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Home Blog The films & shows about meditation &

Topic guide · April 21, 2026

The films & shows about meditation & mindfulness recommended on podcasts

The films, shows and documentaries that actually got recommended on episodes about meditation & mindfulness, with the quote and the timestamp for each one.

Meditation talk on podcasts drifts into strange places, and the most-cited title in this bucket proves it: Chimp Empire, a documentary about warring chimps, pulled 18 shoutouts. Grizzly Man and Ex Machina round out the top three with 11 and 10.

None of these picked themselves. We scanned 105 total recommendations tied to mindfulness conversations and kept only the ones a real guest named on air. Click through to see the quote and the timestamp where it happened.

#1 · Chimp Empire

James Reed · Film / show · 18 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2428 - Michael P. Masters in 2025. That episode features Michael P. Masters, A biological anthropologist and professor at Montana Technological University, where he chairs the department. He's known for the theory that UFO occupants are time-traveling future humans, and is the author of four books plus a children's book. In total it earned 18 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“you ever watched Chimp Nation on Netflix. Amazing documentary. incredible docu series. Can't recommend it enough.” — Joe Rogan 02:45:21

Every mention & where to get it

#2 · Grizzly Man

Werner Herzog (inferred) · Film / show · 11 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2459 - Jim Breuer. That episode features Jim Breuer, Stand-up comedian and former SNL cast member (1995-1998), best known for the 'Goat Boy' character and the stoner movie Half Baked. A longtime friend of Rogan's from their early days on the New York/Boston comedy circuit. In total it earned 11 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“That's a great movie. That was one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. Greatest movie ever. Belly laughed watching that thing.” — Joe Rogan 02:07:51

Every mention & where to get it

#3 · Ex Machina

Alex Garland (inferred) · Film / show · 10 endorsements

Kevin Rose brought this up on New Health Gadgets, How to Drink Less, AI, & More (2025-05-23). Kevin is Tech entrepreneur and investor (founder of Digg, partner at True Ventures, host of the Modern Finance/Diggnation podcasts) and Tim Ferriss's recurring co-host on The Random Show. In total it earned 10 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“Have you seen a great movie, Ex Machina? Oh, of course. Fantastic movie. So good” — Kevin Rose 01:43:41

Every mention & where to get it

#4 · Moment of Contact

James Fox · Film / show · 9 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Michael P. Masters, on Joe Rogan Experience #2428 - Michael P. Masters in 2025. Michael is A biological anthropologist and professor at Montana Technological University, where he chairs the department. He's known for the theory that UFO occupants are time-traveling future humans, and is the author of four books plus a children's book. In total it earned 9 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“that's the moment of contact documentary. Very good. Very good James Fox documentary. It is. Crazy documentary.” — Michael P. Masters 02:02:06

Every mention & where to get it

#5 · The Hustler

Walter Tevis (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2438 - John Mellencamp. That episode features John Mellencamp, Heartland rock legend behind hits like 'Jack and Diane,' 'Hurt So Good,' 'Small Town,' and 'Pink Houses,' originally marketed against his will as 'Johnny Cougar.' Co-founder of Farm Aid and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. It has been genuinely recommended 9 times on the show.

“I love that guy. Hustler. One of my favorite movies of all time.” — Joe Rogan 02:07:51

Every mention & where to get it

#6 · Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan (inferred) · Film / show · 7 endorsements

Eric Weinstein brought this up on You’re Watching the End of the World in Real Time - Eric Weinstein (2025-07-14). Eric is Mathematician, physicist, and provocative public intellectual known for his 'Geometric Unity' theory of physics and his critiques of academic and scientific institutions. Former managing director of Thiel Capital and host of The Portal podcast. In total it earned 7 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“So, go watch the movie Oppenheimer, if you will. But, this is why physics physicists are the only occupation” — Eric Weinstein 01:40:45

Every mention & where to get it

#7 · Spirited Away

Hayao Miyazaki (inferred) · Film / show · 6 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on Q&A with Tim Ferriss — AI Companions, Longevity Levers, Writer's Block, Low-Back in 2023. Tim is Author, entrepreneur, angel investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, in a solo live Q&A fielding pre-submitted and live-feed questions. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“Miyazaki Hayao is figurehead behind Ghibli. And my favorite movie, Spirited Away, is, I think, their crowning achievement” — Tim Ferriss 00:48:08

