Explore every episode of the podcast Talking With T-Bird - Survivor Old School Interviews with Teresa "T-Bird" Cooper and Rob Cesternino
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The Survivor RHAP podcast’s “Talking with T-Bird” series is back as Rob Cesternino and co-host Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper reconnect with Survivor: Palau’s Wanda Shirk—a player whose journey remains one of the most unique in Survivor history. In this special episode, Rob and T-Bird are joined by Josh Wigler to share Wanda’s perspective on being the only Survivor castaway to leave before getting a buff, torch, or Tribal Council moment.
Right from the start, Wanda opens up about the iconic schoolyard pick twist in Survivor: Palau, explaining how it felt to stand among 20 players, only to be left without a tribe due to the “men pick a woman, women pick a man” format. She details her preparation—even swimming and running to be the most ready over-50 contestant—and discusses the emotional aftermath for both herself and Jonathan, who shared her fate. The group also explores Wanda’s lasting Survivor legacy: her spontaneous songs, the creation of the fan-favorite “Wand-Off” tradition, and her ongoing love for the show despite its twists and ever-evolving format.
Rob, T-Bird, and Josh dig into Survivor’s changing game structure, from Palau’s massive starting group to the fairness of modern twists, and Wanda provides a rare look at castaway camaraderie before the game truly begins. A surprise audio message from Palau’s Kobe brings back personal memories, highlighting how deeply Wanda connected with her peers in just two short days on the beach.
Key moments in this episode:
– Behind the scenes of Survivor: Palau’s infamous schoolyard pick twist
– Wanda’s thoughts on preparing as an active, older woman for Survivor
– Reflections on how game twists affect fairness and opportunity for all contestants
– The origin and impact of Wanda’s musical legacy and the RHAP “Wand-Off”
– Personal stories of friendship, resilience, and lessons in choosing happiness after adversity
How might Survivor’s history have changed if Wanda, with her positive spirit and knack for uniting people, had made it onto a tribe? What can her journey teach fans and players alike about perspective and character in the game?
Listen in for Wanda’s unforgettable Survivor perspective and discover why players and fans still sing her praises twenty years later.
Chapters:
0:00 Wanda Shirk Joins Talking with T-Bird
2:49 Wanda’s Survivor Palau Journey Begins
4:02 The Schoolyard Pick Twist Explained
6:08 Lifetime Achievement for Hiking Trails
9:01 Wanda Reflects on Palau What-Ifs
12:00 Survivor’s Unfair Twists and Redemption
18:57 The Jonathan Story: Aftermath and Reactions
22:08 Survivor’s Group Dynamics and Social Challenges
24:41 Strategic Alliances Form Early in Palau
26:10 Surprise Message from Kobe to Wanda
29:13 Wanda’s Musical Legacy on Survivor
32:25 The Birth of the Survivor Wand-Off
35:28 Wanda Performs Her Survivor Rap
40:43 Wanda Watches Every Survivor Season
41:50 Favorite Seasons and Old School Twist
45:46 Bond of the Best: Strategy Philosophy
51:59 Choosing Happiness and Forgiveness
Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast onYouTube SUPPORT:Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!
The time has come for the return of “Talking with T-Bird.” Each episode, Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Survivor: Africa‘s Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper (@tbirdcooper) will catch up with a former Survivor player and talk about anything and take listener questions.
Just when you think you know Survivor 50, the legends themselves return to shake things up. Host Rob Cesternino teams up with T-Bird Cooper for a memorable “Talking with T-Bird” deep dive, retracing the roots of Survivor history and connecting it with the unpredictable energy of the current season. This episode stands out as T-Bird finally tracks down the elusive Sue Hawk, whose raw, unfiltered perspective on Survivor Borneo still sets the standard for honest gameplay and legendary jury speeches.
