Vibe Check
A weekly podcast where Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, and Zach Stafford make sense of what’s going on in news and culture – and how it all feels. Vibe Check is your favorite group chat, come to life. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
On this live episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Zach chat with poet and activist, Danez Smith, about their career journey, afro-pessimism, the balance of grief vs joy, and more.
Special thanks to the team at the LA Times Festival of Books and USC!
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“Poetry Loves You” merch and more, available at www.podswag.com/vibecheck
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official websi...
On this live episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk about Patti LuPone’s one-sided beef with Audra McDonald, conservatism on Broadway, and the worldwide “sex recession”. Plus, they answer a few questions from the audience.
Special thanks to the team at WBUR in Boston!
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“Leave It In, Shantel” merch and more, available at: podswag.com/vibecheck
On this special episode of Vibe Check, Zach chats one-on-one with Tina Knowles about her family, her legacy, and her journey of self-discovery while writing her new memoir, MATRIARCH.
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com
We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.
Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vi...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk to Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark, about Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”, Andry José Hernández Romero’s wrongful deportation, and WorldPride 2025. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: OK Lady by Roman GianArthur
SAEED: “Blue Porsche” by Alex Dimitrov from ECSTASY
ZACH: MATRIARCH by Tina Kn...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Zach discuss Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis, and how his staff covered up his declining health. Then, they react to the Nottoway Plantation fire. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
ZACH: Overcompensating on Amazon Prime
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Live Shows...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss how Elon Musk is inflicting mass pollution on a Black neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee. Then, they chat about new Netflix show, “The Four Seasons”. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: Andor
ZACH: Thunderbolts
SAEED: “43” by Robin Coste Lewis
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On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach sit down with Senator Elizabeth Warren to talk about her political "conversion" story, President Trump's first 100 days in office, and some signs of hope to help us get through the rest of his term. Plus, what's keeping Sen. Warren's vibe right?
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Recommendations:
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN: Dogs. Shout to Bailey!
On this special episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach give their takes on the 2025 Met Gala. But first, Zach chats with Chioma Nnadi, Head of Editorial Content at British Vogue and host of The Run Through with Vogue. They talked about Black dandyism, André Leon Talley, and more.
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Loved Zach’s chat with Chioma Nnadi? Dive deeper into the world of Vogue with The Run-Through wi...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss Trump’s first 100 days in office. Then, they talk about the kick-off of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour, and dynamic concert ticket pricing. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: Sarah Vaughn’s 1981 Beatles cover album
ZACH: Real Women Have Curves on Broadway
SAEED: “The Endlessness” by Ad...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach chat about Ryan Coogler’s box office hit, “Sinners”, and the conversation it has sparked. Then, they talk about money dysmorphia and “boom boom” culture. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: Jay Jurden is Holding Space
ZACH: The Pitt on MAX
SAEED: “Meditations in an Emergency” by Cameron Awkwa...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss the Blue Origin Feminist Stunt and all things Coachella. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: G20 on Amazon Prime Video, and The Group Chat series on TikTok
ZACH: ‘Dying For Sex’ (on HULU) starring Michelle Williams
SAEED: “Whitey on the Moon” by Gil Scott-Heron
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss the stock market crashing, Trump's tariffs, and the #Handsoff protests that swept the globe on April 5th. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race that Will Change the World by Parmy Olson | Sam's conversation with Sarah Schulman
ZACH: Mid-Century Moder...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about season three of “The White Lotus", and the “sin” of empathy. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: This American Life - Heretics
ZACH: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline [Pre-Order]
On this episode of Vibe Check’s mini-series - Hey, Sis: A Vibe Check Series, Zach has a chat with writer, activist, and filmmaker, Tourmaline. They talk about her new book, “The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson”, finding your worth in history, the current state of trans rights, and more.
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com
We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitc...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about the impact of economic protests, fitness influencer culture, and the social trend of disordered living. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: The Sam Sanders Show ft. Torrey Peters // The Residence on Netflix
ZACH: Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen
SAEED: “Per Aspera” from I Ho...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about America’s current relationship with the world, and what may be the start of a Democratic civil war. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
Recommendations:
SAM: Stag Dance by Torrey Peters + Black Bag (the movie)
ZACH: Adolescence on Netflix
SAEED: Poem for the Reader by Alex Dimitroff
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vi...
On this episode of Vibe Check’s mini-series - Hey, Sis: A Vibe Check Series, Saeed has a chat with writer and historian, Imani Perry. They talk about her new book, “Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People”, the importance of self-regard, spirituality, and more.
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com
We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and ke...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Zach discuss Mahmoud Khalil being arrested on the Columbia University campus. Then, they talk about the reality of a romantic future for young Americans. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: “Paradise” on Hulu
ZACH: “With Love, Meghan” on Netflix
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official ...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Zach, Saeed and Sam share a few modern scriptures in front of a live audience at On Air Fest. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
Recommendations:
SAM: A father's monologue in "Call Me By Your Name."
SAEED: Imani Perry's new book, Black in Blues
ZACH: Shortbus (the film)
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Saeed answer a few listener advice questions. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.
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Recommendations:
SAM: Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway Album & Roberta Flack featuring Donny Hathaway Album
SAEED: “afterwards the boys stand in the kitchen” from PLAY DEAD by Francine J. Harris
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