The Joe Rogan Experience #2389 – Sal Vulcano
Date: October 7, 2025
Guest: Sal Vulcano
Length: ~2h47m
Episode Overview
This episode features comedian Sal Vulcano, best known for "Impractical Jokers." The conversation is a fun blend of personal stories, comedy career insights, health and fitness, and classic Rogan detours into everything from art and sports to paranormal experiences. Sal brings his trademark self-deprecating humor, while Joe's curiosity and expertise in physical wellness, martial arts, and pop culture keep the conversation lively and wide-ranging. They swap stories about their upbringings, hilarious moments on tour, fitness struggles, pursuits of new hobbies, and even aliens and haunted houses.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Fatherhood and Health Wake-Up Calls
Timestamps: 00:12–07:09
- Sal’s Motivations: Sal discusses becoming a father at 48 and the sudden drive to get healthy and prolong his life for his child.
- Quote (Sal, 00:54): “I have to be here as long as possible.”
- Midlife Health Changes: Sal describes starting with a trainer, getting bloodwork, and dealing with results indicating he’s “susceptible to soft tissue injury.”
- Joe suggests this is mostly from lack of resistance training and not using those tissues over time.
- Sal shares a moment of injury while throwing a medicine ball, prompting them to discuss starting slow and not getting hurt.
2. Food, Fitness, and Instagram Temptations
Timestamps: 00:54–03:06
- Joe’s Diet: Joe explains his diet is protein-rich but not obsessive (jokes about eating for a "300-pound man").
- Gluttony and Fasting: He gets away with indulgence by working out hard and intermittent fasting.
- Italian Food in NY & Vegas: Both express their love for Italian food; Joe raves about Gaetano’s in Vegas.
3. Touring, Producing, and Coping with the Road
Timestamps: 03:06–05:38
- Sal’s Tour: Sal is on an extended comedy tour (2024–2026) with a break for fatherhood and producing new shows and podcasts.
- Comedy on the Road: They discuss bringing friends for morale, how touring solo can be “depressing,” and methods to pass the time—Joe works out and plays pool, while Sal starts with fitness after realizing being “weak” and “old.”
- Baby Steps in Fitness: They talk about set realistic fitness goals and gradual progress (“Baby steps. Don’t go too hard. Don’t get hurt. Build up slow.” – Joe, 05:29).
4. Science Detours — Blood Markers and Soft Tissue
Timestamps: 05:38–11:45
- Joe and Sal wonder about biomarkers for injury, checking Perplexity AI in real time. Turns out certain genetic markers (elastin/elagen gene) may predict ligament weakness—a fact that makes Sal dub himself "an X-Men mutant" (10:52).
5. Physical Activity, Youth & Martial Arts
Timestamps: 13:31–15:26
- Sal admits he used to play sports but never martial arts.
- Joe recounts switching from baseball to wrestling & martial arts (prefers solo sports where results rest solely on individual effort).
6. Corruption and Pay in Fighting Sports
Timestamps: 15:26–18:47
- UFC Decisions: Joe discusses corruption in combat sports, unfair judging, and its impact on fighters’ earnings and morale (“Those judges just stole $15,000 from you.” – Joe, 17:26).
7. Humbling Youth Sports Stories
Timestamps: 18:47–25:31
- Sal’s Epic Basketball Fail: Sal shares a hilarious story about being the MVP of a winless JV basketball team whose parents and opponents mercilessly chanted “44-zip” after a blowout loss. This humiliation, he jokes, “set me up to be a comedian” (25:31).
- They reflect on childhood sports, pressure from parents, and the value of losing early and often.
8. Hobbies, Sailing, and Manifestation
Timestamps: 26:12–33:03
- Sal randomly talks about wanting to learn sailing, and soon after, meets a dad who is a sailing instructor. Both joke about “manifesting” hobbies.
- Joe (29:08): “There’s a strange dance between consciousness and physical reality that we’re not totally aware of.”
- Joe recounts his parents selling their house to live on a sailboat post-retirement, which led to adventures and a closer connection with nature.
- The restorative effects of the ocean and nature are highlighted, including Joe’s time living above the water and thoughts on mortality ("The water at night is a black monster" – Joe, 34:17).
9. Ocean Dangers & Scuba Diving
Timestamps: 36:34–41:41
- Sal shares his anxiety-inducing scuba diving experience—claustrophobia, the fear of running out of air, and being separated underwater.
- Joe discusses dangers of the ocean (tsunamis, unpredictability) and “that’s their world” regarding sea creatures.
10. Claustrophobia and Primal Fears
Timestamps: 43:01–46:58
- Sal opens up about panic attacks in tight spaces (MRIs, planes), which they connect to possible genetic memories of trauma.
