The Joe Rogan Experience #2413 — Theo Von
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Joe Rogan
Guest: Theo Von
Episode Overview
This episode of The Joe Rogan Experience brings back fan favorite comedian Theo Von for a wide-ranging, high-energy conversation covering everything from health routines and government distrust to wild conspiracies and the challenges of modern fame. The dialogue is peppered with humor, philosophical musings, and candid personal reflections, giving listeners both laughter and food for thought.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Health, Wellness, and Aging
- Vision & Red Light Therapy
- Joe discusses his use of red light therapy and specific vitamins for vision, claiming a reversal of age-related sight loss.
“I started using red light... I don't need reading glasses anymore.” — Joe [01:55]
- Joe discusses his use of red light therapy and specific vitamins for vision, claiming a reversal of age-related sight loss.
- Sauna Protocols & Online Health Gurus
- Both reflect on their sauna habits, mocking the complexity of online health advice.
“Everybody’s an online guru... all I’m trying to do is make it out of my garage.” — Theo [03:05, 03:15]
- Both reflect on their sauna habits, mocking the complexity of online health advice.
Political Dissent & CBD/THC Legislation
- Suppression of Dissent in Politics:
- They critique both political parties for punishing dissent (e.g., Rep. Thomas Massie).
- CBD legislation: Joe highlights a new bill limiting THC content, arguing it's driven by alcohol lobbyists to suppress cannabis use.
“It's the alcohol lobby… when people start smoking weed, they drink less.” — Joe [04:42–06:55]
- Synergy of CBD & THC:
- Personal stories about people, including Dave Foley, benefiting from CBD with trace THC.
Substance Use and Social Shifts
- Declining Alcohol Consumption:
- Joe abstains for months, notices better health, but enjoys an occasional drink.
“Gave up on drinking entirely for many months... felt way better.” — Joe [07:53]
- Joe abstains for months, notices better health, but enjoys an occasional drink.
America's Institutions Under Scrutiny
- Post Office, Privatization & Decline:
- Theo recounts a surreal experience at a Nashville post office, sparking debate on public vs. private sector efficiency.
“There were two birds... fighting over a package inside the post office.” — Theo [17:03]
- Joe defends niche roles of the post office (e.g. shipping live chicks).
- Theo recounts a surreal experience at a Nashville post office, sparking debate on public vs. private sector efficiency.
Self-Defense, Crime, and Gun Laws
- Legal Risks of Self-Defense:
- Joe questions the logic of charging people for defending property, linking it to political dysfunction.
“If you wanted to destroy society, you would do it exactly this way.” — Joe [22:26]
- Joe questions the logic of charging people for defending property, linking it to political dysfunction.
Media Illusions & Government Manipulation
- Manufactured News and Hollywood:
- They discuss Hollywood’s tie to intelligence agencies, narrative shaping, and authenticity of stories.
“You see a video, you believe it... then they make movies: ‘based on a real story’”— Theo [52:38]
- They discuss Hollywood’s tie to intelligence agencies, narrative shaping, and authenticity of stories.
Healthcare, Corruption & Access
- Corrupt Incentives:
- Joe discusses financial incentives in healthcare (vaccination bonuses for doctors, price opacity), calling it a “trap.”
“She vaccinated all her patients for Covid, she’d have made $1.5 million. That’s motivation.” — Joe [64:33]
- Conversation on U.S. vs. socialized medicine, insurance denials, and medical bankruptcy.
- Joe discusses financial incentives in healthcare (vaccination bonuses for doctors, price opacity), calling it a “trap.”
Government, Conspiracies, and Social Media
- Lack of Trust in Institutions:
- Growing awareness of how both CIA and FBI act against the public interest.
“Why is it our FBI and CIA are working against us?... It feels like they’re tricking us.” — Theo [51:05]
- Growing awareness of how both CIA and FBI act against the public interest.
- Radicalization, Censorship, and Algorithms:
- Debate on whether social media companies should be held liable if their platforms contribute to violence.
- Joe worries that any such control opens the door to government censorship.
“You’re opening the door to censorship… they’ll decide what’s radical.” — Joe [86:57]
- Bot-Driven Discourse:
- Exploration of how much online discussion is shaped by bots, propaganda, and manipulation.
Human Purpose & Modern Malaise
- Disconnection and Personal Meaning:
- Theo admits podcasting gives him a voice and connection he struggled to find growing up; he values meaningful, human stories and conversations.
