The MeatEater Podcast Episode 718: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CLXIX Release Date: June 18, 2025

Introduction to MeatEater Trivia

[02:04] Spencer Newharth welcomes listeners to MeatEater Trivia, describing it as the only game show where conservation always wins. He introduces the eclectic group of participants: Giannis, Brody, Randall, Alec, Max, and Sarah. The game comprises ten rounds covering four key verticals—hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking—with a $500 donation to the conservation organization of the winner's choice as the grand prize.

Celebrating Brody Henderson's Milestone

A significant highlight of this episode is the celebration of Brody Henderson achieving 50 career wins, making him the first player in MeatEater Trivia history to reach this milestone. Spencer acknowledges Brody's consistent performance, noting, "Brody Henderson has become the only player in MeatEater trivia history and the first player to achieve 50 career wins. That's almost as many as Steve and Randall have combined. So well done, bro." ([02:43])

Brody humbly responds, "But how did that happen? I lost the last time I played." ([02:43]) sparking playful banter among the participants about updating win trackers and Brody's impressive streak.

Game Structure and Rules

[02:04] The game is structured into ten rounds, each featuring questions from the four verticals. Participants earn points based on their correct answers, with the Shelby index determining the score required to win each round.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Trapping

Question: According to the Beaver Institute, what is a beaver's least favorite tree? (Options: pine, willow, aspen, cherry)

• Participants' Answers:

  • Giannis, Alec, Max, and Brody chose pine
  • Sarah and Randall selected cherry

• Correct Answer: Pine
  Spencer explains, "Beavers tend to avoid conifers such as pines... Their preferred species include... Willow." ([09:16])

• Notable Quote:

  • Randall muses, "I think they're very pro beaver to the point where they don't like trappers trapping beavers." ([09:43])

Round 2: Fishing

Question: Located between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Bay of Blank has the highest tides in the world.

• Participants' Answers:

  • All chose Fundy

• Correct Answer: Bay of Fundy
  Spencer elaborates, "The Bay of Fundy has such extreme tides because the waves oscillate almost perfectly in sync with the lunar cycle." ([12:54])

• Notable Quote:

  • Brody reflects, "I feel like that happened, like once a year." referring to unexpected wildlife sightings. ([06:21])

Round 3: Wildlife

Question: According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, what is the most widespread turtle species in North America?

• Participants' Answers:

  • Giannis and Sarah chose painted
  • Max selected painted
  • Brody opted for soft shell

• Correct Answer: Painted Turtle
  Spencer shares, "Painted turtles are found in 45 states and eight provinces. They are also the most common state reptile in America." ([15:15])

• Notable Quote:

  • Randall jokes about his limited knowledge, "I just remember a question that made me think, I don't know that much about turtles." ([13:43])

Round 4: Gear

Question: This Minnesota boot brand shares its name with a professional hockey team.

• Participants' Answers:

  • Giannis, Randall, Alec, Max, and Brody answered Red Wing
  • Sarah selected Red Wing

• Correct Answer: Red Wing
  Spencer clarifies, "The Red Wing Boot Company is named after Red Wing, Minnesota, where the brand is headquartered." ([18:31])

• Notable Quote:

  • Randall expresses surprise, "No hesitation." upon seeing his correct answer. ([17:25])

Round 5: Cooking

Question: According to the New England Aquarium, one in two million lobsters are this color.

• Participants' Answers:

  • Giannis and Max answered painted
  • Sarah, Randall, Alec selected blue

• Correct Answer: Blue
  Spencer explains, "Blue lobsters have sold for prices between $500 and $1,000 due to their rare coloring." ([20:22])

• Notable Quote:

  • Brody humorously wonders, "Do they turn red when you cook them?" ([20:22])

Round 6: Conservation

Question: Which Republican president signed the Endangered Species Act into law in 1973.

• Participants' Answers:

  • Giannis, Sarah, and Randall chose Nixon
  • Alec selected Teddy Roosevelt
  • Max answered Ronald Reagan
  • Brody also chose Nixon

• Correct Answer: Richard Nixon
  Spencer notes, "When Nixon signed the bill, he said, 'Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed.'" ([26:17])

• Notable Quote:

  • Brody acknowledges, "Nixon. To get more credit for being a..." highlighting Nixon's conservation efforts. ([26:36])

Round 7: Woodsmanship

Question: Merriam-Webster defines this six-letter word as, "the uppermost spreading branchy layer of a forest."

