The Best Things About Survivor 49 Survivor 49 takes center stage as Rob Cesternino and Mike Bloom dig into the twists, cast shake-ups, and most memorable moments from a season that refused to play it safe. With a focus on what really worked in Survivor 49, Rob and Mike look back at the season’s biggest format shifts, including the return of two-tribe swaps, the end of “mergatory,” and smarter journey twists that gave players more choices and fewer automatic penalties. This is the episode for fans interested in re-examining the wild moves and standout personalities that defined Survivor’s 49th outing. Rob and Mike start by revisiting the game’s structural changes, pointing out the excitement—and occasional frustration—surrounding the double tribe swaps, more fluid gameplay, and meaningful opportunities for castaways to interact. They take a closer look at the cast’s breakout stars, especially Rizzo, Sage, Jawan, Savannah, Soph, and Kristina, discussing how their alliances, rivalries, and emotional moments shaped the season’s narrative. The hosts break down Rizzo’s clever idol maneuvers, Sage’s surprising strategic game, the legendary Sage-Shannon handshake standoff, and the snake bite incident, each giving Survivor 49 its unpredictable flavor. Along the way, Rob and Mike highlight confessional gold, wild challenge wins, and the messiest Tribal Councils—exploring the unique tone and gameplay choices that separated this season from the rest. – Two-tribe swaps and bold format changes set the tone for an unpredictable merge – Rizzo’s idol play—fake and real—sparked chaos and kept everyone guessing – Sage’s rivalry with Shannon produced one of the season’s most talked-about confrontations – The emotional beats: Jawan’s journey from outsider to power player and Kristina’s heartfelt challenge moment – Uli tribe’s strong edit and core alliance, shifting post-merge dynamics, and underdog breakthroughs Will the twists and cast chemistry of Survivor 49 inspire future format experiments, or do the highs and lows serve as a cautionary tale? Can Rizzo’s inventive approach or Sage’s emotional gameplay become the new Survivor blueprint? To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com Chapters: 0:00 Holiday Spirit and Survivor Reflections 6:09 Highlighting Survivor 49’s Format Changes 14:34 Swaps Reshape Tribe Dynamics 18:48 Mergatory Finally Removed This Season 24:43 Journeys Mechanic: New Direction 34:03 Uli Tribe’s Standout Cast Members 44:09 Sage and Jawan’s Power Shift 54:06 Savannah’s Tenacity and Confidence 1:05:13 Blue Sophi’s Underrated Strategic Moves 1:13:54 Rizzo’s Puzzle Comeback Victory 1:15:12 Real Danger: Jake’s Snake Bite 1:21:05 Sage Versus Shannon Showdown 1:25:40 Blindside Chaos at Tribal Council 1:36:05 Survivor 49’s Unusual Place in History 1:40:03 Finale Predictions and Jury Dynamics 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!

Anika Dhar on Survivor B&B: Survivor 49 Episode 12 With a new Survivor season upon us, it’s time for Mike Bloom and Liana Boraas to re-open the RHAP B&B! On the B&B, Mike and Liana are inspired by the lighter side of Survivor, featuring a series of segments and games based on what’s happening on Survivor that week. This week, Mike and Liana are joined by Survivor 49 contestant Anika Dhar for Episode 12 of Survivor 49! This week’s charity shoutout is The Nature Conservancy, which aims to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Click here to make a one-time or monthly donation. If you have any suggestions for games or feedback for the B&B, feel free to reach out to us on social media or email [email protected]. To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com 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!

Why ___ Lost: Survivor 49 Ep 12 A week ago, everything was coming up Steven on Survivor 49. It looked like it was going to happen again when Sophi’s plan to steal his Advantage fell flat. Little did he know it wouldn’t matter. Those who should’ve been targeting the opposing alliance for weeks again turned on one of their own, him! Many viewers were stunned! Now that special guest Omar Zaheer, David Bloomberg, and Jessica Lewis have had a few days to think about it, what do they conclude? Was it a good move? A bad move? The best option after a series of wrong decisions? At RHAP, we know Survivor, and we know Why Steven Lost. To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com Check out our new merch at https://www.robhasawebsite.com/merc 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!

Survivor Global: Survivor 49 Episode 12 with Jacques Burger Survivor Global host Shannon Guss speaks to Survivor: South Africa’s Jacques Burger about the penultimate episode of Survivor 49. They discuss their thoughts on this week’s moves, including players’ outside explanations, and look ahead to their predictions for the finale next week. 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!

