Rob Has a Podcast | The Traitors, Survivor & Reality TV - RHAP

Winter Olympic Follies are News AF – February 17, 2026

Rob Cesternino, Tyson Apostol, and Danny Bryson are back with another entertaining episode of News AF, where they dive into the week’s most peculiar and amusing stories.

Today, Rob, Tyson and Danny talk through the week’s most newsworthy stories.

To pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, visit www.robhasabook.com

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Rob’s Reactions to The Traitors Episode 9

Welcome to RHAP’s coverage of ALL the Traitors iterations from around the world, including New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. The Traitors US 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.

Today, Rob Cesternino and Pooya break down the twists, strategies, and shifting alliances among the remaining castle players. As friendships are exposed and traitors quietly maneuver, Rob and Pooya revisit pivotal voting blocks, surprise shortlist decisions, and clever gameplay, offering keen analysis on the evolving landscape of this reality competition.

The podcast explores the multifaceted vote that sends Stephen Colletti home, featuring a unique 5-2-2 split and sharp insight into how pairs like Tara and Johnny, and Mark and Kristen, drive the action. Rob and Pooya unpack the mission’s meta-strategy where traitors cleverly channel suspicion, only for the faithful to stumble, sparking confusion and intrigue. The episode also looks at the fresh challenge of the death shortlist, and how self-preservation changes voting behavior, especially for those marked for elimination.

Listeners are treated to candid takes on the growing dynamics, including the faithful’s infighting, Kristen’s direct confrontation with Eric, and Eric’s rookie struggles as a newly recruited traitor. The looming presence of Rob Rausch—a master of subtle manipulation—and the comedic contrast with Eric’s anxious gameplay spark fun debate. The hosts examine murder tactics after the roundtable, shifting suspicions, and what the faithful need to do to mount a comeback.

Key points discussed:

The strategic vote split and why certain pairs target differing suspects

How traitors hide in plain sight and influence the roundtable

The group’s approach to the murder shortlist and its impact on vote strategy

Kristen’s kitchen confrontation with Eric and its potential fallout

Rob Rausch’s tactical use of alliances, crediting others for his choices

Can Tara and Johnny’s newfound friendship help them survive, or will the traitors keep dictating the flow until the finale? Unravel the chess moves, personality clashes, and bold calls as the endgame approaches.

Chapters:

00:00 Intros

06:00 Hand-Wringing Over Episode Stakes

12:00 Johnny and Tara Targeted

18:00 Traitors Master Vote Manipulation

24:00 Mission Strategy Breaks the Game

30:00 Faithfuls Create Chaotic Aftermath

36:00 Shortlist Alters Survival Strategy

42:00 Kristen Confronts Eric Directly

48:00 Eric Flounders as New Traitor

54:00 Tara and Johnny’s Alliance Unfolds

01:00:00 Gamers Reshape Traitors Gameplay

01:06:00 Faithful Win Conditions Speculated

01:12:00 Stephen’s Banished: “You Blew It”

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

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Mike Bloom and Dalton Ross On Island Survivor 50 Preseason Draft

Today, we go back in time to before Survivor 50 began. Mike Bloom and Dalton Ross sit down in Fiji to do an on-island pre-season draft of the 24 returning players for Survivor 50!

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!

RAANAP: Brandon and Akiva join The Mighty Ducks

Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Akiva Wienerkur (@keev26) need a podcast and every week, Rob and Akiva spin a wheel of listener-submitted podcast ideas, and whatever the wheel lands on is what they podcast about next. This week, Brandon Donlon joins Akiva to discuss The Mighty Ducks.

For the link to the spreadsheet that Rob and Akiva use to compile ideas, check it all out here: ?Rob and Akiva Need a Spreadsheet? (compiled by the great Will from America).

To submit an idea for a future episode of “Rob and Akiva Need a Podcast” to be discussed on the mailbag, submit it on this form: ?Rob and Akiva’s Mailbag Form?.

?Past Episodes of Rob & Akiva Need a Podcast

Survivor Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers Encore Episode Recap

Today, Chappell, Kirsten MacInnis, and Matt Liguori get together to discuss the encore episode of Survivor Heroes vs Healers vs Hustlers.

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!