Survivor 50 is back in the spotlight as Rob and T-Bird relive Sue’s iconic story, all while comparing early Survivor’s “wild west” style to the fast-paced idol hunts, immunity twists, and softer conditions of the modern game. Sue doesn’t hold back, critiquing how much easier conditions seem now—from 26-day seasons to the abundance of clothes and comforts—and reflecting on the real threats and alliances that shaped Borneo. She breaks down the truth behind those first alliances, the sting of betrayal, and why every move on Survivor comes with lasting consequences, both in the game and back in the real world.
Key discussion points include:
– Sue’s behind-the-scenes journey from “off the grid” legend to Survivor All-Star, and how she finally agreed to talk after years of letters and texts with T-Bird
– Insights into Survivor Borneo’s original alliances and Sue’s “snake and rat” speech that rocked reality TV
– Raw comparisons between old-school survival—sand fleas, rain, boredom, and bush medicine—versus Survivor 50’s so-called “softball” era
– How modern twists (idols, shortened seasons) impact the intensity and credibility of winning
– Reflections on loyalty, trust, and what it really means to survive—on the island and beyond
As Rob and T-Bird revisit Sue’s legacy, they question whether today’s players could endure old-school hardships or if strategic complexity now outweighs environmental grit. Can emotional honesty still change the game, or has the new era made it all about flash and fleeting power?
Dive into this episode for Survivor storytelling that bridges generations, reveals hard truths, and keeps your torch burning for what’s coming next. Listen now to see Survivor 50 through the eyes of legends—and decide for yourself if the game will ever be the same.
Chapters:
0:00 T-Bird’s Epic Sue Hawk Journey
2:47 Landing the Elusive Sue Hawk Interview
6:07 Borneo Origins: Sue’s Survivor Backstory
14:25 Survivor Softballs: New Era Critique
19:17 Creating the Gilligan’s Island Audition
24:56 The Wild Survivor Casting Process
32:59 Crafting the Legendary Final Speech
39:03 Growing Up Tough in Wisconsin
45:56 Adventures Hunting Bears in Russia
1:14:21 Losing Out on Survivor Endorsements
1:26:20 The Missed All-Girls Alliance Opportunity
1:35:38 From Horses to Trucking Life
1:45:09 Playing With Sue: Rob Reflects
1:55:04 Hero or Villain: Sue’s Survivor Legacy
2:21:40 T-Bird’s Toast to Sue Hawk
Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast onYouTube SUPPORT:Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!
Talking with T-Bird: Amy O’Hara
09 août 2026
01:22:38
Talking with T-Bird: Amy O’Hara
The time has come for the return of “Talking with T-Bird.” Each episode, Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Survivor: Africa‘s Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper (@tbirdcooper) will catch up with a former Survivor player and talk about anything and take listener questions.
Survivor: Guatemala takes center stage as Rob Cesternino is joined by Survivor legend T-Bird and special guest Amy O’Hara for a spirited edition of Talking with T-Bird. Together, they look back at the grit, chaos, and unforgettable moments that shaped Survivor’s 11th season, highlighting the brutal physical challenges, dramatic tribe dynamics, and behind-the-scenes stories that never made it to air.
The episode begins with Amy sharing what it was like to join Survivor: Guatemala at the last minute, having only a week’s notice before heading into the Mayan jungle. She reflects on the infamous 12-mile hike that turned into a 20-mile ordeal, and how her background as a Boston police officer helped her survive both the elements and her fellow competitors. Rob and T-Bird dive into the impact of early idol twists, the struggles of competing on an injured ankle, and the surprising relationships forged in the wild — plus, Amy gets heartwarming video messages from fellow castaways like Stephenie and Danni.
– Amy describes the mental and physical toll of the record-breaking opening hike and the challenge of adapting as a self-described non-camper
– The team unpacks how Amy’s detective skills in reading body language did (and didn’t) give her an edge in camp strategy
– Behind-the-scenes chaos: from being attacked by a swarm of bees to the real stories of Golden Boy and baiting Blake at camp
– The cost of honesty and holding back in confessionals, as Amy and Danni both reflect on why they kept secrets from producers
– Amy’s transition from Survivor contestant to stand-up comedian, and her viral moments off the island
Will old-school toughness and loyalty ever make a comeback in the new Survivor? Can Amy’s storytelling skills from Survivor bring her stand-up to new heights? Dive in as the crew relives the wildest moments of Survivor: Guatemala and looks ahead to what makes the game truly unforgettable.
