Be it past, present, or future, if it's happening in The Challenge universe then I am here to document it. Covering all things The Challenge, this Historian brings you: episode recaps in real time as they occur, deep dives into past seasons, historical perspective and answers to the greatest of Challenge debates, cast interviews, and more!
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Jacob Hollabaugh Podcasts

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The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats Episode 9 Recap
33:48
33:48
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33:48If you hate cheating that much then let's name some names! Plus: CT's mini redemption, Turbo is everyone's alpha just like he likes, Will has some Will moments, put some respect on Jonna, and a draft that is supposed to be permanent but probably isn’t going to be! It’s The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats, Episode 9 Recap, topics include: Cold Open …
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The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats Episode 7 Recap
33:49
33:49
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33:49They said it could never happen, but here we are, a convoluted format twist that I actually love?!? Plus: Nany gets down, Leo thinks he is Thanos, Ashley is allowed to drive, alliances take final shape, and Tay notches her second elimination win of the season! It’s The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats, Episode 7 Recap, topics include: 00:00 Cold Ope…
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The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats Episode 5 Recap
37:17
37:17
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37:17Derek Chavez is HIM! Plus: One two time champ leaves and another enters the game, a movie promo that actually kind of works, surprisingly solid kicking skills, Michaela stays hot, Ben most certainly does not, a tie vote turns into flipping a coin, and we get what maybe should be the new standard for Hall Brawl eliminations!?! It’s The Challenge 41 …
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The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats Episode 4 Recap
30:39
30:39
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30:39From I Am The Challenge to I Am Not On The Challenge in one episode! Plus: Turbo learns which body parts come out when, CT and Adrienne the new power couple, Michaela does smart things, Theo huffs and puffs, they don’t show us fun bus things, and Gabe gets his big moment of redemption and glory! It’s The Challenge 41 Vets and New Threats Episode 4 …
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The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats Episode 3 Recap
41:16
41:16
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41:16Let Nia compete! Plus: Derek’s birthday, rookies gaining confidence, vets looking washed up, Cara the comedian, Olivia is seated on the throne as the clear alpha of the house and her relationship - at least according to Turbo, and Johnny “I am the Challenge” Bananas navigates the game and the cameras like only Bananas can. It’s The Challenge 41 Vet…
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The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats Episode 2 Recap
37:24
37:24
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37:24An all time elimination game is born! Plus: Turbo gives Bananas the middle finger, CT goes full house uncle mode, UK learns being the only alliance isn’t a good thing, production may be winning me over with the format, and Will has a full blown crash out over the most professional showmance we’ve ever seen! It’s The Challenge 41, Vets & New Threats…
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The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats Episode 1 Recap
31:35
31:35
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31:35Derrick & Derek swing the vote and likely the game! Plus: never take off your shoes in a daily, self aware CT, MAC Champion Leka, Dee and Bananas start strong, the expected good teams are good, Turbo gets better at talking shit and making jokes, the format is all over the place, Rogan gets what he asks for, and Justin rebounds from betrayal to shin…
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The Challenge 41 Vets & New Threats Episode 0 Recap
31:59
31:59
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31:59The Challenge Historian is back to cover the newest season of The Challenge, Season 41, Vets & New Threats. Last week saw the ACTUAL PREMIERE EPISODE of Season 41, and Jacob is here today to quickly cover a couple highlights from episode 0 and power rank the new teams now that they are known. Of course, we start off the show with a few life and sho…
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Frank and Sam coming to their breaking point, Melissa and Nicole proving I might have been right all along, Da'vonne and Shane showing out, and Adam and Steve winning by the tiniest of margins and choosing to split the money in the end! It’s The Challenge All Stars Rivals finale recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:00) Intro & Agenda (02:11) Checkp…
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The final has begun and an upset is brewing! Sam and Frank face fears of the past and present with sand dunes to start, Melissa and Nicole start fast but fade late, Adam and Steve are just not clicking like we thought they would, TJ is putting on a concert mid-final, and Da’Vonne and Shane go from not wanting to participate to taking a commanding l…
