Joe Rogan has never followed the crowd. Long before The Joe Rogan Experience became one of the world’s most popular podcasts, it was simply an experiment that many people believed would fail. Back in 2009, when podcasting was still considered a pastime, the UFC commentator took a chance. He sat down with his friends, grabbed a few beers, and began recording. However, although some saw potential in the new medium, others weren’t so kind. Joe Rogan was not simply doubted; he was actively mocked. Even industry insiders dismissed the notion that podcasting could ever be taken seriously. But who was the most vocal critic?

Well, it was none other than Howard Stern. In episode #2291 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe Rogan stated that the iconic shock jock completely ignored podcasting—and specifically targeted him. “No, everybody thought I was out of my mind for even doing mine. Like, people mocked me openly,” Rogan recounted. “Howard Stern famously mocked all people that were doing podcasts: ‘You’re wasting your time.’” In Stern’s universe, radio reigned supreme, while podcasts were barely more than amateur experiments. Perhaps it seemed that way back then. After all, Stern created his empire on the radio while podcasting was still fighting to gain traction.

Fast forward to today, and in today’s podcasting world, Joe Rogan reigns supreme. With an estimated 14 million monthly listeners (as of March 2024), the UFC commentator’s reach has surpassed that of traditional radio. His ability to hold extended, unfiltered conversations with guests from all walks of life has propelled him to the pinnacle of digital media success. Joe Rogan has reinvented the art of broadcasting by digging into conspiracy theories, debating controversial themes, and offending pop culture fans. And he’s done it on his own terms, without corporate radio executives telling him what he can and cannot say.

Howard Stern may have once regarded podcasting as a waste of time like the UFC commentator revealed on the podcast, but Joe Rogan’s $250 million Spotify contract suggests otherwise. He did more than just prove the critics wrong; he transformed the entire landscape of modern media. And, in the end, the exact thing that had been mocked became the reason he is now at the top. But this wasn’t the only time that Stern and Joe Rogan found themselves standing at the opposites. In fact, the duo also had a heated feud. But why?

The longstanding feud between Joe Rogan and Howard Stern

Stern may have mocked Rogan’s early podcasting days, but it wasn’t the only time the two disagreed. Their views go well beyond a simple dispute about the future of media. What began as mutual respect deteriorated over time, eventually becoming a cold, distant animosity. The UFC commentator once appeared as a guest on The Howard Stern Show, and the two even spent time together outside of the studio. However, something changed along the road, and the relationship never recovered. So, what exactly happened?

Well, for Howard Stern, Joe Rogan represented everything he despised: unrestrained, irresponsible speech. “I don’t listen to Joe Rogan. I know Joe from 100 years ago,” Stern once stated. “We’re no longer friendly. We were friendly at one point.” Their feud allegedly began after Stern complained about Joe Rogan’s actions at a strip club in Las Vegas. The radio host then appeared to make a point of highlighting what he saw as the podcaster’s misogynistic tendencies, even inviting women from Rogan’s past to speak about their experiences. In turn, Rogan distanced himself, refusing to return to Stern’s show.

The breaking point, however, occurred behind closed doors. According to Howard Stern, a private off-air talk prompted Joe Rogan to cut off ties completely. “Joe was a guest one time, and I said something to him off air, which I won’t go into, but he took offense. I haven’t heard or seen him since. I think he made the decision that I was toxic for him.” Since then, the two have taken occasional shots at each other, with Rogan accusing Stern of being “too woke.” While they’ve never had a full-fledged public fight, their cold war of words has remained an intriguing subplot in modern media. What do you think? Will we ever get to see the two together on a future episode of JRE? Let us know in the comments.