RHAP: We Know Survivor

Coach Wade & Dee Valladares Survivor 50 Preseason Interviews

Mike Bloom (@AMikeBloomType) is here to chat to the cast of Survivor 50! Join us to hear from your favorite returning Survivor players!

Today, Mike Bloom sits down with legendary players Coach Wade and recent winner Dee Valladares in an engaging pre-season deep dive. This Survivor 50 preseason interview special puts the spotlight on returning icons, unexpected alliances, and the ever-evolving gameplay on the Kalo tribe. From Coach’s personal transformation to Dee’s fearless attitude about her winner’s target, Mike brings out candid thoughts and new dynamics set to shape the season.

The conversation starts with Coach Wade reflecting on his journey since South Pacific, sharing how becoming a dad, letting go of chasing “dragons,” and working as a music teacher changed his approach to the game. He opens up about valuing humility, playing from the bottom, and lessons learned from past seasons, especially on owning his moves and not shying away from tough truths at Tribal Council. Dee, meanwhile, channels confidence and excitement about facing a cast of all returnees. She talks about adapting to higher stakes, leveraging connections, and facing the winner’s threat head-on, arguing her social game and adaptability will keep her in the running for a second win.

Highlights from Coach’s “Friend or Foe” rapid-fire round, matched by Dee’s own take, set the stage for fireworks and surprising partnerships. Both wrestle with old-school versus new-school dynamics, size up threats like Ozzy and Emily, and weigh how to use big personalities as shields. The episode dives into alliance potential, social reads, and the importance of both vulnerability and strategy in paving a path to the end.

– Coach Wade explains his “Coach 4.0” strategy shift, focusing on humility and flexibility

– Dee Valladares reveals her plan to work around her winner reputation and build tight bonds

– Both offer honest reads on the major players—who’s a friend, who’s a threat, who’s a wildcard

– New school vs. old school friction and the impact of back-to-back returnees

– Inside stories from prior games, including Coach’s notorious deal with Ozzy and Dee’s friendship with Emily

As Survivor 50 gathers a cast full of major competitors and proven winners, will Coach’s transformation pay off, or will Dee’s unshakable social game clinch her another million? Who’ll come out on top in the battle between old alliances and fresh connections?

Chapters:

0:00 Survivor 50 Cast Revealed

6:01 Coach Reflects On Personal Growth

12:13 Coach’s Friend Or Foe Game

17:00 Coach Forgives Ozzy, Game Lessons

23:16 Coach’s Strategic Factions Explained

29:38 Coach Chooses Gandalf As Loved One

33:22 Dee Returns Confident As Winner

36:06 Dee Plans To Play From Bottom

39:43 Dee Starts Friend Or Foe Choices

47:08 Dee Talks Emily Relationship Tension

53:37 Dee Shares Thoughts On Kyle

56:11 Dee Critiques Unknown 49ers’ Advantage

57:33 Dee Wishes Julie Was Cast

58:37 Dee Picks Bad Bunny As Loved One

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Who’s the Greatest Survivor Pro Athlete?

Today, Rob Cesternino is joined by Chicago sports writer Sam Phalen for a Sports-Themed Survivor podcast, diving deep into player resumes as they debate which Survivor contestant is the greatest professional athlete to appear on the show. Super Bowl weekend sets the stage, with major league sports accomplishments and Survivor performance both in the spotlight. Right from the start, Rob and Sam highlight the crossover between real-world athletic achievements and Survivor gameplay, with Jeff Kent’s Baseball Hall of Fame induction sparking much of the conversation.

The podcast breaks down an impressive list of 18 Survivor alums, from NFL tackles and Olympic swimmers to race car drivers and MMA fighters. Sam and Rob explore each player’s athletic career—like Brad Culpepper’s nine-sack season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Elizabeth Beisel’s two Olympic medals—as well as their Survivor strategies, alliances, and challenge performances. Along the way, they debate if longevity in professional sports outweighs a season-defining idol play, and whether athletic skills always translate to success on the island.

Highlights:

– Jeff Kent’s resume as MLB’s top offensive second baseman and recent Hall of Fame nod

– Brad Culpepper’s dual-threat status: a decade-long NFL tackle and physical Survivor challenge beast

– Uncle Cliffy (Cliff Robinson)’s legendary 18-year NBA career and swap-screwed Survivor fate

– Elizabeth Beisel’s story as a two-time Olympic medalist and impact on Survivor 39’s early power dynamics

– Funny moments like John Rocker cosplaying as another MLB closer and the myth of Julia Landauer’s “vanilla” edit

From big tackles to hidden idols, this episode asks whether physical and social skills really work together on Survivor. Who will take the crown for best professional athlete—does longevity, challenge wins, or a Survivor first matter most?