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One last shot at a star falls short! Plus: Nicole introduces her girlfriend to her hot teammate that she definitely doesn’t flirt with, Shane packs his bags but stops short of walking out of the game, Frank and Sam polish off their damn near flawless run through the season, and Nany and Turbo get their shot at redemption but fall short thanks to a …
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That’s it, no one let Veronica pack heels for the next All Stars season! Plus: a phone call home that really should have been edited out, a real throwback fun daily, Da'Vonne catches Frank in the act, Shane plays ankle doctor, Turbo gives a pep talk, Nany is super activated, and Melissa and Nicole lock in and maybe lock lips!?!? It’s The Challenge …
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Leroy is avenged! Plus: a terrifying spa night, Turbo loves his couches, the house does not love Turbo, everyone goes off the cliff, Steve and Adam win yet again, and Shane and Frank continue battling for the coveted spot as Veronica’s bestie! It’s The Challenge All Stars Rivals Episode 8 recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:00) Coral is Back (00:3…
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Down go the potential finals favorites! Plus: the investigation to find They continues, Amber loses friends just as quick as she got them, Shane starts to stir, Frank does a lot of pacing and yelling, Veronica asserts her dominance, and Nany and Turbo give a quick reminder that they might be the team to beat this whole time! It’s The Challenge, All…
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Fantasy Casting The Challenge All Stars Real World vs Road Rules
37:09
37:09
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37:09The next season of The Challenge All Stars should be Real World vs Road Rules and I won't hear otherwise! With All Stars Rivals being such a hit, and with Mark Long himself tweeting about it, my longtime desire for All Stars to do a Real World vs Road Rules team season resurfaced in a big way. It was the theme that started it all, and the options f…
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Challenge Masterclass is back in session! Plus: Amber finally has a friend, Shane & Da’Vonne finally get some screen time, Sam & Frank sort of continue the win streak, Steve and Adam DON’T have to do an elimination, and OG schemers Veronica and Katie have the house in complete panic mode doing exactly what they want! It’s The Challenge All Stars Ri…
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Four in a row, these OGs can not be stopped! Plus: TJ puts everyone’s true feelings on blast, Sam and Frank take complete control, Corey and Adam have a lil beef, Devin and Dario have a big beef, some nasty stuff gets drunk, and a star is now officially being held hostage! It’s The Challenge All Stars Rivals Episode 5 Recap, topics include: Cold Op…
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Throwing in Ashley and Aneesa? What are we doing team I am rooting for??? Plus: romance strikes the Rivals house, Katie’s masterclass is in session, not the most graceful of flyers in this group, two very different calls home to significant others, and Steve and Adam continue their potentially historic elimination run! It’s The Challenge All Stars …
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The Challenge 41 Casting Instant Reactions
51:44
51:44
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51:44The Challenge 41 filming is underway in Chile! I’m breaking down all the vet casting picks in detail, all the rookie casting picks in not so much detail, telling you who I would have called in my own fantasy casting, and breaking down best case formats for this season of The Challenge. Cold Open (00:00) Intro & Agenda (00:37) Vet Cast Breakdown (05…
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Sylvia and KellyAnne complete the fastest Rivals season arc ever! Plus: Adam - and maybe some others - are VERY sick, some fears and insecurities are faced and overcome, Devin thinks he’s masterminding while Frank actually masterminds, and the inevitable blow up between Aneesa and Ashley begins it’s countdown! It’s the Challenge All Stars 5 Rivals,…
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TJ is in the house doing group votes and I couldn’t be happier! Plus: Beth’s got jeans from Gauntlet 2, Leroy’s got poop jokes, no one wants to do the daily challenge, Amber is still good but maybe still too nice, Frank is getting busy, Adam and Steve are old but game, and Sylvia and KellyAnne remind the house that this is in fact a Rivals season! …
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Battle of the Eras Season Recap & Awards (Plus State of The Challenge)
1:12:23
1:12:23
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1:12:23Six months ago the monumental 40th season of The Challenge kicked off. Now, a few weeks after it has ended, and as we watch a new All Stars season commence, we take one final look back at how things shook out for Battle of the Eras. Before getting to the season recap and awards, I dive into The State of The Challenge (or kind of the state of my fan…
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The Challenge is SO BACK! Plus: TJ has a sick bike, Ashley gets leading lady honors, Frank is trying very hard to remain chill, Turbo eats berries and doesn’t speak, Dario is very much considering life as a step dad, and oh so many actual juicy real raw rivalries and emotions are at play and this season is going to rule!! It’s The Challenge All Sta…
