The Sam Sanders Show
The Sam Sanders Show from KCRW is a weekly guide to entertainment and pop culture. Host Sam Sanders interviews artists, dissects cultural trends, and explores the memes and moments that captivate audiences. The show offers behind-the-scenes insights and a newsletter for deeper dives. Sam Sanders is an award-winning podcast and radio host with a background at NPR and Vulture.
Episodes
Janelle James: What’s It Like To Embody A Diva?
Comedian Janelle James became a star after playing the selfish, scamming, yet hilarious principal Ava Coleman in 'Abbott Elementary.'
She’s since been nominated for five Emmy awards for the role. But Janelle spent years grinding through the standup scene before finding television success. She told Sam about what inspired her to try comedy years ago, and what she’s
Can Mamdani Save Broadway?
Sam recently experienced one of the best stage musicals he’s seen in years.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball reimagines the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber story with a ballroom twist. The show is filled with voguing, runway and Black, queer joy. It also won multiple Tony awards this year, which packed the theater night after night.
The whole show seemed like it was on th
Eliot Glazer: Spiritually Lesbian, Sexually Gay
Comedian Eliot Glazer feels like he “missed the first day of Gay 101.”
Even though he came out in college, he has always struggled to fit into gay culture. He doesn’t like the parties. He doesn’t wear the right clothes. Never listens to the right music. Can’t give off the right vibes.
He writes about all these feelings in his hilarious new b
Is Culture Stuck? (From Decoder Ring)
Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends at Decoder Ring, a podcast that explores cultural mysteries.
In this episode, host Willa Paskin digs into one of Sam’s biggest critiques about culture right now. There is more of it than ever before, it’s more accessible than ever, but so little of it feels original. New movies are based on old stories, new song
Hannah Einbinder on Comedy, Connection & Queer Art
Actor and comedian Hannah Einbinder has had an eventful past few years.
She burst onto the scene with the acclaimed HBO comedy ‘Hacks’ in 2021. She won an Emmy for her role last season, and is nominated again this year. Now, she’s starring in the new horror film, ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.’
Hannah tells Sam about the craft of tra
The Cyndi Lauper Conspiracy (From Switched on Pop)
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode of Switched on Pop!
Sam believes in his heart that every song Cyndi Lauper has ever written is pop perfection.
Many fall for “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” but his favorite song is the slow burner “All Through The Night,” save for one moment: the synthesizer solo. For Sam, this solo never f
Are We All Nostalgic For Better Times?
If you could go anywhere back in time, where would you go?
That’s the premise of writer Jessica M. Goldstein’s new novel, Retro. Set in a fantastical time travel agency, the book follows wealthy tourists who take vacations to the past. Destinations include 1920s speakeasies, bachelor parties at Woodstock, or even just a day wandering through a Y2K shoppi
What Is Sam’s Guiding Philosophy? (From Well Said)
Today we’re bringing you Sam’s episode of the Well Said podcast.
The podcast explores all things public relations, communications, and the ever-evolving media landscape. Hosts Pia Arthur and Kelly Cheeseman talk to Sam about his career, his philosophy for interviewing, how he tries to break free from perfectionism and why he stopped covering politics.
Fi
Harvey Guillén Is Not An Overnight Success
You probably know Harvey Guillén from his breakout role as Guillermo in the FX vampire comedy 'What We Do In The Shadows.'
Working on the show was a masterclass in acting for Harvey, but he never lost sight of his childhood dream to perform on stage. That dream came true earlier this year when Harvey made his Broadway debut in the revival of 'The Rocky Horror Show
Jane Wickline Is Weird. In All The Best Ways
You probably know Jane Wickline from her hilariously awkward songs on 'Saturday Night Live.' Her absurd lyrics about topics like time management and Sabrina Carpenter have made her one of the most talked about comedians currently on the show.
Jane now stars in the off-broadway play Dukes, a show she created with her comedy partner Liva Pierce. It’s part sketch comed
Does ‘The Odyssey’ Have A Woman Problem?
The summer’s most anticipated blockbuster is finally here...
‘The Odyssey,’ directed by Christopher Nolan, is a retelling of the ancient Greek epic of the same name. The movie has received rave reviews, but for Sam the movie fell short.
