Today, Mike Bloom and Shannon Guss take a shot at guessing which encore episodes will be airing prior to the Survivor 50 premiere.

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Dive into Survivor strategy, reality TV crossovers, and rapid-fire pop culture takes as Rob Cesternino welcomes Brandon Donlon for the December Listener Tree Mailbag. As 2025 comes to a close, Rob and Brandon answer burning Survivor questions, swap holiday stories, and break down what’s coming in season 50.

Rob and Brandon kick things off by comparing themselves to Santa’s helpers as they sift through listener submissions. The conversation quickly moves into personal territory, including struggles with gift giving, Rob’s favorite holiday memories, and what it’s like raising kids in a digital age. They swap stories about New Year’s parties and the “sleep schedules” of parents versus teens.

On the Survivor front, Rob unpacks the decision-making behind bringing back returning players for season 50 and debates whether legends from earlier seasons still have a chance to return. Brandon wonders if Survivor’s old guard “missed the boat,” while Rob analyzes the season 50 preview, including those much-discussed celebrity advantages.

You’ll hear discussions on:

• Survivor’s 50th season casting patterns and returnee possibilities past season 40
• How new “celebrity advantages” might show up and what impact they’ll really have
• The return of recent contestants (like Rizo and Savannah) and the odds for players doing seasons back-to-back
• Lighter moments, like finding the “hobnobbing with the glitterati” catchphrase origins, holiday food talk, and why Rob shifted from Costco to Sam’s Club
• Rob’s favorite interviews (including an epic Dr. Will Kirby negotiation) and what it’s like navigating podcasting while considering a Survivor return

As Rob and Brandon trade insights, a big question looms: Will Survivor 50 live up to fan hype, and how will these twists shape the game? Join the mailbag for holiday laughs, reality TV deep-dives, and straight talk about Survivor’s past, present, and future.

Chapters:
0:00 Intros
6:55 The New Era of Survivor
9:16 Will Older Returnees Be Cast?
13:46 Celebrity Advantages Stir Debate
16:28 Survivor 50 Casting Challenges
19:41 Rob’s Iconic Jacket Story
20:00 Traitors Wardrobe Secrets Revealed
22:39 Origin of “Hobnobbing With Glitterati”
24:16 Best Live Show Recommendation
26:44 Costco vs. Sam’s Club Faceoff
28:44 Survivor Early Seasons Top Earners
34:01 Jeff Probst Competes in Challenge
37:04 Rob on Season 50 Hypothetical
40:19 Season 50: Rizo and Savannah’s Odds
42:49 Rob’s Podcast Listening Habits
44:36 Interviewing Heroes: Dr. Will Kirby
56:12 Survivor Game Length Debate
61:39 Rob Reflects on Personal Growth
66:38 Rapid Fire Questions Finale

To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed
WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
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Today, Rob Cesternino, Mike Bloom, and Shannon Guss rank the Survivor New Era winners!

On this Survivor-packed episode of “Rob Has a Podcast,” Rob Cesternino welcomes Shannon Gus and Mike Bloom for the ultimate Survivor New Era winner rankings. The panel attempts the impossible: ranking the winners from Survivor seasons 41-49. With wit and deep Survivor knowledge, they navigate a daunting list where every name holds a million-dollar title, and every ranking is sure to spark discussion.

Along the way, they open up about their own criteria and biases—what’s more important, the social game or physical dominance? Big moves or flawless consistency? The conversation is both meticulous and subjective, as the panel highlights the strengths, weaknesses, and surprising moments that defined each winner’s game.

The panel discuss:
– Individual winner analyses, from Gabler’s undercover triumph to D’s all-around dominance
– Lively discussion about what truly makes a great Survivor winner
– Audience insights, with over 5,000 fan votes counted for the final, “unimpeachable” ranking
– Laughs, a touch of controversy, and an honest look at what it means to win Survivor in the New Era

For superfans, casual viewers, and anyone who loves a good debate, this episode is Survivor coverage at its finest.

To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage!
LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed
WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube
SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!