Fridman Claims All-Time Greatest Pool Player Shuts Off Hearing Aids to Win
"He's deaf and he has hearing aids. And when he plays, he shuts them off. He just goes click and goes into this world. The zone. Just of balls and geometry and just doesn't miss."
About this episode
Joe Rogan was joined by acclaimed showrunner and writer Taylor Sheridan for a sprawling three-hour conversation touching on espionage, ranching, combat sports, politics, and Sheridan's creative process behind hit shows like Yellowstone, 1883, and Lioness. Sheridan, who also operates a large Texas cattle ranch, opened with stories about horse genetics and cowboy culture, explaining how his ranching background deeply informs his writing. The discussion turned darker as both men dissected the state of American governance and media credibility in the wake of COVID-19. Rogan disclosed that outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard recently accused Dr. Anthony Fauci of lying to Congress about U.S. funding of gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab, a story largely ignored by mainstream outlets. Sheridan and Rogan also explored the January 2025 raid to capture Venezuelan President Maduro, during which Trump publicly confirmed the use of a classified sonic weapon that disabled both personnel and equipment. The two criticized the homeless industrial complex in California, citing multi-billion-dollar fraud schemes exposed by independent journalist Nick Shirley. Rogan revealed he personally lobbied President Trump to expand access to ibogaine—a psychedelic proven to treat addiction and PTSD in veterans—bypassing pharmaceutical lobbyists. Trump signed the measure within a week. Sheridan discussed the meticulous research behind 1823 and Lioness, including his use of family journals from the 1840s and consultations with intelligence operatives. The episode concluded with praise for UFC fighter Justin Gaethje's upset victory over Ilia Topuria at the White House, and Sheridan promoting his new book How to Not Die in Prison, co-written with a former inmate and personal trainer.
Key takeaways
- Tulsi Gabbard accused Fauci of lying to Congress about U.S. funding of gain-of-function research at Wuhan lab, receiving scant mainstream media coverage.
- Trump confirmed U.S. forces used a classified sonic weapon to disable Venezuelan defenses and personnel during the Maduro raid.
- Rogan bypassed pharmaceutical companies and convinced Trump to sign executive action expanding ibogaine access for veterans within one week.
- Sheridan and Rogan endorsed Yuri Bezmenov's 1984 prediction that Marxist infiltration would divide and demoralize America from within.
- Both men condemned California's homeless industrial complex as a fraud scheme worth hundreds of billions, citing Nick Shirley's undercover investigations.
- Sheridan explained he used his great-great-grandmother's 1840s journals as primary research for historical authenticity in 1823.
- Rogan and Sheridan praised UFC fighter Justin Gaethje's underdog win over Ilia Topuria at the White House, calling it inspirational.