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Pod Meets World's Will Friedle & Rider Strong were sitcom stars 30 years ago. The concept of reality TV is honestly pretty foreign to them. But when their best friend Danielle Fishel competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2025, the boys committed to watching their first TV dance competition, and quickly became addicted. And undeniable experts. That is, if you ask them.
With their podcast, Pod Meets Twirl'd, they decided to share their newfound discovery, and self proclaimed expertise, of unscripted TV and now they'll continue their journey through the genre. The newly formed cultural thought leaders are ready to start recapping, reviewing and rehashing all the hottest reality shows! Even if they've never never seen it before.
First up, the show Rider has never heard of and Will THINKS he can win - Traitors!
29 Episodes
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Christian Hubicki is a reality TV superstar, thanks to becoming the first contestant in Survivor history to vote against himself. Now, Will & Rider are about to find out just how deep the lore goes. The Season 50 standout explains how he went from robotics scientist to island castaway, and what it was like returning to the mainland as the most popular professor at Florida State University. He opens up about the unexpected challenges of post-show life, and how he balanced grading tests while participating in the Survivor press cycle. So come along, and hear Will and Rider get outwitted, outplayed and MAJORLY outsmarted when Christian, from Survivor 50, joins Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will and Rider continue to endure the sandy shores of Survivor 50 (from behind a podcast mic) to recap another episode. Despite their desperate pleas for Ozzy to “play the idol,” he instead over-explains his strategy like a bad James Bond villain and this deflates his chances of winning the game. But on the other hand, trusty Cirie might just be the most dangerous player still in the game. Will and Rider dive deep into her quiet moves as a contender. Plus, has this season suffered from Mr. Beastification? Did they need this many celebrities? The tribe has spoken on this week’s Pod Meet’s Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Variety’s Emily Longeretta is a hardcore Survivor fan, and she’s here to give Will and Rider a boots on the ground report, straight from the island! She shares the real details from the Fijian islands and clears up some rumors about some allegedly cut scenes with Mr. Beast. Plus, Emily holds nothing back when sharing what Mr. Beast and Jeff Probst are like in person and what she REALLY thinks about the celebrity moments on Survivor 50, right here on Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will and Rider are seated at the bug feast and ready to chow down for another episode of Survivor 50! Rider has hyped it up all season and now we’ll see if the auction met Will’s expectations. Will also teaches us the proper way to eat a grub with highly detailed instructions that had Rider tapping out. Plush, we get a masterclass in Machiavellian Survivor strategy from Cirie, who could just win the whole thing. And what happens when a Beast appears on the island (that’s MR. Beast to you), all on a new Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The contestants are dropping like coconuts on Survivor 50, but Will and Rider continue to have what it takes to outwit, outplay and outlast! Jeff Probst is one of the best hosts in the game, but is he able to juggle also being a “contestant?" Will and Rider dive into the bizarre strategy at play for the coveted rice. Thanks to Jonathan, Rider has a revelation about a rabbit with pancakes in the moon, and they debate the specific rules of “Ro, Sham, Bo” (or Rock, Paper, Scissors in layman's terms). Plus, Will reveals he could totally handle small island living, as long as there’s electricity, wifi, plumbing, and access to a 45 minute ferry to Los Angeles, all on this week’s Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Survivor 50 finale is now more than just a desert island mirage - it's right around the corner! And so Will and Rider are getting ready, still courageously taking on the challenge of recapping every single episode. They're confused by the voting strategies, but the games still had our hosts on the edge of their seats, sparking the age-old debate of what’s more valuable on the island: brains or brawn? There’s still no love for Coach, but Will and Rider will miss bizarre monologues and his “inspirational” quotes. Not many can share the wisdom of Sun Tzu AND a random financial advisor in the same thought. So come join us on Coconut Island, for an all-new Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the guys’ favorite parts of Survivor is the challenges, no matter how many coconuts are required! So Will and Rider are talking to the one of the masterminds BEHIND the games, challenge creator Myles Nye! Myles reveals how he landed the greatest job on TV, but why he and Rider go WAY back! We also hear about some of Myles’ favorite all-time games, and some failed experiments that will never see the light of day. So join us in the puzzle lab and learn how your favorite challenges are created, right here on Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will and Rider have once again washed ashore to recap episode 7 of Survivor 50, but would you believe that an episode centered around poetry DIDN’T hook Rider?? We’re venturing into the haiku hammock to hear contestants' compositions of…varying quality, and after getting a lesson on the true rules of prose from trained poet Rider Strong, the guys decide for certain - they are sick of Coach! The boys also discuss rumors of a nefarious alliance, and Will reveals his first ever “Survivor crush,” this week on Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Another reality show fan favorite, and podcaster, has landed on the PMT island, and this guest kills two birds with one stone: having conquered Survivor and The Traitors! Rob Cesternino is here to help "expert" Will break down the 5th episode of Survivor 50! Rob shares some crucial Survivor lore while explaining why the emotional core of the show revolves around Applebee’s, and Will reveals a brand new wardrobe goal: the “one nipple shirt”. The blood moon is upon us and anything could happen - on a new Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Survivor 50 is Will’s introduction to the Survivor-verse, and now he has a shocking update on his relationship with the fandom. And in the new episode, he holds nothing back with his critiques on what the audience sees during the challenges. Do you agree that the players act like 10-year-olds?Will and Rider may have different perspectives on the show, but one thing they can agree on - they're gonna miss a fan favorite.50 seasons. 