Let's talk about Survivor for a minute

Your weekly icebreaker

One of TV’s greatest television shows is officially back for it’s 48th(!!!) season. If you’re not watching Survivor, what are you doing with your life? A show that’s lasted 48 seasons (and shows no sign of slowing down) has earned your consideration.

And if 48 seasons feels intimidating to you, that’s fair. But I’ve got a “curriculum” to onboard you to the best of the seasons because no, you do not need to watch them all. (See more on that below).

I want to talk about Survivor not because it’s the best competition TV show on air, but because it’s a show that’s all about building personal connection.

Much is made about how players build their social game on the show: how they build alliances, how they create trust with allies, how they forge bonds with people they seemingly have very little in common with.

So I was delighted when during Wednesday’s premiere episode, one of the contestants, David, posed a trio of icebreaker questions during his tribe’s first time hanging out together. And while I didn’t love David’s icebreaker questions (a bit bland for me), I thought it was notable how he used them: to create early bonds with his tribe. The perfect use of an icebreaker!

Here’s what contestant David asked, which also double as your icebreaker suggestions for the week (and for what it’s worth, I think they work as an interesting trio):

1. What kind of car do you drive?

2. What is your favorite movie?

3. How do you like your steak done?

What David was employing, knowingly or not, was a version of Karl Rohnke’s “comfort, stretch, panic” model, which I’ve talked about before. The idea is that when you’re bringing a group together, especially for the first time, you need to meet folks in their “comfort” zone, with approachable questions like the ones David posed. Then, as you build that trust, you can gradually move people into a stretch zone — trying to avoid moving too deep too quick and pushing people into “panic.”

David’s trio of questions was a way to meet his tribe mates in “comfort,” and find opportunities for building deeper connection. And lo and behold, that’s what happened: two tribe mates both identified that “Holes” was their favorite movie — and instantly, a bond was formed.

David helped prove that icebreakers can and do serve a purpose.

Sometimes writing this newsletter in the midst of all thats happening in the world it can feel small, like I’m just *tap tap tapping* on my keyboard as the world burns. But I also know that the most important thing we have right now is one another. So if an icebreaker can help two cast mates bond over “Holes,” or two of your team members to find shared connection — then it’s worth it.

(Now, whether David’s strategy will serve him long-term in Survivor, only time will tell. My bet is he’s too much of a physical threat to last long past the merge. But he’s showed good instincts for building connection, which is worthy of commendation in my books.)

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A Guide for Getting Into Survivor

I fully acknowledge that the idea of getting into a TV show with 48 seasons feels insane. But! If this newsletter has piqued your interest, I have a curriculum for you. Crafted in collaboration with my personal Survivor guru, Helaine, over the pandemic, we have built out a journey that ladders up to Season 40, which was an all-winners cast from previous seasons.

This curriculum was built to introduce a viewer to:

a) the best of the show’s seasons;
b) avoid spoilers when watching 40 so you don’t accidentally know who won every season; and
c) introduce you to the different eras in Survivor’s history

So without further fanfare, here’s the guide:

First, start with the very best season:

• Season 28: Cagayan

• Season 33: Millennials v Gen X

• Season 35: Hustler v Heroes

• Season 37: David vs. Goliath (White Lotus creator Mike White’s season!)

Then, go back and learn your Survivor history:

• Season 8: All Stars

• Season 13: Cook Island

• Season 7: Pearl Islands

• Season 16: Micronesia - Fans vs Favorites

• Season 20: Heroes vs Villains

• Season 27: Blood vs. Water

• Season 31: Cambodia - Second Chance

And finally, before watching Season 40, check out:

• Season 26: Caramoan, Fan v Favorites 2

• Season 34: Game Changers

Then, it’s finally time to watch Season 40 (which is an all-time great season).

Once you’re done with 40 and still craving more, you can catch up on the new era of Survivor (those seasons are ordered below, from my favorite to least favorite):

• Season 46

• Season 47

• Season 45

• Season 44

• Season 42

• Season 41

• Season 43

And if after all of that you still want to go even deeper, which I respect and celebrate, check out:

• Season 15: China

• Season 18: Tocantins

• Season 22: Redemption Island

• Season 23: South Pacific

• Season 32: Kaôh Rho

• Season 25: Philippines

Happy viewing — here to answer your Survivor questions!!