As Survivor 50 brings together legends from across the decades, it’s time to revisit the history that made them icons. In The Survivor 50 Files, host Brandon Donlon dives deep into the castaway archives — exploring the journey of each player in the Survivor 50 cast in the order they originally played.

With insight from former tribemates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a sharp eye for the game’s evolution, Brandon unpacks what made each of these players memorable and why they earned a spot in the biggest season yet.

The Survivor 50 Files returns with Brandon Donlon diving deep into Jonathan Young’s gameplay as he prepares for Survivor 50. Brandon is joined by Jonathan’s former tribemates Lindsay Dolashewich and Omar Zaheer, Zach Wurtenberger, as well as close friend and ally Mike Turner, to dissect Jonathan’s strengths and potential pitfalls.

Lindsay and Omar share their first impressions of Jonathan, from his imposing physical presence to his surprising social skills early in the game. They discuss the challenges Jonathan faced as the game progressed, including his struggles with hunger and emotional control. Mike Turner offers insights into Jonathan’s post-game growth and their friendship, highlighting Jonathan’s lesser-known qualities that could impact his gameplay in Season 50.

They discuss:

– Jonathan’s infamous 24-egg diet and its potential impact on his Survivor performance

– The double-edged sword of being a challenge beast in the modern era of Survivor

– Strategies for managing hunger and maintaining social connections while starving

– Jonathan’s unexpected singing talent and ability to connect with diverse personalities

– Mike Turner’s advice for Jonathan to focus on his social game and emotional control

Topics by timestamp:

00:00 Intros

09:41 First Impressions of Jonathan

18:25 Jonathan’s Strengths Beyond Physicality

25:35 Jonathan’s Social Game Challenges

32:55 Life Without Jonathan on Taku

41:38 Jonathan’s Kryptonite: Emily?

50:12 Surprising Alliances for Jonathan

57:25 Predicting Jonathan’s Survivor 50 Fate

1:03:22 Mike Turner Joins the Conversation

1:08:38 Jonathan’s Friendship with Boston Rob

1:15:17 Jonathan’s Struggle with Hunger

1:20:39 Mike’s Advice for Jonathan

1:23:31 Mike’s Hopes for Survivor 50

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.

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Australian Survivor fans, brace yourselves — the ultimate blindside didn’t happen on the beach, but behind the scenes. Jonathan LaPaglia, host and face of Australian Survivor for over a decade, has been unceremoniously axed by Channel 10. In a move no one saw coming, JLP was told his Survivor journey was over after 11 seasons, ending an era that defined the franchise’s modern identity.

In this emergency reaction podcast, Mike Bloom and Shannon Guss break down:

The circumstances of JLP’s firing — the network’s explanation, the rumored budget cuts, and whether “creative differences” played a part.

Jonathan’s own statement, describing the news as the “craziest blindside of all,” and how his graceful but raw message landed with fans.

How this move impacts the show’s future, and why replacing such a beloved host could backfire.

Fan and player reactions across Reddit, social media, and the Australian Survivor community.

Speculation on the next host — with David Genat rumored as a frontrunner, is he the right choice?

A legacy discussion — reflecting on JLP’s role in building Australian Survivor’s unique tone, intensity, and sense of adventure.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts—and don’t forget to rate and subscribe!

Sign the change.org petition to ensure JLP remains host of Survivor Australia

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As Survivor 50 brings together legends from across the decades, it’s time to revisit the history that made them icons. In The Survivor 50 Files, host Brandon Donlon dives deep into the castaway archives — exploring the journey of each player in the Survivor 50 cast in the order they originally played.

With insight from former tribemates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a sharp eye for the game’s evolution, Brandon unpacks what made each of these players memorable and why they earned a spot in the biggest season yet.

Brandon Donlon dives into Survivor 50 with a star-studded lineup of guests to discuss Rick Devens’ return. This supersized episode of the Survivor 50 Files features David Wright, Victoria Baamonde, and Gavin Whitson sharing their insights on Devens’ gameplay and potential strategies for his second chance.

David Wright reflects on his time with Devens during Edge of Extinction, highlighting Rick’s challenge prowess and likability. Victoria Baamonde reveals her behind-the-scenes alliance with Devens, while Gavin Whitson discusses their enduring friendship and Fortnite sessions. The guests offer unique perspectives on:

– Devens’ underrated challenge abilities and idol-finding skills

– The importance of managing his threat level in Season 50

– Potential alliances with players like Christian Hubicki

– Balancing his entertaining personality with strategic gameplay

– The advantage of having experienced both sides of the Edge twist

Topics by timestamp:

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. Visit www.mantasleep.com

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

The Pride Has Spoken celebrates LGBTQIA+ contestants on Survivor. Each episode this season, Evvie Jagoda (they/them; @EvvieJagoda), Matt Scott (he/him; @mattscottgw), and Grace Leeder (she/her; @hifromgrace) sit down with LGBTQIA+ players to reflect on their experiences—on the island and beyond.

This episode features Survivor legend, Parvati Shallow.

Use #ThePrideHasSpoken and share your love for this week’s guest, or to share your love for the podcast or a queer Survivor player or moment.

Order a #ThePrideHasSpoken buff, t-shirt, mug, or more at robhasawebsite.com/store. All proceeds during June will support The Trevor Project.