He caught up with film critic Angelica Jade Bastién to break down the movie's highs and lows, from
The Enduring Humanity of Wikipedia
Wikipedia might be the last good corner of the internet.
Just take a look at the Instagram account Depths of Wikipedia. It’s run by superfan Annie Rauwerda. In the height of the pandemic, Annie started the page as a way to share screengrabs of the most obscure, weird, and hilarious entries to ever exist on the website. Since then the account has racked up thousands
What Happened To Authenticity? w/ Ryan O’Connell
Writer, producer and actor Ryan O'Connell wants Hollywood to be more honest.
He first broke onto the scene after creating the Netflix comedy series 'Special' in 2019. The show was inspired by his own experiences as a gay millennial living with cerebral palsy. He tells Sam about his journey as a young writer in the 2010s, what it means to be authentic in this era of virality, a
Madonna’s Pop Matriarchy
Confession: After several hours of sitting with Madonna’s new album on repeat, Sam isn’t sure he likes it…
To him, 'Confessions II' felt like a Madonna impersonation, stripped of a lot of the Madonna energy he’s loved for years. The album also raised some big questions: what even is Madonna anymore? What kind of music should we expect from a pop star w
The Ultimate ‘90s Nostalgia Party (Live Show!)
The ‘90s are surely having a moment: the clothes, the music, the pop culture! It’s everywhere, but what’s the BEST the ‘90s had to offer?
In this special live taping, Sam is joined by his friends Traci Thomas, Eliot Glazer and Franklin Leonard to debate the best of the decade in a live ‘90s Nostalgia Bracket showdown.
Recorded at&
The Homoerotic Spectacle of ‘Love Island USA’
‘Love Island USA’ is known for its very hot and very straight contestants. But two guys this season, Zach and Bryce, are getting a lot of attention for their own intimate connection on the show.
Jason P. Frank is a superfan and writer for ‘Vulture.’ He breaks down what’s behind their homoerotic behavior. He also tells Sam why all the frenzy just m
What Happens When a Trans Comedian Tours America Alone?
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
Roz Hernandez is a comedian who approaches the craft unlike most other comics right now.
For starters, she is a trans woman, working in a world still largely ruled by bros, her comedy is always tailored for her queer fanbase, and last year Roz embarked on a stand-up tour across the
Is Hollywood In The Middle Of An Age War?
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
Summer movie season is off to a good start. Two movies in particular are giving Hollywood a lot of hope.
Both original horror films, Backrooms and Obsession, are new movies made by Gen Z creators that very quickly became massive hits at the box office. So, are young people going to the movies a
Is 2026 the Year Everything Started to Look Too Perfect?
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
At the halfway point of 2026, Sam is joined by Traci Thomas (The Stacks) and Christiana Mbakwe Medina (Pop Syllabus) to ask what this year in pop culture is really becoming.
Their answer moves from the rise of “The Sculpt” and the pressure to optimize everything about ourselves, to
The Real Reason American Men are Struggling
Today we’re sharing an episode of Apple News In Conversation, guest hosted by Sam.
The headlines say that American men are in crisis. But what does that actually mean — and what does it look like up close?
Journalist Jordan Ritter Conn spent five years inside the lives of four different men to find out. His new book, American Men, explores the gap
Leslie Jones Says Comedy Needs Gatekeepers Again
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
Leslie Jones thinks comedy has a problem.
The comedian and former 'Saturday Night Live' cast member joins Sam to talk about how comedy has changed, why viral fame doesn’t equal success, and why too many young comics are skipping the hard part: Honing their craft.
She also reflects o
Why So Many People Are Falling In Love With AI Chatbots
Today we’re sharing an episode of 'Apple News In Conversation,' guest hosted by Sam!
A medieval-monster slayer. A tiny alien named Roscoe. A talking plate of spaghetti. These are just a few of the customizable companions available through AI-chatbot apps like Kindroid, Tolan, and Character.AI.
In her latest piece for The New Yorker, journalist Ann
Audie Cornish & Ari Shapiro On Ambition, Purpose, Poetry
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here
Let’s have a life-affirming party with Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro!
