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
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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%).
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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.
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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.
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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])
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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
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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
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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..."
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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])
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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.
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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.
