Book · recommended on 26 episodes
Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties
Tom O'Neill
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Tom O'Neill
Find it on AmazonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
This book by Tom O'Neill has come up 26 times across 2 different shows: Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman. 26 of those mentions were genuine on-air recommendations, not just passing references. The people who brought it up: Aaron Rodgers, Charlie Sheen, Jimmy Carr, Joe Rogan, Saagar Enjeti, guest. The earliest mention we indexed is from 2024-03-20 and the most recent from 2026-05-07. Every occurrence below links to the episode page and to the exact second it was said on YouTube.
“There's a fantastic book called Chaos by Tom O'Neill. It's all about the Manson family. Have you ever read it? It's phenomenal. And it's mind-blowing.”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Tim Burchett: Republican U.S. Congressman from East Tennessee and former Knox County mayor, known as one of Congress's most outspoken advocates for UFO/UAP disclosure. Son of a WWII Marine, he also makes handmade skateboards. Congressman Tim Burchett tells Joe Rogan why he believes the UFO cover-up is real, plus insider trading, the Taliban cash pipeline, and MK Ultra.
“And that's the book Chaos by Tom O'Neal, which is a brilliant book, which is very well doumented in details Jolly West and his influence on the Manson family”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Andrew Doyle: British comedian, playwright and writer who holds a doctorate in Shakespeare and created the satirical woke-activist character Tatiana McGrath. Author of 'The End of Woke,' he has relocated to Arizona to make creative work with Rob Schneider. Andrew Doyle joins Joe Rogan to argue Britain has criminalized speech while the woke era mutates into a new, harder-to-name authoritarianism.
“you have never recommended anybody for the podcast before. But that guy, you're like, dude, you got to talk to him”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Greg Fitzsimmons: Veteran stand-up comedian, writer, and longtime Rogan friend (this is his 25th appearance). Hosts the Sunday Papers and Fitzdog Radio podcasts and came up in the 1980s-90s Boston/New York comedy scene. Joe Rogan and comedian Greg Fitzsimmons roam from censorship and Epstein to the moon-landing conspiracy, AI dangers, and decades of stand-up war stories.
“I know so many people that have read that book. I mean, I've talked about it a hundred times. It's amazing.”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Greg Fitzsimmons: Veteran stand-up comedian, writer, and longtime Rogan friend (this is his 25th appearance). Hosts the Sunday Papers and Fitzdog Radio podcasts and came up in the 1980s-90s Boston/New York comedy scene. Joe Rogan and comedian Greg Fitzsimmons roam from censorship and Epstein to the moon-landing conspiracy, AI dangers, and decades of stand-up war stories.
“Please, folks, if you're listening to this, read that book. It's one of the craziest books of all time”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is John Lisle: Historian of science and author of 'Project Mind Control' and 'The Dirty Tricks Department,' specializing in the CIA, OSS, and Cold War-era scientific experiments. His MK-Ultra book is being adapted into a series by David Chase. Historian John Lisle takes Joe Rogan deep into MK-Ultra, the CIA's lawless mind-control experiments, and the human psychology of secrecy and conspiracy.
“I actually read Chaos before it got all the attention. Really? Yeah. friend of mine gave it to me and I was like oh okay this is this is one of the best books”— Charlie Sheen
The guest here is Charlie Sheen: Actor known for Platoon, Wall Street, and Two and a Half Men, and son of Martin Sheen. Now nearly eight years sober and promoting his memoir 'The Book of Sheen' and a Netflix documentary. Charlie Sheen tells Joe Rogan the unfiltered story of his fame, addiction, the 'Tiger Blood' meltdown, and almost eight years sober.
“that book. I got to thank you for that book. Oh, Chaos. Incredible. So, can't recommend it enough.”— Jimmy Carr
The guest here is Jimmy Carr: British comedian known for rapid-fire one-liners, panel shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Netflix specials. A prolific touring stand-up currently working a 47-country tour. Jimmy Carr and Joe Rogan riff on play, comedy as craft, AI as an emerging god, work ethic, taxes, and the mystery of consciousness.
