The MeatEater Podcast
Episode 642: "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXLIV"
Release Date: December 25, 2024

Introduction to MeatEater Trivia

In this festive special episode of The MeatEater Podcast, host Spencer Newarth welcomes a vibrant group of participants—Giannis, Randall, Brody, Tressa, Christina, Dean, Corey, and Matt—to compete in "MeatEater Trivia CXLIV." This 10-round quiz game delves into the core Meat Eater verticals: hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. The stakes are high, with Meat Eater pledging a $500 donation to the conservation organization of the winner’s choice.

Spencer Newarth (00:38):
"Welcome to Meat Eater Trivia, the only game show where conservation always wins."

Participant Profiles and Initial Assessments

Before diving into the questions, Spencer engages with Giannis to assess his strengths and weaknesses in the trivia categories.

Giannis (02:13):
"Oh man, I bet it's a close tie between hunting and cooking."

Spencer confirms Giannis excels in cooking, boasting the highest accuracy among the crew with a 73% success rate (02:19). Conversely, conservation is Giannis’s weakest area, with a 58% correct rate, trailing behind others by 15% (02:40).

Giannis (03:02):
"I might be the only one that actually worked in the kitchen professionally for more than six months. So that would give me the, you know, the bump."

This self-awareness sets the stage for an engaging and competitive trivia session, highlighting each participant’s expertise and areas for improvement.

Round-by-Round Trivia Highlights

Round 1: Conservation - Aldo Leopold’s Demise

The first question probes the tragic end of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold.

Spencer Newarth (08:36):
"In what tragic way did Aldo Leopold die?"

Participants offer dramatic options, reflecting Spencer’s comment likening the game to the board game Balderdash (09:25).

Corey (10:48):
"Did the fire kill him or was he killed by a heart attack?"

After deliberation, Brody and Corey impress with their correct answers:
Brody (10:49):
"He had a heart attack while fighting a grass fire."

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (11:03):
"Leopold died on April 21, 1948, at 61 years old, just a week after his manuscript for A Sand County Almanac was accepted by Oxford University." (11:15)

Round 2: Woodsmanship - Rainier Beer

Next, the trivia shifts to the history behind Rainier beer, named after Washington’s tallest mountain.

Spencer Newarth (12:13):
"This beer is named after the tallest mountain in Washington."

A unanimous correct response from all participants except Matt cements the answer.

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (13:03):
"Mount Rainier is 14,417ft tall, making it the fifth tallest mountain in the Lower 48." (13:50)

Round 3: Cooking - Tangy Flavors

The third question explores culinary terminology, specifically identifying synonyms for "tangy."

Spencer Newarth (15:02):
"Zesty, sharp and tart are synonyms for this five-letter word."

After some suspense, Brody and Christine successfully identify "tangy" as the correct term.

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (19:31):
"Tangy flavors are often described as having a slight sourness with acidic notes. Cuisines that use a lot of tangy flavors include Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Mediterranean, and Caribbean." (19:31)

Round 4: Natural History - Smithsonian Location

Participants are quizzed on the location of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Spencer Newarth (20:18):
"In what city is the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History located?"

Despite some confusion, Brody nails the answer.

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (21:03):
"The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education, and research complex, located in Washington D.C." (22:26)

Round 5: Hunting - Ballistic Coefficient

This round delves into hunting terminology, specifically what "BC" stands for in the context of bullets.

Spencer Newarth (24:21):
"What does BC stand for? As in a bullet."

All participants except Tressa correctly identify "ballistic coefficient."

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (25:00):
"Ballistic coefficient is how you track a projectile's ability to resist air drag. The higher the number, the faster it flies downrange and the less it drops." (25:00)

Round 6: Conservation - Bull Trout

The sixth question focuses on a fish species previously categorized with Dolly Varden.

Spencer Newarth (30:18):
"This fish, which was considered the same species as Dolly Varden until 1978, is federally listed as threatened. What is it?"

Brody, Randall, and others correctly identify "bull trout".

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (33:28):
"Bull trout have been listed as a threatened species since 1999, primarily due to habitat loss, climate change, and the introduction of non-native fish." (33:28)

Round 7: Cooking - Crème Fraîche

Exploring culinary terms again, participants are asked to define the French term for fresh cream.

Spencer Newarth (35:02):
"Ironically, this French food that translates to 'fresh cream' is often compared to sour cream."

All participants arrive at the correct answer: "crème fraîche."

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (36:08):
"Crème fraîche is rich in flavor and can be used as a topping on vegetables, meats, soups, or mashed potatoes. It is a staple in various cuisines for adding depth and tanginess." (36:10)

Round 8: Wildlife - Golden Eagle Misidentification

The focus shifts to avian species, addressing common misidentifications involving juvenile bald eagles.

