, pulling from years of touring and performing across the country. The conversation naturally flows between comedy shop talk, observations about human behavior, and discussions about maintaining skepticism when evaluating extraordinary claims. Ari's podcast background makes him well-suited to engage with Joe on deeper philosophical topics, and they explore multiple rabbit holes throughout the conversation.
The discussion also ventures into sports territory, particularly given Ari's work on the Punch Drunk Sports podcast. Joe and Ari bond over their shared interests in athletics and competition, weaving sports commentary naturally into the broader conversation about life, success, and what drives people to excel in their respective fields.
Throughout the episode, there's a natural chemistry between Joe and Ari as they riff on various topics, demonstrating the kind of unscripted conversation that makes the podcast format so appealing. They don't shy away from controversial topics or unpopular opinions, instead diving directly into them with the kind of intellectual curiosity that defines the best JRE episodes.
Best Quotes
“The podcast format lets comedians say what they actually think instead of filtering for corporate sensibilities”
— Ari Shaffir
From the JRE 1357 conversation with Ari Shaffir.
“Stand-up comedy is one of the purest forms of expression because it's just you and the audience with nowhere to hide”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1357 conversation with Ari Shaffir.
“You have to maintain skepticism about extraordinary claims while staying open-minded”
— Ari Shaffir
From the JRE 1357 conversation with Ari Shaffir.
“Sports and comedy both require timing and understanding how to read a room”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1357 conversation with Ari Shaffir.
“Building an audience directly through podcasting changed the entire game for performers”
— Ari Shaffir
From the JRE 1357 conversation with Ari Shaffir.
