Not everyone manages fame and wealth while staying consistent in their role. Take Conor McGregor, for instance. While he’s accumulated significant wealth, his career has lacked the consistency it once had, especially with his three-year hiatus and recent record. On the other hand, Joe Rogan remains a constant presence in the UFC, consistently contributing to its programming.

Beyond that, he’s also thriving financially, raking in millions through his highly successful JRE podcast. The Joe Rogan Experience has turned into a major force in the podcasting world. Rogan’s partnership with Spotify has proven to be a smart investment for the streaming platform, and at 57 years old, he continues to dominate the podcast scene. But he had a completely different reason for signing the deal with Spotify.

Joe Rogan opens up on why he was looking to get a deal with Spotify

Joe Rogan’s move to Spotify marked a game-changing moment in the podcasting world. In May 2020, Rogan signed an exclusive deal with the streaming giant, reportedly worth $250 million, making it one of the largest podcasting deals in history. This partnership allowed Spotify to expand its podcast offerings and attract a broader audience, while Rogan solidified his position as one of the most influential figures in the media landscape. In June 2023, The Joe Rogan Experience hit an incredible milestone by reaching its 2,000th episode. Featuring an eclectic mix of guests ranging from major Hollywood celebrities to renowned scientists, the podcast continues to offer a unique blend of perspectives, appealing to a wide audience.

For Rogan, the deal provided financial security and a platform to further expand his reach. He was able to produce content with even greater freedom and without the pressure of ad revenue generation or platform restrictions. It also allowed him to grow his brand beyond just podcasting, as he continued to feature high-profile guests and delve into various topics such as fitness, politics, and mental health. Looking back, the deal with Spotify has proven to be a resounding success for both parties. It helped transform Rogan’s podcast into a mainstream juggernaut and allowed Spotify to carve out a significant space in the competitive podcasting market.

During the #2258 episode of his podcast while speaking to Steven Rinella he shared why he wanted the Spotify deal. The University Of JRE shared the video where he said, “That was the whole reason why I took the Spotify deal . I was like good they’re going to give me a lot of money and it’ll only be on Spotify so I’ll be 10% less famous. Good. Let me slide off into obscurity because, I mean as long as I’m making money and I was like I just enjoyed doing it. I don’t care how many people like it. The people that like it will still listen so maybe I’ll have less casual fans, like who cares, you know.” 

Despite being such a successful podcaster Rogan is still the same person. At 57 years old, he still has the same work ethic he had which he had years ago. He also works extremely hard to make sure he stays on top and keeps providing good content for the fans. Bryan Callen, who has always been a close friend of Joe Rogan, pointed out how success has changed him in the right way.

Joe Rogan and his success have helped him improve as a person feels longtime friend

Bryan Callen, Joe Rogan’s friend of over thirty years, recently shared his thoughts on how money and fame have impacted Rogan. According to Callen, the effect has been overwhelmingly positive. He recounted a conversation with Rogan after his $250 million Spotify deal, noting that, despite his immense success, Rogan remains the same person he was three decades ago—only now he is more refined, grounded, and in complete control of himself.

“Joe, when he signed his second Spotify deal, I spoke to him… I’ve known him 30 years exactly. I said, ‘You haven’t changed since I met you. If anything, you’ve calmed down. You have peace of mind,’” Bryan Callen while speaking on Tim Welch’s YouTube channel. He further added, “Money and fame literally didn’t change him. It didn’t change how hard he works out, it didn’t change how honest he is, didn’t change anything about him.” Additionally, Bryan Callen suggests that Joe Rogan regularly engages in self-reflection, always remembering where he came from. Rogan values staying humble and maintaining a sense of gratitude, despite his massive success.

How highly do you rate Joe Rogan as a podcaster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.