Joe Rogan Experience #2540 - Travis Barker
In a Nutshell
Travis Barker survived a 2008 plane crash with 65% body burns requiring 27 surgeries, then spent 20 years avoiding flights due to trauma before finally conquering his fear. The podcast explores how he rebuilt his life through relentless practice, turned to drumming as therapy after his mother's death and the crash, and now maintains peak physical condition through functional training and jiu-jitsu. Barker emphasizes that overcoming adversity requires obsession, discipline, and trusting the process rather than expecting quick results, while advocating for living authentically without judgment of others.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Travis Barker expresses deep gratitude for his son, describing the intense love and connection that people without children cannot fully understand. He emphasizes spending maximum time with his kids and finds it strange when parents do not prioritize time with their children, suggesting it may stem from their own childhood experiences.
Barker's documentary released on the same day as the podcast. The project began after his book came out around 2017. At that time, he was sober and had survived a plane crash but was struggling with fear of flying, survivors guilt, and related issues. The directors asked him to simulate approaching a plane for the documentary, but he refused, acknowledging his deep fear of flying.
Barker's fear of flying significantly impacted his touring logistics. Instead of flying, he traveled by bus from Los Angeles to New York, taking six to seven days with hotel stops when touring with his children. For England tours, he took a 10-day boat ride on the Queen Mary 2 from New York to the Hamptons, while his band arrived in 10 hours by plane. The Queen Mary 2 crossings sometimes featured 30-foot waves and 170 mile per hour winds.
It took Barker 20 years before he flew again. He describes the fear as a "monster" that grew larger over time, dictating his travel choices. He eventually made a deal with his wife to book surprise flights the night before departure. The first flight was positive and helped counter the traumatic memories. He also worked through survivors guilt regarding his godson and the families of those who died, realizing the guilt was his own burden.
Joe Rogan notes that surviving a plane crash makes the statistical odds of another crash seem very low, but Barker explains that having experienced it makes the possibility feel more real. His 22-year-old son avoids flying and drove 16 hours round trip instead, which Barker considers more dangerous than flying.
Shortly before the documentary release, Barker connected with a young woman named Reva who survived a similar plane crash with 50% body burns and lost her mother. They met at his premiere, and Barker found the shared experience meaningful, noting he had never met anyone with a remotely similar trauma.
After his accident, Barker had dinner with Captain Sully, the pilot who landed a plane in the Hudson River. Sully approached and shook his hand without speaking.
The Queen Mary 2 carries thousands of passengers and includes both a morgue and a jail. Most passengers are elderly people taking their one transatlantic crossing, and deaths occur on nearly every crossing. The ship passes over the Titanic site with celebratory announcements and movie screenings.
Despite the challenging conditions, Barker maintained intense training on the Queen Mary 2, running miles around the ship's exterior and practicing drums four hours daily. This preparation left him feeling ready for tour upon arrival.
Both Barker and Rogan express fear about ocean emergencies, noting there are no landing spots for helicopters thousands of miles from shore. Barker experienced 35-foot waves that caused windows to break and confined passengers to their rooms.
KRS-One also avoided flying and traveled on the Queen Mary 2 with Barker. KRS-One suggested cargo ships as alternatives for destinations without passenger cruises, mentioning a potential month-long journey to Australia.
The conversation covers the remarkable journeys of Polynesian people who navigated to Hawaii in canoes without modern navigation tools, weather forecasts, or knowledge of what awaited them. They discuss how these travelers had no plan B and relied entirely on making their journey successful.
Barker mentions a friend, a plant-based raw chef who took a vow of silence 30 years ago, who fasts for 160 days annually on juice and water for health reasons. The conversation explores whether such extended fasting is beneficial, with Rogan noting that ketogenic diets make fasting easier by shifting the body to fat-burning mode.
Rogan discusses research showing that 3-5 day fasts promote autophagy and help the body eliminate damaged cells. He notes this approach is recommended for cancer patients because cancer cells require glucose to survive, and fasting combined with ketogenic diets can starve cancer cells.
Barker maintains he gets adequate protein from lentils and beans rather than mock meats. He acknowledges both meat-eaters and vegans can have poor diets, emphasizing the importance of intentional food choices.
Following his plane crash with 70% body burns requiring 30 surgeries in 6 months, doctors discovered Barker was not eating meat. They inserted a feeding tube, which he found distressing. A nurse provided beef jerky, and Barker consumed 6,000-7,000 calories daily including 3,000-calorie smoothies to support healing.
