Recap/Discussion: JRE #2000 Duncan Trussell
Only Joe Rogan. Only Joe Rogan would follow up one of the most contentious weekends on Twitter opening up an episode wearing a furry costume. When I saw that the next episode was with Duncan Trussell I figured we may be in for a treat. As the debate on Twitter raged for the next few days, Duncan and Joe donned furry costumes and hit the record button.
Enter: Duncan Trussell
I’m a rather vain person, so it took me a bit to warm up to Duncan. I found his voice to be rather excruciating but after you listen to him share his thoughts for a few hours you realize he’s one of the best of us. Trussell’s first appearance was in the early days — specifically #49. He’s had 45 total appearances (#62, #84, #103, #120, #130, #139, #141, #147, #156, #166, #179, #200, #214, #255, #272, #279, #291, #329, #369, #377, #391, #433, #468, #480, #577, #602, #630, #666, #739, #764, #828, #863, #1051, #1075, #1137, #1313, #1444, #1464, #1530, #1666, #1806, #1839, #1891, #1953) that have provided some iconic moments to the JRE legacy. If you can believe it, his episodes are usually a must-listen even after all this time. Joe and Duncan also engage in a costume gimmick that I also enjoy. I’m not sure if they’ve ever verified the reasoning but I appreciate the nod to life’s absurdity.
The boys warm us up with Duncan explaining what karma means to him and how he finds accountability in his life’s circumstances — good or bad (15:30). After a whirlwind of conversation entailing archeological mysteries, living in the moment, Duncan’s off-handed One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest analysis, and psychiatric maltreatment, Joe mentions a story head learned about from the 1800s where a boy in India was allegedly raised by wolves (51:26). If you guessed that the topic would spawn a conversation about Lindsey Graham’s recent horrific remarks regarding the Ukraine War, well. . . then you’re a liar.
If by the 1:12:34 mark you were worried that Joe and Duncan may not end up discussing RFK Jr., then have no fear. Joe cites the recent censorship Robert Kennedy Jr has incurred via YouTube and his past appearances on various shows. This would also include Kennedy’s recent guest spot with Jordan Peterson. Duncan succinctly equates such censorship to government, big tech, or the powers that be, practicing “bad parenting”, where of course the general public would be the children.
“Think of how many kids have touched Elf on the Shelf and not told their parents and lived with that guilt — knowing they fuckin’ depleted the elf’s magic and it’s not coming back” — Duncan Trussell
After a second whirlwind of topics, they stumble on the growing distrust and dissent toward corporate news. Every now and then we’re treated to well-said and spirited rants from brilliant minds such as Tim Dillon and Duncan Trussell. Duncan presents his latest at 1:52:06, contending that in this era of information, the onus is on everyday people to accurately and mindfully discern what’s true and what’s not. As Joe and Duncan consider what the average American considers “winning”, Joe has a very vulnerable moment that I believe most of us have grown to admire. Unfortunately, people who have sworn off the JRE will never get to experience a moment like this(2:16:19). Joe likens growing up poor to being a superpower, saying that the feeling of shame will never escape him, along with the hope of seeing his parents rise up from those circumstances.
The episode winds down relatively uneventfully. The boys discuss a new bill recently passed in Canada, requiring streaming services to contribute funding to Canadian-made content. Within the last hour they also cover the book, The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross, the idea of “God”, coping with existence, free will, and of course the obligatory UFO chat. Duncan and Joe seem to share an unbreakable and profound bond that transcends their work together and we’re here for it.
Rogan and the trajectory of his show continue to be something to behold. I think most would agree that both are in good hands.
This is also the last time I foolishly undertake the task of counting a long-time guest’s number of appearances. Awful. Apparently, Brenden Schaub holds the title with 86.
