Podcast Summary: The Viall Files Episod E896 – Going Deeper with Dylan Efron

Released on March 7, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Viall Files, host Nick Viall welcomes guest Dylan Efron, one of the standout winners of the reality competition show Traders. The conversation delves into Dylan's experience on the show, his personal background, strategies employed during the competition, and his aspirations beyond reality TV.

Welcoming Dylan Efron and Initial Impressions

Nick opens the episode by congratulating Dylan on his victory in Traders, highlighting the unconventional ending of the show where competitors ended as a unified team rather than fierce rivals.

• Nick Viall [02:36]: "Dylan. Welcome to the Volfiles, man."
• Dylan Efron [02:44]: "Yeah, it was a weird ending, but I honestly, like, that was the best way to end it with people. We were all on the same team at the end of the day."

On-Game Strategies and Alliances

The discussion transitions to Dylan's strategic approach during Traders. He emphasizes the importance of alliances and being prepared for unexpected twists, such as someone attempting to become a traitor.

• Nick Viall [03:12]: "Do you think that, like, all the finalists not being gamers affected the outcome?"
• Dylan Efron [04:00]: "If a faithful wins, it has to be two faithfuls at the end. We definitely all had a strategy just in case."

Dylan elaborates on his plan to end the game alongside Gabby, leveraging their trust in each other's loyalty while recognizing potential red flags in other contestants like Dolores and Ivor.

• Dylan Efron [04:11]: "By that time, Gabby was so Brittany had the seer ability. She proved that Gabby was a faithful. I also had come to the same conclusion."

Background and Personal Journey

Nick shifts the conversation to Dylan's background, exploring his relationship with his famous brother, Zac Efron, and his career trajectory before joining Traders.

• Nick Viall [07:55]: "Before you went on the show, like I was aware of who you were..."
• Dylan Efron [08:10]: "Zach was probably 17 when he was famous, like worldwide famous. So that means I would have been 12."

Dylan discusses his role as a production coordinator at Warner Brothers, working on notable films like Chips with Dax Shepard and A Star Is Born, which provided him with invaluable insights into the film industry.

• Dylan Efron [12:20]: "Yeah, mostly, like I would say Chips was one of the highlights for me..."
• Dylan Efron [12:12]: "A Star Is Born was just like, Bradley Cooper's just a professional."

Feeling unfulfilled in a corporate role and frustrated with the inefficiencies in Hollywood productions, Dylan made the bold decision to leave and pursue content creation on YouTube.

• Dylan Efron [13:02]: "I was 26, and everybody else at Warner Brothers... so that was probably the biggest reason I left."

Personal Life and Interests

The conversation turns personal as Dylan shares insights into his relationship, hobbies, and lifestyle choices that keep him grounded.

• Nick Viall [19:21]: "What's your love life like these days?"
• Dylan Efron [19:23]: "I’m in a relationship. She's actually not on social media and she works a 40-hour week job."

Dylan talks about his love for outdoor activities like rock climbing and highlining, emphasizing his passion for challenging himself and embracing nature.

• Dylan Efron [21:17]: "I'm big into rock climbing. ... I love conquering that fear."

He also touches upon his journey with tattoos, viewing them as personal milestones rather than mere aesthetic choices.

• Dylan Efron [20:02]: "Just different times I've traveled. Just spur the moment."

Reflections on Reality TV and Traders

Dylan provides a deep dive into his Traders experience, discussing his strategies, interactions with other contestants, and key moments that defined his gameplay.

• Dylan Efron [33:47]: "The show that came, like, at the time... was like, this is the right move."
• Dylan Efron [37:39]: "My strategy was honestly, Sam's strategy..."

He highlights the complexity of forming alliances and the delicate balance between trust and strategy in a high-stakes game environment.

• Dylan Efron [40:15]: "The conversation to hash things out, I think."

Dylan expresses respect for contestants like Bob the Drag Queen and Tom Sandoval, acknowledging their game-playing prowess while maintaining personal integrity.

• Dylan Efron [38:16]: "I never felt betrayed when I figured out they were traders."
• Dylan Efron [46:59]: "He's the Bob the Drag Queen that I know. So, like, I would never get offended if he did that."

Strategies and Lessons Learned

Dylan discusses practical strategies for potential future participants in Traders, emphasizing the importance of subtlety and alliance-building without exposing one's intentions.

• Nick Viall [39:31]: "What's your strategy going into it?"
• Dylan Efron [37:39]: "I did what Sam did... he was learning the game quietly and stepped up when needed."

He also reflects on the emotional challenges of the game, such as moments of doubt and the pressure to maintain alliances.

• Dylan Efron [61:16]: "I got five shields in the first six missions. Then I went on the worst dry spell ever."

Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Dylan shares his ambitions to continue creating documentary content, particularly focusing on storytelling and real-world issues, while remaining open to acting opportunities.

• Dylan Efron [54:37]: "My bread and butter is travel shows, so I want to keep doing those on YouTube..."
• Dylan Efron [55:19]: "Yeah, I would. I think there's a lot of roles that I could do well in."

He also mentions his latest project—a documentary on the conservation efforts of an indigenous village in Guyana, showcasing his dedication to impactful storytelling.

• Dylan Efron [86:34]: "So I went out there to meet Roven... this is really cool."

Personal Insights and Relationship Dynamics

The episode delves into Dylan's personal relationships, highlighting the supportive nature of his family and girlfriend, and how these relationships contribute to his grounded personality.

• Dylan Efron [73:28]: "Good family and good friends... my priority is seeing my little brother and sister grow up."

He discusses household dynamics, emphasizing the balance between personal preferences and shared responsibilities.

• Dylan Efron [83:53]: "I don't like vacuuming either. I’m still learning the dishwasher."

Conclusion

In wrapping up, Nick and Dylan reflect on the overall experience of the show and the personal growth that comes from such intense competitions. They express mutual respect and interest in future collaborations, hinting at Dylan potentially returning to the podcast for further discussions.

• Nick Viall [86:25]: "Congratulations on winning Traders..."
• Dylan Efron [86:37]: "Yeah, same."

Dylan also teases his upcoming documentary, inviting listeners to check it out on YouTube.

• Dylan Efron [86:25]: "New documentary I'm releasing this weekend, which is cool just on YouTube."

Notable Quotes

• Dylan Efron [04:00]: "If a faithful wins, it has to be two faithfuls at the end."
• Dylan Efron [20:02]: "I wanted something, like, feminine in a way..."
• Dylan Efron [33:47]: "So I think, I've always had a good head on my shoulder."
• Dylan Efron [46:59]: "He's goofy. It was a great way to be introduced to Tom..."

Closing Thoughts

This episode provides an in-depth look at Dylan Efron's journey both on and off the Traders set. From strategic gameplay to personal anecdotes, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to thrive in competitive reality TV and maintain authenticity in one's personal life.