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 guess whether or not listeners calling in are Canadian.

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, Jessica Liese, and Mike Bloom are back for another incredible journey around the world watching The Amazing Race! Our TAR experts will be back with a recap each and every week! Make sure to also tune into our weekly exit interview with the eliminated team.

Today, Rob Cesternino, Mike Bloom and Jess Liese discuss the finale, episode 12, of The Amazing Race 38.

On this episode, the Rob, Mike, and Jessica gather to recap the finale of Amazing Race 38, celebrating Jag and Jazz’s victory and scrutinizing the highs and lows of the final leg. The team brings in insights from the city where the race concluded, New York, providing on-the-ground context.

Rob, Jessica, and Mike discuss:

• behind-the-scenes exit interview anecdotes.
• the leg design and wonder about the lack of detours, while also championing a more competitive shake-up in future seasons.
• the need for harder tasks in the finale and ways to enhance the Cookie Monster challenge, like a cookie-making task and subway travel over taxis.
• the cab driver factor, the logistics of repelling the Empire State Building, and the simplicity of the fabric-delivery challenge
• the crossword puzzle task, pointing out its ease and lack of New York authenticity

The episode rounds out with reflections on the Big Brother crossover, season-long trends, standout teams, and speculation on future reality TV themes and contestants. Listen in for interview highlights, commentary on leg design, and hillarious banter!

Pre-order Rob’s book, The Tribe and I Have Spoken, at http://www.robhasabook.com

Race on over to Twitter to follow these hosts and share all of your thoughts with us on Twitter by tagging @RobHasAPodcast and using the hashtag #RHAP!

Rob Cesternino @robcesternino
Jessica Liese @HaymakerHattie
Mike Bloom @AMikeBloomType

Join our Facebook group at robhasawebsite.com/targroup

Survivor 49 is reaching its breaking point, and Rob Cesternino teams up with Survivor 48’s Shauhin Davari for a recap of the penultimate episode. With the finale days away, Rob and Shauhin spotlight the rapidly-shifting alliances, dramatic advantage plays, and emotional reward moments that have shaped the hurricane of strategy at camp. Every move matters as players like Sophi, Savannah, and Rizzo jockey for position on their way to Tribal Council.

Rob and Shauhin dissect Sophi’s high-tension Knowledge Is Power play, debating whether her shot at flipping the game came just a bit too late. Rizzo’s idol theatrics spark major debate, with Shauhin providing insight into the bluffing and social reads that let him slip through more than one dangerous vote. The duo weighs Savannah’s clutch challenge wins, and how being a physical force keeps her in the spotlight (and on everyone’s target list). Plus, the impact of the loved ones letter reward leads to an honest take on how family support shifts players’ motivations and endgame plans.

Key topics include:

– Sophi’s Knowledge Is Power moment: was it bold enough to change her fate?

– Rizzo’s inventive idol strategy and what it reveals about social perception

– Savannah’s immunity run and why it drives the final five’s vote calculus

– The evolving bonds between Sophi, Savannah, and Rizzo

– Real parallels between Shauhin’s Survivor journey and this season’s emotional crossroads

This episode leaves one big question: Can Savannah and Rizzo stay one step ahead, or will a last-minute flip topple the power balance right before day 26?

Chapters:
0:00 Intros
6:31 Sophi’s Crucial Idol Decision
13:36 Emotional Impact of Family Reward
20:49 Social Bonds Shape Jury Perceptions
27:41 Comparing Savannah and Joe’s Paths
34:01 Savannah’s Direct Communication Examined
43:40 Powerful Family Stories Emerge
50:30 Savannah and Rizzo’s Unbreakable Alliance
53:13 Sophi’s Knowledge Is Power Downfall
59:14 Clutch Immunities Shift Endgame Odds
1:07:31 Sage’s Authentic Moves Analyzed
1:14:10 Seasons for New Survivor Fans
1:18:44 Survivor Deepens Family Connections
1:29:16 Reading Nonverbal Cues on Survivor
1:32:29 Survivor 49’s Unique Win Conditions
1:39:00 Who Shauhin Would Work With
1:57:52 Final Reflections on Survivor 49

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

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.

To take advantage of 10% off your first order, visit https://tinyurl.com/2nsptcy3 or go to www.mantasleep.com and use promo code RHAP49

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!