Show Me Something – Episode 34

Guest: Carl Radke
Hosts: Sophie Cunningham & West Wilson
Date: February 26, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode brings reality TV personality and podcast host Carl Radke (of Bravo’s Summer House) to the table with WNBA star Sophie Cunningham and co-host West Wilson. Together, they explore the intersections between reality TV and pro sports, focusing on Carl’s journey of sobriety, his experiences on and off the screen, his sports background (including practicing with Syracuse women’s basketball), and the intricacies of authentic friendship and character growth under public scrutiny. The conversation is candid, heartfelt, and often hilarious—with lots of inside Summer House tea, deeper conversations about addiction, resilience, and a healthy dose of banter about practice-player hijinks versus WNBA legends.

1. Carl Radke: Introduction & Recent Projects

[04:05 – 05:47]

• West introduces Carl as an OG from Summer House, now also a podcast host and published author.
• Carl describes the emotional labor behind his new book, Cake Eater, and how both writing and podcast launching have been rewarding but intense.
  • "It's not like a happy, you know, hug your friends, read. It's very difficult, you know, material and things I've been through...The goal from the beginning with the book was to help people, and I feel like that's—it’s happening." —Carl [05:10]

2. Sobriety and Life Transformation

[06:31 – 08:16]

• Sophie praises Carl’s choice to remain sober on Summer House, a show known for its wild, party-heavy environment.
• Carl discusses his family history with addiction, the need to "look in the mirror," and choosing to be open about his struggles on TV.
  • "A big part of that was admitting that I'm an alcoholic and a drug addict...I hated who I was and the person I was putting out [on early seasons]. From season five and on, I really tried to make better choices." —Carl [07:29]
• He emphasizes that sharing his story is about helping others, not seeking attention or perfection.

3. Carl’s Sports Background: Pittsburgh Roots & College Years

[08:18 – 16:58]

• Carl recounts his early memories of being a Pittsburgh sports fan and attending Wrigley Field as a child.
• Talks about attending Syracuse University for its journalism program after being advised by a guidance counselor.
• Reveals his decorated background as a standout volleyball player in high school, including being first-team All Pennsylvania and Junior Olympics participation.
  • "I was probably the best setter in...the country my senior year." —Carl [13:07]
• Chose academics over a more athletic-focused university experience but still played on Syracuse’s club team, earning All-American recognition [16:43].

4. Playing Against WNBA Legends: Inside the Practice Squad

[17:28 – 22:57]

• Carl shares how he became a men’s practice player for the Syracuse women’s basketball team after impressing at a campus pickup game.
• Hilarious and honest stories about transitioning to the women’s game—including being physically outmatched by Carrie Lambert (Bill Laimbeer’s daughter).
  • "I remember going toe-to-toe in the paint, and she would kick my ass, dude." —Carl [18:53]
• Sophie and Carl joke about the infamous “no dunking” rule for male practice players and the unique physicality of women's basketball.
• Carl recalls impersonating legends like Cappie Pondexter in pre-game scrimmages and gaining deep respect for the fundamentals and grit of women’s hoops.
  • "The fundamentals are better than the men. The women...did it better than us." —Carl [22:02]

5. Summer House Stories & Friendship Origins

[27:10 – 33:33]

• Carl details his path from a TV/film/communications graduate and LA transplant, to joining Summer House in 2016 after a chance chain of events involving co-star Kyle Cook.
• The origin of Carl and Kyle’s friendship is recounted in classic Summer House style—over a massive bottle of rosé at Surf Lodge—that led to his last-minute casting on the show.
  • "I know you’re a lot of fun and seem like a good guy. Like, what do you think? And I’m like, okay, fuck it." —Carl [33:22]
• Anecdotes about bar napkin podcast contracts and the genuine, unscripted roots of Summer House's relationships.
• Discussion on how friendships and bonds exist outside the TV context—and how the cast navigates real growth and change together.