The longtime friends and journalists join Sam to explain the latest entry in the pop lexicon: Blue Dot Fever. It’s not a disease, but the terminology behind a recent wave of cancelled concert tours. From Post Malon
Are They a Star, Celebrity or Famous Person? (From Pop Syllabus)
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode of 'Pop Syllabus'!
No matter where you find yourself on the internet, celebrities’ lives are constantly in front of us, but who’s actually a star and who’s just famous?
Sam sits down with host Christiana Mbakwe Medina to play “star, celebrity, or famous person” and rates icons like Beyoncé to ri
Margaret Cho Is Still Hopeful About Comedy
Margaret Cho is a trailblazer and ‘mother’ to your favorite comedians.
She burst onto the scene in the 90s performing at night clubs and later starred in the ABC sitcom 'All-American Girl', the first network show to center an Asian American family. Margaret reflects on the impact of her groundbreaking show, how she sees her role as a mentor for younger comedians, a
Jacob Collier Can Make Anyone Sing
Today we’re sharing Sam’s recent collaboration with 'Switched On Pop.'
Jacob Collier is a rare musician. He’s been described as an ambassador of music, known for lushly orchestrated pieces with a myriad of collaborators. He’s also known for conducting the crowds of his live shows, turning the concert into a massive choir performance.
He did just t
The Kardashians Are American Icons (Whether You Like It or Not)
The Kardashians are one of the most famous families of our modern era.
Since their hit reality TV show first debuted in 2007, the family has become synonymous with American culture. Their celebrity has only grown with each new beauty and fashion enterprise.
Author MJ Corey analyzes the family’s staying power in her new book Dekonstructing the
The Movies You Should Be Watching This Summer (From Prestige Junkie)
Today we’re bringing you an episode from our friends at Prestige Junkie.
Sam joins host Katey Rich to look ahead at this summer’s stacked box office lineup. From Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' and Spielberg’s 'Disclosure Day' to the movies you shouldn’t sleep on including Aleshea Harris’ directorial debut 'Is God Is' and Hannah Einb
Will You Be Jimmy O. Yang’s Friend?
Actor and comedian Jimmy O. Yang is full of contradictions.
On stage, he exudes a party guy vibe, always down for a good time. But in actuality, Jimmy is pretty serious. He edits his own stand-up specials and thinks a lot about starting a family.
Jimmy works through all of this in his comedy. He tells Sam how he learned English as a teenager, his favorite karaoke song, and how
Did Whitney Houston Sing Out Of Tune? w/ Wyclef Jean
We’ve got a very special episode for you today, featuring the legendary rapper and musician Wyclef Jean. Sam teamed up with Justin Richmond of the Broken Record podcast for this live conversation recorded at the On Air Fest.
Wyclef Jean may just be the most wide-ranging rapper, producer, performer, and composer of his time. As the lead producer and MC of Fugees, he helpe
Trixie Mattel Wants Us To Slow Down
Trixie Mattel might be one of the busiest women in show business.
Since she made a name for herself on 'RuPaul’s Drag Race,' she's starred in multiple TV shows, created a hit podcast, became a best-selling author, launched a cosmetics line and even opened her own motel.
But Trixie says all that work led to burnout. She tells Sam how she learned the importance
Is Mariah Carey the Greatest American Songwriter?
Mariah Carey has more No. 1 hits than any other American artist to date.
“Fantasy,” “Vision of Love,” and “We Belong Together” have all landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Part of the magic is in her voice, but it’s also in her songwriting — a skill that has too often been overlooked.
Music journalist Danye
Did the ‘90s Kill Feminism?
Despite everyone’s nostalgic feelings for the ‘90’s, it was undoubtedly a complicated time for women.
Feminism was alive and well at the start of the decade, but author Sophie Gilbert explains how the movement’s energy collapsed into a problematic media storm that still lingers today.
She chronicles the decline through the ‘90s pop cul
Is the Met Gala Still Relevant?
Models, designers, celebrities and Anna Wintour will soon gather for fashion’s biggest night: The Met Gala. But this year’s event has already spawned protests and boycotts.