“I think they did it with the Manson family. And I don't think that stuff just ends at the Chaos book was awesome. Incredible. Great book.”— Aaron Rodgers
The guest here is Aaron Rodgers: Four-time NFL MVP quarterback, formerly of the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets. Known publicly for his outspoken skepticism of vaccines and mainstream institutions, and his interest in psychedelics and alternative medicine. Aaron Rodgers and Joe Rogan run a marathon riff on vaccines, COVID cover-ups, UFO disclosure, ancient Egypt, and institutional corruption.
“the MK Ultra version is the best version that's Siran Siran Charles Manson everything yeah I say it again but read chaos by Tom O'Neal ladies and gentlemen”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Mike Baker: Former CIA covert operations officer turned security/intelligence commentator. He hosts the 'President's Daily Brief' podcast and is a dual US-UK citizen. Ex-CIA officer Mike Baker joins Joe Rogan for a wide-ranging talk on geopolitics, DOGE, deep fakes, the JFK files, and a camel trek across Arabia.
“I read every Manson book that they possibly could read and then I read that one I throw the rest of them away trash chaos is fantastic”— guest
The guest here is Roger Avary & Quentin Tarantino: Screenwriter-directors who met working at Video Archives in Manhattan Beach; co-hosts of the Video Archives Podcast. Avary won an Oscar for Pulp Fiction and directed Killing Zoe; Tarantino is the acclaimed writer-director. Tarantino and Avary reunite to recount the video-store years, their rise as filmmakers, and Avary's jail-changing crash.
“if you read that fantastic book The Tom O'Neal book about the Manson Murders I mean again you know it took him 20 years to write that book”— Saagar Enjeti
The guest here is Saagar Enjeti: Political commentator and journalist, co-host of Breaking Points with Krystal Ball and of The Realignment podcast. A voracious reader of history whose analysis draws heavily on presidential biographies and political-science classics. Saagar Enjeti traces the history behind Trump's 2024 win, MAGA, DOGE, immigration, and the realignment of American politics through a historian's lens.
“if you read chaos uh by Tom O'Neal familiar with fantastic book that shows you what they were trying to do to demonize these these hippies”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Peter Thiel: Billionaire investor and entrepreneur, PayPal co-founder, Palantir and Founders Fund founder, contrarian tech thinker. Peter Thiel and Joe Rogan range over tech stagnation, AI passing the Turing test, nuclear power, conspiracies, and collapsing birth rates.
“I know about him from Tom O'Neal in the chaos book which is so awesome and he keep going studied the entire Warren Commission report”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Annie Jacobsen: Investigative journalist and author of seven books on war, weapons, and US national security secrets, including Nuclear War: A Scenario, The Pentagon's Brain, Surprise Kill Vanish, and Phenomena. Journalist Annie Jacobsen explains how a nuclear war would kill 5 billion people in 72 minutes, then debates AI, sentience, and humanity's future with Joe Rogan.
“Jolly West was the head of MK Ultra he was the guy that they Chronicle extensively in Thomas O'Neal's book chaos about the Manson case”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Jimmy Dore: Stand-up comedian and host of The Jimmy Dore Show, a left-populist independent political comedy and commentary program on YouTube and Rumble. Comedian Jimmy Dore and Joe Rogan rant about media corruption, Biden's decline, Ukraine, COVID narratives, and Jungian dream psychology.
“the facts the absolute undeniable facts in that book just those alone forget speculation forget Theory just the facts alone are insane”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Diana Walsh Pasulka: Professor of religious studies at UNC Wilmington and author of American Cosmic and Encounters, who studies UFO and abduction phenomena as a historical and religious subject. Religious studies professor Diana Walsh Pasulka on UFOs as interdimensional phenomena, government secrecy, psychedelics, and the mystical roots of religion.
“did you ever read chaos by Tom O'Neil no I haven't read it it's a fantastic book it's all about why Manson kept getting released”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Michael Shermer: Founder and editor-in-chief of Skeptic magazine, science writer, and author of 'Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational.'. Skeptic Michael Shermer and Joe Rogan dissect why rational people believe conspiracy theories, from JFK to UFOs to cancel culture.