Barker attempted hyperbaric chamber treatment but found it too claustrophobic, as it reminded him of being inside the plane. His friend Adam, who had only 6% body burns, recovered in a week and a half using hyperbaric treatment, while Barker's extensive burns required six months of hospitalization regardless.
Barker was a drug addict before the crash. After 30 surgeries with inadequate pain management, he experienced severe withdrawal. He describes waking up screaming and swinging at doctors during surgeries until properly weaned off medications. The trauma of losing friends, combined with his physical condition, created an extremely difficult psychological state.
Doctors initially considered amputating Barker's foot due to insufficient skin for healing. They were uncertain whether he would survive given the extent of his burns. His ulnar nerves were damaged in both hands, affecting his ability to play drums.
Travis Barker discussed his use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for healing, noting that he visits a two-person chamber in Los Angeles. The two-seater option is preferable because he dislikes confined spaces, and the depressurization process of seven to eight minutes makes him uncomfortable.
Barker explained that creating his documentary forced him to relive traumatic experiences repeatedly. He mentioned his mother's death when he was 13 years old as a particularly sensitive topic that can trigger emotional responses even from strangers sharing similar losses.
He described being conflicted about releasing the documentary because it originally lacked a satisfying ending - he refused to look at planes or fly. However, by 2024-2025, significant life changes including flying again, his children's ability to fly, and his marriage provided the "light at the end of the tunnel" needed to complete the project.
Barker shared that he didn't come from privilege - his family lacked running hot water. His father wasn't in the music industry, and his mother wasn't an agent. Instead, he escaped his circumstances through relentless practice, joining every band possible and practicing two to five hours daily.
His relationship with his father transformed from difficult to becoming best friends. He views his documentary as providing hope to kids from similar backgrounds, demonstrating that overcoming obstacles leads to becoming stronger and more resilient.
The discussion covered two key messages: overcoming adversity through persistence, positivity, and trusting the process, and the formula for success involving becoming obsessed and driven. Barker emphasized that the process itself is most important, rejecting the "TikTok mindset" that expects quick results.
He stressed the need for balance between obsession and discipline, crediting his strict parents for requiring three hours of drum practice before allowing him to skateboard or ride BMX bikes with friends.
After his mother's death and plane crash, Barker consistently turned to drumming as his primary coping mechanism. He joined marching band, orchestra, and jazz band, describing how he would "eat, sleep, and breathe" music during difficult times.
Barker explained how developing expertise in drumming gave him confidence that helped navigate bullying and life's challenges. He described this as a vehicle for personal development applicable to any pursuit - art, music, literature, writing, or carpentry.
Barker referenced Tim Grover's book "Relentless" as his "Bible," which discusses the mindset of "cleaners" - individuals obsessed with their craft who immediately focus on "what's next" rather than celebrating achievements. He noted that this mindset can make others feel uncomfortable because it differs from typical responses.
The conversation explored living authentically rather than pretending to be someone else on social media. Barker mentioned advice from Harry Shannon about being the person you'd want remembered if you died immediately. Joe Rogan suggested living as if a documentary crew were following you, and becoming the person you pretend to be when trying to impress others.
Barker described audience reactions to his documentary, with people reporting it changed their perspective on life. The discussion emphasized how sharing personal stories can provide fuel and direction for young people lacking role models.
Barker ran Ladybird Lake during his Austin visit, noting the abundance of healthy, active people. He mentioned feeling self-conscious about his "Inland Empire" appearance with long sweat shorts and high socks, but appreciated Austin's blended, accepting atmosphere.
The conversation covered Austin's transformation into a jiu-jitsu hub, largely due to Gordon Ryan and John Danaher relocating there during the pandemic. The city attracted people seeking change from COVID restrictions in places like New York and Los Angeles, creating an environment of people wanting to be active and make things happen.
Joe Rogan explained how comedians migrated to Austin when LA comedy venues closed during the pandemic. Starting with Ron White, then Rogan, Tony Hinchcliffe, and others, the scene exploded with five comedy clubs now on the same street as his venue. Notable talents like Cam Patterson (SNL) and Shane Gillis emerged from this environment.
The importance of surrounding yourself with people pursuing similar goals was emphasized. Barker shared an experience of running into John Machado while running in their old neighborhood, leading to training opportunities. The discussion stressed that you are the average of the five people closest to you.
