The Joe Rogan Experience #2429 – Tom Segura

Date: December 23, 2025
Guest: Tom Segura

Overview

This episode reunites Joe Rogan with comedian Tom Segura for a wide-ranging, high-energy conversation. They cover topics from fitness routines, the challenge of balancing indulgence (like Segura’s love of croissants) with health, the evolution of stand-up comedy, the impact of technology and social media, mysterious ancient civilizations, Saudi Arabia’s entertainment push, and the ethics and absurdities of extreme wealth, corruption, and scam artists. Tom also talks about his new Netflix special, “Teacher,” and his experiences as a business owner and parent.

The tone throughout is candid, humorous, and occasionally irreverent, with both hosts riffing off each other’s stories and observations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Fitness, Weight Loss, and Lifestyle Adjustments

• Tom’s Transformation & Routine
  • Tom opens up about his dramatic weight loss (from 265 to 187 lbs), new fitness habits, and disciplined diet:
    • Eats 4 high-protein meals daily, tracks macros, carb cycles depending on training intensity ([01:24], [01:38]).
    • Early rising (5:30AM) due to his writers’ room schedule for his show "Bad Thoughts."
    • Sleep is the "biggest challenge" but key to maintaining his lifestyle ([03:32], [04:21]).

“The most I ever weighed was 265 […] and now I’m 187.” – Tom ([00:37]-[00:43])
“The key to the whole thing is… you go to bed early, or this doesn’t work.” – Tom ([03:32])

• Accountability, Motivation, and the Gym
  • Tom keeps a trainer for accountability and harder sessions ([00:59], [01:01]).
  • Joe and Tom debate morning vs. midday strength; both now endorse exercising early for mental clarity and mood ([05:13], [06:07]).
  • Cardio specifically calms the mind and kills “internal chatter” for both ([06:46]).

“Cardio is what really shuts off all the chatter.” – Joe ([06:46])
“You have to realize: 20 years goes by so fast.” – Joe ([08:08])

• Obsession with Metrics, Longevity
  • Discussion of why people need to focus on fitness and health metrics like VO2 max, bone density as they age. ([07:38]-[08:24])

Comedy, Writing, and the Business of Being Funny

Comedy Consumption for Comedians

• Segura admits he’s barely watched major comedies like "The Office" or "30 Rock," preferring thrillers and dramas after performing stand-up. Joe agrees ([14:40]-[15:18]).
• Both reflect on the strangeness of working in a writing room when you haven’t consumed the genre ([14:56]-[15:18]).

Family, Parenting, and Nature vs. Nurture

• Tom shares stories about his competitive, athletic older son—nicknamed a "psycho" for obsessive running ([32:03]), and his younger, more comedic and complain-y son (nicknamed “Joe Pesci”).
• The duo riff on the mysterious origins of personality—nature, nurture, genetics, innate drive ([30:19]-[35:16]).

“There are qualities in people’s personalities that are innate—especially when you have more than one kid.” – Tom ([30:19])

Stand-up’s Arena Boom & Changing Business Model ([108:33]-[115:03])

• Joe and Tom discuss the explosion of arena/stadium stand-up thanks to the Internet and the global reach of social media.
• Comedians like Nate Bargatze, Sebastian Maniscalco, and even Tom tour at a scale once reserved for a select few; family-friendly (“clean”) comedy draws huge multi-generational crowds ([108:40]).
• Both reminisce about their early days and the unique intimacy and rush of "in the round" theater stages ([113:32]-[115:03]).

“It’s so bizarre. There’s so many of us now [in arenas]. That wasn’t the case at all.” – Joe ([115:26])
“Standup is very popular right now.” – Joe ([108:33])

Ancient Civilizations, Mysteries & Aliens

• Amazon and Ancient Tech
  • Deep dive into the Amazon’s mysterious civilizations, man-made soil (terra preta), lost cities, and recent lidar discoveries ([57:43]-[66:04]).
• North American Ancient Sites
  • New discoveries like 18,000-year-old Oregon stone structures raise questions about humanity’s North American history ([65:04]-[69:22]).
• Nazca Lines, Peruvian Mummies
  • Rogan shares info and CT-scan images of tri-dactyl (three-fingered) mummies found in Peru, which possibly date from an unknown lost civilization and mirror classic “grey alien” traits ([69:22]-[81:19]).