Every mention & where to get it

#8 · Apocalypse Now

Francis Ford Coppola (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

Recommended by Dan Houser on Dan Houser: GTA, Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar, Absurd & Future of Gaming | Lex . Dan is Legendary video game creator, co-founder of Rockstar Games, and lead writer behind the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series. He has since founded a new company, Absurdventures, building new worlds across books, comics, audio, and games. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“if I'm feeling slightly less serious, Apocalypse Now, and I would always want to watch the original cut.” — Dan Houser 00:12:08

Every mention & where to get it

#9 · Black Mirror

Charlie Brooker (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2344 - Amjad Masad (2025-07-02). That episode features Amjad Masad, Founder and CEO of Replit, an AI-powered platform that lets anyone build software by prompting from their phone. A Palestinian-Jordanian immigrant, former Facebook engineer, and outspoken commentator on tech, free speech, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“Black Mirror, of course. Yeah. Black Mirror is awesome sci-fi.” — Joe Rogan 01:18:27

Every mention & where to get it

#10 · Her

Spike Jonze (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on Q&A with Tim — Parenting Considerations, Intuition, New Hobbies, Dating, and Mor in 2024. Tim is Author, entrepreneur, angel investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, here doing a solo Q&A marking the podcast's 10th anniversary. In total it earned 4 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“I think her was fantastic and you know at the time it seemed insane and it's basically already there” — Tim Ferriss 00:46:07

Every mention & where to get it

#11 · Elvis

Baz Luhrmann (inferred) · Film / show · 3 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2276 - Felipe Esparza. That episode features Felipe Esparza, Stand-up comedian, Last Comic Standing winner, and host of the 'What's Up Fool?' podcast. His Netflix special 'Raging Fool' is out now. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“that Tom Hanks performance is fantastic in that Elvis movie where he plays the colonel” — Joe Rogan 00:31:29

Every mention & where to get it

#12 · I Think You're Fat

AJ Jacobs · Film / show · 3 endorsements

Tim Ferriss brought this up on Hugh Jackman and Esther Perel — The Tim Ferriss Show (2024-07-17). That episode features Hugh Jackman and Esther Perel, Hugh Jackman is an Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe and Tony-winning performer known for Wolverine, Les Miserables and The Music Man. Esther Perel is a psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author of Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, host of the podcast Where Should We Begin?. It has been genuinely recommended 3 times on the show.

“there's a great article I think it's called I think you're fat by AJ Jacobs at Esquire who is hilarious” — Tim Ferriss 01:39:59

Every mention & where to get it

#13 · Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip

Richard Pryor · Film / show · 3 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2438 - John Mellencamp in 2026. That episode features John Mellencamp, Heartland rock legend behind hits like 'Jack and Diane,' 'Hurt So Good,' 'Small Town,' and 'Pink Houses,' originally marketed against his will as 'Johnny Cougar.' Co-founder of Farm Aid and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. It has been genuinely recommended 3 times on the show.

“Oh, Live on the Sunset Strip changed my life. Well, that changed my life.” — Joe Rogan 02:15:39

Every mention & where to get it

#14 · Stand by Me

Rob Reiner (inferred) · Film / show · 3 endorsements

Recommended by Andrew Huberman on How to Better Regulate Your Emotions | Dr. Marc Brackett. That episode features Dr. Marc Brackett, Professor of psychology at Yale and founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. He created the RULER school program and the How We Feel app, and is an expert on the science of emotions and emotional intelligence. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan).

“we were talking about the movie Stand by Me, movie I absolutely love. And it's just like a perfect story.” — Andrew Huberman 00:31:07

Every mention & where to get it

#15 · Taxi Driver

Martin Scorsese (inferred) · Film / show · 3 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2027 - Oliver Anthony (2024-06-27). That episode features Oliver Anthony, Christopher Anthony Lunsford, Virginia singer-songwriter whose self-recorded 'Rich Men North of Richmond' became an overnight viral No. 1 hit. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman).

“like Taxi Driver like you go back and watch Taxi Driver that's a masterpiece of a movie it's so connected” — Joe Rogan 00:07:23

Every mention & where to get it

#16 · A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

Andrew Hickey · Film / show · 2 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Rick Rubin, on Protocols to Access Creative Energy and Process | Rick Rubin in 2023. Rick is World-renowned music producer who has worked with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, Adele, Eminem, Slayer and more. Author of 'The Creative Act: A Way of Being' and host of the Tetragrammaton podcast. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“I've started listening to more episodes of the podcasts that you introduced me to which was history of rock music and 500 songs Andrew Hickey great podcast real indepth information about music” — Rick Rubin 00:10:56

Every mention & where to get it

#17 · Airplane!