Barker described his approach to physical training, focusing on fast-twitch muscle fibers, high repetitions, sprints, and explosive movements rather than heavy weightlifting. He incorporates tempo training synchronized to music, boxing, jump roping, and battle ropes for 30-40 minutes continuously.
He learned that excessive muscle building negatively impacted his drumming performance, making him tight and slow. His training goal is functional fitness that supports his ability to execute ideas immediately with stamina, endurance, and skill.
Travis Barker discusses how to strengthen his body specifically for jiu-jitsu training without gaining excessive bulk. He mentions that certain exercises can prepare his legs properly for returning to training. Joe notes that many elite jiu-jitsu practitioners are actually thin and not bulky, emphasizing that technique matters more than size, especially given weight classes.
Barker identifies hands as particularly vulnerable in jiu-jitsu, stressing the importance of proper gripping technique and avoiding leaving fingers exposed. He explains that finger injuries are a major concern, and that training with controlled partners is essential. Both agree that rolling with black belts provides the safest experience because everyone moves at a controlled pace with proper technique.
The conversation turns to the risks of training with inexperienced partners, particularly young blue belts who may be on steroids and overly aggressive. They discuss how uncontrolled energy from training partners leads to injuries, while experienced practitioners rarely cause harm.
Barker recounts an incident at a UFC gym where a training partner threw a spinning back fist during what was supposed to be light sparring, just 45 minutes before a performance. He emphasizes the difficulty of controlling momentum once a spinning technique begins. They discuss how training helps manage aggression and provides mental clarity.
Both emphasize that jiu-jitsu humbles practitioners and believe everyone should experience it at some point. They note that jiu-jitsu practitioners tend to be laid-back, kind, and relaxed despite their skills, and that the sport can be practiced throughout life with proper training partners.
They describe the beauty of watching high-level jiu-jitsu, specifically mentioning John Jacques' effortless style where he never explodes or loses balance. They note how he maintains conversation while rolling, demonstrating complete control. Barker contrasts this with his earlier aggressive approach versus the smooth, effortless technique he now appreciates.
Barker describes jiu-jitsu as mentally engaging like chess while providing a significant physical workout. He mentions training for two hours without long breaks, resulting in heavy sweating despite weighing only 150 pounds against a 200-pound training partner. They discuss how training changes one's perspective on watching fights, replacing delusional confidence with genuine appreciation for elite performance.
They analyze Dominic Cruz's unique fighting style, noting how he developed his distinctive footwork independently rather than adopting existing methods. Cruz's approach involved being elusive and slick rather than relying on power or size. They mention how other fighters like TJ Dillashaw adopted similar stance-switching and angle-cutting techniques after Cruz demonstrated their effectiveness.
The conversation covers how Cruz's innovative style forced opponents to adapt, as traditional approaches proved ineffective against his movement. They note that before Cruz, no one had demonstrated comparable footwork, and fighters like Cory Sanhagen continue developing this style of constant stance switching.
They discuss how fighters must identify their physical attributes and develop unique approaches based on available tools rather than copying others. Cruz exemplified this by creating an entirely new style that others later emulated.
Barker and Joe analyze TJ Dillashaw's title-winning performance against Renan Barão, describing it as one of the greatest in sport history. Dillashaw approached the fight with supreme confidence, switching stances and cutting angles while Barão was considered among the top pound-for-pound fighters.
They discuss the tragedy of Dillashaw's shoulder injuries requiring potential artificial shoulders, noting how he fought through complete supraspinatus tears on both arms. During his fight against Aljamain Sterling, Dillashaw warned the referee his shoulder would dislocate but requested to continue fighting. They note Dominic Cruz also dealt with multiple injuries including ACL tears and shoulder problems.
The conversation addresses how fighters' bodies eventually fail despite their mental determination to continue. They mention how some fighters develop a "one more fight" mentality even when their physical prime has passed, driven by the same belief that made them champions initially.
They analyze Dustin Poirier's competitive standing, noting his excellent performances against Islam Makhachev and Benoit Saint-Denis. However, they identify his brain injuries as the primary concern rather than joint damage, mentioning a separation between brain hemispheres. They discuss how CTE may have contributed to past behavioral incidents and emphasize the importance of family considerations in retirement decisions.
The discussion covers how fighters struggle with retirement because their identity is tied to their sport. They note the brief window of peak performance and how younger fighters without accumulated injuries eventually surpass veterans. The contrast between the extreme highs and lows of fighting versus normal life is highlighted.
