Episode Summary: The MeatEater Podcast – Ep. 659: "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXLCI"

Release Date: February 12, 2025

In Episode 659 of The MeatEater Podcast, entitled "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXLCI," host Spencer Newarth transforms the show into an engaging trivia game, bringing together contestants Randall Brody, Max, Alyssa, Riva, Nate, and Corey. This episode is part of the MeatEater Trivia series, a fun-filled competition focusing on themes such as hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking, with a philanthropic twist—MeatEater pledges to donate $500 to the conservation organization of the winner's choice.

Introduction to MeatEater Trivia

The episode kicks off with Spencer introducing the trivia game format, highlighting that there will be ten rounds of questions drawn from the aforementioned categories. He emphasizes the unique aspect of the game: the charitable donation tied to the winner's success.

Notable Quote:

“[00:01:34] Spencer Newarth: Welcome to Meat Eater Trivia, the only game show where conservation always wins.”

Stat of the Week

Spencer presents an intriguing statistic about the distribution of final questions over the past thirty episodes, debunking a misconception regarding the prominence of fishing-related questions.

Notable Exchange:

Randall Brody (00:02:42): "Well, you know what they say, perception is reality."

Spencer Newarth (00:02:45): "You know what they say? Fake news."

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Conservation

Question:
Which of these people does not have a national forest named after them?
Options: Davy Crockett, Annie Oakley, Mark Twain, George Custer.

Correct Answer: Annie Oakley

Notable Moment:
Spencer humorously points out Annie Oakley's absence from the national forests, despite her fame.

Notable Quote:

“[00:07:13] Nate: Cuz it's like we're like, how many miles away?”

Round 2: Hunting

Question:
This monopod company is named after North America's smallest falcon.

Correct Answer: Kestrel

Notable Moment:
Randall Brody and Spencer discuss the subtlety of the question, leading to the correct answer.

Notable Quote:

“[00:10:23] Riva: On the tip of my tongue.”

Round 3: Cooking

Question:
The Escoffier School of Culinary Arts says this type of knife is ideal for working with small vegetables and is basically a mini chef's knife.

Correct Answer: Paring Knife

Notable Moment:
The contestants discuss their limited use of paring knives, adding a relatable element to the culinary question.

Notable Quote:

“[00:13:11] Spencer Newarth: True. I use it for everything because I cut myself on knives all the time.”

Round 4: Wildlife

Question:
What hoofed animal was on American nickels between 1913 and 1938?

Correct Answer: Bison/Buffalo

Notable Moment:
The conversation delves into the history of the buffalo nickel, highlighting its artistic and practical shortcomings.

Notable Quote:

“[00:15:43] Spencer Newarth: The buffalo nickel was considered one of the most beautiful coins, but also one of the most flawed.”

Round 5: Fishing

Question:
The National Weather Service defines this as sustained surface winds of 34 to 47 knots.

Correct Answer: Gale

Notable Moment:
Contestants grapple with weather terminology, leading to a lively discussion about wind classifications.

Notable Quote:

“[00:18:32] Spencer Newarth: Gale winds are between 39 and 46 mph.”

Round 6: Natural History

Question:
The Oregon Trail video game made this nine-letter disease famous, which has symptoms like diarrhea, fever, vomiting, weight loss, and stomach cramps.

Correct Answer: Dysentery

Notable Moment:
Max shares nostalgic memories of classic video games, connecting the question to broader cultural references.

Notable Quote:

“[00:23:05] Spencer Newarth: Virtual pioneers were all too familiar with other causes of video game death being exhaustion, snake bites, broken bones, drowning, blizzards, and starvation.”

Round 7: Conservation

Question:
This canal, famously blocked by a container ship in 2021, has given passage to over 100 non-native fish to the Mediterranean Sea.

Correct Answer: Suez Canal

Notable Moment:
A quick recall of recent maritime events leads to the correct identification of the Suez Canal.

Notable Quote:

“[00:26:36] Spencer Newarth: The Suez Canal was completed in 1869, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.”

Round 8: Wildlife (Listener Question)

Question:
This musician used to host short nature documentaries called “Planet Earth.”

Correct Answer: Snoop Dogg

Notable Moment:
The mix-up between "Planet Earth" and "Plazanit Earth" leads to humorous interactions, culminating in the correct answer.

Notable Quote:

“[00:28:51] Spencer Newarth: You got em cornered right now. They ain't scared of him.”

Round 9: Cooking

Question:
Encyclopedia Britannica defines this nine-letter Italian word as a first course or appetizer in Italian cuisine.

Correct Answer: Antipasto

Notable Moment:
Contestants grapple with Italian culinary terms, making light-hearted comments about spelling and pronunciation.

Notable Quote:

“[00:33:47] Spencer Newarth: Antipasto can come in the form of cured meats, sausages, olives, anchovies, sardines, fresh fruit, pickled veggies, mushrooms, shellfish, and cheeses.”

Round 10: Hunting

Question:
Give the first name of either man that Pope and Young is named after.

Correct Answer: Saxton or Arthur

Notable Moment:
Randall Brody clinches the perfect game with his confident knowledge, leading to the culmination of the trivia contest.

Notable Quote:

“[00:37:20] Spencer Newarth: Dr. Saxton Pope and Art Young have been called the fathers of bow hunting.”

Conclusion and Prize Announcement

With Randall Brody achieving a perfect score, MeatEater steps up its charitable pledge from $500 to $1,000, directing the funds to the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. This highlights the show's ongoing commitment to conservation efforts, rewarding both knowledge and generosity.

Notable Quote:

“[00:38:25] Spencer Newarth: TRCP getting $1,000 from MeatEater.”

Final Thoughts

Episode 659 of The MeatEater Podcast successfully blends entertainment with education, using the trivia format to engage listeners in topics central to the show's ethos. The dynamic interactions among the contestants, coupled with Spencer Newarth's witty hosting, make for an enjoyable and informative listening experience. For those passionate about the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and conservation, this episode offers both challenging questions and insightful discussions, all while supporting meaningful conservation initiatives.