AI Expert: We Have 2 Years Before Everything Changes! We Need To Start Protesting! - Tristan Harris
Stephen speaks with technology ethicist Tristan Harris about how incentives in the tech industry led from social media harms to a new wave of powerful AI systems, and why current AI development is on a trajectory most people would not choose if they saw it clearly. Tristan explains the race toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), the private beliefs and fears of AI leaders, the likely impacts on jobs, politics, and social fabric, and the emerging risks from AI companions and therapy bots. They conclude by outlining potential governance, design, and civic responses that could steer AI onto a narrower, safer path if enough people act in time.
Tim Ferriss: 4 Science-Backed Tools That Rewired Decades of Childhood Trauma & Depression
Tim Ferriss discusses his frameworks for learning quickly, choosing projects, and structuring life around relationships and energy rather than rigid long-term plans. He shares in depth about his history of childhood sexual abuse, severe depression, and near-suicide, and explains how he has used tools like psychedelic-assisted therapy, brain stimulation, and metabolic psychiatry to dramatically improve his mental health. The conversation also explores emerging bioelectric medicine, the importance of social connection, the pitfalls of modern dating, and practical practices like annual mini-retirements to sustain long-term well-being and productivity.
Selects: How Conversion Therapy Doesn't Work
The hosts examine the history, methods, and impact of conversion therapy, also known as reparative or ex-gay therapy, which claims to change a person's sexual orientation from gay to straight. They trace its roots from early pseudo-scientific psychological practices to its adoption by the Christian right as a major culture-war issue, and detail why the medical and psychological communities now condemn it as ineffective and harmful. The episode also covers specific abuse stories, research findings on mental health risks, legal efforts to ban conversion therapy for minors, and the movement's public unraveling through high-profile ex-gay leaders who later renounced it.
How to Make Yourself Unbreakable | DJ Shipley
Retired Navy SEAL and former Tier 1 operator DJ Shipley discusses how he structures his days to protect and improve his mental, physical, and spiritual health after years of high-risk combat deployments and severe injuries. He details his rigid morning and evening routines, his strength and conditioning approach with coach Vernon Griffith, and how psychedelic-assisted therapy with Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT helped him confront depression, addiction to prescription meds, and suicidality. Throughout, he shares stories from his SEAL career, the toll of loss and survivor's guilt, and his current mission to help veterans, first responders, and civilians develop unbreakable mindsets and bodies.
#614 - New York Circus
Theo Von reflects on changes in the circus from his childhood to the present and uses that as a segue into describing a "circus" surrounding his recent comedy special taping in New York City. He explains how going off antidepressants, a viral Department of Homeland Security immigration video using an old joke clip of his, heightened security concerns, and performance struggles all contributed to a stressful night and a later viral clip of him joking about suicide. He clarifies that he is not suicidal, shares a personal story about a friend's sister who took her life, takes emotional calls from listeners about losing a son to suicide and a three‑year‑old finishing chemotherapy, offers prayer and encouragement, and notes that he is back on his medication and planning to rest while remaining hopeful about the future.
#2386 - The Red Clay Strays
Joe Rogan talks with members of the Red Clay Strays about their origin as a bar cover band on the Gulf Coast, how their manager learned booking from scratch, and how the group has stayed together through heavy touring by centering their faith and a service-oriented mindset. They discuss writing emotionally heavy songs that resonate with depressed and suicidal fans, the grind of driving Uber during COVID to survive, and broader topics including hospitals as profit-driven businesses, extreme body modification and gene editing, social media-fueled hatred, government surveillance, UFOs, ancient civilizations, the Book of Enoch, and controversies around religious relics and the moon landing.
Atheist vs Christian vs Spiritual Thinker: The Paperclip Problem That Exposes Religion!
The host brings together three thinkers-an atheist/agnostic philosopher, a Christian apologist, and a Hindu-trained psychiatrist and spiritual practitioner-to explore why so many people today report a lack of meaning and purpose. They debate whether purpose is objective or purely subjective, how religion, spirituality, neuroscience, trauma, technology, and social conditions contribute to a "meaning crisis," and whether any worldview can adequately address deep suffering such as children dying of cancer. Alongside high-level philosophical disagreement, they also discuss concrete psychological tools and spiritual practices that can help individuals move from feeling lost to experiencing more direction and purpose in their own lives.
#612 - Pete Davidson
Comedian and actor Pete Davidson sits down for a long-form conversation about his life, from losing his firefighter father in the 9/11 attacks and how that shaped his childhood, to his struggles with depression, suicidality, addiction, and eventual decision to get sober. He discusses the emotional toll of fame and tabloid culture, his tendency toward self-sabotage and people-pleasing, and how therapy, recovery, and supportive relationships-especially with his mother and older comic friends-have helped him. Pete also talks about gearing up for his first international tour, reflecting on a previous Amish guest, and his excitement and fears around becoming a father for the first time.