The MeatEater Podcast — Ep. 846: Game On, Suckers! MeatEater Trivia CCVII

Host: Spencer Newharth
Date: March 11, 2026
Guests: Giannis, Randall, Brody, Seth, Corey, Hansi, Max, Phil, Ethan

Episode Overview

This lively episode of The MeatEater Podcast features the crew gathered for their recurring MeatEater Trivia challenge—a ten-round quiz show that puts their knowledge of hunting, fishing, conservation, and wild foods to the test. The episode is marked by playful banter, competitive spirit, and a commitment to conservation, as the winner secures a $500 donation to the organization of their choice. Expect plenty of laughs, boastful quips, and surprising facts that will enrich your understanding of the natural world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Contest Structure & Scoring ([01:31])

• Host: Spencer Newharth sets up the episode as a ten-round quiz based on MeatEater’s four core topics.
• Prizing: Winner directs a $500 donation to a conservation nonprofit.
• Players: Giannis, Randall, Brody, Seth, Corey, Hansi, Max.
• Performance Stats: Giannis was top hunting quizzer last year (80% correct), followed by Steve, Brody, Randall, and Nate.

2. Housekeeping & Listener Engagement ([03:13])

• Previous trivia corrections: For the fishing contraption question, "drift sock," "drogue," and "sea anchor" now all accepted after listener feedback.

  “So many acceptable answers for that one.” — Spencer ([03:13])

Memorable Moments, Quotes & Highlighted Questions (with Timestamps)

3. Cooking: The Chuck Roast ([04:28])

• Question: Which roast comes from the front shoulder of an animal?
  Answer: Chuck

  “The rump, round, and sirloin all come from the back half of an animal, while the chuck comes from the shoulder to neck area.” — Spencer ([07:13])
  Humorous aside about naming kids and “Chuck brothers.”

4. Hunting: Quail’s “Top Knot” ([07:43])

• Question: Seven-letter word for a crest of feathers on a quail’s head?
  Answer: Topknot

  “Brody got it right. He says topknot. T O P K N O T. Good job.” — Spencer ([10:55])
  Description of quail species with distinctive top knots and their behavioral purpose.

5. Conservation: Most Polluted River ([11:25])

• Question: What is the most polluted river in India?
  Answer: Ganges

  “Its largest source of pollution is 3 billion liters of untreated sewage that flow into the river each day.” — Spencer ([14:32])
  Conversation about River Monsters and giant catfish living in the Ganges.

6. Snack Trivia: GORP ([15:21])

• Question: What does “GORP” stand for?
  Answer: Good Old Raisins and Peanuts

  “Some say GORP stands for Good Old Raisins and Peanuts, while others claim it means Granola, Oats, Raisins and Peanuts.” — Spencer ([17:55])
  Fun debate over retro snacking and the evolution to “trail mix.”

7. Fishing: What Kind of Fish is “Ahi”? ([18:46])

• Question: What kind of fish is “ahi”?
  Answer: Tuna (yellowfin or bigeye)

  “Ahi, which means fire, is a Hawaiian word for tuna. The name honors the speed at which tuna moves, causing your fishing line to burn.” — Spencer ([19:52])

8. Woodsmanship: Dry Gullies ([21:12])

• Question: Six-letter word, sometimes with an accent, for a dry watercut gully?
  Answer: Coulee
  Word origins discussed; comparison to Spanish “arroyo.”

  “Coulee was first used to describe landscapes by French fur trappers in the early 1800s.” — Spencer ([23:21])

9. Public Lands: Football Stadium National Park ([24:58])

• Question: Which national park shares its name with Clemson and LSU football stadiums?
  Answer: Death Valley

  “Clemson calls their stadium Death Valley because of a nearby cemetery... LSU calls their stadium Death Valley for its reputation as a hostile place to play.” — Spencer ([28:32])

10. Gear: The Lizard Sandal Brand ([29:03])

• Question: What sandal brand, with a lizard logo, is famed for Z straps?
  Answer: Chaco

  “Chaco was... the number one seed and dominated the tournament, defeating other notable brands such as Teva, Keen and Crocs.” — Spencer ([31:33])
  Extended yarn about outdoor footwear choices—Birkenstocks vs. Chacos vs. aqua socks.