- Joe theorizes phobias (snakes, spiders, clowns) may be evolutionary inherited defense mechanisms.
11. Clowns, Urban Legends, and Banksy
Timestamps: 47:40–51:06
- Sal recalls a Staten Island “clown terror” wave, sending people into panic.
- They speculate humorously about the mystery of artist Banksy (Christian Bale? A group?) and the persistence of his anonymity.
12. Art, Value, and Conspiracy
Timestamps: 55:37–63:53
- Sal visits a lavish English brunch where celebrities (Woody Harrelson, Owen Wilson) and original Banksy & Picasso art abound.
- Joe (61:38): “People always want art. But... nobody wanted that art, and then all of a sudden it became worth millions because of the CIA.”
- Joe describes CIA “psyops” behind modern art’s popularity—pushing “nonsense art” to one-up Soviet artists during the Cold War.
- They share personal collections (Joe: Native American art; Sal: works by Jordy Kerwick).
- Joe shows off Overton's art in the studio.
13. Bowhunting, Archery, and Mastery
Timestamps: 69:05–77:41
- Joe discusses the rigors of bowhunting—practicing daily, the physics of arrows, and the legendary skill of Mongol archers.
- Sal quizzes Joe on archery skills; Joe details the tech involved (range finders, arrow speed), but emphasizes that real-world mastery takes "years of practice" (75:40).
- They joke about left-handed (southpaw) athletes having unusual skills due to growing up “in a right-handed world.”
14. Drawing, Artistic Talent, and Musical Instruments
Timestamps: 82:03–88:09
- Joe explains his comic book artist past, family influences, and the lost art of self-taught drawing.
- Sal’s story of spending all his confirmation money on a Van Halen replica guitar he never played—a purchase inspired by glam rock influences like Twisted Sister.
15. Comedy and Public Humiliation
Timestamps: 87:13–93:42
- Sal describes being forced to perform as a fake, musically inept opening act for Imagine Dragons, enduring a torrent of boos, stage invasion, and union conflicts.
- Another story: Sal faces hockey slap shots from the New Jersey Devils as a prank—prompting concern from onlookers who didn’t realize it was a comedy bit.
16. Hockey Violence, Old-School Toughness, and Sports Legacy
Timestamps: 95:02–100:49
- They discuss brutality in hockey (goalies with scarred faces, lack of early protective equipment), the sport’s culture of fighting, and legendary players like Bobby Orr.
17. Fitness Setbacks and Self-Care
Timestamps: 104:00–106:32
- Sal recalls reintroducing himself to hockey years after quitting, reminding Joe how quickly the body breaks down without consistent exercise—likening the body to being a “bad landlord”.
- Joe says: “The main thing about working out is momentum...it’s just like we have to make healthy patterns. And you can do it.”
18. Ghost Story—Sal’s Unfinished Business
Timestamps: 110:12–118:24
- Sal finally tells a ghost story he began during a previous appearance:
- He felt an invisible hand squeeze his exposed hand while wrapped up alone in bed with his CPAP machine. Certain he was awake, he was “paralyzed with fear,” and found his bedroom door locked and no one present after he leapt up.
- Joe wonders if it was a dream, sleep paralysis, or even aliens. They compare tales of haunted locations (e.g., The Comedy Store), mob murders, and possible “psychic stains” left behind.
19. Paranormal, Laws, and Practical Jokes
Timestamps: 122:18–128:14
- Detour into property law: in only a few states (CA, AK, SD) must sellers disclose deaths in a house. Sal jokes about whether he’d have to move if he ever killed a home invader with his new Amazon Prime machete. They riff on the “you have to tell me if you’re a cop” urban myth.
20. Drones, Psyops, and Technology Fear
Timestamps: 131:18–139:15
- The conversation pivots to the “drone phenomenon,” government secrecy, theories about Chinese technological superiority in drone design, and large-scale synchronised drone shows in Asia.
- They ponder if UFO scares are a psyop or foreign flex, and the tension between safety regulation and innovation.
21. AI, ChatGPT, and “Stank Ass”
Timestamps: 138:01–141:43
- Sal tries ChatGPT-5 for the first time, programming it to call him “Big Pimpin’” and respond in 90s hip hop slang.
- Sal (140:38): “Yo, Big Pimpin, I’m right here vibin’ with you…”
- Joe predicts AI will be “a person in your house” soon, possibly as an emotional companion.
22. Extreme Pranks, Stun Guns, and Shock Collars
Timestamps: 155:36–163:22
- Sal describes a recent “Impractical Jokers” bit where he was locked in a haunted house until he successfully canceled his cable, phone, and internet—enduring 42 minutes of scares and using a taser as “protection.”