“That’s not a human being. Alien. Or... it might have been a kind of human being.” – Joe ([76:44])
“If these things turn out to be real… that changes our understanding of what has existed here before.” – Joe ([79:09])

• Aliens and the Media
  • Both complain about public apathy toward world-changing news:
    “Nobody cares. Everybody’s tick-tocking.” – Joe ([81:42])

Social Media & Modern Attention

• Both express frustration at how many in society are “mentally out of it” due to lack of healthy routines and constant exposure to social media distractions ([152:11]-[153:11]).
• Artificial intelligence and deepfakes are making fake reality indistinguishable from real ([179:03]), raising skepticism about any media or news.

Combat Sports, Health, and Limits

• Fighting in the Modern Era
  • Intense discussion on how many more people—kids included—now know martial arts due to internet and MMA influence; Joe warns that fighting/boxing takes a lifelong toll, and anyone sticking around too long will “pay the price” with brain health ([49:44]-[51:06]).
  • Heavy praise and caution for figures like Jake Paul, RFK Jr., Alex Pereira, and other athletes who demonstrate extreme drive and risk ([44:38]-[55:24]).

“Don’t do it forever. The price you pay is eventually not worth it.” – Joe ([49:54])

Rogan & Segura’s Food Temptations and Entrepreneurial Forays

• Tom’s chocolate croissant obsession blossoms into a real baking business, now with a pop-up and physical location ("Chicho bomba") opening soon ([126:24]-[131:02]).
• Both swap stories of their hardest food temptations, LA deli nostalgia (Canter’s, Jerry’s Famous Deli), and the challenge of gaining/losing weight as you age—especially as life grows more complex ([132:45]-[134:07]).
• Joe reveals he’s considered opening an Italian deli in Austin.

Medical Advances & Biohacking Debates

• Discussion around the promise (and perils) of new peptides and supplements that claim to mimic the effects of exercise, such as "Sloop 332" ([136:20]-[138:00]).
• Joe extols red light therapy for vision and skin health.

“Red light helps… I can see things way better than I used to be.” – Joe ([124:34])
“There’s so much stuff on the horizon… you’re basically going to be able to get the benefits of exercise in a peptide.” – Joe ([136:20])

Wealth, Power, and Scams

• Billionaires, Loopholes, and Moral Dilemmas
  • They discuss how the richest avoid taxes, the origins and philanthropy of the Nobel Prize, and extreme, sometimes humble lifestyles of moguls like Sam Walton & the Patagonia founder ([162:54]-[161:17]).
• Epstein Files, Blackmail & Media Distractions
  • Open frustration about the slow release of Epstein evidence, possible ongoing blackmail operations, and the incompetent or corrupt management from elites and justice officials ([82:22]-[93:26]).
  • Recap of the infamous Bill Gates interview dodging connections to Epstein ([91:11]).
• Televangelists & Legal Scams
  • Riff on the captivating power and legal loopholes of scammy megachurch pastors amassing fortunes ([155:08]-[158:34]):

"That scam, we allow. Like, if you’re so dumb you buy into that… that’s not even illegal." – Joe ([155:47])

• AI Scams, Crowd Campaigns, Social Manipulation
  • Both discuss how easy it is to scam people with deepfakes, chatbots, and coordinated investor schemes ([153:56]-[154:19]).

Saudi Arabia, Entertainment, & Cultural Change

• Tom describes performing at the prestigious Riyadh festival alongside major comedians such as Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, and Dave Chappelle ([168:38]-[172:27]).
• Only restrictions: jokes about Islam or the royal family (“wasn’t really a hard thing for most people to adhere to” ([169:30])).
• There’s debate about whether Western artists should participate in events funded by governments with questionable records (Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, etc.), but Tom and Joe argue these events represent tangible progress and foster openness in Saudi society ([176:10]).