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One week out from the first ever MTV version of All Stars, the first ever themed version of All Stars, the return of the GOAT Challenge format - Rivals, the return of legends Ashley and Frank, a true mix of OGs to downright newbies, and hopefully - fingers crossed - the return of an over the top dramatic and chaotic Challenge season because this th…
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Three Champions are crowned (yes, three) as The Challenge 40 Battle of the Eras comes to a close. The Karma Vote plays a major role, Jordan dominates from start to finish, Jenny mostly does as well, Derek and Michele shine in second, Rachel moves all the way up, Bananas gets some solo R&R on the beach, Tori gets some solo singing time, and a whole …
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Swimming, swimming, and then some more swimming! Plus: gorgeous sunsets, a white whale sighting, simple puzzles but the details matter, some more swimming - not sure if I mentioned that - and the karma points twist partially revealed and it’s as bad as we thought it might be! It’s The Challenge Battle of the Eras Episode 18, yes 18, recap, topics i…
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We’ve got plankton eating people, Jordan solidifying his favorite to win status, Michele confirming her puzzle queen status, a short but significant location change, last second birthday parties, new friends, old foes, and one long night in the water for two legends of the game battling for that final finals spot! It’s the Challenge Battle of the E…
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All time daily challenge showdown! Plus: Team Young Buck trio makes an appearance, Rachel continues to dominate, Johnny says sorry, Karl and Dave are besties now, and Cory gets his dream elimination leaving poor Josh absolutely no shot. It’s The Challenge Battle of the Eras Episode 14 recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:00) Intro & Agenda (00:34) …
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I did not sign up for this much foot content, ok? Plus: group meditations, new alliances, best friends facing off, Rachel takes over the Angels, Josh finally picks a side, and Bananas keeps doing what Bananas knows best, stirring the pot! It’s The Challenge Battle of the Eras Episode 13 recap, topics include: Cold Open (00:00) Intro & Agenda (00:33…
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One minute they put you on Mount Rushmore the next minute you’re quitting because it’s too hot, how embarrassing! Plus: ice baths, GOAT talk, mini finals, purge, angels going down, devils rising up, toenails clipped, threat levels confirmed, and TJ brings a bit of Vegas to Vietnam! It’s The Challenge Battle of the Eras Episode 12 recap, topics incl…
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Please open a theme park where I can play the daily challenges already! Plus: Tori fights back, those in the shadows get a light shone on them, the ladies of leisure put in some hard labor, Kyland adds another win, Rachel adds another secret number, and for the second week in a row, the tour de force known as classic pot stirring shit talking all e…
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Johnny Bananas aka Captain Save-a-Show reports for duty! Plus: Devin is still here (kinda), the ladies of leisure have a rough day in the sun, Ryan gets last but in an impressive way, and the game has changed and the smart and savvy players have quickly picked up on the new way to play! It’s The Challenge Battle of the Eras Episode 10 recap, topics…
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Down goes the vacation alliance and Challenge fans everyone - ok mostly everywhere - rejoice! Plus: one of the best players ever is better off playing by themselves - who saw that coming, Laurel has never gotten a math question wrong in her life, Josh’s close friends don’t seem to treat him as well as his peripheral friends, and is Kyland that fast…
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The greatest Warrior in Challenge history puts on a show! Plus: Kaycee finally speaks and couldn’t be more wrong, Gladiator promo goes crazy, no adjustments made for Era 1 to have any chance, Cory gets heated, Theo averts the blame, Rachel has a nasty right hook, and I honestly can’t believe they didn’t sneak in any more uses of Are You Not Enterta…
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I’ve said it before I’ll say it again, ain’t no party like a true Challenge house party! Plus: Teck is OG of the week, Devin is truly smitten and firing from the hip because of it, they finally get to jump off that tall building they kept showing us, a lot of deal making in the shadows, and the collapse of Era 1 continues in every conceivable way! …
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(Note: Sorry about the audio quality, your boy accidentally had it set to the wrong microphone, whoops) Bananas the pot stirring villain is officially back! Plus: a vacation alliance handshake, the biggest strangest balloons I’ve ever seen, Derrick maybe breaks his leg, Devin and Michele face their first relationship hurdle, Laurel somehow is just …
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The newest chapter of reality tv’s longest running toxic relationship! Plus: Devin and Michele boo up, Emily desperately searches for positive energy anywhere in the house, Josh gets called out and steps up, Jonna tries to duck, Era 1 remains a complete mess, Nehemiah gets caught deal making then takes out a GOAT, and Tina Tool Time Barta has been …
