Forget a friendly game of hide and seek, now the castaways are all about idol hunting. Jeff explains how production re-evaluated how they show the idol hunt, while Dee shares the reality of a days-long search in the dense jungle. “Survivor” is all about taking calculated risks — from picking reward companions to betraying allies — any decision can change the course of the game. Then, Jeff breaks down why the final week is crucial and tackles a listener's question on the not-so-beloved Rites...

Do you take your number one to the end or try to blindside them before they come for you? Dee advises on how to properly execute a blindside but organizing one might not always be a winning strategy. Jeff, Jay and Dee revisit Liz’s emotional reaction to not being chosen to join in the reward. Jeff shares how they got a chef all the way to Fiji while reminiscing on his favorite brand sponsorships over the years. The physical challenges on "Survivor" stay demanding and Dee reveals the intense...

After a messy Tribal Council, the bottom might be the perfect place to be on “Survivor” right now. Jeff, Jay, and Dee discuss the opportunity the castaways have to start over. The three-stage challenge leads to a debate between Jeff and Dee on the merits (or lack thereof) of throwing a challenge. Jeff explains how production and the Dream Team test the pain threshold of endurance challenges. Meanwhile, Dee speaks to the mental toughness the Survivors need to focus on anything but how much...

It’s Q’s world and we’re all just living in it. Jeff, Jay, and Dee unpack his command of the game, from engineering a strategic (or not so strategic) round of hide and seek to dropping a bomb that led to a heated live Tribal Council. With Q running the show this week, Jeff shares how the editors balance the castaways’ airtime. Dee gives her hot take on Maria and Charlie, the dynamic duo playing a tight game, and whether the Six Alliance can make it. As the winner of Season 46’s Get a Grip...

The stakes on Survivor are high, but at the end of the day, humanity outlasts the competition. From Kenzie comforting Ben during his panic attack to Venus struggling to form bonds, we’re reminded that the castaways are people, not just players. Jeff, Jay, and Dee discuss how the game balances pushing players to their mental and physical limits while prioritizing their safety. The castaways are reeling from their first individual Tribal Council and Dee reminisces on the thick tension in the...

Everybody, drop your Buffs®! Jeff explains how they used Tree Mail to capitalize on the moment of limbo between learning about the Merge and the Earn the Merge Challenge. Jeff, Dee, and Jay break down the Merge Challenge from the rock draw that determines your fate to the strategically placed safety sawdust. The winners get to feast on the Merge meal, but proceed with caution — Dee spills about what happened off-camera the time she overindulged in a reward… Meanwhile, the losers head to the...

Everything in Survivor is strategic, even salsa dancing! Jeff explains why it is important to show camp life and Dee shares why it is important to play along with something, like dancing or tai chi, even if it's the last thing you want to do! After 11 days without flint, Yanu broke the record for the longest stretch without fire. Jeff addresses the importance of these penalties in the New Era and whether or not he'd ever reconsider the flint rule.  As Yanu dwindles, Jeff reveals how and when...

How do you go from being complete strangers to sitting on a beach singing to each other? Hunger! While food deprivation inspired Soda (“Queen Morale”) and Tevin to create an original song, Dee warns that it can also dangerously cloud your judgment and ruin your perception of another player if you let it get the best of you. She advises future players to practice their emotions before they go on Survivor to know how and when to show them. Jeff, Jay, and Dee continue the conversation about...

“Send me home” are three words you never expect a player to utter, but the New Era is intentionally designed to push the castaways further than ever before. If players can endure this new reality, their truth will be revealed, bringing them one step closer to the million-dollar prize. Jeff, Jay, and Dee talk about the editorial decisions made behind the scenes to help the audience experience what the players are feeling, like the whimsical music that simulates Bhanu’s paranoia and the sound...

New era, same emotions. The players are already feeling the emotional impact of no food, sleepless nights, and physical exhaustion. From small tribes to minimal supplies, Jeff shares how the game design is all about earning your keep and digging into your reserves to prove just how badly you want it. Jeff and Dee talk about the importance of being vulnerable and finding ways to bond with tribemates, whether it’s through a Metallica-Taylor Swift song-off at camp or poking fun at Jeff. Jeff...

Survivor 46 is off to a rockin’ start and the tribes are already “survibing!” Jeff shares behind-the-scenes insights about production of the show open and why they chose Tevin's monologue to set the tone for the season. Dee explains her initial impressions of the castaways and how she can already pinpoint potential allies and who to avoid — Jelinsky is at the top of that list based on his disheartening decision to quit the Sweat vs Savvy Challenge. Jeff also shares a piece of advice for the...

Survivor 46 is here and “On Fire with Jeff Probst: The Official Survivor Podcast” is covering all the big moments from three different POVs! Showrunner Jeff Probst is back to share his perspective and analysis of this season. Plus, the podcast welcomes a new co-host. HINT: this player was cutthroat in their gameplay, true to their heart, and a fan-favorite from the Survivor 45 Reba tribe. They outwitted, outplayed, and outlasted everyone to claim the title of winner of Survivor 45... it's Dee...