Jim Abrahams (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Recommended by Action Bronson on Joe Rogan Experience #2164 - Action Bronson. Action is Rapper, chef, and TV host known for his food and culinary background, lifelong New Yorker and combat-sports superfan. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“Naked Gun airplane airplane's the classic it is dead and Loving It that's a fun” — Action Bronson 01:30:48

Every mention & where to get it

#18 · Arcane

Riot Games / Fortiche (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Tim Ferriss brought this up on Q&A with Tim Ferriss — How to Live with Urgency (2024-11-20). Tim is Author of The 4-Hour Workweek and The 4-Hour Body, host of The Tim Ferriss Show podcast (10+ years), early-stage investor, and creator of the Cockpunch NFT/fantasy project that funded his science nonprofit. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“seeing what League of Legends and Riot games did with Arcane if you guys haven't seen Arcane on Netflix go watch it it's bananas” — Tim Ferriss 01:03:13

Every mention & where to get it

#19 · Bigger Stronger Faster

Chris Bell (director) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2423 - John Cena in 2025. That episode features John Cena, 16-time WWE World Champion turned actor (Peacemaker, the Suicide Squad). One of the most decorated pro wrestlers ever, now winding down his in-ring career with one match left. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“his documentaries are [ __ ] incredible. Bigger, stronger, faster... is such a [ __ ] great documentary” — Joe Rogan 00:24:48

Every mention & where to get it

#20 · Chariots of Fire

Film / show · 2 endorsements

Recommended by Hugh Jackman on Hugh Jackman and Esther Perel — The Tim Ferriss Show. That episode features Hugh Jackman and Esther Perel, Hugh Jackman is an Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe and Tony-winning performer known for Wolverine, Les Miserables and The Music Man. Esther Perel is a psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author of Mating in Captivity and The State of Affairs, host of the podcast Where Should We Begin?. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“my favorite quote from a movie of all time is from Chariots of Fire which I loved as a kid” — Hugh Jackman 00:14:33

Every mention & where to get it

#21 · Everything Everywhere All at Once

Film / show · 2 endorsements

David Choe brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #1965 - David Choe (2024-06-27). David is Painter, graffiti/muralist and gambler who made a fortune from early Facebook stock; host of FX's The Cho Show and now an actor in Netflix's Beef. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“the movie that just won the Oscar everything everywhere all at once is like my favorite movie it had like six guys doing the special effects” — David Choe 00:31:45

Every mention & where to get it

#22 · Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen · Film / show · 2 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Lex Fridman, on Rob Reid: The Existential Threat of Engineered Viruses and Lab Leaks | Lex Fridm in 2021. That episode features Rob Reid, Entrepreneur, science-fiction novelist, and host of the After On podcast who founded Listen.com (Rhapsody). Known for his deep research on engineered pandemics and biosecurity, featured on Sam Harris's Making Sense. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“hallelujah by uh leonard cohen was the close one but the number one is the johnny cash's cover of hurt” — Lex Fridman 01:56:55

Every mention & where to get it

#23 · Inglourious Basterds

Quentin Tarantino (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2045 - Jimmy Carr. That episode features Jimmy Carr, British stand-up comedian known for one-liners and dark edgy humor, with Netflix specials, who has played 40+ countries and is on tour. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“and then it doesn't happen and you go oh it's the same trick in glorious bastards yes so fantastic” — Joe Rogan 02:00:22

Every mention & where to get it

#24 · Kumare

Vikram Gandhi (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Tim Ferriss brought this up on Q&A with Tim — The Upcoming AI Tsunami and Building Offline Advantage (2026-03-26). Tim is Author, podcaster, and early-stage investor; solo Q&A host answering pre-submitted and live audience questions about AI, careers, creativity, and life. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“Kumare, great documentary, Fred recommended. Everybody should watch Kumare. It's a great great film” — Tim Ferriss 00:48:18

Every mention & where to get it

#25 · Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2045 - Jimmy Carr in 2024. That episode features Jimmy Carr, British stand-up comedian known for one-liners and dark edgy humor, with Netflix specials, who has played 40+ countries and is on tour. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“but I mean that movie was incredible incredible all of his he doesn't have a bad movie” — Joe Rogan 02:00:22

Every mention & where to get it

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The Price of Everything

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20th Century Fox (inferred)

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Air

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Cabaret

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Do We See Reality As It Is? (TED Talk)

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Elvis (2022 film)

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High

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Perfect Days

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Prefontaine

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Prescription Thugs

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Shaun of the Dead (film)

Edgar Wright (inferred)

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STEM-Talk

IHMC

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Synanon

HBO (inferred)

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Taming the Mammoth

Tim Urban (Wait But Why)

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The English

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The Fugitive Kind

Sidney Lumet / Tennessee Williams (inferred)

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