The MeatEater Podcast – Episode 806: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CXCV

Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Spencer Newharth
Guests: Giannis Patelis, Randall Williams, Brody Henderson, Chili, Cal, Seth

Episode Overview

This special Christmas episode of the MeatEater Podcast delivers the fourth annual "MeatEater Family Feud" trivia show—a fan-favorite holiday tradition where fun, irreverence, and conservation collide. Host Spencer Newharth presides over two teams of returning personalities competing in a Family Feud-style game. The stakes? Bragging rights, festive chaos, and a $500 conservation donation (which can become $1,000 if the winning team succeeds in Fast Money).

The trivia covers hunting, fishing, conservation, wild foods, and plenty of on-the-spot laughs, leaning into both holiday and MeatEater-centric themes. With witty banter, competitive spirit, and meta-jokes about the show itself, this episode spotlights outdoors knowledge and MeatEater camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points & Game Breakdown

1. Episode Format & Audience Engagement

• Main Twist: This year’s Christmas episode is a Family Feud-style game show, rather than the standard 10-question trivia format.
• Why? A poll of 150 listeners showed 92% of fans wanted Family Feud for Christmas ([02:24]).
• Host’s Motivation: Spencer jokingly mentions needing audience validation to persuade Steve Rinella, who was initially reluctant about Family Feud.

2. Teams & Introductions ([07:43]–[09:33])

• Williams Family (Randall, Cal, Seth): Randall introduces his “ornery” Uncle Ryan (Cal) and his soon-to-be-great-grandson Seth.
• Putellas Family (Giannis, Brody, Chili): Giannis highlights Brody’s writing chops and current events awareness and Chili’s “good looks” as a possible judge-charming asset.
• Competitive History: Giannis' team claims an undefeated streak in Christmas Family Feud ([09:33]).

3. Game Play Rounds

Practice Round

Question: Name an animal part Corinne would hang on her tree.

• Funniest answer: “Penis” (baculum), “tail,” “squirrel feet” topped the list.
• “She like Corinne” – playful commentary on teammate preferences ([07:41]).

Round 1: Name a Fishing Gift That Fits in a Stocking ([10:23])

Top Answers: Lure, pliers, line, live bait, fishing reel, fishing license

• Key Moments:
  • Randall: “The best answer... Now you’re asking for a less good answer” ([11:55]).
  • Hard-earned points for both teams; bobber and rod guessed but not on the board.
  • The unexpected number five answer: fishing license ([15:18]).
• Outcome: Williams family takes the lead with 95 points.

Round 2: Name Something Santa and Randall Have in Common ([16:10])

Top Answers: Jolly, beer belly, beard, red, laugh

• Highlight:
  • Playful jabs about Randall and Santa being “jolly,” “full-figured,” and sharing a beard ([16:58], [17:44]).
  • Creative audience write-ins: “big sack” and “only work one day a year” ([25:31]).
• Steal: Putellas family clinches the round with the guess “red” (“blush/complexion”) ([24:53]).
• Score: Williams: 95, Putellas: 100

Round 3: Instead of Scarf & Top Hat, What Would Steve's Snowman Wear? ([26:16])

Top Answers: Stormy Kromer, First Lite/ camo, furs, FHF bino harness, blaze orange

• Memorable moments:
  • Discussions about whether Steve or his snowman is the subject.
  • Struggles with specificity (e.g., “trapping stuff,” “snowshoes”).
  • Chili: “Camouflage or hunting clothing” as the steal ([30:22]).
• Uncovered answers: FHF bino harness as the curveball.
• Points: Williams: 263, Putellas: 100 (points doubled this round).

