Episode Details

When I started the Tom Rowland Podcast, I never imagined we’d hit this milestone… and definitely not with a lineup like this.

To celebrate 1,000 episodes, we put together a best-of conversation reel featuring some of the most impactful guests to ever sit down with me:

• Bill Dance – The legend himself. We talk about joy, longevity, and why fishing is still fun after a lifetime on the water.

• Michael Chandler – UFC superstar. Discipline, doubt, and what it really means to bet on yourself when the lights are brightest.

• Monte Burke – Author of Lords of the Fly. The obsession, history, and culture behind chasing truly giant fish.

• Michael Waddell – “Bone Collector.” Family, faith, hunting culture, and how to stay grounded when the cameras turn on.

• Chris Fischer – Founder of OCEARCH. Great white sharks, conservation, and why wild places still matter.

These aren’t just highlight clips. They’re the moments that stuck with me long after we stopped recording – the stories, one-liners, and mindset shifts that changed how I think about fishing, work, family, and life.

• The real Bill Dance behind the bloopers and the TV fame

• How Michael Chandler turns fear into fuel before he walks into the Octagon

• Why Monte Burke thinks certain anglers cross the line from “interested” to “obsessed”

• Michael Waddell’s take on raising kids, building a brand, and still loving the hunt

• How Chris Fischer and OCEARCH are using science and storytelling to protect the ocean

If you’ve listened since the early days: thank you. If you’re new here: this is a great place to start.

🎣 Subscribe for more conversations about fishing, adventure, mindset, and becoming harder to kill in every area of life.
👍 Drop a comment and tell me: Which guest has impacted you the most over 1000 episodes?

In this 1000th episode, you’ll hear: