#2473 - Bill Thompson - The Joe Rogan Experience Recap

Podcast: The Joe Rogan Experience

Published: 2026-03-25T17:00:00.000Z

Guests: Bill Thompson

What Happened

Bill Thompson revisits his upbringing with his brother, participating in 'rendezvous' events where they lived as if it were 1840. Participants wore period clothing and practiced old skills like brain tanning hides, where animal brains are used to naturally soften leather. Joe Rogan received a knife from Thompson, crafted from a bear jaw he hunted in Canada, with a blade dated back to 1860.

Rendezvous events ranged from a week to three weeks, often requiring participants to adhere strictly to pre-1840 standards, including the use of traditional archery for hunting. Thompson shared his camp name 'Talks a lot,' which he earned at age 14, and highlighted the significance of rites of passage for young men, noting his own transformative experience in the military.

Joe Rogan and Bill Thompson discussed societal shifts, focusing on the repercussions of divorce culture in the 80s and 90s. They critiqued the lack of rites of passage for young men today, with Thompson emphasizing how the military provided him with structure and responsibility.

The financial mismanagement in addressing homelessness, particularly in California, was scrutinized as $24 billion had been spent with no clear results. Rogan pointed out the systemic issues contributing to this, mentioning the 'homeless industrial complex' that benefits from the GDP without solving the problem.

Thompson raised concerns about the erosion of individual rights, criticizing the Patriot Act and the increasing centralization of power in the federal government. He argued that such shifts have undermined the original intent of the U.S. Constitution and the autonomy of states.

The conversation touched on technology and cybersecurity, where Thompson discussed his military background in signals intelligence and computer network operations. He expressed distrust in companies like Apple and Meta for their data monetization practices, highlighting the importance of understanding foundational skills before relying on AI.

Thompson also described his early interest in computers, which began with an old IBM 286 SX and led to his career in the military. He mentioned his involvement in operations against terrorist groups in the Philippines, utilizing signals intelligence to support combat missions.

Philosophy and historical analysis were also discussed, with references to thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu to argue for individual rights and the separation of powers. Thompson emphasized the importance of contextualizing historical figures within their time to avoid anachronistic judgments.

Key Insights

• Bill Thompson's participation in 'rendezvous' events involved living as if it were 1840, practicing skills like brain tanning hides. This unique upbringing instilled a sense of history and traditional skills in him.
• Joe Rogan and Bill Thompson critiqued the societal consequences of divorce culture in the 80s and 90s, emphasizing how the lack of rites of passage has left young men without a clear path to maturity.
• Financial mismanagement in addressing California's homelessness issue was highlighted, with $24 billion spent without clear results. Rogan referred to the 'homeless industrial complex' as a systemic issue contributing to the problem.
• Thompson expressed distrust towards tech companies like Apple and Meta, criticizing their data monetization practices. He stressed the importance of understanding foundational skills before relying on AI technologies.