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Explore every episode of the podcast Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV

Dive into the complete episode list for Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Survivor 51’s surprise start25 sept. 2026

It's a new season of Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV, and today I'm looking at my expectation versus reality of Survivor 51’s premiere, and Wonka's The Golden Ticket.

I Was Wrong: Wonka's The Golden Ticket and Survivor 51

Recommendations

Credits

Life Advice from Reality TV

A fun recommendation and quick update10 sept. 202600:02:37

In this quick episode: An update on the premiere of Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV season 6, which is coming the morning after Survivor 51’s premiere.

Also, a recommendation: Nation's Dumbest on Fox

Bonus: From dinos to photos, our Emily Post wedding story19 août 202600:13:09

In this special episode: My husband Nick and I chat about our wedding, some highs and lows, with Emily Post's great-great grandchild, Lizzie Post, in this excerpt from the podcast Emily Post Wedding Stories.

Listen to the full episode here, and also check out Emily Post Wedding Stories and Awesome Etiquette—and our great photographers, Live Happy Studio.

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Big Brother’s producers on its format, 12 years ago31 juil. 2026

After this week’s Big Brother 28 elimination, I’m revisiting an interview I did with Big Brother producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan about the show’s format. Has anything changed in 12 years? What still needs to change?

Plus: recommendations for two shows and one podcast episode, and stick around to the end for life advice from reality TV, once again from Mister Rogers.

Great Tape: an interview with Big Brother’s producers

Recommendations

Credits

Life Advice from Reality TV

The two words that make or break a reality star23 juil. 202600:22:13

Two words in a reality TV star's contract can change their post-show life—but also may not be that big of a deal? A dive into exclusivity clauses.

Plus: news I broke about Love is Blind, recommendations, and life advice from Canada's Drag Race.

Unscripted Updates, where I discuss something from the news

Industry Insight, where I look at the business behind reality TV

Recommendations

Credits

Let’s drag Project Runway 22 episode 217 juil. 202600:25:00

In this very special episode: A Project Runway 22 episode 2 recap and review, with a special guest star! Plus: news about The Challenge and a reality TV couple, plus recommendations for two shows that are polar opposites.

Unscripted Updates

A Couple of Recappers

Recommendations

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The Real World Hawaii episode that started it all08 juil. 202600:26:55

This week: A dramatic reading of my very first reality TV recap—to celebrate reality blurred’s 26th birthday today!

Also: recommendations, and, at the very end, life advice from a Survivor 50 player who’s on Big Brother 28!

Intro:

 

Why and How I Wrote That: The Real World Hawaii

 

Recommendations

 

Tip Tips: real recommendations + affiliate links!

 

Credits

How Love Island and Big Brother find their casts01 juil. 202600:37:58

Love Island and Big Brother have a history of casting hot dummies who sometimes turn out to be people who behave badly and maybe shouldn’t be on TV. How do they find them? How does casting work? We'll dive into two parts of the process. 

Also: recommendations, including for some podcasts, and stick around to the end for life advice from reality TV, this time from The Real Housewives of Rhode Island.

Unscripted Updates

Behind the Scenes

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Queering Love Island USA—or queerbaiting?24 juin 202600:27:53

On this week’s episode: Before Casa Amor, Love Island USA’s hottest couple were two guys! Is this finally queering up a hetero show, or just queerbaiting? And how can we tell?

Plus: reality TV news you have missed and recommendations for some great social media videos you shouldn't. And stick around to the end for life advice from reality TV, this time from drag queen Delta Work.

Unscripted updates

Analyzing the analysis

Recommendations

Credits

Life advice from reality TV

Below Deck Med’s male-centered mayhem17 juin 202600:26:09

On this week's show: We’ve rolled into a new season of Below Deck Med, one I was dreading, but it’s actually refreshing—for the franchise and reality TV.

Plus: What Love Island USA and Survivor have in common, recommendations, and life advice from reality TV, this time from Captain Sandy.

I Was Wrong: Below Deck Med season 11 edition

Curtain Pull

Recommendations

Credits

Is Top Chef still top after Top Chef Carolinas?09 juin 2026

On this week’s episode: Top Chef Carolinas is over, and no spoilers here as I look at the season and the franchise to ask: is Top Chef deserving of the title of top culinary reality show? Plus: two Kristen Kish related recommendations, and stick around to the end for life advice from reality TV, also from Top Chef host Kristen Kish! 

