
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.
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Latest episodes

Sep 6, 2023 • 57min
Burning Billionaires
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach catch up on some of the news and pop culture stories from the past few weeks, and they also discuss this year’s Burning Man Festival disaster. Plus, a few recommendations to help you keep your vibe right.------------------------------------------------------Sam: PlatonicSaeed: Circe by Madeline Miller (audio book)Zach: Volcano by Jungle
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Aug 30, 2023 • 60min
Introducing The Stacks with Traci Thomas
The Stacks is a podcast about books and the people who read them, hosted by Traci Thomas. On this episode, Sam Sanders joins Traci to discuss the history of objectivity in journalism, what identity is and how people wield it, and what it’s like working with his friends on his new show, Vibe Check. You can find The Stacks wherever you get your podcasts.
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Aug 23, 2023 • 36min
Did AI Write That Song?
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach share their personal picks for this year’s “Song of the Summer.” ------------------------------------------------------Sam: Hummingbird - James Blake + Metro Boomin | America Has A Problem (Remix) - Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar | Calm Down - Rema feat. Selena GomezSaeed: Rush - Troye Sivan | Dance the Night - Dua Lipa | Body Do - Chloe BaileyZach: Free Yourself - Jessie Ware | (It Goes Like) Nanana - Peggy Gou | Karma - Taylor Swift
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Aug 21, 2023 • 42min
A Special Conversation with Emily King
On this bonus episode of Vibe Check, Sam and musician, Emily King, talk about her new album “Special Occasion”, breakups, and grief. Plus, Emily’s mom offers some advice on love and life.You can find Emily King on Twitter or Instagram @emilykingmusic.
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Aug 16, 2023 • 35min
Your Favorite Armchair Therapists
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach offer some advice on how to navigate dating, how to keep going when the world is on fire, and reintroducing yourself to cannabis as a parent.
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Aug 9, 2023 • 49min
A Poet’s Worst Nightmare
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about literary works that they frequently turn to, what purpose they serve in each of their lives, and why.------------------------------------------------------Sam’s Picks:https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/21/potemkin-ai/#hey-guyshttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/magazine/poem-small-kindnesses.htmlSaeed’s Picks: https://electricliterature.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/silenceintoaction.pdfhttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/magazine/poem-smokey.htmlZach’s Picks: The Bluest Eye, Toni MorrisonCruising Utopia, Jose Esteban MunozMelissa McCarthy Profile: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/17/magazine/nobody-works-harder-for-a-laugh-than-melissa-mccarthy.html
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Aug 2, 2023 • 55min
Beam Me Up, Scotty
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about the senseless murder of O’Shae Sibley, and the possibility of aliens being on Earth. Plus, a few recommendations to help you keep your vibe right. ------------------------------------------------------Sam: The Art of Forgetting - Caroline Rose (The Kiss)Saeed: In The Wake by Christina SharpeZach: Kokomo City------------------------------------------------------Dos Cuerpos:https://www.doscuerposmx.com/The Anti-Violence Project:https://avp.org/
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Jul 26, 2023 • 54min
You Can’t Turn Cotton Candy Into Steak
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about the new Barbie movie, the future of cinema, gender and identity politics, and more. Plus, a few recommendations to help you keep your vibe right. ------------------------------------------------------Sam: Chewing GumSaeed: The Good WifeZach: Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence by Adrienne Rich ------------------------------------------------------Vulture’s “Barbie” Review: https://www.vulture.com/article/barbie-review-we-shouldnt-have-to-grade-this-on-a-curve.htmlSam and Michaela Coel Conversation: https://www.npr.org/2021/08/31/1033148189/michaela-coel-misfits-i-may-destroy-you
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Jul 19, 2023 • 55min
All I Have Faith in Is Art, Orgasms, and Friendships
On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about the SAG-AFTRA strike, Troye Sivan’s new music video, “Rush”, and body inclusivity. Plus, a few recommendations to help you keep your vibe right. ------------------------------------------------------RECOMMENDATIONS: Sam: Joy RideSaeed: Diablo IVZach: Fountain Baby - Amaarae
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.

Jul 17, 2023 • 40min
A Special Conversation with Jenna Wortham
On this bonus episode of Vibe Check, Zach and staff writer for the New York Times magazine, Jenna Wortham talk about their essay ‘Want to Love Your Body? Try Swimming Naked,’ queer spaces and self-love.You can find Jenna Wortham on Twitter or Instagram @jennydeluxeJenna Wortham's New York Times essay ‘Want to Love Your Body? Try Swimming Naked’:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/magazine/playa-zipolite-nude-beach-mexico.html
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe 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/vibecheck.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.