Chapters:

0:00 Intros

06:41 NFL Players Battle for Top Spot

13:13 Julia Landauer’s Racing Career Examined

20:12 Gary Hogeboom—Quarterback vs Safety

29:28 Steve Wright’s Long NFL Career

36:36 Jimmy Johnson’s Survivor Removal Decision

47:23 Crystal Cox’s Olympic Doping Scandal

55:04 Brad Culpepper Dominates NFL Survivor Rankings

1:02:02 Tyler Frederickson’s Kicking And NFL Trials

1:12:01 Multiple NFL Survivors Compared

1:17:12 John Rocker’s Baseball Controversies Discussed

1:29:32 Uncle Cliffy’s NBA Survivor Legacy

1:43:32 Tom Laidlaw’s NHL Survivor Placement

2:01:52 Elizabeth Beisel’s Olympic Medals Ranked

2:11:48 Jeff Kent’s Hall of Fame nod

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage!

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Charlie Davis & Chrissy Hofbeck Survivor 50 Preseason Interviews

Mike Bloom (@AMikeBloomType) is here to chat to the cast of Survivor 50! Join us to hear from your favorite returning Survivor players!

Today, Mike Bloom sits down with returning stars Charlie Davis and Chrissy Hofbeck to unpack their headspaces before heading back to Fiji. Mike chats candidly with this pair of notable runner-ups about their approach to reputations, trust, and unfinished business in one of the most anticipated seasons ever. Survivor 50 is set to have its most strategically dense cast yet, how will big targets like Charlie and Chrissy navigate alliances, old wounds, and shifting game dynamics?

The episode dives deep into the minds of Charlie, fresh off a heated Final Tribal in Survivor 46, and Chrissy, reflecting on her original run from Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers and her journey since. Both guests discuss how life changes and Survivor experience affect their gameplay, and they reveal which players on the cast list feel like allies or threats going into the new season. Mike leads the “Friend or Foe” game, sparking open commentary on who these returnees most want to work with, who’s raising their threat level, and which old-schoolers or winners carry the biggest targets.

– Charlie weighs whether to lean into or downplay his “robbed finalist” reputation

– Chrissy shares how surviving a major health challenge gives her new perspective and resolve for this return game

– Both players open up about struggling with trust, pregame alliances, and being seen as physical threats

– The importance of cross-generational Survivor strategy, and where middle-era players like Chrissy might find social capital

– Candid takes on castmates: from the enigma of “Rizgod” to the danger of connecting with old allies or winners

With reputations on the line and eyes on the prize, Survivor 50 sets the stage for old rivalries and new partnerships alike. Will Charlie’s vote math finally work in his favor, or can Chrissy rewrite her story in a more connected, less lonely season? Who will outwit, outplay, and outlast in this stacked game with shifting alliances and unpredictable twists?

Chapters:

0:00 Survivor 50 Kalo Tribe Preview

6:43 Charlie’s Jury Management Lessons Learned

14:12 Forming Connections With Returnees

21:00 Navigating Old School Versus New Era

32:30 Chrissy’s Survivor Comeback Journey

36:02 Overcoming Health Challenges Before Survivor

41:00 Positioning Within Survivor’s Evolving Eras

45:21 Friend or Foe: Cast Reactions

52:19 Winners and Unknowns: Threat Perceptions

54:57 Chrissy Reflects on Missed Castaways

57:01 Preview of Upcoming Kalo Interviews

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage!

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Survivor 50 Vatu Tribe Preview

Rob Cesternino (@RobCesternino) and Mike Bloom (@AMikeBloomType) are here to share their thoughts on the Survivor 50 Vatu Tribe consisting of Colby Donaldson, Genevieve Mushaluk, Rizo Velovic, Angelina Keeley, Q Burdette, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Kyle Fraser, and Aubry Bracco!

Rob and Mike break down the big personalities, strategic tensions, and pregame perceptions fueling Vatu—which is already being hailed as a potential “disaster tribe.” From alliances to enemies and everything in between, Survivor’s milestone season is off to an unpredictable start.

Rob and Mike kick things off with a look at the Vatu tribe’s makeup, debating if their buff is red, purple, or fuchsia—and what that means for tribe identity. They dig into key players like Angelina, who returns with unfinished business and a new self-aware approach, and Aubry, whose chill attitude hints at a new Survivor chapter. The duo discuss Colby’s reinvigorated drive, Stephenie’s evolving gameplay, and all the rivalries and friendships that could shape Vatu’s future. Tribe talk features detailed breakdowns of “friend or foe” relationships, early alliances forming (or failing), and how returning winners like Kyle may be targeted by hungry competitors. With strong opinions and early readjustments, the group’s chemistry could spark fireworks at Tribal.

