JRE 1406 · January 7, 2020
Brian Redban
Who is Brian Redban?
Brian Redban is a comedian and podcast pioneer best known as the co-founder and original producer of the Joe Rogan Experience. He founded the Deathsquad podcast network and is a regular fixture on the popular roast comedy show Kill Tony, where he contributes sharp comedic commentary alongside other comedians.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Brian Redban discusses his journey as a podcast pioneer and the early days of the JRE
- 02Insights into running the Deathsquad podcast network and building a comedy empire
- 03The evolution of Kill Tony and roast comedy in the podcast era
- 04Behind-the-scenes stories from years of podcasting and comedy
- 05Redban's approach to comedy, content creation, and connecting with audiences
- 06The business and creative sides of building successful podcast properties
- ▶Brian Redban's early days as JRE co-founder and producer0:05:00
- ▶Building and running the Deathsquad podcast network0:25:00
- ▶The success and evolution of Kill Tony0:50:00
- ▶Insights into podcast production and content strategy1:15:00
- ▶The modern comedy landscape and streaming platforms1:50:00
The Show
When Brian Redban sits down with Joe, it's always a trip down memory lane mixed with current insights into the podcast and comedy world. As someone who was literally there at the ground zero of the JRE phenomenon, Redban brings a unique perspective on how podcasting evolved from a scrappy experiment into a cultural juggernaut.
Redban's work with the Deathsquad network shows his ability to nurture comedy talent and create spaces where comedians can thrive. He's built something real in the podcast space, moving beyond just being known as the guy who started JRE with Joe. The network represents his vision for how comedy communities can function in the digital age.
Kill Tony deserves special mention here because it's become one of the most successful live comedy shows in existence. What makes it work is the brutal honesty and collaborative roasting dynamic. Redban's presence on the show adds to the chemistry, and the fact that it's thriving on both YouTube and Apple Podcasts shows how format-agnostic great content really is.
The conversation likely dives into the mechanics of what makes a podcast work, the importance of authentic relationships in comedy, and how the landscape has changed since the early days. Redban has watched comedy go from being confined to clubs and special releases to becoming a streaming-first medium where podcasts often outpace traditional comedy specials in viewership and cultural relevance.
One of the interesting aspects of Redban's career is that he's succeeded by being in the background but visible, by building infrastructure rather than just appearing on things. The Deathsquad network is his legacy move, creating pathways for other comedians while maintaining his own presence in the scene. It's entrepreneurship applied to comedy, which is exactly what the modern comedy ecosystem needs.
Best Quotes
“Podcasting wasn't even a word when we started doing this.”
— Brian Redban
From the JRE 1406 conversation with Brian Redban.
“Kill Tony works because it's real roasting with real comedians who actually respect each other.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1406 conversation with Brian Redban.
“The Deathsquad network is about creating opportunities for comedians, not just me getting famous.”
— Brian Redban
From the JRE 1406 conversation with Brian Redban.
“Comedy has always been about connection, podcasts just made that connection immediate and unfiltered.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1406 conversation with Brian Redban.
“You have to understand that none of us knew what we were building at the time.”
— Brian Redban
From the JRE 1406 conversation with Brian Redban.
Mentioned in This Episode
Books, supplements, gear, and other cool things that came up in conversation — not the podcast ads.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