Sam breaks it all down with fashion and culture journalist Amy Odell, host of the 'Back Row' podcast and newsletter. They look at how sponsors Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez could be oversha
Is Monoculture Back!? A Pop Culture Check-In w/ ‘Lemme Say This’
There’s no denying 2026 has been chaotic — but what about pop culture?
Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix (hosts of Lemme Say This) join Sam to break down the biggest moments of the year so far — and what they reveal about where culture is headed.
From reality TV dominating the conversation to debates about monoculture, celebrity overexposure, and what actually bre
Was Justin Bieber’s Coachella Set Lazy… or Genius?
Justin Bieber headlined Coachella with a stripped down set that quickly divided the internet.
While other artists had intricate sets, Justin sang on a mostly empty stage with nothing but a laptop. If you thought his set was lazy, 'The New Yorker' critic Vinson Cunnighman says you’re missing the point.
Vinson joins Sam to talk about Bieberchella, what Justin was try
Why Do We Still Love the ‘90s?
We’re so excited to be featured this month by Apple Podcasts’ Society & Culture.
This episode, comedian and TikTok star Rob Anderson brings back the '90s!
From 'Boy Meets World’ to 'Baywatch', Rob unpacks the most absurd pop culture from the era. He even breaks down an exceptionally unhinged episode of 'Touched By An Angel’ featuring civi
Is Kanye Forgiven?
After years of antisemitic comments, failed business deals and a failed Presidential run, Ye is making a comeback.
The artist, formerly known as Kanye West, recently apologized for his past behavior and released a new album. It’s his usual routine for new music releases. But this round was followed by two massive sold-out shows in Los Angeles. A myriad of fans and
Aparna Nancherla: Should We All Ditch the Internet?
Aparna Nancherla is probably the funniest introvert doing comedy. Although Sam is a total extrovert, he’s admired her work for years.
She tells Sam how she got comfortable on stage and why stand-up is the perfect activity to combat shyness. They also break down the excessive demands of modern life, the internet surveillance state, and why we all need to log off and
Want to Cancel ‘The Drama’? You’re Missing the Point
Note: This episode contains spoilers!
A24’s ‘The Drama’ has pissed off many moviegoers.
The film, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, follows a newly engaged couple played by Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. The trailer gives rom-com vibes, until a shocking confession threatens to end their relationship.
This movie (and the discourse around it) raises a l
What Are The Best Rom-Coms Ever?
We’re breaking down one of the most important film genres ever on the show today…The classic Romantic Comedy! Because rom-coms always make us feel better, even the ones that haven’t aged well.
Sam is joined by two lovebugs to create a (not quite) definitive list of the greatest rom-coms of all time. Liz Plank, author and host of the ‘Boy P
Can Robyn Teach Us To Love Again (and again and again)? w/ Jia Tolentino
Swedish pop star Robyn has just released a new album, after almost eight years since her last one. ‘Sexistential’ mixes themes of motherhood and maturity with classic club beats.
Sam breaks it all down with Jia Tolentino, staff writer at ‘The New Yorker,’ who recently profiled Robyn for the magazine. She explains what the new songs say about heartbreak,
How Did Wordle Become a Pop Culture Icon?
A great piece of pop culture often includes cheating scandals, obsessed fans and some serious competition. We’re not talking about 'The Real Housewives'… But the NYT Games app!
Everdeen Mason leads the Games Team at 'The New York Times.' She tells Sam about what goes into making Wordle, Connections, The Crossword and so much more. She also breaks down the cha
Can Reality TV Survive This?
It’s been a bad week for ‘The Bachelorette’ franchise.
For the first time in the show’s history, ABC pulled the plug on its new season just days before it was set to air. The move came after a 2023 video surfaced of the show’s star — Taylor Frankie Paul of ‘Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ fame — physically assaulting he
Chris Fleming: Is Comedy His Love Language?
Chris Fleming’s comedy is unlike anyone else working right now. His act is equal parts stand-up and interpretative dance. He's constantly moving, grooving and writhing all over the stage.
It’s all on full display in his new HBO special ‘Chris Fleming: Live at the Palace’. He spoke with Sam about embracing imperfection on stage, and how he uses movement
How Did K-Pop Make Hollywood History?
