Vibe Check
A weekly podcast where 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
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach kick off the return of the Hey, Sis mini-series with special guest Ashley Cunningham, owner of Bad Ash Bakes in Pasadena, California.
Ashley talks about starting out in cooking competitions at just 16, working as a line cook, and later becoming a private chef for NBA players before launching her baking business. She also shares how going viral during the pandemic helped jumpstart her ca...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach are joined by returning guest, journalist Afeef Nessouli, reporting live from Beirut, Lebanon. He breaks down what’s really happening in Iran and across the Middle East — and what life on the ground looks like amid rising tensions.
Then, Saeed and Zach unpack the flashbacks this moment is triggering from the post-9/11 era, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Plus, they share their lates...
On this episode of Vibe Check LIVE, Saeed and Zach head to Boston for a special live taping with special guest, classical composer Carlos Simon. They talk about Carlos writing music for America’s 250th anniversary, how faith and spirituality shape his work, his newest piece, Good News Mass, and more. Plus, they close out the conversation with an audience Q&A.
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.v...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach break down the political drama surrounding the Berlin Film Festival 2026 (Berlinale). Then, they dive into Tyra Banks and the new documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, unpacking how the show’s cruelty reflected its era, and how it functioned as part of a broader cultural machine built to break women down. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” a...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed speaks to author Namwali Serpell about her new book, On Morrison. They talk about their personal relationships to Toni Morrison’s work, the shortcomings of academic approaches to teaching literature, why difficult books are worth the effort, and more.
Namwali Serpell’s Book On Morrison is out now!
You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach wrestle with the emotional weight of the Epstein files and the aftershocks that follow each new revelation.
Then, they examine America’s growing literary crisis – declining reading skills, shrinking attention spans, and what it all means.
Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.
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Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach welcome Saeed’s longtime friend and romance expert Tanya Melendez to break down the rise of romance across every genre. From beloved tropes to what really separates a true romance from just a love story, they cover it all — including a deep dive into the TV show Heated Rivalry. Then, Tanya spills a little tea about what Saeed was like as a teenager. Plus, they share their picks for “the...
On this special episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach break down the cultural and political impact of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance with Nelini Stamp – Director of Strategy at the Working Families Party and certified Bad Bunny superfan!
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 In...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach break down Timothée Chalamet’s recent behavior shift leading up to the Oscars and what it says about image, performance, and proximity to Black culture. They dig into “wigga” culture and who benefits when Black culture becomes a costume. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.
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Saeed’s Poem: “Another Nat...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Zach sits down with Congressman Maxwell Frost, the youngest person elected to Congress in modern history, for a wide-ranging conversation on activism, art, and politics. Rep. Frost opens up about his early start as an organizer, how music continues to shape his leadership, his new CREATE Art Act tackling the future of music and AI, and his experience being assaulted at the Sundance Film Festival. Plus...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach are back with another rendition of modern scriptures, but this time, it’s all about Black History Month.
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/vibecheck.
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis, and what this moment reveals about the state of safety and power in America. They reflect on how this violence ripples far beyond one city, and how we can practice personal acts of resistance. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.
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On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach unpack the rise of the “maxxing” trend and what it says about living, optimizing, and coping when our sense of control feels more out of reach than ever. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.
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Saeed’s Poem of the Week: Bluish by Diane Seuss
Jan 28th 2026 - Boston Live Show: https://www.bso.org/events/vi...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss Trump’s obsession with wanting to take control of Greenland. Then, they talk about the “2016” social media trend and debunk the nostalgic romanticization of that year. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.
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Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “‘God’s Promises” by Paul Hoover
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach sit down with board-certified physician – Dr. Darien Sutton.
They talk about new years resolutions, RFK Jr, health and science myths, the rising popularity of sobriety, and more. Then, Dr. Darien shares his picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.
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Jan 28th 2026 - Boston Live Show: https://www.bso.org/events/vibe-check-live-with...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss tan ICE agent shooting and killing Renee Good in Minneapolis. Then, they chat about the collective cultural obsession with the hit show, Heated Rivalry. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.
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Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “No Forgiveness Ode” by Dean Young
Jan 28th 2026 - Boston Live Show: https://...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach define “cheating” and talk about their experiences being “the other woman”. Then they answer listeners’ questions about open relationships, chat-bot romances, and react to a listener’s cheating story.
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Jan 28th 2026 - Boston Live Show: https://www.bso.org/events/vibe-check-live-with-special-guest-carlos-simon?performance=2026-01-28-18%...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach sit down with award-winning journalist and friend of the show, Spencer Ackerman to discuss Trump’s invasion of Venezuela. Then, they share their picks for a special edition of “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”
Spencer’s Newsletter: https://www.forever-wars.com/
About Spencer’s next book: https://www.forever-wars.com/book-two-majid-khan-iran-troops/
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Back by popular demand! On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach sit down with astrologer and activist, Chani Nicholas.
They reflect on 2025 through the lens of her previous appearance on the show. Then, Chani forecasts the cultural and political vibe for 2026, and answers some listener questions.
Chani has given Vibe Check listeners a special discount code for her app, CHANI. Use “vibecheck30” for a free 30-day all access pass...
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach share their favorite holiday-themed movies, recipes and poems.
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Jan 28th 2026 - Boston Live Show: https://www.bso.org/events/vibe-check-live-with-special-guest-carlos-simon?performance=2026-01-28-18%3A00
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You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com
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