6. Sobriety & Social Life on Reality TV

[35:59 – 41:30]

• Sophie probes how real the relationships are on shows like Summer House.
• Carl opens up about his dynamic with Kyle—both support and friction, and how their friendship survived both Carl’s darkest moments and Kyle’s struggles.
• Candid discussion on not developing a “God complex” in sobriety, and trying to gently help friends without being patronizing.
  • "I think when I first got sober...I had this high and mighty, like, I was better than you kind of a little bit...I had to humble myself." —Carl [37:51]
• Importance of still participating and having fun—dressing up, planning parties—as a sober person, and how inclusion takes different forms.
  • "Just because I’m sober doesn’t mean I don’t want to go out or stop getting dressed up." —Carl [43:39]

7. Relationship Tea: Bailey, Lindsay, and House Dynamics

[44:23 – 58:24]

• Sophie presses Carl on his “makeout” with Bailey and his new “fun Carl” persona this season.
  • "This summer is, like, so far, fun Carl. You just give two fucks. And I love to see it." —Sophie [44:04]
• Lively banter about Summer House newcomers (Ben, Bailey), jealousy in the house, and the blurred lines between friendship and showmanship.
• Heartfelt section about Carl’s post-breakup relationship with Lindsay—how he misses the deep friendship, respects her new happiness as a mother, and hopes for more peaceful, friendly ground.
  • "Of course, I miss my friendship with her. I miss some of the inside jokes...since we’ve been broken up and been kind of living our own lives, of course, like, I miss my friendship with her." —Carl [52:26]
  • "My goal is at the reunion, she unblocks me from Instagram." —Carl [56:15]
• Honest about the awkwardness, closure needs, and how group dynamics are healing.

8. Living in the Public Eye, Personal Growth, and Mental Wellness

[59:31 – 63:43]

• Carl and Sophie discuss the toll of public opinion, internet comments, and learning to develop a "don't give a fuck" attitude.
  • "People are gonna love me or hate me regardless of what I do, so why would I not just do what I want?" —Sophie [61:19]
• On recovering from public breakups and feeling like “everybody hated me,” Carl emphasizes therapy, healing, and finally feeling like himself again.
• They reinforce that everyone goes through tough things—reality TV just amplifies it to the public.
  • "I need to bottle up some of that Sophie Cunningham fuck you energy..." —Carl [63:13]

9. Basketball, Cameos, and Closing Banter

[63:50 – 65:01]

• The hosts reminisce about past Summer House basketball games and joke about getting Sophie as a guest on the show.
• Carl expresses gratitude and love for Wes, Sophie, and the supportive audience.
  • "I'm a huge fan of what you guys are doing...you're awesome. I'm a huge fan." —Carl [64:19]

10. Notable Quotes & Highlights

• "I feel like I get way more credit than I deserve...I don’t have it all figured out." —Carl [07:01]
• "The only way I can be a part of the show is by not drinking...I can still be a dick...I’m still human." —Carl [59:09]
• "I thought it gave me this kind of, like, confidence and who I thought I wanted to be. But as a result, it actually was the opposite." —Carl [40:49]
• "If you don't like me, then fuck you. It's your problem, not mine." —Sophie [41:06]
• “We need Sophie on Summer House.” —Carl [63:43]

11. Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:05] – Carl’s intro, book, and podcast
• [06:31] – Sobriety on Summer House
• [08:49] – Pittsburgh sports fandom
• [12:07] – Journalism school and volleyball roots
• [17:28] – Men’s practice squad stories; WNBA legends
• [27:10] – From sales to Summer House casting
• [35:59] – Evolution of friendships under the reality TV lens
• [37:51] – Approaching sobriety with humility
• [43:39] – Party/costume meltdown and inclusion as a sober person
• [44:23] – “Fun Carl” and Summer House relationship stories
• [52:26] – On missing Lindsay’s friendship
• [59:31] – Dealing with public criticism and mental wellness
• [63:50] – Basketball, cameos, and closing love-fest

12. Closing Thoughts

This episode stands out for its blend of locker room laughs, reality TV dish, and raw life lessons. Carl Radke’s presence brings vulnerability and perspective—a unique blend of humility and humor—while Sophie and West’s questions allow for a deep-dive into what it means to grow up, recover, and show up authentically under the spotlight. Whether you’re here for the Summer House drama, the inside WNBA scoops, or just some genuine "digital happy hour" companionship, this episode delivers.