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 5003 with Sophi Balerdi Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

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!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5002 Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

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!!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5001 PART 2 Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

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!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: Survivor 5001 PART 1 Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

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!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: The Traitors 411 Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

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!!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: Reality Tactics with Chad Kultgen Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

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!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: The Traitors 410 Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

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!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: Turret Talk with Ben Mandelker (Watch What Crappens) Feb 14, 2026

Show notes

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!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: The Traitors 409 Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

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!

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Pod Meets Twirl'd: The Traitors 408 Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Will and Rider loved this episode, but they still have plenty of questions…like how do you eat yogurt through a veil??

Will shares his expert opinion about the fallout of Candiace’s fate and notice that Alan Cumming may have paid tribute to the Boy Meets World-verse!

Rider reveals he may want to compete on The Traitors after all - but the reason why might shock you.

And remember, a podcaster never comes off their throne...even for Pod Meets Twirl’d: Traiting Places!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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