Evan Hafer

Date: 2021-08-06 | Duration: 3h 10m

Episode Overview

Evan Hafer, founder of Black Rifle Coffee Company and former special operations contractor, dives into the complexities of building a veteran-focused business amid intense media scrutiny and cultural polarization. He reflects on the challenges Black Rifle faced following a controversial New York Times article, emphasizing the disconnect between the company’s true mission and how it was portrayed. Hafer shares candid insights about the financial struggles in the early years, including running the business while carrying significant debt, and the deep personal commitment required to sustain it. He also discusses the importance of authenticity and the loyalty of the company’s community, which he views as an extended family beyond just customers. The conversation broadens into Hafer’s perspective on the current social and political climate, touching on themes of mistrust in mainstream media, the divisiveness fueled by social platforms, and the need for Americans to reconnect beyond partisan lines. Drawing from his military background, Hafer recounts stories from his deployments and the bonds formed with Afghan allies, highlighting the human side of conflict and sacrifice. He also critiques the cultural obsession with outrage and the erosion of nuanced dialogue, advocating for resilience, personal responsibility, and a balanced view of America’s strengths and flaws. Throughout, Hafer’s reflections reveal a commitment to community, hard work, and a hopeful vision for unity amid division.

About Evan Hafer

Evan Hafer is a Special Forces veteran and the founder and executive chairman of Black Rifle Coffee Company, a veteran-owned coffee brand celebrated for its commitment to quality and its mission to support the military community. With a background in the U.S. Army, Hafer has leveraged his experiences to create a thriving business that resonates with coffee enthusiasts and veterans alike. Known for his engaging personality and outspoken views on entrepreneurship and patriotism, he has become a prominent voice in both the coffee industry and veteran advocacy. As a host on various platforms, including his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Hafer shares insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of community, making him a compelling figure in today's cultural dialogue.

Key Moments

– Media Mistrust
– Black Rifle Coffee Company
– Veteran Experiences
– Political Polarization
– Gun Rights
– Comedy Industry
– Pandemic Impact
– Social Programs
– Mental Health
– American Patriotism
– Afghanistan War
– Social Media Influence
– Freedom and Responsibility
– Cultural Division
– Personal Discipline
– Military Service
– Conservative Values
– COVID-19 Policies
0:00:16 – Introduction and casual start with coffee
0:01:25 – Discussion on mistrust of mainstream media
0:02:42 – Preparation for New York Times article response
0:05:31 – Psychological and physical challenges in business
0:09:53 – Financial struggles and no profit taken early on
0:16:41 – Kyle Rittenhouse incident and public perception
0:21:12 – Afghan war stories and veteran connections
0:26:21 – Criticism of misinformation and online discourse
0:30:39 – People seeking connection in toxic online environment
0:33:52 – Handling discomfort and communication challenges
0:36:13 – Revitalizing New York City post-pandemic
0:39:24 – Vaccine mandates and their impact on workers
0:44:14 – Views on smaller government and personal freedom
0:50:05 – Historical leadership and skepticism
1:01:15 – Reflection on America’s progress and challenges
1:13:19 – Comfort with conflict and gunfighting stories
1:18:50 – Social and political identity discussions
1:31:47 – Extremes holding the political center hostage
1:36:30 – Gun rights and AR-15 demonization debate
1:41:09 – Cultural references to America and Rome
1:46:05 – Black Rifle Coffee as a right-wing military company
1:53:57 – Mental health recovery and veteran support
2:02:32 – Prioritizing concentric rings of importance
2:10:53 – Critique of Washington Post and media bias
2:15:55 – Discussion of fictional characters and storytelling
2:17:59 – Top comedians outside of Joe Rogan
2:21:01 – Comedy’s evolution after serious injury
2:23:44 – Relatability of comedy to blue collar audiences
2:30:49 – Balancing family time with career demands
2:35:28 – Parenting and emotional connection with children
2:39:24 – Avoiding social media distractions
2:42:31 – Filming comedy specials and stage awareness
2:47:36 – Discipline likened to physical endurance training
2:52:09 – Planning large comedy shows and tours
3:00:15 – Family heritage and immigrant stories
3:04:59 – Importance of kindness and social harmony
3:06:23 – Emotional connections and human interaction

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Joe Rogan Experience. Starting point is 00:00:16 It is coffee, but I just grabbed it because it was here. Starting point is 00:00:27 Good to see you. Starting point is 00:00:32 Maybe just the name. Starting point is 00:00:45 Well, when people were attacking you, I got butt hurt. Starting point is 00:01:04 It didn't even make sense. Starting point is 00:01:25 about me. Uh, but I think, I think there's just such a mistrust with mainstream media and that's Starting point is 00:02:17 being put out about yourself did it start with the new york times article yeah i so what was the the Starting point is 00:02:42 And we didn't, so to rewind, we knew this story was going down Starting point is 00:03:14 Do you guys want to sit for the interview? Starting point is 00:03:41 story, I'll at least give them the opportunity to be objective and then really take a look at the company from the inside. Starting point is 00:04:39 That wasn't in the article at all? Starting point is 00:05:31 like what's happening along the lines of the psychological and physical Starting point is 00:06:10 article that I would have loved to have had in the article, but they didn't. I'm not riding it, Starting point is 00:07:09 capitalize on after you put in a fuck ton of hard work well i've known you guys for years and i knew Starting point is 00:07:48 that in the way that they view the world, that this is the way they wanted to view the company. Starting point is 00:08:38 which is, you know, we'll sleep when you're dead, you know, toughen up, you know, there's, Starting point is 00:09:24 not only the best interest Starting point is 00:09:53 So probably year two, two and a half, I hadn't taken any money out of the company because I am a capitalist at the end of the day. Starting point is 00:10:47 but we have $36,000 of credit card debt and there's nothing left to sell. Starting point is 00:11:34 And not only to be that economically challenged for those many years, I've alway...

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Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1693?

Evan Hafer was the guest on JRE #1693. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1693?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1693 with Evan Hafer, topics include Media Mistrust, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Veteran Experiences, and Political Polarization.

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The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1693 with Evan Hafer is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.