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, Rob and Akiva play The Telephone Game with listeners.

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

Rob Cesternino and Pooya are joined by special guest Candiace Dillard Bassett from The Real Housewives of Potomac and The Traitors Season 4, for a lively discussion about her journey through the castle and beyond. Candiace pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to navigate the world of The Traitors, from initial doubts to embracing the challenge, and shares a fresh perspective on the crossover between reality TV strategy and her own life.

Hear Candiace describe her hesitancy about joining The Traitors Season 4 and how encouragement—from friends, Bravo execs, and an online fan push—ultimately changed her mind. She opens up about her experience as a Traitor, the extra challenges of balancing motherhood with late-night game twists, and why sleep was in short supply during filming. The conversation dives into her background working in the White House, the local community work she’s passionate about, and the surprising similarities between pageants, politics, and reality competition shows. The group also discusses memorable castle moments, including Candiace’s standout roundtable performances, the infamous Michael Rapaport kitchen drama, and how social media reacted to the “housewives vs. gamers” dynamic.

Highlights include:

• Candiace’s unfiltered take on being recruited for The Traitors and why she almost turned it down
• Insights into her strategic mindset as a Traitor versus as a potential Faithful, and what she’d do differently in an all-stars season
• Behind-the-scenes stories on cast relationships, fashion prep, and balancing pageantry skills with gameplay
• The rapid-fire “Traiters” card game delving into castle alliances, betrayals, and surprising friendships with castmates like Monet and Michael Rapaport
• Candiace’s post-show projects: music collaborations, her podcast Undomesticated, and a budding interest in theater

Is the next cast of The Traitors ready to face the pressure left by this season’s explosive mix of housewives and gamers? Can the franchise’s future twists outshine what Candiace and her castmates brought to the castle? Listen in to catch all the insider details, real-life strategy talk, and unique reality TV insights straight from the source.

Chapters:
00:00 Intros
06:17 Candiace Chooses Traitor Role
10:45 Forging Unexpected Bonds With Rob
13:40 Candiace’s Pageant Training Pays Off
16:36 White House to Reality TV
21:05 Politics, Service, and Local Impact
24:49 From Public Service to Housewives
31:31 Reflections on Traitors Relationships
35:00 Michael Rapaport’s Memorable Moments
40:10 Gamer Fans Versus Housewives
46:53 Inside the Undomesticated Podcast
49:07 New Music With Tamar Braxton
51:36 Passion for Theater and Acting

Never miss all our Traitors US recaps plus recaps from other versions around the world!

Survivor 50 brings explosive gameplay and unpredictable twists as Rob Cesternino is joined by returning player Andy Rueda for a deep-dive Survivor Recap. Right from the start, Rob and Andy unpack a game-changing twist that rocked the latest episode, comparing it to iconic moments from both “Squid Game” and the Survivor canon. With shifting alliances and one of the wildest Tribal Councils in years, this episode puts the strategic and social skills of the cast to the ultimate test.

Rob and Andy dig into the immediate fallout of a twist where pairs are forced together under mysterious circumstances—calling back to “festy besties” but with a Survivor flavor. They debate why fans overwhelmingly loved the twist and measure how much the drama stemmed from both strong design and the “satisfying” outcome of a major player’s exit. The conversation also highlights how the misdirection around idols and the Shot in the Dark adds to the round’s suspense. Rob gets Andy’s take on big Jury movements, “mayor of Ponderosa” myths, and who’s actually controlling the middle of the game, especially as Cirie, Ozzy, and Rizo play both sides. They spotlight how Cirie continues to steer the story, somehow dodging target after target, while Coach delivers classic gold in his fourth run.

– The new duo-based twist and why it delivered high drama

– Idol trickery, risk management, and successful (or missed) Shot in the Dark plays

– Cirie’s masterful social game and why no one seems ready to target her

– Rizo’s dream run as the cast’s “superfan” and why he’s unexpectedly beloved

– What makes a strong “mayor of Ponderosa”—and whether that “power” really shapes jury votes

As alliances shift and power players like Rick Devens deploy strategic chaos, Rob and Andy wonder who can maintain control in such a fluid game, and whether Cirie’s impeccable run can continue through the looming fire-making challenge. With alliances redrawn and big Jury threats exposed, who will rally the numbers and who could fall victim to their own Survivor mythos?

Don’t miss this packed Survivor 50 recap—tune in for the twists, strategy bombs, and social game insights that could decide the next big vote!

Chapters:
0:00 Welcome and Survivor 50 First Impressions
0:40 Breaking Down the Season’s Twist
3:00 Comparing Survivor 50 to Past Seasons
4:04 Why This Tribal Council Stands Out
10:19 Idol Power and Shot in the Dark
12:39 Coach and Chrissy’s Big Sendoff
16:02 Coach as Survivor Fan Litmus Test
21:22 Slicing Up the Honor and Integrity Alliance
22:13 Rick Devens’ Fake Idol Chaos
28:52 Evaluating Rizo’s Social Superpowers
32:43 Mayor of Ponderosa Debate
36:00 The Enigmatic Middle Alliance
42:03 Next Moves After Tribal Chaos
46:12 Why Cirie Dominates Survivor 50
0:53:09 Aubry’s Strengths and Survivor Fit
0:59:02 Unpacking All-Star Duo Pairings
1:04:32 Emily and Rizo’s Unique Jury Equity
1:10:01 Genevieve’s Arc and What-Ifs
1:14:36 Why the Survivor 50 Cast Survives
1:17:07 Listener Questions: Dream Alliances
1:25:53 What Should Survivor 51 Change?
1:32:38 Survivor’s Future — Themes and Tribes
1:37:15 Final Thoughts and Outro

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!