The MeatEater Podcast

Episode 852: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CCIX
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Spencer Newharth
Summary by: AI Podcast Summarizer

Overview:

This episode of The MeatEater Podcast features the recurring "MeatEater Trivia," a spirited, banter-filled 10-round quiz show that combines friendly competition, deep outdoor knowledge, and a few laugh-out-loud moments. Host Spencer Newharth is joined by guests Randall Brody, Corinne, Nate, John, Brody, and Roman, with the winner earning a $500 donation (or $1,000 if the Shelby Index is surpassed) to a conservation charity of their choice. The questions cover the pillars of the MeatEater universe: hunting, fishing, conservation, ecology, gear, cooking, and the natural world.

Main Theme:
The pursuit of knowledge about the natural world through light-hearted, competitive trivia, emphasizing how fun learning can support conservation.

Key Segments, Insights & Memorable Moments

1. Trivia Night Hosting Tips

[01:55–08:00]

Listener's Question:
Sarah Cinco asks for tips on hosting a successful trivia night at her local tavern.

Key Takeaways and Advice:

• Table Size Limits: Enforce participant limits per table to avoid unfair advantage. (Randall Brody, 03:23)
• It’s Not About the Host: Keep focus on the game; minimal stand-up comedy. “People are there for the questions.” (Randall, 04:17)
• Start Early: Begin games earlier than 8:00 PM, ideally by 6:30 or 7:00, to capture after-work crowd. (Randall, 05:04)
• Confidence as a Host: “Players need to believe they’re on a steady ship and the captain is trustworthy.” (Phil, 05:35)
• Easy Questions: Make questions easier than you think; “Assume your audience will have more fun if the questions tend to be easier than harder.” (Spencer & Nate, 06:13)
• Efficient Format: Don’t require players to submit a new answer sheet after every question—collect all at once to keep things smooth. (Randall, 06:54)

Memorable Moment:
Randall issues a tongue-in-cheek public apology for past negative trivia behavior:

“I'd just like to apologize for the listeners for all of that negativity and boorish behavior...I do stand by my critique of the question about revolvers and about the California gold Rush.” (Randall, 07:18)

2. Housekeeping and Corrections

[08:00–09:11]

• Harvard Arboretum geography correction: It's in Boston, not Connecticut.
• Menards in Ohio: Correction that there are 32 Menards in Ohio.
• Light-hearted discussion of local ties and outdoor memories.

3. Game Begins – Trivia Rounds

[09:41–47:44]

Sample Questions and Notable Answers:

Question 1 – Fishing

[10:11]
Which of these rivers has the highest elevation?
Correct Answer: Yellowstone River
Notable Quote:

“The Yellowstone is formed near you peak in northwest Wyoming, where small streams combine to make the longest undammed river in the lower 48.” (Spencer, 11:27)

Question 2 – Wildlife

[12:31]
Stanley and Zero learned that eating onions will prevent the highly venomous yellow spotted lizard from biting them in this 2003 movie?
Correct Answer: Holes
Banter:

"That's back when Nate used to draw as he does right now. Like draw guns on pieces of paper." (Brody, 16:27)

Question 3 – Ecology

[17:18]
Australian interior region known for its deserts, savannas, and shrublands, also called “the bush”?
Correct Answer: The Outback
Fun Fact:

“It's also home to the dingo fence, which is the world's longest fence at 3,500 miles long. It creates a dingo free zone for sheep herders.” (Spencer, 20:14)

Question 4 – Gear/Hunting

[21:16]
Leon Leonwood created this type of boot in 1912 by combining a leather upper with a rubber lower shell. Not looking for the brand, but the type.
Correct Answer: Duck Boot (accepts Bean Boot or Maine Hunting Shoe)

Question 5 – Natural History

[24:55]
Scholars believe this nursery rhyme was inspired by the Native American practice of suspending birch cribs in trees.
Correct Answer: Rock-a-bye Baby

Scoreboard at Halfway (after Q5)

[26:28]

• Corinne: 0
• John: 1
• Roman: 2
• Randall: 3
• Nate: 4
• Brody: 4

4. Second Half: Advanced Outdoors and Wildlife Nuggets

(Common ad breaks skipped)