Purple Pants Podcast | Survivor 49 Episode 12 Recap: Candy Yams The baby boys are back in the booth for another round of Survivor News as Brice, Wendell, and Jack dig into Survivor 49 Episode 12, “The Die Is Cast.”   With the endgame fully locked in, the beach is buzzing as advantages collide, loyalties wobble, and one wrong move threatens to send carefully crafted plans crashing down. From a high-stakes scramble for power, to emotions spilling over as the pressure of Day 23 hits, to a wild tribal council where trust, timing, and pure nerve all get put to the test, the trio breaks down the mess, the mayhem, and the masterstrokes. The baby boys are cutting up, clocking the strategy, and serving that signature Survivor News spice as they unpack the chaos that sets the stage for a finale that’s looking real unpredictable. Tickets are now available for Brice and Wen 49 Survivor Watch Party Tour!  Grab your tickets here: https://briceandwenpresent.flite.city 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

Shauhin Davari Recaps Survivor 49 Ep 12 Survivor 49 is reaching its breaking point, and Rob Cesternino teams up with Survivor 48’s Shauhin Davari for a recap of the penultimate episode. With the finale days away, Rob and Shauhin spotlight the rapidly-shifting alliances, dramatic advantage plays, and emotional reward moments that have shaped the hurricane of strategy at camp. Every move matters as players like Sophi, Savannah, and Rizzo jockey for position on their way to Tribal Council. Rob and Shauhin dissect Sophi’s high-tension Knowledge Is Power play, debating whether her shot at flipping the game came just a bit too late. Rizzo’s idol theatrics spark major debate, with Shauhin providing insight into the bluffing and social reads that let him slip through more than one dangerous vote. The duo weighs Savannah’s clutch challenge wins, and how being a physical force keeps her in the spotlight (and on everyone’s target list). Plus, the impact of the loved ones letter reward leads to an honest take on how family support shifts players’ motivations and endgame plans. Key topics include: – Sophi’s Knowledge Is Power moment: was it bold enough to change her fate? – Rizzo’s inventive idol strategy and what it reveals about social perception – Savannah’s immunity run and why it drives the final five’s vote calculus – The evolving bonds between Sophi, Savannah, and Rizzo – Real parallels between Shauhin’s Survivor journey and this season’s emotional crossroads This episode leaves one big question: Can Savannah and Rizzo stay one step ahead, or will a last-minute flip topple the power balance right before day 26? Chapters: 0:00 Intros 6:31 Sophi’s Crucial Idol Decision 13:36 Emotional Impact of Family Reward 20:49 Social Bonds Shape Jury Perceptions 27:41 Comparing Savannah and Joe’s Paths 34:01 Savannah’s Direct Communication Examined 43:40 Powerful Family Stories Emerge 50:30 Savannah and Rizzo’s Unbreakable Alliance 53:13 Sophi’s Knowledge Is Power Downfall 59:14 Clutch Immunities Shift Endgame Odds 1:07:31 Sage’s Authentic Moves Analyzed 1:14:10 Seasons for New Survivor Fans 1:18:44 Survivor Deepens Family Connections 1:29:16 Reading Nonverbal Cues on Survivor 1:32:29 Survivor 49’s Unique Win Conditions 1:39:00 Who Shauhin Would Work With 1:57:52 Final Reflections on Survivor 49 To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com This episode of the podcast is brought to you by our friends at Manta Sleep. Summertime is officially here! The days are longer, the sun is brighter, and while all that extra daylight can feel energizing, it can quietly sabotage your sleep. Later sunsets disrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed. Manta Sleep is here to help. Whether you’re blocking out daylight or tuning out the sounds of summer nights, taking control of your sleep environment helps you get deep, restorative rest, no matter how long the sun stays up. To take advantage of 10% off your first order, visit https://tinyurl.com/2nsptcy3 or go to www.mantasleep.com and use promo code RHAP49 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!

Exit Interview: Sixth Juror on Survivor 49 Rob Cesternino (@RobCesternino) interviews the latest castaway voted off the Survivor 49 island, followed by This Week In Survivor History with Jordan Kalish (@JordanKalish) where Rob plays against an RHAP patron. Survivor 49 is back with Rob Cesternino leading an in-depth Exit Interview after one of the wildest Tribal Councils of the season. Rob is joined by Steven Ramm, known as the rocket scientist, who shares his firsthand account of what went wrong when the votes suddenly flipped against him. This episode dives deep into trust, shifting alliances, and one big plan that unraveled just when Steven thought he was safe. Rob and Steven break down all the chaotic events after Immunity, including the confusion over the “Knowledge is Power” advantage and the shocking moment when Sage and Kristina chose to betray Steven. Listeners get an insider perspective on the signs of betrayal Steven noticed, why he stuck with his original plan, and how Survivor’s unpredictable alliances can change the game in an instant. Steven recounts the uneasy feeling he got when Kristina and Sage had secret beach discussions without him—setting off alarm bells. Rob asks Steven to reflect on whether playing his advantage actually put a bigger target on his back, and if not having it could have kept him in the game. Steven reveals why he didn’t trust Yellow Sophi after being lied to, and instead saw Savannah as a more reliable, if dangerous, ally. The duo explores how Rizzo’s idol theatrics might have annoyed the jury and why Steven didn’t see Rizzo as a big endgame threat from his vantage point on the island. Steven opens up about the complexity of working with allies who didn’t always seem to “play basketball the same way,” and how missed connections led to his blindside. Heading into the finale, Rob and Steven weigh whether the tight alliances on the other side have made it impossible for underdogs to make a comeback. Will loyalty hold strong, or is another shocking blindside around the corner? To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com Chapters: 0:00 Intros 6:32 Tribal Council Betrayal Revealed 12:28 Alliance Loyalty Questioned 15:08 Space Fact Missed Opportunity 17:24 TWISH 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!

