#1968 - Jason Everman
NaN minutesEpisode #1968
Jason Everman is a musician and military veteran. Prior to his service as a US Army Ranger and Green Beret, Everman was a guitarist in Soundgarden and Nirvana. Learn more about Team Supernautiloid and Race to Alaska 2023 at www.supernautiloid.com.
Episode Timestamps
Joe Rogan's Path from Musician to Soldier
- Joe Rogan discusses his transition from playing in bands at a punk rock level to joining Nirvana and Soundgarden
- Exploration of his experience in Nirvana where he felt unable to contribute creatively leading to his departure
- Details about joining Soundgarden, getting fired, and the subsequent impact on his life choices
Life Changes and Growth in New York City
- Joe Rogan's move to New York City as a life-changing decision to escape a rough patch and personal demons
- Discussion about working in a warehouse, adapting to urban life, and the challenges faced post Soundgarden
- Transition into playing music again with the opportunity to tour in Europe, leading to a positive turning point in his journey
Transitioning from Soundgarden to European Tour with Skunk and Old Lady Drivers
- Reflecting on the emotional investment in Soundgarden band vs. the lighter experience while touring with Skunk
- Discussing the challenging bass performances during the European tour and the impact on personal growth as a musician
- Engaging in a new genre with Old Lady Drivers band and the influence of producer John Zorn
Joining Mindfunk, Major Label Signing, and Studio Setbacks
- Being recruited by Pat Dubar to join the band Mindfunk despite initial reservations
- Becoming part of Mindfunk 2.0 with a new lineup and experiencing the benefits of a major label signing
- Encountering setbacks with Epic Records dropping the band during the recording process and the role of manager John Z in rescuing the band
Transition from Music to Military Interest
- Quick turnaround in the music industry - from setbacks to recording and moving to San Francisco
- Introduction to drug use and decision to move away from it
- Reflection on the band's touring and lack of commercial success
Exploration of Military Aspirations
- Background on family military history and personal fascination with high adventure
- Decision to pursue a military career as a means of personal growth and authoring one's own life
- Initial steps towards joining the military, including interest in special operations and engagement with recruiters
Military Training and Ranger Regiment Journey
- Discussion about joining the military and the experience in basic training
- Insight into the physical challenges faced during selection for Ranger Regiment
- Transition from being in a band to enlisting in the military and the subsequent training
Deployment and Combat Experiences
- Description of deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan
- Casual mention of engaging in gunfights and hitting targets
- Reflection on the shift from musician to a deployed special operator and the profound impact of combat experiences
Combat and Evolutionary Perspectives
- Discussion on the experience of combat and the confidence in mission success
- Exploration of the evolutionary aspects of humans and combat
- Analysis of tribal instincts and human psychological adaptation to conflict
Warfare, Tribal Bonds, and Organized Conflict
- Insight into the social dynamics of combat and tribal connections
- Overview of the psychological impact and tribal behaviors in warfare
- Discussion on the paradox of war - selfless acts and brutality coexisting
Life in Combat and Reflections on Corruption and Culture
- Discussion about the cultivation of pot in the middle of combat and thoughts on corruption in Afghanistan
- Insight into the tribe-focused mentality during combat situations and reflection on the political aspects
- Observations on the family-oriented and fortress-like culture in Afghanistan
Historical and Cultural Discoveries in Central Asia
- Exploration of historical ruins such as Greek cities in Afghanistan and Alexander the Great's influence
- Discovery of Greco-Buddhism artifacts and brief period of cultural exchange in Central Asia
- Reflections on diverse cultural experiences and the rise and fall of civilizations
Challenges of Foreign Interventions and the Futility of Nation-Building
- Discussion on the historical failures in foreign interventions, mentioning the Greek foothold and tribal governance
- Debate on the ineffectiveness of trying to impose Western ideologies and democracy on nations with deep-rooted cultural practices
- Insight into the corruption, cultural complexities, and the rampant issues that hinder successful nation-building efforts
Personal Experiences in Afghanistan and Transitioning Back to Civilian Life
- Anecdotes about the challenges faced during the Afghan deployments and the realization of the mission's futility
- Insights into the mental resilience and adaptability required by Special Operations soldiers
- Personal journey post-military including pursuit of education, introspection in Argentina, and a career shift to yacht delivery
Exploring Sailing Adventures and Circumnavigation Dreams
- Introduction to Joe Rogan's interest in sailing and nautical culture
- Discussion about buying a sailboat and the beginning of personal sailing adventures
- Sharing the appeal and experience of being on the water, sailing fundamentals, and his intention for a circumnavigation
Lessons from Ranger Battalion and the Transformation through Challenges
- Reflecting on the importance of mastering fundamentals from military experience
- Highlighting the cultural uniqueness and emphasis on excellence within Ranger Battalion
- Discussing how facing difficult endeavors can fundamentally change and strengthen resolve in life
The Decision to Not Have Children and Impact of Childhood Trauma
- Discussion about personal choice of not having children and subconscious avoidance due to childhood experiences
- Observation on the effect of traumatic childhoods on people's decisions regarding parenthood
- Exploration of how personal upbringing can influence views on parenting and family dynamics
The Transformational Experience of Parenthood and Adjusting Priorities
- Insight into the transformative impact of parenthood on an individual's life and perspective
- Discussion on how raising children offers a chance to learn from past mistakes and communicate effectively
- Reflection on the evolutionary fulfillment and profound changes brought about by becoming a parent
Personal Relationships, Curating Tribes, and Growth
- Discussion on the importance of personal relationships and finding joy in them
- Emphasizing the need to curate one's tribe by surrounding oneself with positive influences
- Reflecting on the educational experiences and growth that come from mistakes and reconciliations in relationships
Pursuit of Human Flourishing and Escaping Materialism
- Exploration of human flourishing and the need to apply oneself for personal growth
- Critique of societal pressure to chase material possessions for external validation
- Reflections on the emptiness of material pursuits and the constant need for validation in society
The Allure of Monetary Gain and Pursuing Happiness
- Explanation of the societal mechanism that hijacks the human reward system through monetary gain
- Discussion on the value of money as a tool for freedom and pursuing happiness rather than an end goal
- Reflection on the impact of pursuing money solely and the lessons learned from individuals chasing deeper fulfillment
Finding Self-Identity Beyond External Success
- Personal narrative of transitioning from external identities like a rockstar to focusing on self, leading to personal growth
- Importance of going through challenging experiences for personal development and achieving equilibrium
- Emphasis on the journey of self-improvement and finding happiness in personal evolution
Challenges in the Publishing Process
- Author's experience with proposed changes and suggestions in the narrative of his book
- Discussion about the pressure to have a co-writer, which author is hesitant about
- Author shifts focus to grad school and postpones the book project
Creative Freedom vs. Industry Expectations
- Author expresses desire to write freely without conforming to industry expectations
- Comparison made to 'the scorpion and the frog' fable in relation to the nature of the publishing industry
- Conversation shifts to social media and website creation as a new venture