- Mentions wearing four dog shock collars simultaneously for a game, suffering dozens of shocks—a “punishment” that, in retrospect, he feels may have been unwise.
23. Jaden Smith Tattoos
Timestamps: 163:19–166:34
- Sal reveals he has two realistic tattoos of Jaden Smith on his thighs due to show punishments. He once made Jaden pose for the second one after meeting him in person.
24. Impractical Jokers: 12 Seasons & Touring
Timestamps: 166:34–167:15
- Reflects on the show’s longevity (12 seasons, 300+ episodes) and loyal fan base.
- Sal is set to perform at major venues (Chicago Theatre, Beacon, Ryman) and plugs his website: salvulcanocomedy.com.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Fitness:
“If you’re thinking about working out, do it, because it’s a good place to start no matter where you’re at.”
— Joe (05:26) -
On Carbs & Discipline:
“Most of my Instagram algorithm is things that I shouldn’t eat. It’s all sandwiches and pizza.”
— Joe (01:14) -
On the Show's Most Humbling Memory:
“I was the MVP of the team. 00:14 on the year. 16 points on the season. I have that trophy right now in my den on my mantle.”
— Sal (22:16) -
On Manifestation:
"There’s too many times…you run into a trainer…you run into a sailing instructor right after putting it out there. There’s a strange dance between consciousness and physical reality.”
— Joe (29:08) -
On Modern Art and the CIA:
“People always want art. But... nobody wanted that art, and then all of a sudden it became worth millions because of the CIA.”
— Joe (61:38) -
On Ghosts and Aliens:
“I know I’m fully awake. I feel like I either have to count to three, jump up and fight, or…I’m vulnerable.”
— Sal (112:38) -
On Urban Legends:
“Are you a cop? You know if you machete someone, you have to tell us.”
— Joe & Sal (128:58) -
On ChatGPT:
“Yo, Big Pimpin, I’m right here vibin’ with you... I’ll keep it all hip hop and smooth like stories.”
— Sal (140:38, reading his AI assistant) -
On Stunt Showings Gone Wrong:
“I was in net, and it was scarier than that. They were taking blistering slap shots at us...I got back up, but it still was hitting me, like, in the neck.”
— Sal (94:00)
Timestamps to Important Segments
- 00:12 — Sal on parenthood and health scare
- 03:06 — Comedy road stories & coping with tour life
- 05:38 — Fitness setbacks, bloodwork, and genetic susceptibilities
- 13:31 — Sports & martial arts backgrounds
- 18:47 — Sal’s JV basketball humiliation/MVP story
- 26:12 — Hobbies and "manifesting" positive changes
- 29:02 — Joe on energy & avoiding negative people
- 36:34 — Ocean fears and scuba diving
- 43:01 — Sal on claustrophobia and panic attacks
- 55:37 — Insane celebrity brunch and Banksy speculation
- 61:16 — CIA, modern art, and cultural psyops
- 75:40 — Archery, mastery, and left-handed savants
- 87:13 — Sal on getting booed as the "Imagination Dragons" opening act
- 110:12 — Sal’s ghost story (sleep, hand squeeze incident)
- 131:18 — Drone/UFO psyops and military tech
- 138:01 — AI/ChatGPT and “stank ass” AI girlfriends
- 155:36 — Shock collar, tasers, and impractical show punishments
- 163:19 — The Jaden Smith tattoo saga
- 166:34 — 12 seasons of "Impractical Jokers" & tour plug
Tone and Style
The episode is fast and loose, with signature Rogan digressions, tangents, and a tone that swings between sincere vulnerability and irreverent, ridiculous humor. Sal’s humility and ability to poke fun at himself fit perfectly into Rogan’s conversational rhythm, leading to moments both hilarious and genuinely insightful.
Sal Vulcano (113:30):
“I feel like I either have to count to three, jump up and fight, or…I’m vulnerable. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me. I’ll just take charge of the situation whatever I can…”
Joe Rogan (61:38):
"People always want art. But... nobody wanted that art, and then all of a sudden it became worth millions because of the CIA. That's why—mind the American people into believing that terrible art is really good."
Summary
A consistently engaging, hilarious episode with Sal Vulcano, covering midlife changes, the realities of comedy touring, the weirdness of childhood humiliation, fitness struggles, the art world’s mysteries, urban legends, ChatGPT, UFO psyops, and life as a walking, tattooed bit. The show is loaded with relatable stories and outlandish anecdotes—and a frequent reminder to “keep up the momentum” whether it’s in the gym, in comedy, or just in showing up for life.