Know-It-Alls: Survivor 49 Ep 12 Recap Survivor Know-It-Alls is back as Rob Cesternino and Stephen Fishbach dive into Survivor 49’s wild final six episode! The game takes a major turn with blindsides, emotional rewards, and strategic blunders, as the castaways fight for a shot at the million dollar prize. One reward pick changes everything, and no one sees the vote coming—even the hosts admit they were truly blindsided. This week’s episode centers on the impact of the loved ones’ letters reward, where Savannah chooses Sophi B. to join her at the sanctuary as they share tacos and heartfelt moments. That pick proves to be a pivotal decision, shutting down Sophi B.’s chance to pull off a game-defining move with her “Knowledge is Power” advantage. Meanwhile, Rizzo continues to fool his fellow players about the true power and timing of his idol, sneaking through yet another vote. Sage’s transformation from emotional gameplay to hard-nosed strategy catches everyone by surprise, as she targets threats over allies. Tribal Council is chaotic, with misreads and a stunning outcome that leaves the jury shocked. – Sophi B.’s dilemma after the reward and her wavering between loyalty and making a big move – Rizzo’s clever idol misinformation lets him skate into the final five – Sage’s shift to strategic voting and how Rob and Stephen debate its impact – Savannah’s reward choice forges strong bonds and shapes the voting outcome – Kristina’s unfiltered reaction and “sloppy ally” status As the finale approaches, will Sophi B. bounce back, or has she lost her winner equity? Who can stop Savannah’s immunity run, and will Rizzo’s inventive gameplay finally catch up to him? Expect fire, strategy, and heartbreak as Survivor 49 barrels toward its endgame. To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com To pre-order Stephen’s novel Escape!, visit stephenfishbach.com To request a limited edition Escape! map, email proof of hardcover pre-order (within the US) to [email protected] with the subject line MAP. Previous hardcover pre-orders are also eligible! Buy tickets for Stephen’s book events here! stephenfishbach.com/events Chapters: 0:00 Intros 6:15 Emotional Impact of Loved Ones 13:00 Most Legitimate Viewer Blindside Ever 18:10 Savannah’s Reward Decision Shifts Outcome 25:00 Rizzo Tricks Tribe About Idol 33:01 Sophi Misses Game-Winning Idol Move 39:00 Fate of Savannah-Rizzo Duo Debated 46:40 Unanimous Vote Stuns Podcast Hosts 56:00 Sage’s Risky Move Gets Fishy Award 1:01:10 Survivor Finale Preview And Farewell 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!

Brice Izyah Talks Survivor 49 Ep 11 Rob Cesternino welcomes fan-favorite commentator Brice Izyah to breakdown of Survivor 49, episode 11. This episode is packed with hilarious takes on Survivor’s evolving social dynamics and memorable personalities. The conversation includes banter about Survivor nicknames, thoughtful reflections on diversity, fan culture, and navigating the competitive edge. Rob and Brice discuss: – The evolution of Survivor’s cast nicknames and how they stick – The importance of creating safe and welcoming fan events – Behind-the-scenes dynamics of the Bryson Wynn Tour and building connections – Bryce’s hilarious gripes about workplace etiquette and “covering” for co-workers – Reflections on the episode’s top players, strategic moves, and jury fashion statements – Quick takes on Secret Santa gifts for the cast, as well as playful speculation about future Survivor holiday and Area 51-themed seasons – Heartfelt reminders to check in on friends, stay mentally well during the holiday season, and cherish community Get ready for all of Rob and Brice’s hot takes! To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com 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!

Christine Riccio on Survivor B&B: Survivor 49 Episode 11 With a new Survivor season upon us, it’s time for Mike Bloom and Liana Boraas to re-open the RHAP B&B! On the B&B, Mike and Liana are inspired by the lighter side of Survivor, featuring a series of segments and games based on what’s happening on Survivor that week. This week, Mike and Liana are joined by New York Times bestselling author Christine Riccio for Episode 11 of Survivor 49! This week’s charity shoutout is The Good Store, an online shop founded by John and Hank Green that donates 100% of their profits to charity. If you have any suggestions for games or feedback for the B&B, feel free to reach out to us on social media or email [email protected]. To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com 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!