About this episode
Bret Labelle Talks Survivor 49 Ep 10 It’s time to take a trip back to the Old School! All season long, Rob Cesternino is bringing legendary Survivor alumni onto the podcast to break down Survivor 49 through the eyes of those who played in the game’s early days. Survivor 49 episode 10 heats up as host Rob Cesternino welcomes Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X’s Bret Labelle for a special Old School Interview. This episode dives into the wild post-merge game, where fake idols, bold swings, and shifting alliances set the stage for a chaotic Tribal Council. Rob and Bret break down the strategic moves, the social chaos, and ask if the players can keep a lid on their secrets when so much is on the line. Bret joins Rob to recap his recent European travels before focusing on the main action: the two major alliances prepping for a blindside, Sophie’s pivotal decision to flip sides, and Rizzo’s shocking play of a fake idol. The hosts highlight Sage and Jawan’s ambitious plot to get both Rizzo and Kristina to burn their idols, and debate whether making yourself the “RizGod” helps or hurts in a season filled with big personalities. Key camp moments, the Survivor Café meetups, and even this episode’s controversial food rewards get airtime as Rob and Bret break it all down. Rob and Bret discuss: – Rizzo’s fake idol stunt: was it a clever read of the room or just cocky showmanship? – Sophie’s high-stakes flip: how did she become the episode’s decision-maker? – Sage and Jawan’s idol flush plan: is aiming for a double-blindside too bold at this stage? – Keeping secrets in the “new era”: Sophie’s knowledge is power advantage and why silence might be golden – Survivor Café stories, pizza debates, and real talk about food rewards With the alliances shaken and post-merge chaos in full effect, Rob and Bret explore whether Sophie’s maneuver has changed the power structure forever and if idol antics will keep paying off. Can Sage rebound from a failed big move, or will the RizGod continue to control the narrative? Chapters: 0:00 Intros 6:00 Survivor 49 Post-Merge Heats Up 13:30 Sophie’s Critical Flip at Tribal 22:30 Rizzo’s Fake Idol Gambit 32:00 Tribe Dynamics and Trust Clusters 38:30 Savannah’s Confrontational Game Style 44:50 New Era Alliances’ Breaking Point 50:00 Survivor 50 Casting Snubs Discussed 57:00 Survivor Legends Versus New Faces 1:04:00 Yearning for Classic Survivor Twists 1:12:00 Pitching Survivor’s Future Theme Ideas 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!