Why Is Joe Rogan's Podcast So Popular?

Since its launch on December 24, 2009, "The Joe Rogan Experience" show became a podcasting sensation, with over 2,200 episodes to its credit, each spanning an impressive 2-3 hours.

In December 2020, Rogan inked a licensing agreement with Spotify, granting the platform exclusive rights to air the podcast. Initially reported to be valued at $100 million, The New York Times revealed in February 2022 that the actual figure for the three-and-a-half-year deal was "at least" $200 million.

In 2023, Spotify renewed the deal, which, as estimated by The Wall Street Journal, is worth $250 million. The deal has its exception this time—it is no longer exclusive, as it will expand its reach to platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

As of writing, "The Joe Rogan Experience" has reached the following stats:

• A total of 1,079 different guests have appeared on the podcast.
• 1 million subscribers on r/JoeRogan subreddit.
• His YouTube channel has 16 million subscribers, as of writing.
• The top 10 most watched episodes on YouTube account for around 368 million views. Elon Musk's first guest appearance from 2018 is the most-watched episode, seen by 67 million people.
• As of August 2021, the podcast had 190 million monthly downloads and 1.5 billion total downloads since inception.
• According to a report by TIME magazine, the podcast boasts a viewership of an estimated 11 million people per episode, making it Spotify's most popular podcast.

Impressive.

Despite swirling controversies, such as episodes featuring anti-vaccination sentiments and inappropriate language, "The Joe Rogan Experience" continues to captivate audiences, maintaining its allure and engagement. It appears that Joe Rogan's magnetic charisma and distinctive conversational style remain a recipe for podcasting success. But are they?

So, why is Joe Rogan & his podcast so popular?

He knows his listener.

What's significant about Joe Rogan extends beyond his content to the demographics of his audience. According to Media Monitors, Rogan's listenership consists of 71% males, evenly divided between high school and post-secondary graduates. Additionally, 57% of his audience reportedly earns over $50,000 annually, with 19% making more than $100,000. The average age of his listeners is 24. According to The Atlantic, Joe Rogan knows American men like no one does, which greatly contributes to his show’s appeal.

He was popular before his podcast.

That may sound harsh, but the fact that he already was popular before starting his show contributed to the podcast's success a lot.

It's often misunderstood that successful podcasts simply materialise from a host's idea and gradually amass listeners. Reality is often different.

Before launching his podcast, Joe Rogan had already carved out a substantial career path as a stand-up comedian and MMA commentator for many years. His involvement with UFC dates back to as early as 1997, and he had been honing his comedic craft since performing his first stand-up routine in 1988—well over two decades prior to his podcast's inception. This extensive background allowed him to steadily cultivate an audience over time, alongside accruing experience in various acting and hosting roles, which exposed him to diverse audiences.

By the time Rogan debuted his podcast, he already commanded a significant following and boasted a wealth of connections in both MMA and entertainment. These connections proved invaluable, enabling him to secure high-profile guests who, in turn, brought their own established fan bases to the show. With each guest appearance, Rogan expanded his reach to fans of comedians, fighters, scientists, politicians, and beyond. This interconnected network of pre-existing audiences, coupled with Rogan's adeptness at attracting top-tier guests, played a pivotal role in catapulting his podcast to rapid success.

He’s confident.

Confidence often plays a significant role in how we perceive and believe in people. We trust confident people, assuming they must be correct. Joe Rogan's confidence spans across various subjects, despite his actual expertise being limited. This isn't indicative of stupidity but is often misconstrued as such.

Rogan's broad discussions on numerous topics, despite his shallow grasp of them, resonate with millions in his audience. Listeners appreciate his accessible explanations, even though they may only scratch the surface of complex subjects.

Rogan presents himself as down-to-earth, engaging in activities associated with the working class like martial arts and recreational drug use. This broad appeal grants him a sizable audience, making him an attractive option for celebrities seeking exposure. Consequently, Rogan's podcast becomes the go-to platform for high-profile guests, further bolstering his viewership.

He asks questions. And he’s not afraid to.

