Derek Stusynski: From Weird Kid to Community Builder | Pod Friends

Derek Stusynski: From Weird Kid to Community Builder | Pod Friends This week’s Pod Friends guest is Derek Stusynski @DerekStusynski), a force behind the Rob Has a Podcast Patreon community and one of the quietly impactful people making RHAP possible. Joining Matt Scott (@MattScottGW), Derek shares how growing up feeling weird and out of place became the very thing that taught him how to build belonging for others. Derek takes us from a farm in rural Minnesota to chasing his creative dreams through improv, web series, and independent films, even winning an episode of Wipeout, before landing behind the scenes at RHAP, where he now helps thousands of fans feel seen, welcomed, and connected. He also opens up about his work as a writer, actor, and filmmaker, including his upcoming film Snatched, starring drag icons like RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Nina West. This special episode also features messages from members of the RHAP community — Grace, Alyssa, Laura, Kelly, Michael, Tommy Guam, Kim and Tim, Lisa, Mike, and Chantele — who share what Derek and the Patreon experience have meant to them, celebrating the power of chosen family and the magic that happens when people truly show up for one another. If you have ever felt different, awkward, or alone, Derek’s story is a reminder that those very things can become your greatest strength. Suggest a future guest: bit.ly/podfriendsnom Leave a voicemail: speakpipe.com/podfriends Email: [email protected] Follow on social media: Twitter: @HeyPodFriends & @MattScottGW Instagram: @MattScottGW Bluesky: MattScottGW.bsky.social Never miss an episode of Pod Friends: LISTEN:  Subscribe to the Pod Friends podcast feed WATCH:  Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

The Traitors UK S4 Eps 4-6 Recap Welcome to RHAP’s coverage of ALL the Traitors iterations from around the world, including New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. The Traitors is a high-stakes reality competition set in a secluded castle, where contestants must work together to complete challenges and earn a prize pot—while rooting out the secret traitors hidden among them. We Know the Traitors is back and diving straight into the drama of The Celebrity Traitors! Hosts Pooya and Annabel Fidler break down the second week of episodes of The Traitors UK Season 4. So, grab your cloak and join the roundtable — because when it comes to The Traitors, nobody does betrayal breakdowns better than We Know the Traitors. Never miss all our Traitors US recaps plus recaps from other versions around the world! LISTEN: Subscribe to The Traitors Around the World podcast feed WATCH:  Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

The Pooya and Liana Lounge: Welcome to The Pooya & Liana Lounge, the #1 destination for thought-provoking, laugh-inducing, banter-filled conversation. Each week, Liana and Pooya share their unique perspectives on everything, ranging from trending topics and relationships to the quirks of everyday life. With a blend of humor and authenticity, they have created a cozy atmosphere perfectly paired with the start of your weekend. This week, Pooya & Liana are back to discuss Traitors Season 4, grandmas, bazooka, and so much more! Have questions or comments? Leave them here –> bit.ly/PooyaLianaLounge LISTEN: Subscribe to The Pooya and Liana Lounge feed! WATCH: Watch and subscribe to all RHAP podcasts on YouTube SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Mess Magnets: Traitors USA Season 4 Season Preview Mess Magnets is the ultimate pop-culture gossip pod! Join your hosts, Kirsten MacInnis and Sasha Joseph, as they spill the tea on all the latest celebrity news, trending topics, and captivating annoy-mess shared by our dedicated listeners. With each episode, Kirsten and Sasha bring you inside scoops, juicy details, and thought-provoking discussions that will keep you hooked. Tune in and stay up-to-date with the ever-evolving world of entertainment as Mess Magnets takes you on a wild ride through the most intriguing stories! Sasha and Kirsten could NOT let everyone else have all the fun talking about the Traitors USA season 4 – the mess magnets broke down the entire cast with what we know, our predictions for the season, and just a fun time yapping about reality TV. Submit your mess to our form! – https://forms.gle/M3QjuZDd2oF5cKpz6  

