TV & Film

Pod Meets Twirl’d

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!

Latest Episodes:

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5011 May 08, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Life as a Castaway with Emily Longeretta May 02, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5010 May 01, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5009 Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5008 Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Surviving the Challenges with Myles Nye Apr 11, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5007 Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5006 with Rob Cesternino Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5005 Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

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.

Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5004 Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

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.

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