Curtain Pull

Review Review

Recommendations

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When I was voted out—on live TV03 juin 202600:28:09

26 years ago, just one week after Survivor premiered, I was live on TV, competing for an audience’s vote, and it was broadcast thanks to C-SPAN. Here’s the story—and video!

Plus: hilarious recommendations and stick around to the end for life advice from Tiffany Pollard.

Curtain Pull

Story Time:

Recommendations

Credits

How a reality TV show keeps the reality TV show hidden from its cast26 mai 202600:25:19

In this episode of Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV, I dive into the production of Showtime’s Couples Therapy, from the set design to b-roll to editing choices, all of which create an authentic experience, not fake drama.

Curtain Pull: How Couples Therapy hides its cameras

Behind the Scenes: How Couples Therapy is produced

Recommendations

Life Advice from Reality TV

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Survivor is my sports team19 mai 202600:22:13

Coach Probst may be tanking Survivor, but in this episode of Made from Humans: How Reality Becomes TV, I share how my love of Survivor persists, because I am like a fan of a beleaguered sports games team thing. Plus: Survivor costumes!

Mentioned

Recommendations

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Creating a cooking competition from scratch13 mai 202600:23:26

On this week's show: America’s Culinary Cup and Padma Lakshmi’s dream of shaking up the cooking competition genre. Did it work? And how did it come together? I have insight from Padma and its showrunner.

I also have reality TV recommendations for you, and stick around to the very end for life advice from reality TV, this time from Padma herself.

Plus: Why this show has a new name!

Mentioned

Recommendations

  • Couples Therapy (Showtime and Paramount+)
  • The Comeback (HBO Max)
  • Extra Hot Great episode 613: Iron Chef S03.E23: Squid Battle (from Dan Cassino)

Credits

More looks behind the reality TV curtain, please!01 avr. 202600:30:58

On this week's show: More reality TV shows are showing us their scaffolding, literally and figuratively. Some examples, and a plea for more. Plus: a bunch of recommendations; an update on the next month of this podcast; and life advice from TV, once again from Mister Rogers.  

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Blame Taylor, but not for The Bachelorette25 mars 202600:20:23

On this week's show: Once again, fans and media are piling on a person instead of the corporations and systems. Can we hold Taylor Frankie Paul accountable for her behavior but not lay the blame for the franchise's implosion at her feet? Plus: a non-Bachelorette recommendation, and life advice from reality TV from Iman.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Why Survivor 50 is so great (so far!)18 mars 202600:21:18

On today's show: Why Survivor 50 is working for me, especially compared to the past nine seasons! Plus: three recommendations for fictional films, and life advice from the Oscar-winning director of a nonfiction film.

Mentioned

Recommendations

  • The Oscar-winning movie Sinners (HBO Max)
  • Weapons, starring Oscar winner Amy Madigan (HBO Max)
  • Fight or Flight, not Oscar-winning (Paramount+)

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7 behind-the-scenes stories from Amazing Race’s first season11 mars 202600:18:19

On today’s show: The Amazing Race took off 25 years ago this week, and I have some amazing behind-the-scenes stories for you! Also, two recommendations, and reality TV life advice from an icon.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Love is blind judging04 mars 202600:23:31

On today's episode: A journey through blind judging. I love blind judging but not Love is Blind, and I'm glad some viewers are no longer blind to unconscious biases on The Traitors and I wish I had a different word here than "blind."

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

A wonderfully ludicrous week of reality TV25 févr. 202600:10:48

This week, a quick look at this wild week of competition reality TV—and what to watch during it.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

What one thing would you change about Survivor?18 févr. 202600:25:28

Survivor has survived for 50 seasons in no small part because it's been willing to evolve and change over the years. So what would you change about it now, if you could change just one thing?

In this episode of my podcast, I share my answer. Also: recommendations and life advice from Kristen Kish!