Join us for untold stories, strategic breakdowns, and laughs from Survivor: Guatemala, only on Talking with T-Bird!
Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast onYouTube SUPPORT:Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!
Talking with T-Bird: Big Tom
29 juil. 2026
01:19:51
Talking with T-Bird: Big Tom
The time has come for the return of “Talking with T-Bird.” Each episode, Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Survivor: Africa‘s Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper (@tbirdcooper) will catch up with a former Survivor player and talk about anything and take listener questions.
This week, Rob and T-Bird talk to Survivor Africa and Survivor All Star’s Big Tom Buchanan.
Never miss a minute of RHAP’s extensive Survivor coverage! LISTEN: Subscribe to the Survivor podcast feed WATCH: Watch and subscribe to the podcast onYouTube SUPPORT:Become a RHAP Patron for bonus content, access to Facebook and Discord groups plus more great perks!
Talking with T-Bird: Zoe Zanidakis
10 sept. 2024
01:04:27
Talking with T-Bird: Zoe Zanidakis
Zoe Zanadakis shares her unique Survivor: Marquesas journey with hosts Rob Cesternino and T-Bird Cooper in this engaging Talkin’ with T-Bird episode. From her unexpected entry into the game to her experiences as a commercial lobster fisherman, Zoe’s stories offer a fresh perspective on the early days of Survivor.
Zoe Zanidakis, known as the “Lobster Lady,” joins the conversation to share her unique experiences from growing up on Monhegan Island, Maine, to her time on Survivor. Despite not being a fan of the show before joining, Zoe’s outdoor skills and independent spirit made her a memorable contestant. She opens up about her initial reluctance to join the show, the challenges she faced, and her thoughts on alliances and game strategy.
Key Takeaways:
Zoe’s journey from a small fishing community to the Survivor stage.
The challenges of adapting to the social dynamics of Survivor.
Behind-the-scenes stories, including a hilarious mix-up with a boom mic.
Reflections on the physical and mental demands of the game.
Zoe’s thoughts on the idea of returning for Survivor 50.
Don’t miss this captivating episode filled with insider stories and heartfelt moments.
The time has come for the return of “Talking with T-Bird.” Each episode, Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Survivor: Africa‘s Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper (@tbirdcooper) will catch up with a former Survivor player and talk about anything and take listener questions. In this episode of “Talking with T-Bird,” Rob and T-Bird welcome Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X player, Will Wahl.
You can check out Will’s statistics on the Survivor Wiki from their Survivor career here: Will’s Survivor Wiki Profile
The time has come for the return of “Talking with T-Bird.” Each episode, Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Survivor: Africa‘s Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper (@tbirdcooper) will catch up with a former Survivor player and talk about anything and take listener questions. In this episode of “Talking with T-Bird,” Rob and T-Bird welcome Survivor: Gabon and Heroes Villains castaway, Sugar Kiper!
You can check out Sugar’s statistics on the Survivor Wiki from their Survivor career here: Sugar’s Survivor Wiki Profile
The time has come for the return of “Talking with T-Bird.” Each episode, Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Survivor: Africa‘s Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper (@tbirdcooper) will catch up with a former Survivor player and talk about anything and take listener questions. In this episode of “Talking with T-Bird,” Rob and T-Bird welcome Survivor: Island of the Idols castaway, Janet Carbin!
You can check out Janet’s statistics on the Survivor Wiki from their Survivor career here: Janet’s Survivor Wiki Profile
The time has come for the return of “Talking with T-Bird.” Each episode, Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Survivor: Africa‘s Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper (@tbirdcooper) will catch up with a former Survivor player and talk about anything and take listener questions. In this episode of “Talking with T-Bird,” Rob and T-Bird welcome Survivor: Cook Islands, Micronesia, and Philippines castaway, Jonathan Penner!