Question 6 – Hunting Ammo

[30:18]
Three-letter acronym for tungsten turkey hunting shells.
Correct Answer: TSS (Tungsten Super Shot)
Notable Banter:

"Dude, $20 a shell." (Spencer, 32:48)
"If you're a really good turkey hunter and a really good caller, you don't need it." (Brody, 34:03)

Question 7 – Wildlife

[34:13]
Marmots are nicknamed what “Pig” due to their squeal?
Correct Answer: Whistle Pig
Sound Clip: Spencer plays actual whistle pig audio.
Fun Fact:

“Groundhogs have different whistles for different predators... unique chirps for eagles, coyotes, bears, humans, and more.” (Spencer, 36:32)

Question 8 – Conservation/Ecology

[38:09]
The “source and ___ dynamic” describes how different habitats create population changes?
Correct Answer: Sink
Insight:

“Source and sink dynamics like this factor into game management across state lines and unit boundaries.” (Spencer, 40:10)

Late Game Score Update [41:22]:

• Nate: 5
• Randall: 5
• Brody: 6

Question 9 – Gear/Outdoor Retail

[41:51]
Seattle-based outdoor store, America's largest consumer co-op?
Correct Answer: REI

Question 10 – Cooking

[44:44]
PEI mussels are named after which island?
Correct Answer: Prince Edward Island
Mussel Banter:

"I really like mussels." (Brody, 44:57) "Mussels and fries is probably in my top three meals." (Phil, 46:15)

5. Results and Conservation Prize

[48:08]

• Brody wins with 8 correct answers, surpassing the Shelby Index.
• $500 conservation donation will go to the MeatEater Land Access Initiative.
  Notable self-effacing moment:

“Don’t give it to me, I really don’t care.” (Brody, 47:20), after being offered a potentially controversial point

Show Wrap:

• Emphasis on conservation always winning.
• Shoutouts, thank-yous, and playful closing banter as the crew calls for more trivia to come.
• Teaser: Next week is “Turkey Week” at MeatEater.

Standout Quotes & Moments

• “Game on, suckers!” (Spencer, 10:01) — Sets the episode’s tone.
• “If you’re a really good turkey hunter and a really good caller, you don’t need it.” (Brody, 34:03) — On TSS ammo.
• “If you walk out of the adult store in downtown Bozeman, you take a left and a right, you get to the MeatEater store. If you walk out of the adult store and you turn to the right, you’ll go to Whistlepig.” (Randall, 36:11) — Classic offbeat MeatEater quirkiness.
• “Conservation always wins.” (Spencer, 49:00) — Show's closing mantra.

Episode Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Event | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:55 | Intro, guest introductions, prize/charity details | | 03:16-08:00 | Trivia Night hosting advice segment | | 08:00 | Corrections & Housekeeping | | 09:41 | Game rules & start of Trivia | | 10:11 | Q1: River elevation | | 12:31 | Q2: Holes movie lizard trivia | | 17:18 | Q3: Australian Outback | | 21:16 | Q4: Duck boots | | 24:55 | Q5: Rock-a-bye Baby nursery rhyme | | 26:28 | Scoreboard update (halfway) | | 30:18 | Q6: TSS turkey ammo | | 34:13 | Q7: Marmot/Whistle pig | | 38:09 | Q8: Source and Sink Population Dynamics | | 41:51 | Q9: REI Co-Op | | 44:44 | Q10: PEI mussels & Prince Edward Island | | 48:08 | Winner, charity, wrap-up | | 49:00 | Closing – “Conservation always wins” |

Tone & Style

The episode is energetic and irreverent, blending legit wildlife/conservation knowledge with plenty of playful ribbing and cultural asides. Team camaraderie and light trash talk are central, making it both informative and entertaining—even for non-game show or outdoor aficionados.

Final Thoughts

"Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CCIX" is a playful, knowledge-rich journey through the outdoors, proving that learning about conservation, wildlife, and gear can be as fun as it is meaningful—especially when there’s good company, competition, and a prize for a better world at stake.