Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – “Show Me Something: Carl Radke on Summer House Tea, Sobriety, Hooping vs. WNBA Legends”

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd / Show Me Something
Date: February 27, 2026
Guest: Carl Radke (Summer House OG, author, podcast host)
Hosts: West ("Wes"), Sophie Cunningham

Episode Overview

This episode of “Show Me Something” dives deep with Carl Radke, original cast member of Summer House, new author, and podcaster. The discussion centers on Carl’s journey with sobriety, his unconventional sports path—including wild stories about practice-squadding with women's basketball legends—and plenty of behind-the-scenes Summer House tea. The conversation is candid, funny, and at times, emotionally raw, offering both sports and reality TV fans a fresh perspective on Carl’s growth, relationships, and resilience.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Hooping Against WNBA Legends and Practice Squad Memories

[02:09, 17:19, 18:41]

• Carl’s experience: At Syracuse, after failing to make the men’s basketball team, Carl was invited to be a men’s practice player for the women’s team, a then-novel concept.
• Memorable moments: Went head-to-head with Carrie Laimbeer (Bill Laimbeer’s daughter), who “kicked my ass” in the paint. Adjusting to the women’s ball size and physicality was a challenge.
  • Quote: “I remember going toe to toe in the paint, and she would kick my ass, dude.” (Carl, 02:38)
• Learning curve: Carl and other male practice players learned quickly that the women’s game could be “actually more physical.” Rules meant men couldn’t dunk in practice for realism.
  • Quote: “The fundamentals were incredible—the women, I felt like, did it better than us. We got away with so much just because of athleticism.” (Carl, 21:41)
• Channeling WNBA stars: Carl would sometimes wear a colored jersey and run plays as Cappy Pondexter (Rutgers legend) to prep the women’s team.
  • Quote: “I’d be Cappy for a practice… ran all over the place.” (Carl, 20:33)
• Appreciation for women’s hoops: Participating as a practice player gave Carl deep respect for female athletes and their attention to detail.

2. Sobriety and Radical Personal Growth

[06:31, 34:50, 36:42]

• Carl’s journey: Openly discussed his struggle with alcohol and drugs, ancestral history with addiction, and decision to become sober.
  • Quote: “A big part of that was admitting that I’m an alcoholic and a drug addict… I had to take those steps.” (Carl, 06:31)
• Reflections on reality TV: Carl described watching previous seasons and “hating” the version of himself who was still drinking.
• Handling success and attention: Struggles with receiving praise and feeling like a “fan favorite.”
• Changing perspective: Early in sobriety, Carl recognized he was “a little high and mighty,” and now focuses on being supportive, not prescriptive.
  • Quote: “I try to step back and just be a support, be a friend... I want to be just a regular guy, too.” (Carl, 36:42)
• Impact: Carl’s sobriety has inspired fans, particularly young adults, to consider sobriety themselves. He credits support systems and emphasizes the importance of being honest about ups and downs.
  • Quote (Sophie): “I think you’re not giving yourself enough credit… you’re seriously inspiring [people] to do that.” (38:34)
• On the importance of participating fully while sober: Dressing up, organizing, and joining themed events remain crucial for Carl to feel included and have fun.
  • Quote: “Just because I’m sober doesn’t mean I don’t want to go out or stop getting dressed up.” (Carl, 42:30)

3. Summer House: Behind the Scenes, Relationships, and Drama

[26:01, 28:15, 31:57]

• Summer House origins: Carl recalled the fortuitous events that landed him on the show—networking at Surf Lodge, becoming friends with Kyle Cook, and a random dentist visit that connected him with producers (31:57).
• On the authenticity of on-show relationships: “We are real friends… we just love having a good time… the more we realize the silly, the more we egg each other on.”
• Relationship with Kyle Cook: The evolution from party buddies to mature friends who support each other’s growth.
  • Quote: “Kyle’s been through a lot with me on the other side… we’re best friends, I love the guy to death.” (Carl, 34:50)
• Reality TV vs. real life: Carl stresses how being filmed 24/7 leads to authentic moments—“everything you plan won’t make it, and everything you don’t plan will.”
  • Quote (Wes): “You just have to let your guard down and hang out. Otherwise, you’d be exhausted.” (49:31)
• Handling criticism/fan feedback: Carl still finds negative comments “harder to shake” than positive ones and continues to work on detachment.
  • Quote: “I could make a hundred people smile… it’s the one guy that says it wasn’t that great [that gets to me].” (Carl, 58:45)
• Sophie’s advice: “Who gives a fuck? People are going to love me or hate me regardless… I really don’t care what other people think of me.” (59:50)