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Challenge trivia jeopardy style? What is this Christmas? Plus: CT goes down hard, Jordan is being shifty, Josh bails on his word, date night for Brad and Emily, Laurel is going to do what Laurel wants to do and Johnny is going to go along with it, Aneesa with the near upset over my winner pick Jenny, and Derrick slays another elimination beast in c…
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Tony what the hell are you doing?!? Plus: a great team daily, Era 1 is all over the place, Nia is living her best life, Averey is kicking some ass, Darrell hopefully didn’t actually throw his back, Devin proves his brain bonafides, Josh breaks up with Tori, and cue the old school montage because there is a TOGA PARTYYY!!! It’s The Challenge Battle …
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Balls In has been ruined, Tori bests Amanda again, Godfather vs Pitbull, Katie the MMA star, Olivia and Nurys don’t hate each other, Cara and Laurel definitely do hate each other, eight eliminations in 70 minutes is a LOT to breeze through, and Theo rocks Paulie's world and then some! It’s The Challenge Battle of the Eras Episode 2 Recap, topics in…
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CT is the first to cry, even before me! Plus: an awesome opening challenge, Cara vs Laurel is the rivalry that’ll never end, CT Pro Tips, a simple puzzle stumps a lot of people, Cory on the verge of wasting his power, Era 1 realizes their all best friends and this sucks, and Era 4 sets the stage for a Paulie Theo showdown. It’s The Challenge, Battl…
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The Battle of the Eras Launch Special was AWESOME! And well worth a recap, so I did one. Covering some high level thoughts about the launch special, a handful of specific moments and what they mean for the season, ideas for season promo in the future, and then finally a break down of the super trailer and my final (I swear these are the them) predi…
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Battle of the Eras kicks off with the Launch Special tonight (8/7) and then for real next week on Wednesday (8/14). To get prepared your Challenge Historian breaks down the trailer, what we know about the opening Eras Invitational, and gives out 40 wishes or predictions for this monumental 40th season! Intro & Agenda (00:00) Trailer Breakdown (06:0…
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While in Vegas last weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of meeting up with the legend himself, TJ Lavin, for some coffee and a quick conversation about his Challenge career. It was so much fun getting to speak with TJ, and I hope you enjoy listening to the conversation as much as I enjoyed having it. Introduction (00:00) Battle of the Eras Podcast…
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I've been recapping every season of The Challenge one by one over on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and today I bundle and bring you my recaps of seasons 14 - 25! They started to get a tad bit longer, so this podcast is therefore a little longer. There will be one or two more batches of these released in podcast form during the lead up to Battle o…
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The Challenge 39 Seasons in 39 Days Franchise Recap has been humming along over on Instagram and YouTube, and today, for you audio only listeners delight, I'm bundling up the first 13 seasons worth of recaps into one podcast episode. Each season has been getting a 60 second or less recap on IG, and a 3 to 5 minute recap on YouTube. What you will he…
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All Stars 4 may have ended last week but the record books still need to be finalized! Your Challenge Historian is back one final time covering this season in all it's mess and glory. The biggest storylines, did the change in direction for the franchise work, who do I want back, who won all the awards, and what grade do I give the season overall? Al…
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All Stars 4 Episode 12 (The Finale) Recap
39:21
39:21
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39:21The All Stars 4 Carnival - er, excuse me, final - comes to a close! Major advantages are given, the group is whittled down, TJ goes full Ron Burgundy, Steve makes an all time mental mistake, and Laurel vs Cara is decided once and for all! It’s The Challenge All Stars 4 Episode 12 aka the finale recap coming up right now! Cold Open (00:00) Intro & A…
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I finally got a prediction right... sort of! Plus: one last challenge means one last chance for a star, the RV makes a major comeback, TJ is putting together his Emmy reel, maybe the most fun looking checkpoint in challenge finals history followed by one of the more unpleasant ones in finals history, and a cliffhanger with two contenders lives in t…
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One ocelot plays scared while the other goes for the throat! Plus: Ace is having the best worst time, Veronica and Flora are beginning to really waste space, Leroy is feeling some deja vu brewing, the levels of schtick continue to increase, Adam gets super heated, and Starmaster Steve continues his winning ways! It’s the Challenge All Stars 4 Episo…
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