Take a walk down memory lane with Survivor 50 Flashbacks, a special RHAP series re-releasing classic podcast moments featuring the Survivor 50 castaways. Before they returned to the island for the milestone season, they joined Rob Cesternino on RHAP to break down strategy, talk game, and share unforgettable stories.

This week, we’re flashing back to the Survivor Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers LIVE Know-It-Alls episode 7 in New York City that featured Cirie Fields!

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

It’s time for a Survivor 48 post-season interview. Get a look behind the Survivor scenes and catch a fresh perspective from the castaways themselves. Today, Mike Bloom is joined by Eva Erikson to discuss her time in Fiji! Learn more about her strategic choices, alliances, relationships and much much more!

Survivor 48 post-game coverage continues as Mike Bloom sits down with runner-up Eva Erickson. In this candid interview, Eva opens up about her emotional and strategic journey through the game, offering insights into her key relationships and pivotal decisions.

Eva delves into the complexities of her alliance with Joe and Kyle, revealing the depth of their connections both in and out of the game. She discusses the emotional toll of the game, particularly during her breakdown while practicing for fire-making, and how she overcame these challenges. Eva also sheds light on her strategic moves, including the decision to vote out David and her approach to Final Tribal Council.

Mike and Eva discuss:

– How Eva’s relationship with Joe evolved from emotional support to strategic partnership

– Eva’s decision to keep her PhD status secret until Final Tribal Council

– The impact of Eva’s autism on her gameplay and relationships

– Eva’s struggle with self-doubt during challenges and how she overcame it

– The formation and dissolution of the “strong six” alliance

Eva’s journey on Survivor 48 was marked by both vulnerability and strength. How will her unique approach to the game influence future players?

Topics by timestamp:

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

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

As Survivor 50 brings together legends from across the decades, it’s time to revisit the history that made them icons. In The Survivor 50 Files, host Brandon Donlon dives deep into the castaway archives — exploring the journey of each player in the Survivor 50 cast in the order they originally played.

With insight from former tribemates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a sharp eye for the game’s evolution, Brandon unpacks what made each of these players memorable and why they earned a spot in the biggest season yet.

Survivor 50 Files returns with Brandon Donlon and special guest Alec Merlino from Survivor: David vs. Goliath. The duo dive deep into the potential gameplay of returning players Angelina Keeley, Mike White, and Christian Hubicki in the upcoming Season 50.

Alec shares insider insights on his former tribemates, reflecting on Angelina’s evolution since their season and Mike’s unique position as a Hollywood figure. The conversation explores how these players might approach the game differently this time around, with Alec suggesting Angelina has the best shot at making it to the end if she can fine-tune her social awareness. Brandon and Alec also discuss the challenge of balancing likability and strategic threat, particularly for fan-favorite Christian.

Brandon and Alec discuss:

• Angelina’s potential for growth and changed gameplay in Season 50

• Mike White’s motivation for returning and his “experience-driven” approach

• The impact of pre-existing relationships on Season 50 dynamics

• Alec’s reflections on his own Survivor experience and what he’d do differently

• Alec’s new natural skincare business, Surfing Cow

As Survivor 50 approaches, the question remains: Can Angelina, Mike, and Christian leverage their past experiences to outplay a cast of seasoned returnees?

Topics by timestamp:

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. Visit www.mantasleep.com

To take advantage of 10% off your first order, click https://tinyurl.com/5n7skrvm

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

As Survivor 50 brings together legends from across the decades, it’s time to revisit the history that made them icons. In The Survivor 50 Files, host Brandon Donlon dives deep into the castaway archives — exploring the journey of each player in the Survivor 50 cast in the order they originally played.

With insight from former tribemates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a sharp eye for the game’s evolution, Brandon unpacks what made each of these players memorable and why they earned a spot in the biggest season yet.

Brandon Donlon is joined by Survivor: David vs. Goliath’s Gabby Pascuzzi to discuss the return of fan-favorite Christian Hubicki in Survivor 50. As Christian’s close friend and former ally, Gabby provides exclusive insights into his gameplay and potential for success in this milestone season.

Gabby reflects on her first impressions of Christian during their season, highlighting his unique position as a “nerd’s nerd” in Survivor casting. She discusses Christian’s exceptional intelligence, social skills, and ability to connect with diverse personalities. Gabby also shares her perspective on Christian’s preparation for Survivor 50, including his focus on puzzles and balance challenges.

Brandon and Gabby discuss:

– Christian’s custom-coded app for practicing randomized jigsaw puzzles

– The potential target on Christian’s back due to his popularity

– Gabby’s advice to Christian about staying authentic and not over-producing himself

– The dynamics between the three David vs. Goliath returnees

– Christian’s growth in confidence since becoming a tenured professor

As Survivor 50 unfolds, will Christian’s intelligence and social skills be enough to overcome the pressure of being a returning fan-favorite? Can he navigate the complex dynamics of a cast filled with Survivor legends?

Topics by timestamp:

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. Visit www.mantasleep.com

To take advantage of 10% off your first order, visit https://tinyurl.com/5n7skrvm

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

Join Mike Bloom each week as he counts down the 25 most iconic Survivor moments, five at a time. Based on fan votes and expert submissions from former players, podcasters, and superfans, this RHAP series is the ultimate celebration of the show’s wildest blindsides, biggest moves, and most unforgettable scenes.

This week, Mike Bloom , Moriah Gaynor, Jake O’Kane, and Owen Knight talk through moments 10-6.

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