The MeatEater Podcast: Ep. 833 — Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CCIII

Date: February 11, 2026
Host: Spencer Newarth
Guests: Steven Rinella (Steve), Giannis, Randall, Brody, Seth, Corey

Overview

This episode kicks off the fourth annual MeatEater Trivia Championship, the only "game show where conservation always wins." Hosted by Spencer Newarth, the tournament will run over three episodes with 30 total questions. Participants from the MeatEater crew vie for both the coveted title and a $2,000 charity donation in the winner's name. The episode blends the familiar humor, outdoor know-how, and competitive camaraderie that fans love, offering a blend of hunting, fishing, biology, odd tales, and a heap of inside jokes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Intro & Festivities (00:14–01:02)

• Host Spencer Newarth introduces the roster and outlines the episode as the first of three in the championship series.
• The group shares anticipation and light banter about trivia and personal stories—setting a playful, competitive tone.

2. Steve’s Wild Flea Story (01:02–09:28)

• Steve recounts a mild winter’s impact on the local flea population—remarkably heavy infestations on coyotes and foxes.
  • He details skinning a coyote, getting distracted by his child, badly cutting his thumb, and leaving the animal half-skinned in the garage.
  • The story takes a domestic turn when his wife later complains about flea bites:
    • “If you brought fleas into our house because of the things you trapped, you need to figure that out... I am not going to live like this.” (05:21, Steve reading wife's text)
  • Steve confesses to showering late at night, worried about fleas, humorously hiding the issue from his wife.
  • The group discusses the nature of flea infestations, the risks of bringing them home, and Steve’s attempts at damage control, including washing the dog and pressure-washing his truck gear.

3. Tournament Forecast & Predictions (09:28–12:10)

• Spencer recaps last year’s winner (Randall) and collects predictions from the crew.
  • Doug Duran predicts Brody or Randall to win again.
  • Corey, Brody, and others express readiness, but plenty of self-deprecating humor ensues.
  • Spencer: “For these 30 questions, you just gotta be like a pure, knowledgeable outdoorsman to win.” (11:02)

4. Tournament Structure & Stakes (12:10–13:32)

• Spencer explains prizes:
  • $2,000 charity donation to a conservation group of the winner’s choice.
  • Winner’s name engraved on a plaque.
  • Overtime/tiebreakers possible if there’s a deadlock.
• All questions have been fact-checked for fairness and accuracy.

Trivia Game Highlights & Notable Moments

Scoreboard Updates (27:54, 39:54, 42:34, 49:55)

Regular updates keep tension high; see Score Progression below for a recap.

Question Highlights

Each trivia question reflects the show's real-world, outdoors-centric flavor:

Q1: Longest River (13:43–15:15)

• Which of these rivers is the longest: Rio Grande, Ohio River, Columbia River, or Tennessee River?
  • Answer: Rio Grande (15:15)
  • Giannis, Seth, Brody correct; debate over river lengths.

Q2: Biology – Insect Lifecycle (15:43–18:08)

• Four-letter word: Insect stage after larva and before adult.
  • Answer: Pupa
  • Whole group gets it; Steve jokes: “Seth's gonna write B-U-G-G.” (16:19)

Q3: Rangefinder Battery (18:39–20:22)

• Common 3-volt rangefinder battery: two letters and a number.
  • Answer: CR2
  • “You should take a point away from him.” (20:40, Steve joking about answer leniency)

Q4: Aaron Ralston Amputation (20:22–24:49)

• In which state did Aaron Ralston cut off his arm?
  • Answer: Utah
  • Brody’s son had just done a report on the topic!

Q5: Conservation Slogan (25:24–27:44)

• "Stop Aquatic ____!" campaign:
  • Answer: Hitchhikers
  • Split answers between “hitchhikers” and “invasives.”
  • “All the signs. They got a little passport for your boat.” (27:37, Steve)

Q6: Ringing in the Ears (28:32–31:18)

• Condition defined as 'the perception of sound, when no actual external noise is present.'
  • Answer: Tinnitus
  • Steve: “Oh, just. I would do anything to go back in time and protect my ears, man.” (31:18)

Q7: Fishing Brand (31:18–35:50)

• Brand with cartoony name famous for CastMaster and Little Cleo.
  • Answer: Acme Tackle Company
  • Only Seth gets it; discussion of Acme’s Looney Tunes association.

Q8: Smoked Herring (35:50–39:33)

• Six-letter word for a cured, smoked fish, especially herring.
  • Answer: Kipper
  • Some confusion; “This is one of the main things I talk about.” (45:56, Steve on wood measurements)

Q9: Pipeline with Beer Name (40:15–42:34)

• 2,000-mile oil pipeline from Alberta to Texas, shares name with beer.
  • Answer: Keystone (Pipeline)
  • “The beer clue is a bit much.” (41:17, Randall)

Q10: Firewood Measurement (43:39–49:36)

• Single row of firewood, 4ft high and 8ft wide: about 1/3 a cord, called a ____ cord?
  • Answer: Face or Rick cord
  • Steve: “This is one of the main things I talk about... I would be like, ‘You know...’” (45:56)
  • Detailed debate over terminology ensues; Steve adamant about correct usage.

Score Progression

| After Q5 | After Q8 | After Q9 | After Q10 | |------------|------------|------------|------------| | Seth, Randall: 2 | Corey: 3 | Corey: 4 | Corey: 4 | | Steve, Corey: 3 | Seth, Randall: 4 | Seth, Randall: 5 | Randall: 5 | | Brody: 4 | Steve, Brody: 5 | Steve, Brody: 6 | Seth, Brody: 6 | | Giannis: 5 | Giannis: 6 | Giannis: 6 | Steve, Giannis: 7 |

At Episode End:

• Tied for first: Steve & Giannis (7)
• Seth & Brody: 6
• Randall: 5
• Corey: 4

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Steve’s Flea Predicament:
  “If you brought fleas into our house because of the things you trapped, you need to figure that out. Like, before work. I am not going to live like this.” (05:21, Steve reading wife's text)

• On Trivia:
  “For these 30 questions, you just gotta be like a pure, knowledgeable outdoorsman to win.” (11:02, Spencer)

• On Ear Protection:
  “Oh, just. I would do anything to go back in time and protect my ears, man.” (31:18, Steve)

• On Firewood:
  “This is one of the main things I talk about. If I were at a party making small talk, this is something I would...” (45:56, Steve)

• Scoreboard Banter:
  “They once ran for the White House on the same ticket. Now they find themselves at odds like Trump and Pence—it's Stephen Rinella and Giannis...” (49:55, Spencer, scoreboard update)

Closing Thoughts

The episode wraps up with playful jabs, in-depth debate about wood measurements, and anticipation for episode two, where the tournament will continue. The camaraderie, deep outdoor knowledge, and irreverent humor make the episode both entertaining and accessible, whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or just along for the ride.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Steve’s Flea Story: 01:02–09:28
• Trivia Introductions / Predictions: 09:28–13:32
• Question 1 (Longest River): 13:43–15:15
• Question 2 (Pupa): 15:43–18:08
• Question 3 (Battery): 18:39–20:22
• Question 4 (Ralston/Utah): 20:22–24:49
• Question 5 (Hitchhikers): 25:24–27:44
• First Score Update: 27:54
• Questions 6–10: 28:32–49:36
• Closing Banter & BTUs: 49:55–51:34

For outdoors fans, trivia buffs, and anyone who enjoys witty, knowledgeable conversation, this episode marks a lively start to MeatEater’s most competitive tradition.