The Sam Sanders Show

Samin Nosrat found a love for cooking through working in acclaimed restaurants and visiting kitchens around the world. She became a star after releasing her hit cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – which also became a Netflix series. But to her surprise, all that success left her feeling empty.  Sam chatted with Samin in her ‘secret garden,’ surrounded by kumquats, limes and passion fruit. She broke down how hard it was to recover in the spotlight, and how she learned to embrace life’s pleasures. Plus, she dishes on the healing powers of dinner parties and gives advice for pulling them off yourself. Samin Nosrat’s new book is called Good Things. 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.  

Author Michael Lewis is best known for writing Money Ball, Liar's Poker and The Big Short, his seminal book about the 2008 financial crisis that later became an Oscar-winning film. He sat down with Sam for a recent Live Talk Los Angeles event to celebrate the 15 year anniversary and new audio book of The Big Short. They revisit the biggest lessons from 2008 and reflect on what’s changed —and stayed the same— in finance, society and entertainment since then. Plus, he shares what’s making him happy during these tumultuous times. 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.  

Stand-up comedian Jay Jurden, known for his debut special *Yes, Ma'am* on Hulu, dives into his comedic journey and the art of crafting jokes. He discusses his unique take on humor, the thrill of dodging censors with risqué lines, and why he steers clear of Trump material. Jay shares insights on balancing personal experiences, like his open marriage, with broader societal commentary. He also addresses the importance of respecting audiences and critiques the industry, all while delivering plenty of laughs.

In this engaging conversation, Justin Richmond, a music journalist and host of Pushkin’s Broken Record, dives into the shocking absence of rap songs from Billboard's Top 40 for the first time in 35 years. They explore hip-hop's evolution and its influence across genres, comparing current trends with past musical shifts. Justin analyzes the appeal of artists like NBA YoungBoy and the implications of streaming on the rap landscape. Ultimately, he asserts that while rap faces challenges, it’s far from dead, encouraging listeners to support emerging talent.

Jazmyn W., a stand-up comedian and content creator, shares her hilarious and candid views on motherhood, dating, and life after divorce. She discusses the grind of modern comedy, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in her work, and her unabashed takes on reality dating shows, calling many contestants desperate for fame. Jazmyn also touches on TikTok's role in her career and expresses skepticism about AI in art, advocating for genuine human connections. With humor and raw honesty, she navigates the chaotic world of comedy and family.

It’s a bonus episode! From now on you’ll get Sam in your feed two times a week with a new segment we’re calling Not Safe for Radio.  Sam will chat with friends, writers, podcasters (and sometimes the team behind this show) about what we’re obsessed with to what we’re reading to pop culture hot topics and more.  This week… When Sam placed Jaws on our Horror Movie Mt. Rushmore our videographer, Luis Peña, had A LOT to say. Sam and Luis duke it out and find out once and for all what actually makes a horror movie a horror movie.   The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

We were all burned by the #GIRLBOSS era… just ask comedian Phoebe Robinson. Her latest standup special I Don’t Wanna Work Anymore gets into all the ways hustle culture made us all tired.  Phoebe and Sam break down the realities of the girlboss, trad wives and tired baddies everywhere. They also reflect on the legacy of her comedy podcast 2 Dope Queens, which she hosted with friend and fellow comedian Jessica Williams. Plus, Phoebe shares why it’s just too late for her to become a sugar baby.  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 culture journalists Brittany Luse and Tre’vell Anderson as they dive into the world of horror films and pop culture. They build a Horror Movie Mount Rushmore, debating classics like Get Out and Alien. Brittany shares her love for the Saw franchise, while Tre’vell highlights the comedic critique of tropes in Scary Movie. They also discuss hot takes on Taylor Swift’s need for a break and the oversaturation of celebrity world records. This lively conversation blends chills with laughs—perfect for spooky season!

Maybe there actually was a song of the summer? At least if you’ve seen the hit movie KPop Demon Hunters. The film’s hottest song, Golden, has been dominating the Billboard Hot 100 charts since August. And it’s the most popular film to ever hit Netflix. Songwriter Mark Sonnenblick helped create the soundtrack’s major pop anthems. He talks about bringing them to life, his songwriting process, and why music is vital to great storytelling. Plus, he shares his hot take, all about another flashy musical…  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.

Ben Collins, the CEO of The Onion and a former NBC News reporter, dives into the world of satire and its impact on democracy. He shares insights on journalism's struggles with free speech and discusses relaunching The Onion’s print newspaper. Ben argues that AI will never match human humor and reveals what makes a great joke. He reflects on satire's role in confronting power, offers perspectives on the changing media landscape, and shares his thoughts on pop culture, including a bold take on Joe Rogan.