One of the reasons behind Joe Rogan's remarkable success is his approach—he simply asks questions. He's genuinely curious, seeking to expand his own knowledge and unafraid to pose what some might consider "stupid" questions, which is exactly what we've touched on above. In fact, these questions often echo the thoughts of many listeners. Rogan takes his audience on this journey of exploration, inviting them to join in the quest for understanding. And it's this very process that has led to his immense success.

Here’s what Joe himself says in his interview to Spotify. "I was curious, but I didn’t understand how to make a conversation flow. I didn’t know when to shut up and listen, and I didn’t know how to make someone comfortable so that you can get the most out of their perspective. I’ve learned how to assist the conversation’s flow instead of waiting for my turn to talk. I learned how to be fully locked in with what the other person is saying."

"I found Rohan’s curiosity irresistible. He really did question everything. And then the guests started to increase in calibre. There were comedians, actors & physicists. He tackled subjects that were taboo such as UFO’s & alternative history," says a Joe Rogan’s listener on r/JoeRogan subreddit.

He invites high-profile guests.

What distinguishes Rogan's podcast is his talent for hosting captivating discussions with a diverse range of guests, spanning from environmental epidemiologists and longevity medicine practitioners to retired Navy SEALs, ultra-endurance athletes, and pioneers in psychedelic research.

The podcast features a wide array of guests, including comedians, actors, scientists, and experts from various fields, covering a broad scope of topics. The varied guest roster, featuring luminaries such as Dave Chappelle, Dwayne Johnson, Robert Downey Jr., Quentin Tarantino, Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, among others, contributes to the show's wide appeal.

"I only have people on the show that I’m genuinely interested in talking to. I never do a podcast just because a person is popular. It’s always from a place of “I think it would be cool to talk to that person," said Joe in an interview to Spotify in February 2024.

He discusses things. Unfiltered.

The podcast provides content unfiltered by network censors or political alliances. Unlike traditional media, the podcast is not subject to the same regulatory constraints or editorial control. This freedom allows for open and uncensored conversations, which many listeners find refreshing in an era where media outlets are often perceived as being influenced by political or corporate interests.

Joe Rogan's willingness to engage in discussions on a wide range of topics, including controversial and taboo subjects, has also contributed to the podcast's appeal. The podcast has allowed for guests to express their views and expertise without the constraints of traditional media, leading to in-depth and candid discussions, which has resonated with many listeners who value the authenticity and transparency of the content.

Which podcast equipment does Joe Rogan use?

Podcasting equipment surely contributes to Joe’s show success as well. Imagine if you were listening to your favourite "The Joe Rogan Experience" episode that sounded like it was recorded underwater with lots of plosives and background noise. We assume the listens and downloads would be much fewer in that case.

Joe Rogan's podcasting setup is a combination of high-quality equipment tailored to enhance both audio and visual aspects of his productions. His microphone selection includes the Shure SM7B dynamic microphone and the Blue Yeti USB microphone, offering versatility and clarity in sound capture.

In the newly established JRE Austin studio, Rogan has invested in a sophisticated multi-camera production setup. At its core lies the Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio Pro HD Live Production Switcher, enabling seamless transitions between camera angles and precise control over video output. Complementing this setup are various audio components, such as an audio interface, headphones (reportedly Sennheiser HD280Pro), and a headphone amplifier (Behringer Powerplay HA8000), facilitating high-fidelity audio recording and real-time monitoring during sessions.

Central to Rogan's audio setup is the Behringer Xenyx X1222USB Mixer and the Universal Audio Apollo Firewire Audio Interface. For video capture, Rogan employs the Canon Vixia HF G40 Full HD Camcorder and the Canon Vixia HF G50 4K30p Camcorder, renowned for their superior video quality and precise colour reproduction.

To support post-production workflows, the studio is equipped with top-of-the-line computing hardware, including the Apple Mac Pro Desktop Computer and a 32″ Apple Pro Display XDR. Additionally, Producer Young Jamie utilises an Apple MacBook Pro laptop during recording sessions for swift access to research and fact-checking. For audio editing, Rogan relies on Adobe Audition, ensuring a polished final product for his audience.