– Angelina’s “babies versus businesses” meme energy and her history with Mike White

– Aubry’s laid-back return versus her old performative self

– Colby’s complete Survivor 180 and his focus on old-school bonds

– Genevieve’s “spy vibes” and concern over social stamina

– Rizo’s quick return, the challenge of shaking his new-era rep, and Q’s wild, unpredictable reads (like judging people for drinking Coke and writing left-handed)

As allegiance lines begin to form—old school vs. new school, big threats vs. shield players—Rob and Mike ask if Vatu will implode or manage the chaos. Who will control the tribe: Angelina’s crafty plays, Q’s wildcards, or Colby and Stephenie’s steady hands?

Chapters:

0:00 Intros

6:00 Angelina’s Return and Strategy Evolution

14:00 Angelina’s Friends and Foes Revealed

22:58 Aubry’s Game Approach Discussed

31:28 Colby’s Renewed Survivor Passion

41:12 Genevieve’s Early Game Dilemma

46:59 Social Battery and Threat Perception

52:10 Rob Imagines His Pre-Game Fate

1:01:07 Kyle: Winners’ Chance and Shielding

1:10:04 Q’s Chaotic Potential and Alliances

1:18:25 Q’s Reception by Fellow Castaways

1:22:22 Rizo: Returning After Nine Days

1:31:19 Stephenie’s Updated Survivor Mindset

1:41:00 Dividing Vatu Into Factions

1:50:22 Who’s In Real Early Danger

Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage!

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Rizo Velovic & Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick Survivor 50 Preseason Interviews

Mike Bloom (@AMikeBloomType) is here to chat to the cast of Survivor 50! Join us to hear from your favorite returning Survivor players!

Today, Mike Bloom brings together a special Vatu tribe duo for an in-depth round of preseason interviews. In this milestone episode, Mike sits down with returning Survivor 49 standout Rizo Velovic and legendary veteran Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick to explore how new-school energy collides with old-school experience, all while strategists and super fans gear up for an epic season. Survivor 50’s anticipation becomes even more intense as Rizo grapples with the notoriety of being the infamous “Riz God” and Stephenie reflects on her return to the game after more than a decade away.

The discussion opens with Rizo sharing his whirlwind journey—playing Survivor 49, getting pulled aside by Jeff Probst just hours before leaving Fiji, and learning he’s in for back-to-back seasons. Rizo talks openly about carrying the “Riz God” persona into Survivor 50 and his calculated read on how cast perception shapes his target level. He breaks down the division between old-school and new-school players, explaining why he feels safer aligning with Survivor’s original legends over modern contestants who are deeply interconnected and more likely to view him as a threat. In the “Friend or Foe” game, Rizo offers rapid-fire takes on castaways, revealing his read on potential allies, rivals, and how he hopes to become “The Prodigy” under Coach’s mentorship.

On the flip side, Stephenie shares emotional stories from her years away—retiring from reality TV for family, overcoming personal loss, and what motivates her Survivor comeback. She considers her original reputation, lessons learned on Snake in the Grass and The Traitors, and her plan to build genuine bonds while dodging the threat radar. Both Rizo and Stephenie analyze the tribe’s dynamics, assess loyalty, spotlight connections, and weigh who could shield them from an early exit.

Rizo’s strategy as the youngest contestant and navigating his “Riz God” identity

The divide between old-schoolers and new-era players, and why Rizo prefers to work with Survivor legends

Stephenie’s return after years away and her plan to blend in, stay loyal, and play for her family

Hints about pregame connections, potential alliances, and which players stand out as immediate threats or trusted allies

Highlights from the “Friend or Foe” game—Rizo’s picks for key alliances, who could be targeted first, and who both guests would bring back for Survivor 50

As Survivor 50 gets closer, will Rizo’s superfan energy and calculated alliances help or hurt his chances? Can Stephenie prove she’s still a force or will her legendary status make her an early target? Tune in for Mike Bloom’s deep-dive interviews to hear all the alliance tea, pregame stories, and cast dynamics before the game even begins.

Chapters:

0:00 Intros

6:13 Embracing the “Riz God” Persona

13:17 Choosing Old School Versus New

19:32 Navigating New Era Alliances

27:51 Rizo Seeks Strategic Partnerships

34:53 Celebrity Loved Ones Fantasy Picks

39:47 Stephenie Returns After Long Hiatus

45:14 Balancing Motherhood and Gameplay

53:01 Survivor Friend or Foe Decisions

56:17 Emotional Tribute to Lost Brothers

1:00:00 Stephenie’s Survivor 50 Wish

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!