'KPop Demon Hunters' is officially an Oscar-winner. The beloved movie took home the trophy for Best Animated Feature at Sunday’s ceremony. The film's popular anthem 'Golden' won Best Original Song, the first K-pop song to ever win an academy award.
Songwriter Mark Sonnenblick helped write 'Golden' and many other songs in the film. He spoke with Sam last fall all about br
What If You Could Change Your Race? w/ Amy Wang
A twisted new horror film is being described as a mix between 'The Substance' and 'Mean Girls.' Sam can’t stop thinking about it.
'Slanted' follows an insecure Chinese American teenager who desperately wants to fit in, but faces constant bullying and discrimination. Then she finds a drastic solution — ethnic modification — surgery that makes her appear white.
Bruce Vilanch: What Makes an Oscars Host Funny?
It’s almost Oscars weekend, so we’re hanging out with the man behind some of the wildest moments in the ceremony’s history.
Comedian Bruce Vilanch spent 25 years writing for the Oscars. He crafted jokes for legendary hosts like Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal and more. He spoke with Sam last year about his experiences in the job and his advice fo
Can The Oscars Be Fixed?
Awards season in Hollywood is in its final stretch. The suspense is rising. The Oscars are imminent.
The ceremony is always full of glitz and glamour, but for years it’s been plagued by disappointments. Long and boring broadcasts. Unjustified snubs. Clunky skits and speeches. Despite it all, Sam loves to watch, but he has some ideas to fix Hollywood’s biggest night
Who is Clavicular?
Looksmaxxing. Mogging. Clavicular.
There’s an alarming new figure (and vocabulary) taking over influencer culture. What does it all mean for the current internet? Here to explain is author and artist John Paul Brammer, who recently wrote about this for Playboy Magazine.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every inte
Kate Hudson: Who Gets to Be Taken Seriously?
Kate Hudson has always loved acting, but she feels the most like herself when she’s singing.
It’s how she landed her role in the musical drama ‘Song Sung Blue.’ She stars alongside Hugh Jackman as performers in a Neil Diamond tribute band. She’s now nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance. Kate tells Sam about how
Would K-Pop Exist Without Black Culture?
From the Billboard charts to the Oscars, K-Pop is bigger than ever in Hollywood. Along with its global domination, there’s a dark side to the genre. Blatant appropriation of Black American culture. K-Pop stars caught using racial slurs. Fandoms torn apart over anti-Black racism.
So, how should we all be thinking about K-Pop in 2026? Sam poses that question to Dr. Sarah O
Help! My dad is dating a scammer! (From This Is Uncomfortable)
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode from This Is Uncomfortable.
The show is all about life and how money messes with it. Sam joins host Reema Khrais to answer listener questions about finances and dating. They tackle issues with scammers, secret investments, and polyamorous partners.
Remember to take our survey! We want to know more about you and what you
Ms. Pat: Can Laughter Save Democracy?
Comedian and actor Ms. Pat kinda does it all.
She performs standup, hosts her own podcast and created the acclaimed sitcom The Ms. Pat Show on BET+. The series is known for mixing a laugh track with real issues like racism, sexual assault and immigration.
A recent episode follows Ms. Pat’s family as they help a young kid hide from ICE agents, while the show&r
How Did Mormon Moms Take Over Pop Culture?
The moment is Mormon. From The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, to The Bachelorette, to popular TikTok accounts like Ballerina Farm, women of the LDS faith are dominating pop culture right now.
Sam breaks it all down with author and journalist Bridget Read. Her latest piece for New York Magazine is titled: Under The Mormon Influence.
Bridget unveils the ‘rec
Nia DaCosta: Why is Real Life Scarier Than Horror Films?
Director Nia DaCosta has done it all. Horror, period drama, and even a Marvel blockbuster. Through it all, Nia is always asking: What does it mean to be human? Her latest films Hedda and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple are no different.
She tells Sam about how horror themes mirror the real world, how she found her voice as one of the few Black women directors in the busi
Why Are Movie Wigs Still So Bad?!