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Secret reality TV documents: a bonkers reading11 févr. 202600:24:47

On this week's show, I read from reality TV-related legal documents—including one NBCUniversal tried to keep secret—in character voices that my husband called "totally fucking bonkers" when he heard it. Plus: recommendations and life advice from TV.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Produced, not scripted: How Below Deck works05 févr. 202600:19:41

This week: Below Deck Med and Below Deck Down Under, and why producing isn’t scripting. Also: my usual recommendations, plus reality TV stars band together to show us how community and working together is the way through all of this. And stick around to the end for life advice from an iconic reality TV cast member.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Two Survivors, two stories28 janv. 202600:28:35

On this week's show: Two Survivor legends, two conversations for you to eavesdrop on. Plus: recommendations for free and entertaining streaming TV!

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Trolling Traitors table manners21 janv. 202600:22:26

On today’s show: Watching, noticing, and turning those things into video instead of writing. Am I helping or hurting—them and me! Also, I have three recommendations for you and self-care advice from the very first episode of Sesame Street. 

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

The Traitors’ Secret Traitor problem14 janv. 202600:21:18

The Traitors is back—and introduced a new twist that fell flat. In today's episode, I talk about what I think the show needs, and also share recommendations and some hilarious life advice from Rob Cesternino.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Why faked scenes make The Traitors and Survivor better26 nov. 202500:24:55

What makes shows like Survivor and The Traitors better, more artistic shows? I think it's the way they fake some scenes—without affecting the game. Plus, three recommendations, and life advice from world treasure Stephen Fry.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Is Amazing Race an amazing way to travel?19 nov. 202500:16:03

This week: Is it amazing to travel around the world by racing on The Amazing Race? Kinda and not really! We’ll dig into what you don’t see. Also, my travels into a new medium, recommendations, and, at the very end, some helpful words from Phil Keoghan.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

Reality TV recaps: a recap!12 nov. 202500:21:56

This week: a recap of recaps! What do I recap, why do I recap, and WTF even is a recap today? Plus: life advice from The Real World Hawaii—really!

Mentioned

Recommendations

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What makes The Great British Bake Off work so well04 nov. 202500:20:02

This week: All food, all the time! I share behind-the-scenes details about The Great British Baking Show, and explore what other reality TV shows can learn from it. Then, recommendations for three shows related to food, and then stick around to the end for life advice from reality TV, this time from former Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

How one person kept fans connected after Disney cancelled a reality TV show28 oct. 202500:21:51

How one producer single-handedly revived a reality TV show that was cancelled by Disney-owned NatGeo—and how that has me thinking about connecting to our audiences as creators. Plus a recommendation for the first holiday season reality TV show of the year, and life advice from TV courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa.

Mentioned

Recommendations

Credits

What TV show would you revive for one season?22 oct. 202500:18:27

In this week's episode, I share what show I'd bring back for just one season. What would you choose? Also: dishwashers, country music, and Trading Spaces.

Mentioned

Recommendations

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Survivor criticism, criticized14 oct. 202500:21:53

This week's episode: How I think about criticism of my own work, as it relates to a recent episode of Survivor. Plus, recommendations for two very different food competitions, and life advice from Mister Rogers.

Mentioned:

Recommendations

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My happy blogging accident07 oct. 202500:22:39

On today’s show: the happy accident I made when I started writing about reality TV on the internet, and how that connects to why I think Substack is full of shit and not the best place for your writing. Plus, recommendations and life advice from TV! 

Mentioned:

Recommendations

  • Amazing Race 38's and its train travel
  • Famous Last Words: Dr. Jane Goodall (Netflix)

Credits

A fresh start can work for writers and reality TV shows01 oct. 202500:21:58

On today’s show: It’s time for a new season of Survivor—the 49th, holy shit! And in honor of that, a behind-the-scenes look at what Survivor players wear. Plus: recommendations  for two new competition reality TV shows, and life advice from reality TV, this time from a chef at the Culinary Institute of America.

Mentioned:

Recommendations

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Why Survivor players wear costumes24 sept. 202500:18:42

On today’s show: It’s time for a new season of Survivor—the 49th, holy shit! And in honor of that, a behind-the-scenes look at what Survivor players wear. Plus: recommendations  for two new competition reality TV shows, and life advice from reality TV, this time from a chef at the Culinary Institute of America.