They praise Khabib Nurmagomedov's discipline in retiring undefeated at his peak, contrasting this with fighters who struggle to walk away. They note Khabib continues training and has stated he's improved since retirement, now serving as an influential coach who inspires young fighters through his presence and guidance.
The conversation examines Islam Makhachev's upcoming fight against Ian Machado Garry, highlighting Garry's height, reach, speed, and striking ability. They note Makhachev's elite striking development alongside his unmatched grappling, emphasizing his work ethic and the rigorous training environment from Dagestan.
They discuss how Garry's movement and confidence create a challenging matchup, requiring Makhachev to be careful in his approach. The importance of a fighter's self-belief and the balance between training focus and family life is explored, with Garry's approach to maintaining life balance being contrasted with more isolated training methods.
The conversation covers how personal relationships can impact fight preparation, with examples of partners creating conflicts before major fights. They discuss the appeal of isolated, Spartan-style training camps versus attempting to maintain normal relationships during fight preparation.
Barker prefers to stay uncomfortable before performances rather than relaxing or getting massages. He needs to be active and mentally engaged, which stems from his background of setting up his own drums and waiting for shows to start. He cannot watch movies or nap before playing, instead choosing activities like jump roping, watching fights, running, or practicing and learning new things.
The physical demands of drumming require being in shape and not feeling sluggish. Barker focuses on nutrition for energy management and jump ropes right before shows to stay dialed in. Through extensive performance experience, he has developed the ability to adapt when thrown curveballs, such as arriving at venues only five minutes before showtime.
Every performer needs their own personal approach, similar to how fighters develop individual strategies. Some fighters keep family close while others maintain strict separation from everything. Personal triggers, mindsets, and calming techniques vary between individuals.
Barker lives by the principle of staying ready so you don't have to get ready. This applies to fighters who struggle when getting out of shape between fights, though Patty Pimblett demonstrates that getting fat doesn't necessarily mean getting out of shape. Despite his appearance, Patty maintains incredible endurance and work ethic, able to outwork others at the gym even when carrying extra weight.
The discipline of weight cutting involves measuring food and creates a mindset shift when transitioning from being fat to ripped. Patty excels at this transformation, showing up shredded at weigh-ins despite appearing unlikely to make weight. This ability to make dramatic physical transformations is celebrated by fans as part of his likable personality.
Despite his playful, likable demeanor, Patty is tough as nails. His quick submission of Beneil Dariush in a gi fight was one of the best fights witnessed in person. His toughness became more apparent after Islam Makhachev's performance against Ilia Topuria, highlighting how difficult it is to face Patty.
Makhachev possesses zero quit and cannot be broken mentally. The only way to defeat him is through physical knockout, as demonstrated in his fight with Max Holloway. This mental toughness allowed him to overcome being a 6-to-1 underdog to win the world title at the White House.
The last meeting between Rogan and Barker occurred at UFC Apex during the Francis Ngannou versus Stipe Miocic fight. The small venue with only 50-100 people created an intimate atmosphere where a needle could be heard dropping. The Apex octagon is 30% smaller than regular octagons, creating different dynamics especially for heavyweight fights.
The reduced space in the Apex forces more action but limits movement possibilities and angles. Fighters cannot move laterally or create distance as effectively when the cage is closer. This constraint affects strategy, as seen in Sean O'Malley's knockout of Aljamain Sterling where the smaller cage would have prevented Sterling from moving back as far.
O'Malley envisioned his knockout of Sterling, including saluting and walking off. He needed a spectacular performance to position himself for another title shot, given his victory over Petr Yan. The upcoming Merab Dvalishvili versus Petr Yan rematch will determine the next title challenger, with O'Malley likely facing the winner if he has the victory over Yan.
An X-ray of Merab's broken nose reveals an extremely severe injury where the bone is twisted toward his right eye. He refuses to have it fixed because it would require a year off from fighting and sparring. The injury likely forces him to mouth breathe during fights, making his exceptional endurance even more remarkable.
Merab defended the title three times in one year before losing to Petr Yan. The rematch is scheduled but the date and location remain TBD, with Abu Dhabi in October being reported. Yan's previous victory over Merab came from fighting a perfect strategic fight after learning from their first encounter.