11. Foraging & Prohibition: Why Chopped Apple Trees? ([33:24])

• Question: Which Amendment led to FBI chopping apple trees for foraging?
  Answer: 18th Amendment

  “The government targeted trees that produced sour apples, commonly used to make hard cider. This caused a decline in apple diversity.” — Spencer ([36:23])

12. Conservation: Nine-Letter Botanical Garden ([37:22])

• Question: What nine-letter word often describes a botanical garden for trees/shrubs?
  Answer: Arboretum

  “Arboretums are living museums and often harbor endangered species that need protecting.” — Spencer ([41:09])

Tiebreaker & Winner ([41:56] onward)

• Tiebreaker Question: What is the average cost to exchange a 20-lb propane tank in the US (to two decimal places)?
  Answer: $21.77
  Randall and Brody reach the tiebreaker; Brody wins, being just $3.22 off.

  “Brody Anderson is the winner. The correct answer was $21.77.” — Spencer ([44:45])

• Donation: Brody chooses “Turkeys for Tomorrow” to receive the $500 conservation donation.

  “Turkeys for Tomorrow is getting Brody's 500 donation. Join us next week for more MeatEater trivia—the only game show where conservation always wins.” — Spencer ([45:45])

Notable Quotes

• “Game on, suckers!” — Spencer ([04:28])
• “If you said drogue for your answer, then you also got that one right.” — Spencer ([03:13])
• “Quiet confidence.” — Corey complimenting Brody’s measured answering style ([08:34])
• “You could be a cool kid out there saying coolie cool.” — Spencer ([24:13])
• “I'm just saying weird things now.” — Phil, after a tangent on trail mix components ([18:44])
• “Shout out Joe Burrow.” — Phil, slipping in an LSU football reference ([28:57])
• “You want to go pretty cheap and more useful—strip of duct tape.” — Corey, discussing lint-rolling hacks ([27:23])

Scoreboard & Standings

After 8 questions:

• Corey: 3
• Max: 4
• Seth: 4
• Hansi: 4
• Giannis: 5
• Randall: 7
• Brody: 7

Final Winner: Brody, after nailing the tiebreaker question.

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode balances friendly, irreverent humor with practical knowledge and deep respect for the outdoors. The trivia format brings out the competitive and geeky side of the MeatEater crew, with each round sparking side stories, debates, and teachable moments. Whether you’re a diehard sportsman, a conservation enthusiast, or just a fan of the MeatEater gang’s chemistry, this trivia episode delivers laughs, learning, and a shared commitment to the wild.

Useful Timestamps

• [01:31] – Game setup and scoring
• [04:28] – First trivia question ("Chuck roast")
• [07:43] – "Top knot" quail question
• [11:25] – Ganges river conservation question
• [15:21] – GORP origin
• [18:46] – "Ahi" fish type
• [21:12] – "Coulee" term
• [24:58] – Stadium/National Park naming
• [29:03] – Chaco sandal trivia
• [33:24] – Prohibition & apple trees
• [37:22] – Arboretum question
• [41:56] – Overtime and tiebreaker
• [45:23] – Winner’s donation choice

Summary

The "Game On, Suckers!" MeatEater Trivia episode is a snapshot of the show's heart: wilderness knowledge, competitive camaraderie, and passionate conservation. The rounds unravel obscure facts and amusing anecdotes, culminating in a nail-biter tiebreaker and a well-earned $500 for wild turkey conservation. Whether learning the finer points of top knots, cooleys, or why Prohibition was bad for American apples, this episode is a must-listen for outdoorsy trivia nerds and MeatEater fans alike.