The Joe Rogan ExperienceJoe Rogan Experience #1894 - Suzanne Santo
CHAPTERS
- 0:12 – 3:12
Sober October, workout discipline, and using exercise to “wring out” anxiety
Joe and Suzanne kick off by comparing training habits, Sober October rules, and why competitions can turn obsessive. They contrast cardio vs. lifting, and talk about running as a powerful way to release tension and anxiety.
- 3:12 – 4:51
Back pain, stress, and using mortality to reframe what matters
The conversation shifts to Dr. John Sarno’s mind-body claims about pain and how stress manifests physically. Suzanne and Joe discuss how conflict and lack of control amplify worry, and Suzanne’s practice of contemplating death to reset priorities.
- 4:51 – 8:03
Boundaries, being “too nice,” and avoiding other people’s dysfunction
Suzanne explains how her husband helped her learn boundaries after a lifetime of over-helping and getting pulled into dysfunctional dynamics. Joe talks about how very nice people can become “solutions” for others, and why balanced partners matter.
- 8:03 – 12:20
COVID aftermath: fear, control, vaccine debates, and the “amnesty” conversation
They critique how COVID became an emotional and political obsession, then dig into vaccines, mandates, and shifting narratives. Suzanne shares professional consequences of staying unvaccinated and discusses public demands to “move on” without accountability.
- 12:20 – 22:30
Personal health, obesity risk, and the food system: seed oils, carnivore, and intolerance testing
Joe argues COVID exposed how many people neglect health, then cites research on obesity and severe outcomes. Suzanne dives into processed foods, seed oils, bloodwork/food intolerance testing, and why carnivore and elimination dieting helped her feel better.
- 22:30 – 28:31
Austin vs. “real Texas,” local politics, and media narratives near the midterms
They pivot from food to Austin’s cultural bubble and nearby rural Texas, then criticize political branding and “open mic” style politicians. The Paul Pelosi story becomes an example of how news gets packaged into partisan word-soup.
- 28:31 – 32:04
Twitter, Elon Musk, and the argument over censorship and “cancel culture”
Joe and Suzanne discuss Twitter’s shifting moderation optics after Elon’s takeover, including fact-checking political posts and performative exits from the platform. They argue for consistency, room for mistakes, and a healthier approach to accountability.
- 32:04 – 37:18
Comedy as pressure valve: Kyle Dunnigan, memes, and why TV got less funny
They watch and react to a Kyle Dunnigan face-swap sketch (Tucker Carlson interviewing Kanye) and celebrate the role of internet comedy. This becomes a broader critique of mainstream TV risk-aversion and the value of independent creators.
- 37:18 – 49:53
Movies, streaming-era quality, and agenda-driven storytelling vs. good craft
They trade opinions on modern movies and shows, praising a few standouts while criticizing formulaic action and weak writing. The discussion expands into how executives and “checklist” politics can distort storytelling and creative vision.
- 49:53 – 54:04
Social contagion, objective reality, and rethinking BLM-era “bandwagon emotions”
Suzanne reflects on being swept up in emotionally charged cultural moments and later reassessing narratives through different authors. Joe argues society overcorrects, and both discuss the risk of backlash and opportunists monetizing moral causes.
- 54:04 – 57:56
Meritocracy, women in comedy, and refusing to outsource responsibility
They argue that many fields ultimately reward performance, even if biases exist—especially in comedy where laughter is immediate feedback. Suzanne emphasizes self-standards and rejecting excuse-making, while Joe describes the extra hurdles women face on stage.
- 57:56 – 1:09:31
Rebuilding a music career: learning Logic, touring economics, and social media gatekeeping
Suzanne shares the practical reality of touring post-COVID: poor turnout, thin margins, and feeling forced into constant content creation. She’s retooling by producing more herself (Logic), while also dealing with platform friction like denied Instagram boosts.
- 1:09:31 – 1:17:17
Leaving LA for Austin: escaping the echo chamber, regaining creativity, and phone addiction
Suzanne credits moving to Austin with restoring her mental and creative health after years in LA’s “collective angst.” They compare COVID policies, discuss masks as identity signals, and unpack how phones and social apps hijack attention and mood.
- 1:17:17 – 1:30:54
Mythology, reading as grounding, puzzles, and Suzanne’s songwriting workflow (plus writing for others)
Suzanne describes diving into Greek/Norse mythology and books like American Gods to process modern life through archetypes. She shares how reading helps break anxiety spirals, how puzzles became a bonding ritual, and how songwriting can feel like unfinished business until completed.
- 1:30:54 – 3:52:03
Bathroom break to live music: unreleased songs, vulnerability, and what art is for
After a quick break, Suzanne performs two unreleased songs live and talks about how vulnerable it feels to share ‘baby songs’ before they’re fully formed. The conversation widens into identity and purpose—why music is meant to be shared regardless of scale or monetization.
