The MeatEater Podcast – Episode 827: "Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CCI"

Release Date: January 28, 2026
Host: Spencer Neuharth
Contestants: Giannis, Brody, Randall, Alyssa, Corey, Seth, Tressa

Episode Overview

This episode of The MeatEater Podcast showcases the ever-popular "MeatEater Trivia" competition—a lighthearted yet fiercely contested outdoor knowledge game that spans the show's four signature themes: hunting, fishing, conservation, and cooking. Host Spencer Neuharth quizzed the regular crew and guests through 10 rounds, with an added incentive: MeatEater donates $500 to a conservation organization of the winner’s choice. Listeners can expect a blend of rigorous questions, irreverent banter, off-the-cuff jokes, and surprising tidbits from the world of the outdoors.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Kicking Off with Housekeeping & Banter (00:52–06:05)

• Randall’s Losing Streak:
  Spencer notes it's been 12 weeks since Randall last won a trivia game (00:52). Randall lightheartedly accuses the host of subconsciously biasing questions against him:

  "I think you’ve learned me... I think it would be very difficult for you, as you're reading the questions, to be like... that's one that Randall would know but nobody else would know." – Randall (01:38)

• Life Updates & Group Humor:
  The group riffs on Randall’s growing hair (02:38), with jokes about live on-air haircuts and enthusiasm for viral video opportunities.

• Listener Interaction & Clarifications:
  Spencer addresses listener questions about game answers (e.g., extra point for "flurry" instead of "squall" in a previous episode), underscoring the show’s interactive, good-natured spirit (04:06–05:27).

2. The Game Begins – Sample Questions & Answers

Question 1: Cooking (07:21)
What is the recommended internal temperature (Fahrenheit) for a medium rare duck breast according to the James Beard Foundation?

• Correct Answer: 130°F (54°C)
• Notable moment: Nearly the entire room gets it right. Spencer references Danielle Pruitt’s matching advice and directs listeners to her recipe (08:26).

Question 2: Conservation (09:29)
Who is the biologist famous for hosting Disney's Going Wild and ABC's Ocean Mysteries?

• Correct Answer: Jeff Corwin
• Notable Quotes:

  "Jeff Corwin. Phil has a picture of him for us... He played himself in a 2003 episode of CSI Miami where he helped detectives retrieve a human foot from a live crocodile." — Spencer (12:44)

Question 3: Outdoors (13:09)
With 90 million users, what app is described as the best for hiking, biking, and running?

• Correct Answer: AllTrails

Question 4: Fishing (15:04)
This seven-letter bait, grub-like and dry, turns into a bee moth.

• Correct Answer: Waxworm
• Notable “insider” tactics: “I have some of this in my freezer.” — Corey (15:32)
• Fun Fact: Waxworms are a staple for ice anglers (17:00).

Question 5: Hunting & Pop Culture Crossover (19:09)
Terry Bradshaw was the backup QB to which Duck Dynasty patriarch? (First and last name required)

• Correct Answer: Phil Robertson (21:44)
• Fun Historical Tidbit: Phil threw 34 interceptions in college before launching Duck Commander; his high school rival was Dan “Butch” Flores.

3. Game Progress, Banter, and Notable Moments

• Scoreboard Update (23:28): At halftime, Brody has a perfect score, and Randall is trailing close behind.

Question 6: Conservation Term (24:06) NOAA's definition: Discarded marine catch and unobserved mortality due to fishing vessels and gear.

• Correct Answer: Bycatch
• Stats: Bycatch includes non-fish such as dolphins, and constitutes 40% of commercial fishing catch (26:06).

Question 7: Hunting – Blacktail Deer Species (27:05)

• Columbia and Sitka are the two recognized blacktail types.

Question 8: Cooking & Pop Culture (30:44) Two-word term for perspiring after protein-heavy meals, popularized by Friends in 2001?

• Correct Answer: Meat Sweats
• Memorable Quote:

  “I associate this more with a giant prime rib dinner... photos of me at dinners where I’m uncomfortable and sweaty.” – Randall (35:37)

Question 9: Fishing/Wordplay (37:25) Coastal fish—also a hairstyle—described as ‘elongated with dark stripes’ by South Carolina DNR?

• Correct Answer: Mullet
• Fun Fact: Mullets are used as bait for redfish, tarpon, and more.

Question 10: Foraging/State Trees (42:08) Name one of four states with the sugar maple as the official tree.

• Correct Answers: Vermont, New York, Wisconsin, West Virginia

4. Overtime & Victory (44:08–47:23)

Tiebreaker Question: Gear
In which year did backup cameras become mandatory in new vehicles?

• Correct Answer: 2018
• Brody wins; Corey nails it exactly and earns an extra $100 for the winner’s charity.

Charity Donation:

• $600 donated to the New Mexico Wildlife Federation (46:29)
• Spencer: “$600 from Brody and MeatEater going to... the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. Well done, Brody.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Game Prep:

  "I want, like, a salon style feathered cut above the ears... business out front, party in the back." — Randall & Brody on haircuts (03:07–03:13)

• On "Jabroni":

  "In wrestling... they would need someone... to beat up on. Those people were called jobbers... corrupted to being a 'jabroni.' So if you’re a jabroni, your job is just to show up and lose." – Spencer (27:48)

• On Trivia's Role:

  “We have some MeatEater trivia participants who know they’re not going to win, but they show up and have a great attitude. It’s an affectionate term here.” – Spencer (28:16)

• On Meat Sweats:

  “I just thought you would have experienced it more than anybody in this room… I thought… you would start sweating, and then anybody would look over at you and just see ‘meat sweats’ written on your forehead.” – Giannis to Randall (35:07)

Key Timestamps

• 00:52 – Trivia introductions, group banter, Randall’s “curse”
• 07:21 – Question 1 (Cooking: Duck breast temperature)
• 09:29 – Question 2 (Conservation: Jeff Corwin)
• 13:09 – Question 3 (Outdoors: AllTrails app)
• 15:04 – Question 4 (Fishing: Waxworm bait)
• 19:09 – Question 5 (Hunting/Pop culture: Phil Robertson)
• 24:06 – Question 6 (Conservation: Bycatch)
• 27:05 – Question 7 (Hunting: Columbia & Sitka blacktail deer)
• 30:44 – Question 8 (Cooking: Meat sweats)
• 37:25 – Question 9 (Fishing/Wordplay: Mullet)
• 42:08 – Question 10 (Foraging: Sugar maple state tree)
• 44:08 – Overtime question & winner announcement
• 46:29 – Charity donation decision

Conclusion & Takeaway

This episode exemplifies why MeatEater Trivia endures: it’s a space where outdoors expertise, humor, nostalgia, and a whiff of good-natured rivalry meet. Listeners walk away with fun facts—from duck temperatures to the required presence of backup cameras in new vehicles—and leave smiling at a group's camaraderie. Through the game, the show reinforces its mission: that a deeper appreciation of nature and the outdoors is a win for everyone—game on, suckers!

Winner: Brody
Charity: New Mexico Wildlife Federation
Quote of the Episode:

"Here come the meat sweats." – Joey Tribbiani (via Friends, 33:34 & trivia discussion at 32:57)

For further trivia or to submit a question:
Email: trivia@themeateater.com

Listen for more next week, where conservation—and laughter—always win.