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Recommendations

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Why Below Deck season 12 was a disaster17 sept. 202500:23:02

On today’s show: What the hell happened to Below Deck?! Breaking down the problems with season 12, and maybe the entire franchise. Also: recommendations for an episode, a clip, and a show, and stick around to the end for life advice from TV, this time from an Emmy winner

Mentioned:

Recommendations

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Riding the waves of indie media10 sept. 202500:24:26

On today’s show: Independent media! Advertising! How all of this works and what’s depressing and what’s exciting. Plus, a recommendation for a three-season, Emmy-winning show, and life advice from Bake-Off host Alison Hammond.

Mentioned:

Recommendations

Credits

Survivor’s best season in years03 sept. 202500:20:31

On today’s show, the best season of Survivor I’ve watched in years! Plus: a welcome to season three, and recommendations for some heartwarming British shows you can stream for free. And stick around for life advice from the late Chef Anne Burrell.

Mentioned:

Recommendations

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A vacation that still haunts me30 juil. 202500:18:15

On today’s show: Creating and writing as an individual versus on a team, and what that means for breaks and burnout. Plus, recommendations, including a show that’s on Netflix for just a few more days, and stick around for life advice from Couples Therapy’s therapist.

Mentioned:

Recommendations

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Love Island USA, Big Brother, and losing momentum with TV—and in writing23 juil. 202500:22:27

On today’s show: Love Island USA, Big Brother, and losing momentum—with TV shows, and in our writing. Plus, recommendations for two cooking shows, and life advice from TV, once again from our friend Mister Rogers.

Mentioned:

Recommendations

Credits

I trust you with my mistakes16 juil. 202500:18:39

On today’s show: Making mistakes in public as a blogger and journalist, feedback, and the scourge of reality TV network notes. Plus, recommendations from the Emmy nominations, and life advice from a writer.

Mentioned

Recommendations

  • Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Hulu
  • Life Below Zero, NatGeo/Disney+
  • Love on the Spectrum, Netflix
  • 100 Foot Wave, HBO
  • Pee-Wee As Himself, HBO

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How I’ve spent 25 years creating the same thing09 juil. 202500:21:01

On today’s show: 25 years of reality blurred! How is that even possible? No, really—how can we create things that both last and sustain us? Also: a recommendation for one of my all-time favorite reality TV shows, plus creative life advice from Bob Ross.

Mentioned

Recommendations

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Why is Below Deck’s editing so weird—and what is reality TV editing?02 juil. 202500:19:29

On today's show, Below Deck season 12 and its editing—and what "editing" actually means on reality TV shows. Plus: recommendations for a brilliant illustration of editing's power, a Bravo show, and a Netflix doc.

Mentioned

Recommendations

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Survivor’s first Black queer couple and the power of visibility25 juin 202500:16:53

On today's show, two Survivor players made history as the show's first Black queer couple and shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes story. Plus: a bittersweet recommendation for a TV show.

Mentioned

Recommendations

  • Anne Burrell's show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Discovery+

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Life Below Zero’s end + writing in community18 juin 202500:16:00

In today's episode: Life Below Zero’s cancellation and the effect on its behind-the-scenes community, and my recent experience in writing community at the Kenyon Review Writers Workshop. Plus: three podcast recommendations, including the great Rebel Spirit, and life advice from the Golden Girls.

Mentioned

Recommendations

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Why American Ninja Warrior changed11 juin 202500:24:15

In this episode: Behind-the-scenes details about American Ninja Warrior, including why season 17 has changed so dramatically. Plus: two recommendations and reality TV life advice from Double Dare host Marc Summers.

Mentioned

Recommendations

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How Couples Therapy’s set works04 juin 202500:15:18

In today's episode: The great Showtime series Couples Therapy, and how its set makes its intimate conversations possible. Plus: recommendations for three gossipy podcasts, and life advice from Dr. Orna Guralnik.

Mentioned

Recommendations

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Survivor premiered 25 years ago. Where were you?28 mai 202500:14:40

In today's episode: Survivor's premiere was 25 years ago this Saturday. Do you remember where you watched? I share my memories—and my plans for special coverage of the show this summer. Plus: recommendations for two shows and two reads, and life advice from Survivor Borneo's Rudy, RIP.

Recommendations

Credits

Correction: Survivor's anniversary is May 31, not May 30. It's like a birthday: I wanted it to be here so soon!

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