“Some of my biggest conversations are on podcasting now… that’s when I’ll talk the most.” — Theo [122:56]
- Theo admits podcasting gives him a voice and connection he struggled to find growing up; he values meaningful, human stories and conversations.
Surveillance, AI, and Dystopian Futures
- Drone Warfare & Databases:
- Fears about American adoption of companies like Palantir for surveillance and AI-driven targeting, following reports about their role in Gaza.
“It made me a little bit nervous... Are we going to enter a surveillance state?” — Theo [169:09]
- Fears about American adoption of companies like Palantir for surveillance and AI-driven targeting, following reports about their role in Gaza.
- AI in Government:
- Joe speculates AI might one day expose and correct government corruption.
Historical Mysteries & Lost Civilizations
- Ancient Engineering Feats:
- Joe is fascinated by temples like India’s Kailasa, carved from solid rock, as evidence of forgotten human achievements.
“It's almost more impressive than some of the stuff from ancient Egypt.”— Joe [115:18]
- Joe is fascinated by temples like India’s Kailasa, carved from solid rock, as evidence of forgotten human achievements.
Fame, Privacy, and the Pressure of Attention
- Paranoia & Fan Interactions:
- Theo details his struggle with feeling “trapped” by increasing fame, especially when personal moments are publicized without consent.
“It felt like nothing was safe, like, just...you’re solid—you’re no one.” — Theo [151:53]
- Theo details his struggle with feeling “trapped” by increasing fame, especially when personal moments are publicized without consent.
War, Propaganda, and Generational Change
- Modern Warfare in the Public Eye:
- They note the unprecedented public view into the Gaza war thanks to social media, and how it has shaped younger Americans' attitudes.
“This is the first time you see what happens when a superpower attacks a country that doesn't have an army…” — Joe [157:08]
- They note the unprecedented public view into the Gaza war thanks to social media, and how it has shaped younger Americans' attitudes.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Vision and Wellness
- “I started using red light… I don't need reading glasses anymore.” — Joe [01:55]
Government and Corruption
- “If you really think that what they're trying to do is make sure that people get health care, you're naive.” — Joe [16:24]
Social Media Dangers
- “If you wanted to destroy society, you would do it exactly this way… let violent people stay violent, lock up those who defend themselves.” — Joe [22:26]
Media and Disinformation
- “You see a video, you believe it… then they make movies: ‘based on a real story’” — Theo [52:38]
UFOs and Ancient Mysteries
- “It’s almost more impressive than some of the stuff from ancient Egypt.” — Joe [115:18], referencing India's Kailasa Temple.
Personal Purpose & Podcasting
- “Some of my biggest conversations are on podcasting now… that’s when I’ll talk the most.” — Theo [122:56]
- “I do notice I meet a lot of people and I care about what's going on in their lives.” — Theo [120:26]
Paranoia of Fame
- “It felt like nothing was safe, like, just...you’re solid—you’re no one.” — Theo [151:53]
- “That’s a personal thing… you feel like you’re trapped a lot, talking to crazy people or people that want something from you.” — Joe [153:34]
On Government Surveillance
- "How crazy...to allow the government to constantly know where you are and what you're doing...you're going to self-censor." — Joe [169:39]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Vision & Wellness: 01:55
- Political Dissent & CBD/THC Laws: 03:31 – 06:56
- Decline of Post Office & Privatization: 17:03
- Self-Defense & Gun Laws: 21:26 – 24:02
- Healthcare System Critiques: 64:18 – 66:39
- Radicalization, Censorship, and Algorithms: 86:40 – 89:48
- Modern Social Disconnection: 120:26 – 124:49
- Fame, Trapped by Attention: 151:53 – 153:34
- AI, Surveillance, and Governance: 165:34 – 177:43
- Ancient Civilizations & Mysteries: 113:24 – 116:49
- War, Propaganda, and Social Media: 157:08 – 159:41
Tone and Style
- The episode is highly conversational, with sharp humor, rapid topic changes, sarcasm, and friendly roasting between host and guest.
- Both Joe and Theo occasionally dive into serious, introspective moments, granting insight into personal struggles and larger societal anxieties.
- There is a recurring skepticism of institutions, a fascination with conspiracies, and an undercurrent of searching for purpose and kindness in a confusing modern world.
For listeners:
This episode delves beyond surface laughs, offering a bittersweet take on life in a confusing era—how to stay sane, curious, and connected as the world seems to spin off its axis. If you like candid, meandering conversations where anything goes, this one is not to be missed.