Spencer Newarth (37:06):
"According to Audubon, juvenile bald eagles are the source of many misidentifications of this other bird."

Brody and others correctly answer "golden eagle."

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (38:19):
"Golden eagles and juvenile bald eagles are similar in size and color, leading to frequent misidentifications. With only about 30,000 golden eagles in America compared to 320,000 bald eagles, sightings are rare." (38:19)

Round 9: Hunting - Dale Earnhardt Senior

Participants are quizzed on a hunting anecdote involving NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt.

Spencer Newarth (40:12):
"This NASCAR driver, nicknamed 'The Intimidator,' was featured on Realtree's Best of Monster Bucks, volumes 1, 3, and 7."

A unanimous correct response from all confirms "Dale Earnhardt Senior."

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (43:00):
"Dale Earnhardt Senior was known not just for his racing prowess but also for his dedication to hunting and conservation, exemplified by his action of apprehending a poacher to protect his property and big bucks." (43:03)

Round 10: Fishing - Redfish

The final question pertains to a fish category, specifically focusing on the Bassmaster’s tournaments.

Spencer Newarth (44:18):
"Bassmaster started hosting tournaments for this fish in 2003 with the 2024 cup held at Florida's Apalachicola Bay."

Brody triumphantly answers "redfish," securing his win.

Quote with Timestamp:
Spencer Newarth (48:02):
"Redfish tournaments are a staple in the Bassmaster circuit, showcasing the resilience and skill of anglers targeting this prized species." (48:02)

Scoreboard and Leader Progression

Throughout the game, Spencer provides updates on the scoreboard, highlighting the ebb and flow of competition:

• Early Rounds: Brody begins to pull ahead, demonstrating consistent knowledge across categories.
• Mid Game: Randall and Giannis remain strong contenders, each with seven points.
• Final Rounds: Brody solidifies his lead with a final question, culminating in a total of nine correct answers.

Spencer Newarth (44:14):
"Brody is still in the lead with eight points, but Giannis and Randall have seven and can catch up if Brody slips." (44:14)

Conclusion and Prize Donation

With Brody Henderson emerging victorious, Spencer announces the allocation of the $500 donation.

Brody Henderson (48:37):
"I'm going to donate the money to Pennsylvania BHA to help them end blue laws, making all Sundays legal for hunting."

Spencer Newarth (48:37):
"Brody sends $500 to the Pennsylvania BHA. And Merry Christmas, everyone." (48:37)

This donation underscores the episode’s commitment to conservation, aligning with Meat Eater’s core values.

Final Remarks and Upcoming Episodes

As the episode wraps up, Spencer teases the next episode scheduled for New Year’s Day, promising continued engagement with the MeatEater community.

Spencer Newarth (50:10):
"Join us next week for more Meat Eater Trivia, the only game show where conservation always wins."

Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution and Timestamps

• Spencer Newarth (00:38):
  "Welcome to Meat Eater Trivia, the only game show where conservation always wins."

• Giannis (02:13):
  "Oh man, I bet it's a close tie between hunting and cooking."

• Spencer Newarth (08:36):
  "In what tragic way did Aldo Leopold die?"

• Corey (10:48):
  "Did the fire kill him or was he killed by a heart attack?"

• Spencer Newarth (19:31):
  "Tangy flavors are often described as having a slight sourness with acidic notes."

• Spencer Newarth (25:00):
  "Ballistic coefficient is how you track a projectile's ability to resist air drag."

• Spencer Newarth (36:10):
  "Crème fraîche is rich in flavor and can be used as a topping on vegetables, meats, soups, or mashed potatoes."

• Spencer Newarth (43:03):
  "Dale Earnhardt Senior was known not just for his racing prowess but also for his dedication to hunting and conservation."

• Spencer Newarth (48:37):
  "Brody sends $500 to the Pennsylvania BHA. And Merry Christmas, everyone."

Key Takeaways

• Engaging Competition: The trivia game fostered a lively and competitive atmosphere, highlighting participants’ diverse knowledge across hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking.

• Conservation Commitment: The episode reinforced Meat Eater’s dedication to conservation through the $500 donation, emphasizing the importance of community support in preserving natural resources.

• Educational Content: Each trivia question was not only a test of knowledge but also an educational moment, offering listeners valuable insights into topics ranging from culinary terms to wildlife conservation.

• Community Engagement: Encouraging listener participation and promoting initiatives like the upcoming Meat Eater Kids Podcast showcased the podcast’s commitment to fostering a knowledgeable and engaged community.

This episode of The MeatEater Podcast masterfully blends competition with education, all while upholding its core mission of enhancing understanding and appreciation for the natural world.