“this book is called chaos and it's the definitive book on Charles Manson the Manson family and their ties to the CIA”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Chad Stahelski: Director of the John Wick films and former stuntman who doubled Keanu Reeves on The Matrix before becoming a second-unit and feature director. John Wick director Chad Stahelski on building the franchise, stunt craft, dog training, practical effects, and AI's looming threat to filmmaking.
“Tom O'Neill who wrote the book chaos which is a amazing book all about this he went deep down the rabbit hole for 20 years writing this book it's meticulously researched”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Kurt Metzger: Stand-up comedian and writer; correspondent/writer on The Jimmy Dore Show and Kyle Dunnigan's show, formerly a writer on Inside Amy Schumer. Joe Rogan and comedian Kurt Metzger ramble for nearly four hours through addiction, CIA drug-dealing, media manipulation, FTX, war propaganda, and bizarre animal facts.
“the book chaos I can't recommend it enough the guy worked on it for 20 years”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Post Malone: Multi-genre singer/rapper (real name Austin Post) known for blending hip-hop, pop, and country; making his second appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. Post Malone and Joe Rogan ramble for four hours on AI music, mushrooms, gaming, archery, conspiracies, fatherhood, and the old songs that haunt them.
“documented by this Guy Tom O'Neal in this book called chaos it's an amazing book that talks about the cia's LSD program”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Zach Bryan: Country/folk singer-songwriter and former U.S. Navy aviation ordnanceman who went viral on Twitter while serving. Country star Zach Bryan talks his Navy years, viral rise, fame's pressures, alcohol and health, AI fears, and UFO disclosure with Joe Rogan.
“it's an amazing book Tom O'Neal's book Chaos on the Manson family murders the Manson family murders were almost absolutely a CIA operation”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Aaron Rodgers: Four-time NFL MVP quarterback, then with the New York Jets, recovering from an Achilles tendon tear suffered four plays into the 2023 season. Aaron Rodgers details his rapid Achilles rehab, then he and Rogan go deep on vaccines, media capture, conspiracies, and the meaning of it all.
“you should read this book called chaos from Tom O'Neal it's GRE fit Simmons's neighbor”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Big Jay Oakerson & Ari Shaffir: Stand-up comedians and podcasters (Legion of Skanks, SDR Show); Oakerson promoting his new special Dog Belly, which Shaffir helped produce and edit. Joe Rogan, Big Jay Oakerson and Ari Shaffir riff on cults, Manson, psychedelics, sharks, porn and Big Jay's new special.
“this is a great book called chaos by Tom O'Neill Tom O'Neil was Greg fitzsimmons's next door neighbor and this was like 20 years ago”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Dave Smith: Libertarian comedian, host of the 'Part of the Problem' podcast, and Libertarian Party activist known for anti-war, anti-interventionist commentary. Comedian-libertarian Dave Smith and Joe Rogan dissect government corruption, COVID policy, media and Big Tech censorship, and the Ukraine war's hidden history.
“that MK Ultra thing that there's a book on it called chaos by Tom O'Neal it's an amazing book”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Andrew Santino: Stand-up comedian and actor; host of the Whiskey Ginger podcast, co-host of Bad Friends with Bobby Lee, and a regular on FXX's Dave. Comedian Andrew Santino and Joe Rogan ramble through motorcycles, pool, golf, cults, Vatican scandals, torture history and Michael Jordan's gambling.
“that's Tom O'Neal that's chaos great book great book really I can't recommend it enough on Charles Manson it's so crazy”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Tony Hinchcliffe & Brian Redban: Stand-up comedians; Tony Hinchcliffe hosts the live podcast Kill Tony and Brian Redban produces it, both longtime Joe Rogan collaborators now based in Austin. Joe Rogan, Tony Hinchcliffe and Brian Redban riff on comedy, conspiracies, drugs, the JFK film and Kill Tony's rise.
“this is the primary theory in the book chaos chaos by this guy Tom O'Neal made him the book's insane”— Joe Rogan
The guest here is Shane Gillis, Ari Shafir, and Mark Norman: Stand-up comedians and Rogan's friends, recurring panelists on the booze-fueled 'Protect Our Parks' episodes; Gillis recently hosted SNL after his 2019 firing. Joe Rogan, Shane Gillis, Ari Shafir and Mark Norman drink heavily and riff for five chaotic hours.