4. Relationships and Summer House Tea

[43:14, 50:11, 51:42]

• Carl’s new romance: Carl discusses his “fun Carl” energy this season and his slow-burn connection with Bailey, which viewers are just beginning to see unfold.
  • Quote: “The makeout was definitely hot though. I will say it was great.” (Carl, 48:37)
• On Lindsay Hubbard: Emotional reflections on their friendship, relationship, and eventual breakup. Carl admits to missing her energy and inside jokes. Shares sweet anecdotes about Lindsay bringing him his mail post-breakup.
  • Quote: “We were very close friends, best friends, for four years before we started dating… Of course I miss my friendship with her.” (Carl, 50:39)
  • Bringing mail is seen as a recurring symbolic closure gesture (51:42).
  • Goal: “At the reunion, she unblocks me from Instagram.” (Carl, 54:28)
• Advice for others on TV/in the public eye: Remember, “life is not normal” for reality stars—everyone has problems, but they’re not all televised.

5. Carl’s Athletic Past: Volleyball, College Life, and Sports Fandom

[12:35–16:28]

• High school volleyball ace: Carl was an all-state setter in Pennsylvania, recruited by major programs, played at Syracuse club level (All-American freshman).
• Choosing Syracuse over a sports scholarship for education & the experience:
• Pittsburgh sports fandom: Grew up idolizing the Penguins, with fun stories about trick-or-treating at NHL stars’ houses.

Notable Quotes

• “I put my head in her tit... I love it.” (Carl, on practice squad, 03:19)
• “I wanted to go to where the education was the best... after college made the most sense.” (Carl, 16:05)
• “Sometimes I love my sober community... but I want to be just a regular guy too.” (Carl, 36:42)
• “I was a nightmare. I was a fucking pain in the ass.... So I think if anything, when I told close friends [about sobering up], they were like, ‘Thank god’.” (Carl, 39:02)
• “If you don’t like me, then fuck you. It’s your problem, not mine.” (Sophie, 39:57)

Memorable Moments & Lighter Segments

• Bar napkin podcast contract: Lindsay once made a co-host literally sign a napkin contract not to steal her podcast idea. (32:48)
• “Hot Girl of the Week” goes to a horse: Sophie emotionally shouts out her childhood pony, bringing laughs and a bit of heart. (65:21)
• Theme party drama: Costume drama in Summer House shows just how meaningful inclusion is for sober cast members. (41:25)
• Carl and Sophie bond: Sophie floats joining the summer house, and Carl reminisces about pool basketball games with the cast. (62:01)

Highlighted Timestamps

• 02:09, 17:19, 18:41 – Carl’s practice squad/WBB stories
• 06:31–07:48 – Radical honesty and origins of Carl’s sobriety
• 21:31–22:13 – Appreciation for women’s basketball fundamentals
• 34:50–39:44 – Navigating sobriety on TV, friendships, and supporting castmates
• 43:14–44:06 – Carl opens up about new relationship with Bailey
• 50:11–54:44 – Reflecting on Lindsay, friendship evolution, and post-breakup “mail”
• 58:45–61:24 – Handling negativity and embracing “I don’t give a fuck” energy (Sophie advice)
• 65:21–66:22 – Sophie shares a personal story about losing her horse

Takeaways

• Sobriety and vulnerability can coexist with living a fun, full life—even on a reality TV show.
• Practicing with elite female athletes shaped Carl’s respect for women’s sports.
• Carl’s arc is one of self-acceptance, ongoing growth, and a reminder that even reality TV is about real, complex relationships.
• The Summer House cast’s off-screen bonds are both the glue of the show and a key to its authenticity.

For listeners who love sports, reality TV, or just a good story of personal transformation, this episode gives you all the tea, all the wisdom, and plenty of laughs.