The Joe Rogan Experience #2487 - Action Bronson
Date: April 22, 2026
Guest: Action Bronson (with Jamie and Jesse)
Episode Overview
This episode features Joe Rogan and his guest, rapper, chef, and cultural icon Action Bronson. The conversation bounces energetically between ancient civilizations, travel, art, fitness, fighting, luxury vehicles, and the peculiarities of modern society. Their dialogue fuses deep curiosity with irreverent humor, making for a freewheeling yet thoughtful exploration of everything from primordial anthropology to city garbage collection. Peppered with personal anecdotes, offbeat rabbit holes, and expert-level MMA breakdowns, it's an immersive ride for both fans and first-timers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Male Accessories and Identity
(00:15–04:43)
- Joe and Jamie muse about the appeal and function of "male accessories": knives, watches, tools, even custom pool cues.
- They joke about the sensibilities and faux pas of men’s jewelry—chains, nose rings, and "ankle jewelry," bringing nostalgia with Tazmanian Devil tattoos as a status symbol in their youth.
- Quote (Joe Rogan, 03:31): “Taz and barbed wire—man, if you had both, you were somebody.”
2. Vacations & Food Tourism
(05:02–06:01)
- Action emphasizes how eating is the central feature of any vacation, advocating plans around culinary experiences as a more authentic engagement than strict sightseeing schedules.
- Joe recounts eating rare scampi in front of the Pantheon, pushing the importance of combining historic exploration with food discovery.
- Quote (Jamie, 05:10): “The schedule should be around eating.”
3. Ancient Civilizations, Pyramids, and Human Origins
(06:49–22:11, 133:06–144:36)
- Spirited deep-dives into the mysteries of Teotihuacan, the Olmecs (and their enigmatic stone heads), the concept of civilizations building on top of each other (Italy, Jerusalem, Mexico), and the massive unknowns of human prehistory.
- Discussion on the true builders of pre-Columbian sites, sea-faring peoples up to 450,000 years ago, the evolution and intelligence of Neanderthals, and fossils.
- Reviewing the latest about potential discoveries like a second Sphinx in Egypt and hidden pyramidal structures in the Amazon.
- Quote (Jamie, 08:14): “Story of that area is so insane...There's so much about that area like the Olmecs...no one knows who made it, what language they spoke. It’s crazy.”
- Quote (Joe Rogan, 21:02): “We're putting together a version of the history that's completely incomplete.”
4. Conspiracy, AI, and the Age of Machines
(25:22–31:56, 152:28–157:36)
- Reflecting on AI’s rise—creative opportunities and threats to artists' jobs, the inevitability of adoption, and the futility of resistance.
- Action Bronson’s use of an AI-generated frog as an album cover and the backlash he received.
- Conversation turns to recent disappearances of scientists in the UFO community, missing researchers, and shadowy events possibly linked to secret technology or government action.
- Quote (Jamie, 30:43): “That wave [AI] is 2,000ft high, and it’s moving 100 miles an hour. You’re not gonna stop it.”
- Quote (Joe Rogan, 152:19): “This is why we have to be smoking weed in front of a green screen talking about this and having weird people come on and comment.”
5. Personal Transformation – Fitness, Diet, and Rituals
(32:08–37:08, 64:11–65:56, 108:13–109:06)
- Action discusses his ongoing journey in losing weight (down from 300 to 265 lbs), changing his eating habits, and maintaining rigorous gym routines, including kettlebells and club training.
- They compare fitness regimens, the importance of functional movement (Pilates, yoga), and how body changes can impact identity and performance.
- Quote (Joe Rogan, 33:05): “I'm jacked. I'm jacked...You're a bull.”
- Quote (Bronson, 37:17): “Tighten up that man pussy, bro. My man pussy was like, fucking that. It was like, rock solid…”
6. Urban Life – NYC Politics, Garbage, and Rats
(50:11–57:58)
- A detailed look at New York City’s municipal struggles—garbage collection, union strikes, rat infestations—contrasted with how Action and Joe view blue-collar work and the need for dignity and solid pay for “necessary” jobs.
- Reflections on new sanitation rules, the impact on city ecology (the rat/human ecosystem), and inadvertently hilarious personal rat stories.
- Quote (Jamie, 53:46): “Anybody that doesn’t think [garbage collection] is a hard job is a cunt.”
7. Modern Medicine, Fame, and Celebrity Scandals
(39:03–44:49)
- Nostalgia for when doctors used to promote cigarettes, the shift in cultural attitudes toward medicine, and musings on America’s over-medication.
- Discussing how fame can warp people, referencing Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, and the fine line between loving the art and the problems with the artist.
- Quote (Joe Rogan, 41:43): “He’s the only one. No one cares. Right?”