As awards season grinds on, we're revisiting a topic that really irks Sam – bad wigs on the big screen. Why do sooo many wigs look so wrong? Here to break down what’s going on is Hollywood hairstylist and wigmaker Dawn Dudley. Her work has been seen in A Star is Born, Rob Zombie’s The Munsters, HBO’s Westworld and tons more. She brea
How Did Therapy Change Sherry Cola’s Comedy?
Actor and comedian Sherry Cola often finds wild parallels between the characters she plays on screen and her personal life, including her new role in the hit dramedy Shrinking.
She breaks down how the show normalizes therapy with humor, what she’s learned from years of therapy, and why she picks roles that break the stereotype of the model minority. She also shares
Can Bad Bunny Save America?
From the Grammys to the Super Bowl, this is Bad Bunny’s world… We’re just lucky to live in it. But his presence goes far beyond music.
Dr. Nate Rodriguez, professor of journalism and media studies at San Diego State University, teaches a course all about Bad Bunny’s influence on media, identity and global culture.
Sam and Dr. Nate dive into the c
The Millennial Internet, from Buzzfeed Quizzes to Filming ICE
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode from The Assignment with Audie Cornish.
This year marks a milestone for Millennials: the youngest of the cohort finally turns 30. So what comes next for the first generation of true digital natives now that they have achieved “unc” status? Audie talks with Sam Sanders about the generation that watched media transform fr
George Civeris: Is this Gay Millennial Middle Age?
Should I have kids? Is there still enough time? Does time even matter? Comedian George Civeris is grappling with a lot of life’s big questions lately.
He explores all of this in his latest standup special A Sense Of Urgency. He also chats with Sam about making jokes when the world is on fire and his own (sort of) immigrant experience as a gay millennial.
Plus,
How 'Heated Rivalry' Even Seduced Russia
Everyone is well aware of Heated Rivalry’s immense popularity. The gay hockey romance seduced the masses in ways we haven’t seen in years… Maybe decades? The show even has a following in Russia, where queer media is outlawed.
Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar is familiar with that climate. He was exiled in 2022 when he came out as a gay and married his now hu
TikTok Stars on the Politicians Begging Them for Exposure (From Question Everything)
Today we’re sharing an episode from KCRW’s Question Everything.
What happens when TikTokers replace TV hosts and interviewers, and presidential candidates start begging to be on their shows?
Question Everything host Brian Reed sits down in a Brooklyn wine shop with four of the internet’s biggest creators: Caleb Simpson, who gets people on the street to take h
What’s Raphael Saadiq’s Golden Rule for Making Music?
Raphael Saadiq has been influential to the music industry since he burst onto the scene with his group Tony! Toni! Toné! — since then he’s produced hits with artists like Beyoncé and scored countless film and TV projects.
He’s now nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for his blues anthem “I Lied To You” from th
WTF is up with Spotify?
There’s a little trend that’s gaining a lot of traction… Many people are leaving Spotify – and making a fuss on their way out.
They’re angry at the platform and the algorithm. They’re angry with how it pays artists. Some users are very angry about the ads Spotify runs. It’s quite the vibe shift for the world’s largest musi
The State of Movies in 2026 (ft. The Big Picture)
It’s officially awards season in Hollywood – with endless red carpets, secret ballots, snubs, scandals… and vibes that feel increasingly weird.
Joining Sam to check-in on the health of the movie industry are two of the sharpest cinephiles in the game. Amanda Dobbins and Sean Fennessey, hosts of The Big Picture podcast. They unpack the drama shaping this
Did Social Media Kill the Dance Floor?
Consumed by a fear of looking bad on camera, dance floors across the country are filled with young people standing still. It suddenly seems everyone is too scared to let loose and move to the rhythm.
Artists like Tyler, The Creator and Kaytranada have recently called out their crowds for rigid behavior. Sam breaks it all down with Elias Leight, reporter covering the music
What Pop Culture Keeps Dan Harris Centered and 10% Happier?
It’s a new year, so how about some timeless pop culture to lift our spirits?
Music that heals, TV shows that inspire joy, movies that create everlasting memories. Sam describes these as Modern Scriptures – the stuff that we can return to again and again to help us stay grounded, centered and connected.