• Participants' Answers:

  • All correctly answered canopy

• Correct Answer: Canopy
  Spencer elaborates, "It also provides habitat for squirrels, bats, raccoons, owls, sloths, frogs, lemurs, parrots, and more." ([28:35])

• Notable Quote:

  • Max shares environmental insights, "Instead of the sunlight hitting the canopy, it will now hit the forest floor, allowing everything that's in that seed bank to flourish." ([28:49])

Round 8: Cooking

Question: Breadcrumbs, milk powder, and soy meal are examples of this type of ingredient added to sausage to make the meat stick together.

• Participants' Answers:

  • Giannis answered bonding agent
  • Sarah, Randall, Alec, Max, and Brody chose binder

• Correct Answer: Binder
  Spencer clarifies, "Binders also prevent shrinkage and help with moisture retention." ([32:02])

• Notable Quote:

  • Giannis notes, "They're pretty essential for meatballs." emphasizing the practical use of binders in cooking. ([32:37])

Round 9: Hunting

Question: Ducks Unlimited refers to these as, "decoys that imitate species you don't intend to shoot but are often found hanging around waterfowl."

• Participants' Answers:

  • Giannis, Alec, Max, and Brody answered confidence decoys

• Correct Answer: Confidence Decoys
  Spencer explains, "Confidence decoys are meant to add realism to spreads and make waterfowl feel safer about landing." ([34:52])

• Notable Quote:

  • Sarah shares a personal touch, "When I was growing up, I was a big proponent of like blue heron decoys or a swan decoy." ([35:20])

Round 10: Biology (Final Question)

Question: The California Department of Public Health defines this 10-letter word as, "a virus that spreads through the urine, droppings, or saliva of wild rodents."

• Participants' Answers:

  • Brody hesitated, Max guessed hantavirus, other participants' answers varied.

• Correct Answer: Hantavirus
  Spencer reveals, "Hantavirus is carried by mice, rats, and voles, with about 100,000 people globally getting infected each year." ([40:04])

• Notable Quote:

  • Randall humorously reflects on personal experiences, "We were just making jokes about hantavirus the other week when we were staying at a cabin." ([40:27])

Final Results and Victory

After an intense and closely contested game, Brody Henderson emerges victorious by accurately answering the final question, closely followed by Alec, Max, and others. His 51st win not only cements his status as the all-time winningest player but also triggers a $10,000 donation to his chosen conservation initiative, the Meteor Land Access Initiative.

Spencer celebrates Brody's achievement, saying, "You do have the closest answer, I'm not sure." and later, "Brody elected to go with no answer instead of just keeping." highlighting the competitive yet friendly atmosphere of the game.

Closing Remarks

The episode wraps up with humorous exchanges and tributes to Brody's remarkable achievement. Spencer invites listeners to join next week for more thrilling rounds of MeatEater Trivia, reiterating the show's unique blend of competition and conservation advocacy.

Notable Quotes:

• "Brody Henderson has become the only player in MeatEater trivia history and the first player to achieve 50 career wins. That's almost as many as Steve and Randall have combined. So well done, bro." ([02:43])
• "Nothing is more priceless and more worthy of preservation than the rich array of animal life with which our country has been blessed." - Richard Nixon when signing the Endangered Species Act. ([26:17])
• "Painted turtles are found in 45 states and eight provinces. They are also the most common state reptile in America." ([15:15])
• "Hantavirus is carried by mice, rats, and voles, with about 100,000 people globally getting infected each year." ([40:04])

Conclusion

Episode 718 of The MeatEater Podcast masterfully blends trivia competition with insightful discussions on wildlife, conservation, hunting, fishing, and cooking. Celebrating Brody Henderson's unprecedented 50 wins adds a layer of excitement and camaraderie, showcasing the podcast's commitment to engaging and educating its audience on vital outdoor and conservation topics.