Purple Pants Podcast | January Premonitions: Cutting Through the Noise January’s Purple Pants Premonitions kicks off 2026 by setting the tone for what’s ahead. In the first Premonition of the year, Brice Izyah and Gary tap in to talk clarity, choices, and the energy shaping the month. For January, Gary pulls the Seven of Lanterns and the Brujx card, guiding a conversation around discernment, distractions, and trusting what’s real over what just looks good. It’s about moving with intention, protecting your energy, and starting 2026 with a clearer sense of direction. You can also watch along on Brice Izyah’s YouTube channel to watch us break it all down https://youtube.com/channel/UCFlglGPPamVHaNAb0tL_s7g LISTEN: Subscribe to the Purple Pants podcast feed  WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks! Previously on the Purple Pants Podcast Feed: Purple Pants Podcast Archives

Guessing the Survivor 50 Encore Episodes Today, Mike Bloom and Shannon Guss take a shot at guessing which encore episodes will be airing prior to the Survivor 50 premiere. Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed WATCH:  Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 Premiere Recap Hello, hello, hello! Today, your RuPaul’s Drag Race RHAPup hosts Aman Adwin and Beth Dixon recap season 18 episode 1! Which Queen will reign supreme? Share all of your RuPaul’s Drag Race thoughts with us on Twitter by tagging @RobHasAPodcast and using the hashtag #RHAP Our team of Drag Race experts will be back every week to RHAPup each episode of Drag Race Season 18! Strike a pose and head to Twitter for more Drag Race updates from our hosts: Aman Adwin @AmanAdwin Beth Dixon @AugustaWind11 LISTEN: Subscribe to the RuPaul’s Drag Race podcast feed WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Traitors UK S4 Eps 1-3 Recap Welcome to RHAP’s coverage of ALL the Traitors iterations from around the world, including New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. The Traitors is a high-stakes reality competition set in a secluded castle, where contestants must work together to complete challenges and earn a prize pot—while rooting out the secret traitors hidden among them. We Know the Traitors is back and diving straight into the drama of The Celebrity Traitors! Hosts Pooya and Annabel Fidler break down the first three episodes of The Traitors UK Season 4. So, grab your cloak and join the roundtable — because when it comes to The Traitors, nobody does betrayal breakdowns better than We Know the Traitors. Never miss all our Traitors US recaps plus recaps from other versions around the world! LISTEN: Subscribe to The Traitors Around the World podcast feed WATCH:  Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

The Pooya and Liana Lounge: Welcome to The Pooya & Liana Lounge, the #1 destination for thought-provoking, laugh-inducing, banter-filled conversation. Each week, Liana and Pooya share their unique perspectives on everything, ranging from trending topics and relationships to the quirks of everyday life. With a blend of humor and authenticity, they have created a cozy atmosphere perfectly paired with the start of your weekend. This week, Pooya & Liana are back to discuss their holidays, New Years Eve celebrations, resolutions (or lack there of), and so much more! Have questions or comments? Leave them here –> bit.ly/PooyaLianaLounge LISTEN: Subscribe to The Pooya and Liana Lounge feed! WATCH: Watch and subscribe to all RHAP podcasts on YouTube SUPPORT: Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!

Shannon & Peter Guss: Pregnancy, Podcasting, & What’s Next | Pod Friends This week’s Pod Friends season premiere guests are Shannon Guss (@shannongaitz) and her husband Peter Guss, the hosts of Gussin’ Around, joining Matt Scott (@MattScottGW) live in San Francisco to talk about love, self-worth, community, and the biggest chapter of their lives yet: becoming parents. Shannon, host of Survivor Global and a familiar voice from Talking Tribal and behind the scenes of Survivor South Africa, and Peter, a longtime sports podcaster in his own right, open up about navigating doubt and joy while growing a family in the public eye. From pregnancy and partnership to fandom, vulnerability, and the RHAP community that helped shape them, this conversation is about what it really takes to believe in your story while everything is changing. If you have ever wondered whether you are ready for what comes next, this episode is for you. If you’re curious, check out Shannon’s first appearance on Pod Friends: https://robhasawebsite.com/pod-friends-shannon-guss-defining-her-religious-identity-navigating-ocd-singing-rapping-her-way-into-your-hearts-survivor/ Leave a voicemail: speakpipe.com/podfriends Email: [email protected] Follow on social media: Twitter: @HeyPodFriends & @MattScottGW Instagram: @MattScottGW Bluesky: MattScottGW.bsky.social Never miss an episode of Pod Friends: LISTEN:  Subscribe to the Pod Friends podcast feed WATCH:  Subscribe to the podcast on YouTube SUPPORT:  Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!