Round 4: Name Something You’d Hunt on Christmas Day ([31:57])

Top Answers: Deer, squirrels, ducks, pheasants, elk, rabbits, geese, coyotes

• Tension & Banter:
  • Williams family nearly sweeps the board.
  • Brody and Giannis—debating between “coyotes,” “pigs,” “mountain lions,” “wolves,” etc. for the final answer ([37:01]).
  • Clutch Steal: Putellas family guesses “coyotes” for the win ([37:37]).
• Outcome: Putellas family steals the game, final score: Putellas 400, Williams 263.

4. Fast Money Finale ([41:47])

• Rules: Two team members each answer five rapid-fire questions; combined score must exceed 200 for the additional $500 donation.
• Notable Questions & Top Answers:
  • Wild game you'd serve at Christmas (venison = #1, goose, turkey)
  • Which crew member thinks they're a wise man (Steve = #1, Brody)
  • What does a deer hunter want for Christmas (gun/bow, ammo)
  • Animals in Clay's nativity scene (mule, bear, squirrel)
  • State to hunt elk in (Montana, Arizona, Colorado)
• Groans & Laughs: Giannis mishears a question, answering “Iowa” for elk tag, which draws ribbing from the group ([50:53]).
• Victory: Putellas team clears 200 points, securing the $1,000 conservation donation ([55:09]).

5. Conservation Donation Decision ([56:53])

• Debate: Discussion on donation recipients—Michigan United Conservation Clubs, local groups, but ultimately settle on Public Land Water Access Association (PLWA), a Montana-based non-profit providing access to public lands ([60:02]).
• Celebration: Spencer: “$1,000 going their way from MeatEater and the Giannis Patelis family” ([60:14]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Audience Preference:
  “92% of listeners said they would prefer the Family Feud.”
  — Spencer ([02:24])

• Competition Banter:
  “He peeked up when I said we’re having trivia after the podcast, and then when I told him it was Family Feud, his face just went ashen.”
  — Chili ([02:55])

• On Giannis’ Streak:
  “You declared before the show that you have never lost at Christmas Family Feud.”
  — Spencer ([09:33])

• Fielding Hilarious Answers:
  Q: Name an animal part Corinne would hang on her tree.
  A: “Penis.”
  — Chili ([04:44])

• Goofy Christmas Content:
  “Santa and Randall… both sneak a lot of cookies at night.”
  — Randall ([23:07])

• Banter About Steals and Strategy:
  “You could be a hero or a zero here.”
  — Spencer ([13:45])

• Audience-Submitted Sass:
  “They said you both have a big sack, two A's in your name... only work one day a year.”
  — Spencer ([25:31])

• On Conservation Giving:
  “That's like giving yourself a vacuum cleaner.”
  — Chili, joking about donating to a group he’s involved with ([57:32])

Highlighted Timestamps

• [02:24] - Poll reveals overwhelming listener preference for Family Feud format
• [07:43] - Practice round with wild animal ornament guesses
• [09:33] - Team introductions and scoring history
• [10:23] - Round 1: Fishing stocking stuffers
• [16:10] - Round 2: Santa & Randall similarities
• [26:16] - Round 3: Steve’s snowman attire
• [31:57] - Round 4: Hunting on Christmas Day
• [41:47] - Fast Money round begins
• [56:53] - Winning team selects conservation group for donation
• [60:14] - PLWA receives $1,000 donation

Episode Takeaways

• The Family Feud format is a listener favorite for MeatEater’s holiday special, delivering hearty laughs, inside jokes, and a welcome focus on the conservation mission.
• The banter between team members, willingness to poke fun at each other, and on-the-fly strategic discussions create a festive and inviting energy.
• The Putellas team upholds their winning tradition, with Giannis, Brody, and Chili deftly clinching both the round and Fast Money, ensuring the maximum donation to conservation.
• Engaged audience, clever listener-submitted answers, and the blending of holiday and MeatEater themes make this a must-listen for fans and a model for how to create an entertaining, mission-driven game show podcast.

MeatEater Trivia: Family Feud Christmas Edition—where conservation always wins, the jokes fly, and the holiday spirit runs wild in true MeatEater fashion.