The votes are in and the winner of Survivor 45 joins Jeff, Jay, and Rick for an exclusive interview, but first, they unpack the must-watch moments of the season finale. The final 5 races for the last advantage fueled by desperation. Tribal council doesn’t disappoint as a secret idol is revealed and a last-minute vote change determines the final 4.  “You break it, you buy it” stands true for Survivor challenges as one player takes their frustration out on the game in the final immunity...

Silence your cell phones and raise the curtain — Survivor theatre is about to begin! Jeff, Jay, and Rick discuss how so much of the game is based on acting and how well you can sell your performance. Austin and Dee’s romance continues to heat up, but love seems to be driving decisions for one of them much more than the other. The castaways are in awe of the new Immunity and Reward Challenges they’re faced with in this episode. Months of preparation went into bringing them to life, from the...

The path to victory is never easy. Jeff, Jay, and Rick discuss the central dilemma of the game—you have to play to win, but there will be a target on your back the minute you start to do so. Austin and Dee’s budding showmance is sure to impact their final days on the island, but will it complicate their game or make it easier to reach the final three? As the betrayals continue, Jeff shares how storytelling is largely driven by, not just what new information is shared, but WHEN it is revealed...

Survivor is a mentally and physically demanding game, but it’s hard on your emotions, too. Feelings of betrayal, anxiety, and longing are daily occurrences on the island. But there’s also joy, which overcame Emily when she won the Reward Challenge. Jeff, Rick, and Jay discuss the difficult choice she must make of who to bring with her on reward for an overnight at the Sanctuary and loved ones' letters. As the players dwindle, certain castaways are proving to be masterminds behind Survivor...

The only thing we love more than a three-stage challenge is a three-stage challenge with A TWIST! Jeff, Jay, and Rick discuss how production designs multi-tier challenges and how they’re upping the stakes with the potential to lose your vote and a trip to the Sanctuary. For the second week in a row, we’re left with the oldest players on the island, Bruce and Julie, duking it out for immunity. How come there aren't more older people on Survivor? Jeff responds to this frequently asked question,...

Let the bidding begin! The auction is back with new layers of dilemma and “dangerous fun.” Jeff discusses the new twists and unpredictable variables that went into reinventing it for the new era. The castaways indulge in the fruits of their bids, like ice-cold beer, a decadent chocolate cake, and...a pair of gigantic fisheyes. Jeff explains how the audio department captures sound to bring moments like Austin’s massive wet bite of the eyeball to the next level. Negotiations color the...

Endurance is the name of the game this week as the castaways take on the iconic Survivor challenge, “Get a Grip.” Jeff shares what inspired the creation of this challenge, how it was designed, and why it’s all about will (and in Dee’s case, long toes). Then, down to 12 castaways, a two-vote twist means one player voted out will make the jury, and the other, crucially, won't. Rick, Jeff and Jay dig into just what it means to miss out on the jury. Then, finally, Jeff shares the moment of the...

Everyone get flexible, because we’re in limbo! The castaways have just 10 minutes to gather all their belongings (and, in Bruce’s case, find an idol) before they board the boats to merge on one beach. Rick shares what it is like to experience the merge as a player and Jeff pulls back the curtain on producing this turning point in the game — it’s a HUGE lift, from timing the arrival of the boats to filming a dozen reactions all at once. And we can’t talk about the production of this episode...

Ten days in, the Survivor castaways all share one common feeling: hunger. Jeff dives into how a player’s mental clarity, physical energy, and emotions are impacted by no food and why that's a critical part of the game design. Speaking of hunger, would you pick an advantage over a sandwich? Austin, J, and Kellie are faced with this decision and their shared dilemma may inspire a new alliance - Rick, Jeff and Jay dive into the double-edged sword of any shared advantage. Later, they discuss fake...

Drop your Buffs®! We are switching tribes—Jeff discusses how they approached the first tribe swap of the new era from the producer's perspective. Some core alliances—Dee and Julie, Drew and Austin—made it through the swap while others, like Brando and Kellie, are now on opposing teams. Rick shares his personal experience of what runs through a castaway’s mind when the new buffs are drawn and talks about some lone wolves—like Emily—who have an opportunity to completely change their gameplay....

How do you know if someone is lying if you haven’t had an opportunity to test their loyalty? When a tribe like Lulu continually faces Tribal Council, trust gets tested with each vote. But for tribes like Reba and Belo who have yet to cast a vote, insecurities only grow as time goes on. Jeff, Jay and Rick dig into Survivor 45 episode 3 which was full of emotional highs and lows. The “Lulu losers” finally win a challenge, giving Kaleb the all-new “Goodwill Advantage” designed to forge future...

This week’s headline: “Over-Sharing.” Jeff, Jay and Rick discuss how making connections and building deeper relationships are critical to help savvy Survivor players move through the game. Sharing secrets is a great way to build trust, but how do you know WHEN to share them and WHO to share them with? For example, Drew shares his advantage with the Reba tribe as soon as he returns from his journey — was that the right approach? From Hidden Immunity Idols to lost votes, this week is full of...