The time has come for the return of “Talking with T-Bird.” Each episode, Rob Cesternino (@robcesternino) and Survivor: Africa‘s Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper (@tbirdcooper) will catch up with a former Survivor player and talk about anything and take listener questions. In this episode of “Talking with T-Bird,” Rob and T-Bird welcome Survivor: Kaoh Rong, Game Changers, and Edge of Extinction castaway, Aubry Bracco!
You can check out Aubry’s statistics on the Survivor Wiki from their Survivor career here: Aubry’s Survivor Wiki Profile
Nick Brown placed seventh in Survivor: The Australian Outback. Since being on Survivor, Nick finished his degree at Harvard Law and was appointed the United States attorney for the Western District of Washington, which he resigned from to join the race for Attorney General of Washington.
Talking with T-Bird: Christa Hastie
11 juin 2024
In this episode of “Talking with T-Bird,” Rob and T-Bird welcome Survivor: Pearl Islands castaway, Christa Hastie!
Talking with T-Bird: Tina Wesson
04 juin 2024
In this episode of “Talking with T-Bird,” Rob and T-Bird welcome three-time player Tina Wesson.
Talking with T-Bird: Christine Shields Markoski
11 août 2023
01:21:06
In the sixty-first episode of “Talking with T-Bird,” Rob and T-Bird’s welcome Survivor: South Pacific castaway Christine Shields Markoski.
Talking with T-Bird: Tammy Leitner
06 juin 2023
01:46:33
For the fifty-eighth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Marquesas castaway, Tammy Leitner!
Talking with T-Bird: Jenna Morasca
24 janv. 2023
01:54:00
For the fifty-sixth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: The Amazon Winner, Jenna Morasca!
Talking with T-Bird: Jeremy & Val Collins
18 sept. 2022
01:38:40
For the fifty-fifth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: San Juan del Sur castaways, Val & Jeremy Collins.
Talking with T-Bird: Denise Martin
23 août 2022
01:33:54
For the fifty-fourth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: China castaway Denise Martin.
Talking with T-Bird: Caryn Groedel
07 août 2022
01:22:04
For the fifty-third episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Palau castaway Caryn Groedel.
Talking with T-Bird: Jan Gentry
30 juil. 2022
01:54:25
For the fifty-second episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Thailand castaway Jan Gentry.
Talking with T-Bird: Colton Cumbie
17 juil. 2022
01:35:30
For the fifty-first episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: One World and Survivor: Blood vs Water castaway Colton Cumbie.
Talking with T-Bird: Jaison Robinson
27 juin 2022
02:07:12
For the fiftieth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Samoa castaway Jaison Robinson.
Talking with T-Bird: “Timber” Tina Scheer
18 juin 2022
02:13:41
For the forty-ninth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Panama castaway "Timber" Tina Scheer.
Talking with T-Bird: Taj Johnson-George
04 juin 2022
01:51:17
For the forty-eighth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Tocantins castaway Taj Johnson-George.
Talking with T-Bird: Sandra Diaz-Twine
17 sept. 2021
For the forty-seventh episode of Talking with T-Bird, in conjunction with Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains's appearance at the top of the season ranking countdown, Rob Cesternino and Teresa 'T-Bird' Cooper catch up with four-time Survivor castaway and two-time winner Sandra Diaz-Twine.
Talking with T-Bird: Michaela Bradshaw
19 juil. 2021
For the forty-sixth episode of Talking with T-Bird, in conjunction with Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X's appearance on the season ranking countdown, Rob Cesternino and Teresa 'T-Bird' Cooper catch up with two-time Survivor castaway Michaela Bradshaw.
Talking with T-Bird: Shane Powers
30 juin 2021
After PANAMA clocked in at #15 in the all-time rankings, Rob Cesternino and Teresa 'T-Bird' Cooper catch up with Survivor: Panama castaway Shane Powers.