24 people. And 2 guys becoming experts. The tribe has spoken once again on Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will and Rider are still castaways on Survivor 50 island, but has Rider been able to successfully convert Will into a die-hard fan of the show? After recovering from the disappointing definition of a “tribe swap,” our hosts marvel at the overwhelming amount of Zac Brown this episode. But, the random cameo does remind Rider of his own spear fishing expedition that somehow ended in a shark attack. And Will reveals a true podcast exclusive: he bought Jonathan’s pants! Plus, we hear Will and Rider share their thoughts on the big Bachelorette news, like the reality TV experts they are - on an all-new Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With Will out this week, a new castaway is stepping in to give Rider a firsthand look at what really goes down on Survivor, as Season 49 fan-favorite Sophi Balerdi breaks down Episode 3 of the already iconic Season 50. While they analyze the strategies of the tribe swap, Sophi pulls back the palm fronds to clear up some long standing Survivor misconceptions. How much can you bring with you to the island? Do you ever have a mirror to get camera ready? And just how cool is Jeff Probst?? Plus, Sophi reveals the true enemy of every Survivor castaway - and no, it’s not another player. It’s rough, irritating, and somehow gets everywhere. It's time to call in a "real" expert for a very special Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s only episode two of Survivor 50, and alliances are already taking shape! Will and Rider are quickly becoming Island Experts - but the game still has a few lessons in store. A contestant was medically pulled and another was overcome with emotion, so can our hosts still find a way to connect with the cast?? It seems one of the most important skills you can have is tying (and untying) a knot, and Will discovers the power of playing dirty. It’s time to return to the tribal council on this week’s Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity! And get ready for Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity for Survivor 50!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will and Rider’s recap of the monumental season premiere of Survivor 50 continues! They’re not competing in Fiji, but they are facing a challenge of their own; Can they make it through a 3-HOUR episode?? Some familiar faces return to the island, and Rider has some thoughts on how the 50th season might play out, which includes one player he CANNOT stand. Plus, Rider reveals how he’d play the game if he was ever cast - something he’s thought about a lot! So start a fire and retrieve the key for the conclusion of the first ever Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
They’ve cha cha’d across the ballroom and been faithful in a castle, but can Will & Rider outwit, outplay and outlast as they take the challenge of Survivor season 50? Will’s ONLY seen the inaugural season, 26 years ago, but Rider is a longtime diehard, so could either of our hosts actually last for 20 days on the island?? Either way, Rider fills in Will on what he’s missed over the past 49 seasons, while they both give flowers to a true master of the hosting craft: Jeff Probst. And they can’t tackle a 3-hour premiere with just one episode, so don’t miss the second part of the first Pod Meets Twirl’d Seeking Immunity, because the tribe has spoken!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The time has come for our final descent from the turret as we close out Season 4 of The Traitors! While some have already called this the best finale in the show’s history, Rider isn’t so sure. The lying! The deception! Did it all have to end this way?? Will and Rider break down Maura’s reaction to the truth about Rob, forever shaking our confidence in a “pinky promise.” But what are the guys’ final thoughts on their first foray into the castle together? Will Rider continue watching? Would they ever join the cast? Find out on the thrilling conclusion to Pod Meets Twirl’d: Traiting Places! And get ready for Pod Meets Twirl’d: Seeking Immunity for Survivor 50!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Even though they are clearly reality TV experts already, Will and Rider are always on the pursuit of a higher education, so they’ve called in Chad Kultgen, a true connoisseur of the medium, and the author of “How to Win The Bachelor,” to help explain some important strategies to victory. Chad breaks down the jaw-dropping backstory of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and reveals his pitch for the “ideal” dating show. Find out why Chad considers The Traitors the best reality show ever created, what decisions can lead to victory and why Will calls Chad “reality TV Yoda,” as we call in the big guns, for Pod Meets Twirl’d: Traiting Places!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s time for the final Round Table, but Will and Rider aren’t ready to leave the castle as they recap the penultimate episode of The Traitors Season 4. Mark Ballas may be a ballroom legend, but our hosts have some hard truths about how he’s played the game. Will reveals why Rob is still the “smart” Traitor, but Rider is shocked that Maura hasn’t caught onto his strategy. But he still has hope she can pull ahead and win the entire show. Plus, we hear Will and Rider’s expert opinions on who should be the final killings AND what reality show is next for the podcast - all this week’s Pod Meets Twirl’d: Traiting Places!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will and Rider may have The Traitors all figured out, but they've still only dipped their toes into the Bravo-verse! And so they've called in an expert in the form of Ben Mandelker from the hit podcast, "Watch What Crappens." Ben shares a Real Housewives lore dump to get Will and Rider caught up on 20 years of inside jokes and the gang dives deep into how the Real Housewives have more in common with pro wrestling than reality shows. Plus, Ben helps Will and Rider unpack the tense and controversial moment between Colton Underwood and Michael Rapaport - right here, alongside 3 experts on Pod Meets Twirl'd: Traiting Places!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will and Rider have emerged from the turret and are ready for another Season 4 recap of The Traitors! The boys think they’ve hit a turning point, taking the season from fun to phenomenal. They love the dynamic between Rob and Eric, but admit it’s tough to ignore the castle’s paranoia since Michael Rapaport’s elimination. But even with that in mind - our hosts can’t help but admire Rob’s strategy and wonder if he’s the the undeniable favorite to win it all. Plus, Will shares his idea to incentivize the rewards, but could it work in a castle of traitors?? Nothing is sacred on Pod Meets Twirl’d: Traiting Places! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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