The MeatEater Podcast Ep. 750: "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CLXXVIII"

Release Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Spencer Newharth
Guests: Randall, Corey, Nate, Roman

Episode Overview

This episode features a spirited installment of the beloved MeatEater Trivia game, a 10-question outdoors-themed quiz show where "conservation always wins." Host Spencer Newharth officiates as Randall faces off against "the Jabronis": Corey, Nate, and Roman. The competition promises not only bragging rights but also a $500 donation to the winner’s chosen conservation organization.
Listeners are treated to playful banter, expert-level knowledge, and a few memorable flubs across topics like wildlife, hunting, fishing, nature, and conservation.

Main Themes

• Trivia Showdown: A competitive, light-hearted quiz covering all things outdoors.
• Teamwork and Banter: The Jabronis collaborate (often with hilarious indecision), while Randall aims for redemption after previous defeats.
• Conservation Focus: The episode underscores conservation by channeling winnings to grassroots wildlife organizations.

Key Discussion Points & Major Questions

1. Game Format Introduction

[00:49 - 04:36]

• Spencer explains rules: 10 rounds, questions from hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking.
• Teams clarified: Randall vs. Jabronis (Roman as team captain).
• Conservation prize: “MeatEater will donate $500 to the winner's chosen organization.”
• Notable banter about team dynamics:
  • "They only made you the captain so they could throw you under the bus." – Phil [04:25]

2. The Questions & Answers (Highlights)

1. Wildlife: Breeding Mountain Lion Populations
[05:01]
Q: Which state does NOT have a breeding population of mountain lions: Texas, Kansas, Florida, or North Dakota?
A: Kansas.
Both teams correct.

"According to the Mountain Lion Foundation... Kansas has had over 100 confirmed sightings since 2007, but says they have no evidence that the big cats are breeding there." – Spencer [08:13]

2. Wildlife: Bird Terminology
[08:43]
Q: What nine-letter word defines a bird ready to leave the nest but not fully flying?
A: Fledgling.
Jabronis correct, Randall says "hatchling."

Nate: "That's what I'm talking. Randall, he's so off his game." [09:56]

3. Fishing: Sports & Angling
[11:33]
Q: Which former Oregon Duck and LA Charger was president of his high school fishing club?
A: Justin Herbert.
All correct.

"He does look like a duck hunter... be fun to hang out with." – Nate [13:33]

4. Conservation: National Park Program for Kids
[14:11]
Q: What National Park Service program introduces kids to natural wonders?
A: Junior Ranger.
Randall correct, Jabronis go with "Little Rangers."

"Upon completing a task, you’re awarded with a Junior Ranger badge... No age limit." – Spencer [16:26]

5. Hunting: Made in America or Not at All
[18:07]
Q: Which lever-action gun maker uses this slogan?
A: Henry Repeating Arms.
Randall correct, Jabronis guess "Marlin."

"They often do, like, commemorative releases that are patriotic..." – Randall [20:25]

6. Mountain Men: The Revenant Source Material
[24:27]
Q: What 2002 Michael Punk book is "The Revenant" based on?
A: The Revenant.
Both correct, after much floundering from the Jabronis.

7. Conservation: Vital Waterway
[28:58]
Q: Which river provides drinking water for 1 in 10 Americans, including Phoenix and San Diego?
A: Colorado River.
Both correct.

"The Colorado River is also responsible for watering 90% of America's winter vegetables..." – Spencer [30:19]

8. Hunting TV: Bone Collector Nickname
[30:48]
Q: Travis Turner from Bone Collector is better known as...?
A: T Bone.
Jabronis correct, Randall says "Skeletor."

"Very opposite." – Nate [31:41]

9. Foraging: The "Root of All Evil"
[33:13]
Q: Which foraged item was central to Operation Root Cause?
A: Ginseng.
Randall correct, Jabronis guess "sassafras."

"The roots are so in demand because of their use in Eastern medicine..." – Spencer [37:27]

10. Fishing: Herring and Medieval Taverns
[38:44]
Q: What East Coast herring is named after a medieval female tavern keeper?
A: Alewife.
Randall correct, Jabronis stumped.

"The alewife got its name from colonists... these river herrings had a paunchy belly that resembled those of chubby alewives in England." – Spencer [43:13]

Scoreboard & Standout Moments

Running Score

• At halfway: Randall pulls slightly ahead [20:52].
• Final after 10 rounds: Randall 8, Jabronis 6.

Notable Moments & Quotes

• Nate’s failed bird term:

  "One of us might have written down younglings." – Nate [09:32]

• On Junior Rangers:

  "That's a small sausage." (on "little smokies") – Randall [14:50]

• Hilarious indecision:

  "Yeah, we mutinied." – Spencer [07:31]
  "Are either of these made in America anymore?" – Nate [19:14]

• On missing the ginseng question:

  "I can picture a National Geographic article that I read about this..." – Randall [35:07]
  "I thought I was gonna lose this game on bone collector and mushrooms, and it was making me so mad." – Randall [35:18]

• On fish with funny names:

  "Not Joan of Arc." – Nate [39:12]
  "Just write down whatever you want." – Spencer [26:47]

• Randall reflects on his win:

  "I can finally drop the facade of being an angry instigator... and just spend time with my friends." – Randall [40:37]
  "I've been on a real losing streak lately..." – Randall [41:00]

Important Timestamps

• Game Start & Rules: [00:49 – 04:36]
• Trivia Begins: [05:01]
• First Wrong Answer (Fledgling): [09:43]
• Halfway Scoreboard: [20:52]
• Listener Question of the Week (Ginseng): [33:13]
• Tense Final Question: [38:44]
• Victory, Donation Picked: [43:47]

Episode Conclusion

Randall takes the win with 8 correct answers. The $500 prize goes to the Vancouver Wildlife League in Vancouver, WA, supporting local conservation work.
Randall reflects on the importance of small volunteer groups and the value in spreading resources to maintain healthy, accessible habitats.

Final Words

• Randall:

  "There are groups everywhere... maybe even if it's a dozen people in a small town, there's people doing meaningful work everywhere. So if we can boost the coffers a little bit and spread the love..." [44:28]

• Spencer (on MeatEater Trivia):

  "Join us next week for more MeatEater Trivia, the only game show where conservation always wins." [45:13]

For those who missed the episode:
Expect fun, outdoor expertise, and witty back-and-forth from a tightly-matched panel, where the value of conservation is always front and center and everyone learns something new—even if it’s just a new root or an old herring!