Talking with T-Bird: Keith and Wes Nale
26 juin 2021
For the forty-fourth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob Cesternino and Teresa 'T-Bird' Cooper catch up with the Survivor: San Juan del Sur pair Keith and Wes Nale.
Talking with T-Bird: Clarence Black
24 mai 2021
For the forty-third episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Africa castaway Clarence Black.
Talking with T-Bird: Rory Freeman
12 mai 2021
For the forty-second episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Vanuatu castaway Rory Freeman.
Talking with T-Bird: Danni Boatwright
12 avr. 2021
For the forty-first episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Guatemala winner and Survivor: Winners at War castaway Danni Boatwright.
Talking with T-Bird: Anthony Robinson
05 avr. 2021
For the fortieth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Fiji castaway Anthony Robinson.
Talking with T-Bird: Dawn Meehan
28 mars 2021
For the thirty-ninth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: South Pacific castaway and Survivor: Caramoan runner-up Dawn Meehan.
Talking with T-Bird: Maralyn “Mad Dog” Hershey
08 mars 2021
For the thirty-eighth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: The Australian Outback castaway Maralyn "Mad Dog" Hershey.
Talking with T-Bird: Todd Herzog
01 mars 2021
For the thirty-seventh episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: China winner Todd Herzog.
Talking with T-Bird: Holly Hoffman
22 févr. 2021
For the thirty-sixth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Nicaragua castaway Holly Hoffman.
Talking with T-Bird: Lex van den Berghe
08 févr. 2021
For the thirty-fourth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Africa and Survivor: All-Stars castaway Lex van den Berghe.
Talking with T-Bird: Ghandia Johnson
01 févr. 2021
For the thirty-fourth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Thailand castaway Ghandia Johnson.
Talking with T-Bird: Kelly Wiglesworth
25 janv. 2021
For the thirty-third episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Borneo runner-up and Survivor: Cambodia castaway Kelly Wiglesworth.
Talking with T-Bird: Julie Berry
11 janv. 2021
For the thirty-second episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Guatemala castaway Julie Berry.
Talking with T-Bird: Cindy & Mindy Hall
18 déc. 2020
For the thirty-first episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Guatemala castaway Cindy Hall and her twin sister Mindy Hall.
Talking with T-Bird: NaOnka Mixon
11 déc. 2020
For the thirtieth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Nicaragua castaway NaOnka Mixon.
Talking with T-Bird: Cindy Hall
02 déc. 2020
For the twenty-ninth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Guatemala castaway Cindy Hall.
Talking with T-Bird: Brandon Quinton
24 nov. 2020
For the twenty-eighth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Africa castaway Brandon Quinton.
Talking with T-Bird: Dreamz Herd
17 nov. 2020
For the twenty-seventh episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with Survivor: Fiji runner-up Dreamz Herd.
Talking with T-Bird: Jerri Manthey
31 oct. 2020
For the twenty-sixth episode of Talking with T-Bird, Rob and T-Bird catch up with 3-time survivor castaway Jerri Manthey!
Talking with T-Bird: Katie Gallagher
21 oct. 2020
Rob Cesternino and Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper sit down with former "Survivor: Palau" runner-up, Katie Gallagher on the 25th episode of Talking with T-Bird.
Talking with T-Bird: Gervase Peterson
13 oct. 2020
Rob Cesternino and Teresa “T-Bird” Cooper sit down with former "Survivor: Borneo" and “Survivor: Blood vs. Water” castaway, Gervase Peterson on the 24th episode of Talking with T-Bird.
Talking with T-Bird: Robert “The General” DeCanio
26 sept. 2020
Rob and T-Bird sit down with former "Survivor: Marquesas" player, Robert "The General" DeCanio on the 23rd episode of Talking with T-Bird.
Talking with T-Bird: Lindsey Richter
20 sept. 2020
Rob and T-Bird sit down with former "Survivor: Africa" player, Lindsey Richter on the 22nd episode of Talking with T-Bird.