The LA card features Arman Tsarukyan versus Mauricio Rua, Michael Chandler versus Brian Ortega, and other matchups. LA crowds are particularly energetic since UFC events are infrequent there. The Abu Dhabi card for the Merab-Yan rematch is also highly anticipated.
Barker aims to avoid driving past Dodger Stadium, preferring a routine of waking up with family, going to the studio, and returning home. He recently purchased a garage for his cars and sometimes runs three miles to retrieve an old school car for the drive to the studio.
He occasionally ventures into the city for shows or family activities but generally maintains a studio-home-training routine. Friends living in West Hollywood report the area has changed significantly since the pandemic.
Barker stays in Los Angeles because of professional opportunities, receiving calls to collaborate in the studio or play drums on records. The music industry connections and frequent work make it practical to remain, though he acknowledges there may come a time when he no longer needs to be there.
During a tour stop in Franklin, Tennessee, during a storm, Barker and his wife considered moving there. They frequently have this reaction when visiting new places on tour or vacation. He also has a spot in Santa Barbara and enjoys the desert, finding that moving between Southern California locations keeps things fresh.
Barker's friend Bill Fold started promoting company 98 Posse, organizing raves, punk rock shows, and hardcore shows before creating Coachella. The city of Coachella experiences extreme heat of 115 degrees with most businesses closing midday, but the festival brings significant economic activity that saves local businesses.
Barker owns 12 cars, primarily old school Impalas including a 1959, 1962 wagon, 1963 convertible, and a 1960 Cadillac. He also has a 1972 Bronco from Icon and multiple K5 Blazers. His Velocity K5 is reliable and well-built compared to other resto-mods that are often either overbuilt or poorly running.
Barker is severely color blind, sometimes needing to ask his 2.5-year-old son what colors things are. This affects his ability to distinguish between black and brown vehicles.
Old school cars provide a mechanical connection that modern vehicles lack. Barker enjoys the smell and feeling of these vehicles, though they require good mechanics for maintenance. His collection includes various classic Chevys and Cadillacs that he finds visually striking and enjoyable to drive.
Travis Barker describes his Fox Factory Silverado truck as his daily driver, a collaboration between Fox Shocks and Chevy. The truck features 600-700 horsepower, Baja suspension, and can be driven anywhere, serving as Chevy's answer to the Ford Raptor or Ram TRX. He customized his with matte black accents instead of the typical orange. The suspension allows jumping the truck wherever desired, and Fox Shocks are the key component. He also owns a Hennessy Raptor R with 1000 horsepower, noting these high-power trucks are exciting to drive. The Hennessy version has carbon fiber fenders, stretched wheelbase, and wider track, though it cannot be purchased in California due to emissions regulations, requiring purchase and shipping from Nevada.
A new studio is planned at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack in Austin, Texas. The format would involve doing laps around the track, then pulling in for podcast recordings. The concept is that the adrenaline from racing laps would energize guests' minds before recording, making for more dynamic conversations.
Rich Roll recently reached out after watching a documentary, expressing interest in reconnecting. Travis mentions Rich had back surgery, and they discuss how back problems are concerning, especially when surgery is involved. Travis broke his back in four places during his accident but avoided surgery entirely. His doctor advised against it, stating surgery couldn't guarantee better outcomes than natural healing. Travis notes some friends improved from back surgery while others developed nerve damage, atrophy, and required additional surgeries.
Travis describes Regenicine treatment at Lifespan Medicine in Santa Monica as revolutionary for his bulging discs. The process involves drawing blood, processing it through centrifugation, and reinjecting it the next day into the discs as a potent anti-inflammatory. This treatment resolved numbness and tingling in his fingers from jiu-jitsu injuries within a week, eliminated symptoms in two weeks, and showed complete disc realignment on subsequent MRI within months. He credits this for allowing him to continue training when he thought he might have to stop.
Ways to Well in Austin is recommended as a state-of-the-art facility offering hyperbaric chambers, red light therapy, full gym, and cutting-edge injury treatment. Travis brought Jon Jones and Aljamain Sterling there for hip and other issues with positive results. For treatments unavailable in the US, he mentions CPI (Cellular Performance Institute) in Tijuana, which has a UFC partnership and fewer regulatory restrictions. He notes some stateside options exist but overseas facilities offer more advanced protocols.