Joining Sam for this is meditation and mindfulness expert Dan H
Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” (from One Song)
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode from One Song.
Is Dreams what it sounds like when personal chaos becomes collective brilliance? Recorded live at On Air Fest at KCRW, Sam joins hosts Diallo and LUXXURY to break down this Fleetwood Mac classic. Together, they dive into the Rumours-era drama and unravel why the magic of Dreams feels both intensely personal and
Where Did All The Protest Music Go?
There was a time when popular music was inseparable from civil rights and civil unrest. But today, very few popular songs reflect the grievances seen in the streets.
Fela Kuti is an artist who wasn’t afraid to make protest music. Known as the father of Afrobeat, his music became the soundtrack for social change in his native Nigeria.
He’s the focus of t
How To Talk to Contractors (From Slate's How To! Podcast)
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode from the How To! Podcast.
Sam is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He’s also “quite possibly the world’s most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn&rs
How Music Taught Sam Sanders to be Grateful for His Grief (From Life in Seven Songs)
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode from Life in Seven Songs.
Sam grew up strictly Pentecostal in Texas. Non-religious music was forbidden in his house – so Sam got resourceful, smuggling CDs into the house in his underwear and watching MTV in secret.
At 18 years old, just as he was getting ready to leave for Stanford, Sam’s life was turned upside d
Who Can Save Pop Music?
Even though 2025 gave us big albums from artists like Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny, did pop music fall short overall?
Sam breaks down the year’s hits and misses with Reanna Cruz, music journalist and producer at Switched on Pop. Why does everything sound like it’s stuck in the 2000s? Who are the artists actually pushing boundaries? And is there anything to look fo
Samara Joy: What’s A Church Girl To Sing?
Grammy winner Samara Joy is a jazz prodigy, but her singing is rooted in gospel music.
She tells Sam about discovering jazz in high school, her family’s famous Godmobile, and how faith shaped the artist she is today. Plus, why her music will never be touched by AI.
Samara Joy’s latest album Portrait is out now.
Sign up for Sam’s Newslett
Can We Survive the Gift Guide Industrial Complex?
Tis’ the season! It’s that time of year when we’re bombarded by gift guides. Something for your partner, your friends, White Elephant gifts, and the always daunting task of getting something for your parents. It seems like every year we’re expected to GIVE so much.
Sam breaks down the gift guide overload with Avery Trufelman, host of the Articles
K-Pop, AI Slop & Ms. Rachel? 2025 Pop Culture Review
This year saw some pretty spectacular pop culture moments… but there’s a few we hope to never see again.
We’re breaking down the best and worst of 2025, from blockbuster hits like KPop Demon Hunters and Sinners, to the rebirth of rock with bands like Geese.
Sam takes on this big task with help from Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, and Fr
How Queer Was 2025?
HBO’s new gay romance series Heated Rivalry has the internet… feeling things. It tells the steamy story of two feuding hockey players who secretly desire (and devour) each other. The series rounds out a long list of queer pop culture moments from 2025. Alex Abad Santos, correspondent at Vox, joins Sam to look back on it all.
From I Love LA to the re-release
Ruth E. Carter: What Makes an Iconic Costume?
Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter makes people look good on the big screen — especially Black people.
She’s the mind behind the costumes for countless iconic films including Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing, the Black Panther franchise, and arguably the biggest movie this year… Sinners.
Sam chats with Ruth about the literal blood and swe
Will AI Ever Make Good Music?
Solomon Ray is the hottest new voice in Gospel music, but there’s a catch. He’s not real.
Sam chats with Andrew R. Chow, a correspondent for Time where he covers technology. They break down the rise of AI in the music industry and how human artists are fighting back. Are streamers doing anything to filter out tracks made by machines? What can listeners do to
The Healing Powers of Smothered Chicken (from Your Mama’s Kitchen)
To celebrate Thanksgiving, we’re sharing a special episode of Your Mama's Kitchen.
In the podcast, host Michele Norris and guests explore how our earliest culinary experiences shape our personal and professional lives. Plus, every guest shares a recipe for a favorite dish from their youth so you can taste a bit of their story.
Sam was on the show recently where he
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