8. Food, Wildlife, and Exotic Tastes
(43:24–48:50)
- Segment on eating exotic and even endangered animals (porcupine, snake, turtle) around the world, mixed with ethical concerns and cultural differences.
- Stories about pet turtles and their dinosaur-like ferocity, plus observations on nature’s lack of mercy.
- Quote (Joe Rogan, 47:05): “Some turtles are not in danger. I know, but I don’t even like to do it…It turns me off.”
9. Combat Sports Breakdown
(66:46–109:49)
- Robust segment analyzing recent and upcoming UFC fights, fight strategies, and athlete mindsets, including Carlos Ulberg’s courageous KO win with a blown-out knee, Khalil Rountree’s technical sidekick, the evolution of fighters like Paulo Costa, and the significant role of wrestling in MMA.
- Discussions extend to legendary heavyweights (Cain Velasquez, Fedor, Mirko Cro Cop), gymnastic foundations for young fighters, and even training dos and don’ts from personal experience (Bronson’s broken leg story).
- Quote (Joe Rogan, 75:08): “[Carlos Ulberg]…That’s a world champion. You have a blown-out knee and you find a way to KO a guy…perfect left hook.”
10. Vehicles, Overlanding, and Apocalypse-Ready Rigs
(122:27–129:41)
- Action Bronson shares love of overlanding, tricked-out trucks (Toyota Sequoia), and car-building projects, including prepping an ‘87 BMW M6 into a Baja-style rally car.
- Shared delight in customizing vehicles, the fantasy of having an "apocalypse vehicle," and admiration for Toyota and Lexus reliability.
- Quote (Joe Rogan, 129:04): “Gotta have something that can go away from the road 100%. If you’re stuck in a Ferrari on the highway, you’re stuck.”
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Ancient Civilizations:
“You wonder what they knew about the rest of the world? Did they know anything?...We assume that they were all isolated. But more and more, they keep finding evidence of seafaring peoples, boats back 60,000 years…”
— Jamie, 16:01 -
On Creating Art in the Age of AI:
“There was no job to be taken away. If that’s the argument, you could throw that one out.”
— Action Bronson, 29:29 -
On Personal Growth:
“I just like learning, man. Love new experiences. I’m always on the brink of a new exploration, a new breakthrough…Because I didn’t start as a little baby face…Now I’m more of a man.”
— Action Bronson, 120:02 -
On Gendered Social Habits:
“Women get mad on subways because men man-spread. But that’s how our hips are designed.”
— Joe Rogan, 130:01
Key Timestamps for Segments
| Timestamp | Topic | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:15–04:43 | Male accessories, tattoos, and youthful subcultures | | 05:02–06:01 | Vacations, food, and travel | | 06:49–22:11 | Ancient civilizations, architecture, and origins | | 25:22–31:56 | AI, digital art backlash, future of work | | 32:08–37:08 | Fitness, food, losing weight | | 39:03–44:49 | Medicine, fame, artist scandals | | 47:12–55:02 | Rats, garbage, and NYC urban ecosystem | | 66:46–109:49 | Full-throttle MMA breakdowns, fighter stories, and training | | 122:27–129:41| Overlanding, cars, prepping for the unknown | | 133:06–144:36| More on pyramids, site discoveries, pyramids in Amazon, Sphinx | | 152:28–157:36| UFO/Scientist conspiracy theories, missing researchers |
Additional Highlights
-
Unique Anecdotes:
- Action Bronson’s car theft while only wearing underwear (123:41)
- Meeting Martin Lawrence post–Wheel of Fortune taping (114:10)
- Pilates-induced muscle pain: “I tightened up that man pussy, bro!” (36:22)
-
Cultural Observations:
- Transition from illegal to legal weed culture in New York (147:05)
- “Apocalypse vehicles” as a must-have for city dwellers (129:04)
-
Compelling asides:
- AI as “alive”—with its own direction (31:19)
- Turtles as psychotic pets, nature's ruthlessness (46:19–49:00)
- The path for new comics vs. new rappers: how digital democratization changes careers (117:46–120:02)
Tone & Style
Throughout, Joe and Action keep the banter humorous, candid, and sometimes crude, but always grounded in genuine curiosity—with recurring self-deprecation and a contagious openness to possibility. They mix skepticism, conspiracy, and deep dives without losing pace or spirit.
For Listeners/Newcomers
If you haven’t caught the episode, this conversation is for anyone who loves digressive curiosity—touching on ancient technology, fighting mindsets, survivalist dreams, urban policy, and the quirks of forging a public persona in modern America. The tone is equal parts playful and profound, with lessons applicable both in the gym and in navigating the weirdness of the 21st century.