The MeatEater Podcast

Episode 803: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXCIV
Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Spencer Newarth
Guests/Players: Brody, Corey, Marge, Nate, Tressa, Laura Mascari

Episode Overview

This edition of The MeatEater Podcast delivers a lively round of "MeatEater Trivia," an irreverent and competitive game show that explores hunting, fishing, nature, conservation, and wild foods. Hosted by Spencer Newarth, the episode invites a panel of MeatEater staff to answer quirky and challenging questions in ten rounds. Conservation is front and center, as the winner earns a $500 donation to the conservation group of their choice. The tone is conversational and humorous, with plenty of asides, personal stories, and good-natured ribbing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meet the Contestants

• [01:48] Spencer introduces the players, notably welcoming Laura Mascari (graphics business apparel manager) for her first trivia experience.
• Laura's Strengths: Good at guessing acronyms; weak on geography.
• The trivia game consists of 10 rounds across four verticals: hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking.

2. Game Format and Purpose

• [02:54] Each round covers a topic; correct answers score points towards an end-of-game prize, specifically a $500 conservation donation.
• Emphasis on learning outdoors and conservation knowledge—"where conservation always wins."

3. Highlighted Trivia Questions

• Question 1: Conservation/Geography ([05:21])
  "Of these states, which one produces the most coal: Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, or West Virginia?"

  • Whole room answers West Virginia—correct.
  • Spencer adds educational context: Wyoming produces the most in the US (41%), followed by West Virginia (14%).

• Question 2: Hunting ([07:30])
  "This knife company has sold over 15 million of their 110 folding hunters..."

  • Correct answer: Buck.
  • Nate shares a childhood memory of bidding on a Buck knife at an auction, triggering laughs and camaraderie.

• Question 3: Woodsmanship ([09:41])
  "Merriam Webster defines this six-letter word as a sudden, brief and intense storm of wind and snow."

  • Correct answer: Squall.
  • Nate had just researched this word after seeing it on his weather app.

• Question 4: Cooking ([13:43])
  "Unlike most regional variations, South Carolina barbecue sauce is famously this color."

  • Accepted answers: Gold, yellow, or mustard.
  • Spencer: "South Carolina barbecue sauce is also referred to as Carolina Gold..."
  • Laura: "It's actually my least favorite barbecue sauce." ([16:18])

• Question 5: Fishing ([16:43])
  "Roland ___ was the first pro angler inducted into three major fishing Halls of Fame."

  • Correct: Martin.
  • Brody is the only contestant to confidently get it.

4. Engaging Sidebars and Banter

• Christmas Tree Hunts ([10:04]–[12:09])
  The group discusses their annual Christmas tree hunts—Brody prefers road hunting for a quick tree, while Laura details fun family traditions.

• Fishing vs. Hunting Discussion ([17:32])
  Nate admits: "I spent the last year trying to get into [fishing]. I can’t get myself out in this room."

  • Brody: "There’s like fishermen who don’t hunt, which is acceptable. But hunters should all fish."

5. Notable Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Nate’s Alibi for a Wrong Answer ([14:48]):
  "Do I get an alibi since I’m colorblind?"

• On Exchanges for Deer Hides ([27:24]):
  Nate (wrongly guesses “gloves”):

  • Spencer: "The correct answer is gloves. This exchange happens across the country, but it’s now less common than 30 years ago..."

• Acronym Challenge: FSA ([22:18])
  Nearly everyone fumbled.

  • Correct: Farm Service Agency.
  • Spencer explains their conservation programs: "They administer the CRP and CR programs... Grassland Reserve Program, which prevents pasture land from being converted into urban development." ([24:28])

• Pop Culture Trivia: Children’s Literature ([31:38])
  "Laura Ingalls Wilder learns how to smoke venison in chapter one of what children’s series?"

  • Correct: Little House on the Prairie.

• Final Question: National Parks ([34:51]–[37:53])
  "Name two of the four national parks with the word mount, mountain, or mountains in their name."

  • Correct answers: Great Smoky Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains, Mount Rainier, Rocky Mountain National Park.

6. Scoreboard and Winner

• The running scoreboard tracks a tight contest with Brody edging out Nate in the final tally:
  • Brody: 8 points
  • Nate: 6
  • Tressa, Corey, Marge, Laura: traded points throughout.
• [38:28] Brody selects the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for the $500 conservation donation.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:48] — Game kickoff and contestant intros
• [05:21] — First trivia question (conservation/coal states)
• [07:30] — Hunting: classic folding hunting knife company
• [09:41] — Woodsmanship: weather word "squall"
• [13:43] — Cooking: Carolina BBQ sauce color
• [16:43] — Fishing: pro angler trivia
• [22:18] — Conservation: FSA acronym challenge
• [27:24] — Hunting: exchange for deer hides
• [28:25] — Wildlife: Galapagos Islands
• [31:38] — Cooking: "Little House" books
• [34:51] — Final question: National parks with "mount/mountain"
• [38:28] — Brody selects conservation group; game wrap-up

Notable Quotes

• Spencer ([16:41]):
  "South Carolina barbecue sauce is also referred to as Carolina Gold, a colorful name that comes from its emphasis on mustard and honey."
• Nate ([17:42]):
  "It’s amazing I compete at the level I do with a whole category [fishing] I don’t care about."
• Brody ([18:01]):
  "Hunters should all fish."
• Brody ([30:21]):
  "Don't be using no anti-hunting groups as your sources anymore."
• Spencer ([38:34]):
  "Five hundred going their way via Brody and me. Join us next week for more trivia—where conservation always wins."

Episode Flow & Tone

• The banter is lighthearted, full of playful teasing and camaraderie.
• Many questions inspire stories from the hosts, reinforcing the outdoors lifestyle.
• The trivia format both educates and entertains, packing each question with additional historical or ecological facts.
• The stakes of the donation grant seriousness and a sense of purpose to the friendly competition.

For New Listeners

• This episode showcases the heart of MeatEater’s mission: the fun and value in outdoor skills, conservation knowledge, and community engagement.
• Even if you know little about hunting or fishing, you’ll enjoy the trivia, humor, and authentic personalities.
• The show’s trivia format is a window into the depth and breadth of outdoor culture, from knife history to barbecue sauce colors to public lands.

Next Steps / Resources

• Visit themeateater.com/games for additional trivia, crosswords, and word games.
• For recipes like the South Carolina Pheasant Bird Dog, check out the cooking section of the MeatEater website.

Conservation wins: $500 was donated to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation thanks to Brody's trivia prowess.