Vibe Check

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

October 8, 2025 57 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about the viral conversation between Ezra Klein and Ta-Nehisi Coates, and the shock of Bari Weiss being named editor-in-chief at CBS News. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

ZACH: A Thousand and One

SAEED: “Ode to Drinking Water from My Hands” by Ross Gay

 

Vibe Check LIVE at the Ford: https://www.t...

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On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk about the current “low-fire, low-hire” economic state, and Bad Bunny headlining the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. Plus, a big announcement from Sam.

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Vibe Check LIVE at the Ford: https://www.theford.com/events/performances/4102/2025-10-28/vibe-check-live

You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, ww...

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September 24, 2025 59 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ being suspended, then returning to air, and what it says about censorship. Then, they chat about the official start of the fall season. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

SAM: Insecure Soundtrack (Season 1 and 2)

ZACH: All That Heaven Allows (1955) 

SAEED: “Vaccinated”...

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September 17, 2025 55 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Saeed talk about the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

SAM REC 1: The Fleetwood Mac Universe

https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/5TJZm01vY10HOaVriweTuD?si=rr9hcXhzTIGJKazbsraowA&nd=1&dlsi=e8f56dd082834194

https://open.spotify.com/album/5FIN8pyPVx8ggNs5jQ86Re?si=AVcbJFcqRXywsS5C...

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September 10, 2025 51 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Zach talk about Trump and ICE’s “Operation Midway Blitz”, the MTV VMAs, and why music videos don’t have the cultural impact that they used to. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

SAM: SPLITSVILLE 

ZACH: TWINLESS
 

Order Saeed’s new book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-people-s-project-poems-essays-and-art-for-...

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September 3, 2025 54 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk about influencers getting paid for promoting political messaging, and a job listing for The Cutting Room Floor that has sparked outrage. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

ZACH: “Essex Honey” by Blood Orange 

SAEED: “Let Them Not Say” by Jane Hirshfield 

SAM: “My Once-in-a-Million-Years Love ...

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August 27, 2025 64 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk about Serena Williams using and boosting GLP-1 weight loss drugs. And the changes COVID brought to us after five years later.  

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Recommendations:

ZACH:  CAN I BE FRANK and TA-DA! both Off-Broadway

SAEED: DIJON - Absolutely (Film)

SAM: “I'm Dating a Man Who’s Married" by Aaron Smith

You can find everything Vibe Check related at ou...

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August 20, 2025 51 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk about Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent social media tactics against Trump. Then, they each talk about their end of summer protocols. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

ZACH: Scandal

SAEED: Part 1 of  “I Must Become A Menace to My Enemies” by June Jordan

SAM: Make It Ours: Crashing the Gates of ...

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August 13, 2025 52 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Zach talk about Instagram’s new map feature and the lack of privacy with technology. Then, they discuss how strict emotional boundaries may tie into the loneliness epidemic. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

ZACH: KPop Demon Hunters

SAM: Weapons

You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official webs...

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August 6, 2025 58 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach chat about Sex and the City’s reboot, And Just Like That…, and hate-watching TV shows. Then, they answer two listener questions. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

ZACH: The Hunting Wife on Netflix 

SAEED: “Cage” by Rigoberto Gonzalez

SAM: Learning the Boots On The Ground line dance

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On this episode of Vibe Check, Zach speaks with journalist and activist, Afeef Nessouli, about his recent experience in Gaza. Then, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss Sydney Sweeney’s new American Eagle ad, and how pop culture is leaning conservative. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

 

ZACH: “Actual Life” by Fred Again 

SAEED: “My life as china” by Evi...

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This week, we’re airing a conversation from the Forever35 podcast where Sam joins former Vibe Check guest, Elise Hu, and her co-host, Doree Shafrir. They talk about self-care, the hack of using “I feel” statements, realizing that some hills are not worth dying on, and more.

 

You can listen to Forever35 wherever you get your podcasts! Follow the show on Instagram (@Forever35Podcast).

You can find everything Vibe Check related at our ...

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July 16, 2025 61 mins

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk about the MAGA rebellion, the Jeffrey Epstein files, and the new Superman movie. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.

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Recommendations:

 

SAM: Logan

SAEED: In the chemo room, I wear mittens made of ice so I don’t lose my fingernails. But I took a risk today to write this down.

ZACH: Invincible on Amazon Prime 

Yo...

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July 9, 2025 62 mins

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 ...

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July 2, 2025 61 mins

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 V...

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June 25, 2025 44 mins

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 fr...

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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...

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June 11, 2025 52 mins

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 Vib...

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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...

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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...

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