Travis has Factor Five, a genetic blood clotting disorder where he has the full gene variant, making him highly prone to clotting. His daughter Alabama has half the gene, requiring less caution. Due to this condition, he has an IVC filter (inferior vena cava filter) permanently installed between his back and stomach since his 2008 accident. The filter prevents large clots from traveling to his heart or brain. The device is plastic, non-removable, and cemented in place. It has a 20-year life expectancy, and removal surgery would be more dangerous than leaving it. He takes blood thinners only when flying or on tour buses for extended periods, but avoids daily use due to bleeding risks from cuts.
A nurse once attempted multiple times to find a vein and caused 30 clots in one arm. He cannot receive IVs due to thick blood and must be cautious about any injections. His doctor permits sparring and drumming without blood thinners in his system, preferring to avoid medication-related bleeding risks during activities.
Travis uses beet juice daily as a natural blood thinner and for improved oxygen utilization, consuming about 250ml (one cup) before performances. He also takes ginseng for energy. Rich Roll introduced him to beet juice as the original pre-workout supplement. He avoids all pharmaceutical medications including Advil and Tylenol.
Approximately 500 deaths occur annually from acetaminophen poisoning, largely through overdose-related acute liver failure. A pandemic-era case involved a woman who died from liver toxicity after repeatedly taking Tylenol for COVID pain. Travis notes that while proper dosing is safe, excessive amounts can be lethal, unlike ibuprofen which doesn't carry the same mortality risk but damages gut biome.
Travis and ultra-runner Cam Hanes became friends after a 5K race where Travis attempted to keep pace with him. Cam was taking 800mg of ibuprofen daily for pain. After learning from Dr. Rhonda Patrick's research about ibuprofen's gut biome destruction and resulting inflammatory cascade, Cam stopped the medication. His chronic pain disappeared once he ceased the anti-inflammatories that were actually causing inflammation through gut damage.
Travis's veganism began naturally as a child when he would hide meat in his pocket rather than eat it. His father's strict rule required finishing all food or staying at the table, leading to creative avoidance. Learning about meat origins reinforced his existing distaste for taste and texture. He grew up on bean and cheese burritos from Vegas. He doesn't eat eggs despite having 19 pet chickens, though he acknowledges unfertilized eggs from personal chickens represent karma-free food since no harm occurs to the animals.
Travis mentions an upcoming vegan protein product that creates egg white substitutes with equivalent protein content, though amino acid profile comparison remains uncertain.
Travis Barker discussed an egg substitute his daughter sent him that creates incredible omelets with high protein content. After eating beef jerky in the hospital for six months, he decided to go vegan and eliminated all animal products including honey and eggs. He reports having tons of energy with no lack of energy and feeling the best he's ever felt.
Joe Rogan noted that everyone's different and having various diet options allows people to find what works. Barker mentioned his family practices different approaches - one daughter is vegetarian, his son eats meat, his wife eats meat, and his youngest son sometimes eats meat, and he's fine with whatever works for each person.
Barker acknowledged that dialing in a vegan diet requires effort and navigation. He warned against people going vegan but then eating only things like vegan pizza without proper nutrition. He mentioned hemp protein products from Gary that provide perfect aminos, taking five in the morning and five at night as a game changer.
Rogan mentioned Crossroads restaurant, where Dana White was impressed despite not liking vegan food. Barker explained that Tall Ronin, the chef at Crossroads, creates food where being vegan becomes an afterthought - it's not even labeled as plant-based on the menu.
They discussed Follow Your Heart, a completely plant-based restaurant in the valley with a cafe and grocery store selling supplements. Barker mentioned their nut burger was so good he'd crave it. Rogan stated he eats mostly meat, primarily wild game, ribeyes, and steak, which makes him feel best.
Rogan explained he doesn't love animal cruelty but recognizes that animals eat animals and life eats life. He described hunting as complete contact with food sources - being there when the animal dies, participating in the whole process, carrying it out of the woods, and having it butchered.
Barker mentioned an incident where Cam Hanes was eyeing deer and calabasis in his neighborhood, seeing them as food while Barker saw them as a cool family of deer.
Rogan praised Barker's open-minded attitude and lack of judgment. Barker stated his philosophy: "Just don't fuck with me. I won't fuck with you." He wants to hear people's opinions to understand where they form their thoughts.
Barker criticized aggressive people on either side of issues who bum everyone out, suggesting their aggression often doesn't come from a healthy place. He argued many people use political beliefs, religion, or social ideology as excuses to be assholes rather than being balanced or happy.
