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

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!

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
SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

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!

With a new Survivor season upon us, it’s time for Mike Bloom and Liana Boraas to re-open the RHAP B&B! On the B&B, Mike and Liana are inspired by the lighter side of Survivor, featuring a series of segments and games based on what’s happening on Survivor that week.

This week, Mike and Liana give their thoughts on the Season 49 finale!

This week’s charity shoutout is Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people through food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other community-based agencies.. Click here to make a one-time or monthly donation.Thank you for your support for the B&B all season long! We’ll be back in the new year for coverage of the highly-anticipated Survivor 50.

If you have any suggestions for games or feedback for the B&B, feel free to reach out to us on social media or email rhapbnb@gmail.com.

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!

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!

Survivor 49 has crowned its winner, Savannah! We often hear from some people that the jury just votes for whoever they like best at the end. Throughout this season, it was clear Savannah did not fit that description. But the majority still voted for her! How did she overcome that part of her game and what other aspects balanced it out to get her the win? Why couldn’t Sophi and Sage convince the jury they were more deserving? And what caused Rizo and Kristina to be knocked out before Final Tribal Council? David Bloomberg and Jessica Lewis wrap up the season by answering all of this and much more! At RHAP, we know Survivor, and we know Why Savannah Won, and Sophi, Sage, Rizo, and Kristina Lost.

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

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!

Survivor 49 comes to a close as Rob Cesternino speaks with Sage, the dynamic third-place finisher whose journey tested both emotional strength and strategic adaptability. Rob digs into the highs and lows of Sage’s experience, from battling on the bottom with Shannon to navigating tough jury dynamics at the final Tribal Council.

Rob kicks off by highlighting Sage’s open and vulnerable approach to the game, asking how her emotional honesty collided with the perception of her strategic gameplay. Sage shares how being a “recovering people pleaser” shaped her relationships, revealing the difference between genuine emotional expression and being misread as emotionally manipulative.

Rob and Sage discuss:

– Sage’s struggle with jury perception and managing emotional versus game moves
– A revealing look at how flying under the radar can backfire at the end
– The impact of the Sophie Segretti blindside and strategic misreads
– How compartmentalizing emotions helped Sage balance being therapist and player
– Candid post-game reflections, including why Sage found the Survivor 49 experience “boring”

Rob and Sage tackle the tension between heart and strategy, asking whether it’s truly possible for an emotionally honest player to win Survivor.

Chapters:
0:00 Intros
6:23 Tribal Council Energy Turns Negative
10:39 Emotional Vulnerability Versus Strategy
13:25 Post-Game Relationships Remain Strained
16:51 Key Decision Examined and Explained
17:15 Sage Finds Survivor Experience Boring
18:22 Rob Reflects On Sage’s Gameplay

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!

The baby boys are back with the final Survivor News of season 49 as Brice, Wendell, and Jack close out the journey alongside special guest Survivor 38’s Lauren O’Connell. They dive into a finale that kicked off with a frantic jungle scramble for an advantage and a pulse-pounding immunity race that helped shape the Final 5 dynamics. With puzzle pieces snagged, hidden advantages unearthed, and a pivotal fire-making showdown deciding who would sit at the Final Tribal Council, the crew breaks down the strategic twists that defined the endgame. The discussion turns to the historic all-female final three — a first in over a decade — and how record-tying immunity wins and tough jury questions shaped the ultimate outcome. Lauren brings fresh perspective from her own Survivor experience as the group analyzes bold moves, jury reactions, and what this season’s finale means heading into the milestone Survivor 50.

Tickets are now available for Brice and Wen 50 Survivor Watch Party Tour!

Grab your tickets here:
https://briceandwenpresent.flite.city

You can also watch along on Brice Izyah’s YouTube channel to watch us break it all down

https://youtube.com/channel/UCFlglGPPamVHaNAb0tL_s7g

Previously on the Purple Pants Podcast Feed:
Purple Pants Podcast Archives