“If you lived in Saudi Arabia, you never would imagine you’d see a lineup like that.” – Joe ([177:12])

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “The most I ever weighed was 265.” – Tom ([00:37])
• “Cardio is what really shuts off all the chatter.” – Joe ([06:46])
• “Before you know it, 20 years goes by so fast.” – Joe ([08:08])
• “It’s so bizarre. There’s so many of us now [in arenas]. That wasn’t the case at all.” – Joe ([115:26])
• “You want to wonder why so many people are out of their minds—that’s a big part of it. They don’t work hard.” – Joe ([07:32])
• “That’s not a human being. Alien. Or... it might have been a kind of human being.” – Joe ([76:44])
• “Nobody cares. Everybody’s tick-tocking.” – Joe ([81:42])
• “Don’t do it forever. The price you pay is eventually not worth it.” – Joe, on boxing/fighting ([49:54])
• “If something comes out and people like it… it just gets shared.” – Joe ([111:06])
• “Comedy’s super important when the world’s going crazy.” – Tom ([82:15])

Highlights & Standout Moments

• Tom’s honesty about his relentless food temptations and bakery business juxtaposed with striving for health ([126:59]-[131:45]).
• Deep-dive riff on ancient lost civilizations, uncontacted tribes, and weird artifacts—classic signature Rogan curiosity ([57:43]-[79:09]).
• Explosive segment on the dangers of fighting for too long and the harsh realities for retired combat sport athletes ([49:44]-[51:06]).
• Acknowledgement of the cultural push occurring in Saudi Arabia, with comedy at the forefront—despite international polemics ([168:40]-[177:24]).

Episode Timeline

• 00:00–05:00 | Croissant business, Tom’s weight loss, morning routines
• 05:00–20:00 | Gym habits, effects of workout timing, impact on family life
• 20:00–35:00 | Parenting styles, nature vs. nurture, kids’ personalities
• 35:00–55:00 | Sober October, fitness obsession, combat sports, Jake Paul fight analysis
• 55:00–81:00 | Ancient civilizations: Amazon, American stone sites, Peruvian mummies
• 81:00–93:00 | Aliens & media apathy, Epstein file frustration, Gates-Epstein
• 93:00–108:00 | History of scams (Nobel, televangelists), wealth and taxes
• 108:00–132:00 | Stand-up comedy explosion, clean comedy’s arena power, food temptations, bakery talk
• 132:00–155:00 | Past food/addiction stories, fake supplements, Amazon scams, living and coping in digital world
• 155:00–162:00 | Televangelists, scam culture, dodge taxes, the billionaire paradox
• 162:00–174:00 | Monaco murder doc, economic disparities, oil states’ perks
• 174:00–177:00 | Saudi entertainment, controversy, restrictions on comics, progress in the Middle East
• 177:00–End | Tom plugs his Netflix special “Teacher,” wrap-up, holiday wishes

Final Thoughts

Funny, insightful, and wide-ranging, the episode finds both Joe and Tom balancing introspective takes on health and family with their love of food and comedy, all while riffing on the strangeness of modern life—from the wonders (and perils) of new technologies to the mysteries of ancient civilizations and the ever-shifting standards of culture in both America and abroad. Tom’s new special “Teacher” is out on Netflix (Christmas Eve), and this discussion captures why both he and Joe are at the top of their comedy game.

Listen if you enjoy:

• Ultra-candid longform interviews
• Health, fitness and self-improvement
• Deep dives into lost history, aliens, controversies
• Stand-up and entertainment industry insights
• Irreverent takes on modern excess and weirdness

Special Note:
Tom Segura’s special “Teacher” is out on Netflix. “Go watch it—over this holiday break. I’m very proud of it.” – Tom ([180:43])