Barker distinguished between being confronted personally versus initiating conflict because someone disagrees. He stated that initiating conflict makes someone a shitty communicator and probably a shitty person, using their beliefs as justification rather than being civil and kind.
He emphasized having friends with different beliefs - Muslims, atheists, gay friends - and that everyone doesn't have to think the same way. He sees social media amplifying aggressive voices and described going online to write something bad as lame.
Barker called online negativity weakness and suggested people who lash out aren't optimized or are lacking in their own pursuits. He noted that seeing someone behave poorly can serve as self-correction - realizing "I don't ever want to be like that."
He contrasted this with reading objective, charitable takes on people, which he finds inspiring and wants to emulate. He argued that aggression doesn't change anyone's opinion.
Barker mentioned David Goggins using haters as motivation by running or exercising when reading negative comments. Rogan called Goggins insane and suggested being better off not listening to haters at all.
They discussed how celebrities going after fans in comments is lame, with Rogan saying "Take your phone away." Barker noted many celebrities have ruined opinions of themselves through online rants.
Barker addressed weird hate about marrying a Kardashian, calling it "the most punk thing I could do" and showing he doesn't give a fuck. He emphasized he hasn't changed - still wears the same Dickies pants, band shoes, and has the same tattoos that prevented real jobs since age 16.
He defined punk rock not as music but as not caring what anyone thinks while going through the world as who you are without hurting anybody.
They discussed how two people from different worlds loving each other is cool, and only haters would think otherwise. Lil Wayne had told Barker you haven't made it until you have haters - you know you're successful when people start hating.
They played a Cat Williams bit about haters where he explains you need haters and should be grateful for them. Williams advises getting more haters if you have them, and if haters have nobody to hate, they can hate on him.
Barker stated it's the job they chose to have haters, and the obligation is managing those waters without diving in. He noted the new phenomenon of direct access to famous people online, with some experiencing severe anxiety from reading comments while living in mansions with Ferraris.
He suggested if you read comments and find truth, use it as a chance to fix things or as motivation - go lift, box, play drums. Rogan understood haters, saying as a 15-year-old with Twitter access, he would have talked shit to someone like himself.
Barker discussed punk rock being finicky about bands getting popular and getting on the radio. Skateboarding, which changed his life, is strict about who can call themselves a skater. He noted both should be celebrated as skateboarding taught the world how to dress properly, with rappers now dressing like skateboarders.
Barker couldn't explain why skateboarding developed such style but described growing up with huge pants, t-shirts, Vans, and beanies. Skate videos taught kids the best music across genres when music was categorized, making skate kids "happily confused" about music preferences.
They discussed Lil Wayne learning to skateboard and influencing style around him. Barker noted Playboi Carti's punk rock aesthetic stems from punk rock and skateboarding culture, even if fans don't realize the origins. He hates gatekeepers and loves what new artists do with punk elements.
Barker explained both punk rock and skateboarding represent rebellion and being outcasts doing something frowned upon that only similar people understand. Skateboarding is one of the hardest activities with concussions, board hits to shins, broken bones, especially in urban street skating environments.
Barker shared that at 13 he felt like an outcast with skaters against jocks in his upbringing. Skateboarders listened to punk rock - The Faction, DRI - and looked different from football players, making them outcasts.
They discussed Barker's documentary "since the crash" available on Hulu. The conversation touched on his mother's last words being "Just play drums," the drums as heartbeat of music, his father telling him to get a job while he insisted on playing in a punk rock band with no plan B, joining Blink-182 with an hour's notice, touring non-stop, taking so many pills a security guard watched him sleep, and the crash with fire, chaos, 65% body burns, and 27 surgeries.
Falling from the sky like Icarus probably does some to your head.
The speaker describes walking into the room and crying, something they never do. Chay and Chris were like brothers to them. AM passed away a year later, prompting the question of why they survived when everyone else didn't.
The speaker had to ask themselves who they were going to be after the accident. They acknowledge they could never truly understand what someone else went through.
I had this burning desire to become the greatest person and father I could be.
The speaker notes that the person changed the whole family and brought them closer together. They loved the person trying to cook for them and going on bike rides.
Knowing how close I got to not being here, my appreciation for life is something I can't even explain.
Every hit communicates the person's story to the world, and the speaker emphasizes that the person has a crazy story.
The conversation concludes with expressions of appreciation and thanks, with the speaker saying goodbye to everyone.
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