The Sam Sanders Show

Anna Sale hosts one of our favorite podcasts (and probably yours too) Death, Sex & Money.   In honor of her show, Sam and Anna roundup their picks for the best movies, tv shows, music and books all about (you guessed it!) death, sex and money. Together they get into the timeless lessons on grief in The Lion King, why Bonnie Raitt’s catalog is the ultimate remedy for heartbreak, and some surprisingly racy Aretha Franklin lyrics. Plus, Anna shares where she found joy this summer. Want more of Anna Sale’s musings? Check out her Substack From Somewhere. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week! The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

Pulitzer Prize–winning fashion critic Robin Givhan joins Sam to talk style, luxury, and legacy. Sam also asks the eternal question: which jeans should he wear—skinny, baggy, barrel, or wide leg? Robin offers sharp fashion advice and dives into her new book, Make It Ours: Crashing the Gates of Culture with Virgil Abloh. They unpack the rebellious influence of Virgil Abloh—the late visionary behind Off-White and the first Black designer to lead Louis Vuitton—and how he blurred the line between streetwear and high fashion. She also breaks down the biggest challenges in fashion today, from TikTok microtrends to whether “high fashion” still matters. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

Why do bad lyrics happen to good people?  From ‘suckin' on a chili dog’ to ‘making love to his tonic and gin,’ even the biggest hits from our favorite artists can feature lyrical turns that make us feel quizzical, offended, or even downright nauseated. Sam joins Nate and Charlie, hosts of the Vulture music podcast Switched on Pop, to plumb the depths of the worst pop lyrics of all time—culled from hundreds of listener submissions—to categorize, historicize, and, perhaps, celebrate the art of the lyrical faux pas. Check out more episodes of Switched on Pop anywhere you get podcasts.  Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.  

BFF’s Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays (Text Me Back! Podcast) dive into what pop culture gets right (and wrong) about friendships.  The duo share their hot takes with Sam, make a case for renaming Love Island to Friendship Island, and ask if MTV’s The Real World ruined the country. Plus, should some problematic celebrities (cough *Cardi B* cough) get a pass for being too real?  Want more Lindy and Meagan? Check out their Substack for Text Me Back!  Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Join Bob the Drag Queen, a New York Times bestselling author and RuPaul's Drag Race winner, as he hilariously reimagines Harriet Tubman as a rap icon in his new book. He discusses Tubman's powerful legacy and what freedom means today. Prepare for amusing impressions and insightful commentary on protest music and cultural icons. Bob dives into complex themes of racial identity and privilege, blending humor with deep reflections on social justice. This engaging conversation is a must-listen!

Big Freedia is best known as the Queen of Bounce, but her new gospel album Pressing Onward showcases her holy roots.  She tells Sam about growing up as a young gay church kid in New Orleans, what moved her to make a gospel album, and how twerking and praising God go hand in hand. Plus, Big Freedia breaks down her iconic feature on Beyoncé’s 2016 hit single “Formation.”  Pressing Onward is out now.  Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Tressie McMillan Cottom, a writer, cultural critic, and New York Times columnist, joins the discussion to unpack Beyoncé's impact on country music. They explore whether the genre still grapples with racial issues, highlighting historical barriers faced by Black artists. The conversation shifts to recent cultural changes and how diverse artists are reshaping the norms. Tressie also champions a standout summer hit, encouraging listeners to engage with music through dance and connection.

In this engaging discussion, Anne Helen Petersen, writer of the Culture Study newsletter and host of the Culture Study podcast, sheds light on the concept of 'Feminist Exhaustion'—the burnout women face from unmet feminist promises. She critiques how pop culture shapes our views on empowerment, citing examples from shows like Scandal and Girls. The conversation also navigates shifting identities from girlboss to tradwife, exploring how future generations can reshape feminism and foster authentic representation in media.

Anyone else exhausted? 

Linda Holmes, an NPR pop culture correspondent and author, joins Ronald Young Jr., host of Leaving the Theater, to dissect the ups and downs of 2025's entertainment landscape. They tackle the escapism found in films and series, from the witty critiques in 'The Studio' to the gripping narratives of thrillers like 'Drop.' Expect fresh takes on the importance of representation in Hollywood and humorous reflections on reality TV's allure with 'Love Island.' Plus, they brainstorm an intriguing concept for a new series, 'Black Lotus.'