Vibe Check

Stitcher

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.

  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Everybody Say Love

    On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss the Big Beautiful Bill. Then, they talk about the reality tv show Love Island. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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    Recommendations:

     

    SAM: Toni Morrison’s speech to Howard University students  on fascism and racism. 

    SAEED: “In the Mornings, I Scroll My Way Back into America” by Franny Choi from their 2019 book Soft Science.

    ZACH: Be Like Others (2008) a documentary directed by Tanaz Eshaghain 

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    9 July 2025, 1:13 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Time Flies, Boo

    On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach reflect on what life has taught them in the past month. Then, they talk about the state of Americana. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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    Recommendations:

     

    SAM: MY FACE HURTS FROM SMILING by Lizzo

    SAEED: “Tired of Love Poems” by Megan Fernandes

    ZACH: Brokeback Mountain directed by Ang Lee 

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    2 July 2025, 7:00 am
  • 44 minutes 19 seconds
    Men on Film

    On this live episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach share their WorldPride-themed modern scriptures.

     

    Special thanks to the team at Sixth & I in Washington D.C., and Pop Culture Collaborative!

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    You can watch the full video from this episode here: www.youtube.com/sixthandi

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    25 June 2025, 7:00 am
  • 35 minutes 26 seconds
    Everything Comes Back to Love featuring Danez Smith

    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 website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    18 June 2025, 7:00 am
  • 52 minutes 20 seconds
    The New Boston Tea Party

    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

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    11 June 2025, 7:00 am
  • 39 minutes 41 seconds
    Mother of Matriarchs featuring Ms. Tina Knowles

    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 [email protected], 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.

    4 June 2025, 7:00 am
  • 56 minutes 31 seconds
    I Am the Fish Delish featuring Tim Miller

    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 Knowles 

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    Live Shows:

    Boston 5/30 + 5/31: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-wbur-festival-tickets-982066847377

    Washington DC 6/3: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vibe-check-live-tickets-1338524846849

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    28 May 2025, 12:55 pm
  • 50 minutes 46 seconds
    The Original Sin

    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:

     

    SAM: Hillsong-core Playlist

    ZACH: Overcompensating on Amazon Prime

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    Live Shows:

    Provincetown 5/23: https://www.classy.org/event/friday-summer-salon-with-vibe-check-a-live-podcast-recording-at-fawc/e689085

    Boston 5/31: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-wbur-festival-tickets-982066847377

    Washington DC 6/3: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vibe-check-live-tickets-1338524846849

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    21 May 2025, 7:05 am
  • 47 minutes 41 seconds
    There Is Not a Sharp Angle to Be Found

    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

    ------------------------------------------------------

    Live Shows:

     

    Boston 5/31: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-wbur-festival-tickets-982066847377

    Washington DC 6/3: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vibe-check-live-tickets-1338524846849

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    14 May 2025, 7:05 am
  • 33 minutes 29 seconds
    A Good Sermon featuring Senator Elizabeth Warren

    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!

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    7 May 2025, 7:05 am
  • 57 minutes 37 seconds
    Always Bet on Black featuring Chioma Nnadi

    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 with Vogue, your backstage pass to all things celebrity and fashion: swap.fm/l/vogue-runthrough-Ut2zSe

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected], 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.

    6 May 2025, 4:15 pm
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