Vibe Check

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk about the recent questionable actions of JoJo Siwa and Jerrod Carmichael, and they answer a question from a listener seeking advice about a dating dilemma. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.You can now get direct access to the group chat! Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/vibecheck.------------------------------------------------------RECOMMENDATIONS: SAM: The Town of Babylon by Alejandro VarelaSAEED: Parallel Bars by Geoffrey YoungZACH: A STRANGE LOOP is on tour now! SF opens this week and LA on June 5thInto It featuring Michael R. Jackson

On this special episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk to the U.S. Poet Laureate, Ada Limón, about demystifying the art of poetry, and her new anthology, “You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World”. Plus, a few beginner-friendly recommendations from Ada.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.You can now get direct access to the group chat! Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/vibecheck. You can find Ada Limón on Instagram @adalimonwriter.------------------------------------------------------ADA’S RECOMMENDATIONS: Poet, Lucille CliftonPlease Excuse This PoemSuch Color: New and Selected Poems by Tracy K. Smith

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach give their thoughtful takes on Beyonce’s new country album, “Cowboy Carter”. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.You can now get direct access to the group chat! Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/vibecheck. ------------------------------------------------------RECOMMENDATIONS: SAM: James: A Novel by Percival EverettSAEED: The Divorcee and Gin by Kim AddonizioZACH: Solange’s Film: “When I Get Home”

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss the political industrial complex bending to Trump, and then later a look at Gen Z and aging. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right. We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.------------------------------------------------------RECS:SAM: KhruangbinSAEED: For Furious Nursing Baby by Julianna Baggott ZACH: Alpha Prime Bites

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach discuss Kate Middleton’s disappearance, and the recent Boeing aircraft issues. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.------------------------------------------------------SAM: Deeper Well by Kacey MusgravesSAEED: That’s My Heart Right There by Willie PerdomoZACH: I Finally Bought Some Jordans by Michael Arceneaux 

On this final episode of Vibe Check’s mini-series - Hey, Sis: A Vibe Check Series, Sam and Zach have a chat with actress Regina King. They talk about Regina’s new movie “Shirley”, this year’s Presidential election, grief, and much more.Shirley debuts on Netflix March 22nd, 2024.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, Zach, and special guest journalist Afeef Nessouli dig deeper into the deepening crisis in Gaza. Plus, a few recommendations from Afeef.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.You can follow Afeef Nessouli on Instagram and Twitter @AfeefNess.------------------------------------------------------Afeef’s Recommendations:For Joy: @raindovemodel and @safebow_org on InstagramFor Gaza News and Updates: @alaa_qraiqeaPoem: “If I Must Die” by Refaat Alareer

On this episode of Vibe Check’s mini-series - Hey, Sis: A Vibe Check Series, Saeed has a chat with poet and cultural critic, Morgan Parker. They talk about Morgan’s new essay collection “You Get What You Pay For,” her experience covering the Bill Cosby trial, and much more.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach break down their final thoughts and predictions ahead of the 2024 Oscars. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.------------------------------------------------------Recommendations:SAM: Poor ThingsSAEED: Nancy Meyers and My Dream of Whiteness by Morgan ParkerZACH: The Zone of Interest 

On this episode of Vibe Check’s mini-series - Hey, Sis: A Vibe Check Series, Zach has a chat with writer and activist, Raquel Willis. They talk about Raquel’s memoir “The Risk It Takes to Bloom,” growing up Queer in the south, and much more.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach talk about the Alabama Supreme Court’s controversial ruling regarding frozen embryos, and Tyler Perry’s new movie, Mea Culpa. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.------------------------------------------------------Recommendations:SAM: James Carter & the Prisoners - Po Lazarus (and other Chain Gang music)SAEED: The Origins of the Artist Natalie Cole by Toi DerricotteZACH: Perfect Day (Directed by Wim Wenders, Starring Koji Yakusho) 

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about the phenomenon of tipflation. They also discuss how they feel about Black History Month and how their relationship to the month has changed throughout the years. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right. We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff. Recommendations: SAM: Chappell Roan, Madame Web and This Is Me…NowSAEED: The Weary Blues by Langston HughesZACH: Car iPhone mount

On this episode of Vibe Check’s mini-series - Hey, Sis: A Vibe Check Series, Zach has a chat with art influencer and author Kimberly Drew. They talk about why softness is a power, their special friendship, and much more.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.You can follow Kimberly Drew on Instagram at @museummammy.

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Zach talk about the attack in Rafah, and how rom-coms have influenced our expectations of romantic relationships. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.------------------------------------------------------Recommendations:SAM: Mr and Mrs SmithZACH: The Taste of Things

On this special episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed, and Zach recap Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance. They also talk about Beyonce’s new country songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages”.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about how social media forces everyone to become a brand. They also answer an advice question from a conflicted dater. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.------------------------------------------------------Recommendations:SAM: The Traitors (on Peacock)SAEED: Wishes for Sons by Lucille CliftonZACH: Prove It To You by Brittany Howard

On the first episode of Vibe Check’s mini-series - Hey, Sis: A Vibe Check Series, Sam has a chat with journalist and CNN anchor, Audie Cornish. They talk about their long-standing friendship, why mentorship is important, the 2024 Presidential election, and more.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.New episodes of The Assignment with Audie Cornish are available Mondays and Thursdays, wherever you get your podcasts.

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach give their take on the rap beef between Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj. They also discuss how out-of-touch Democratic politicians are with the general public in their handling of the Israel-Hamas War. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.------------------------------------------------------Recommendations:SAM: Brokeback MountainSAEED: Who Said It Was Simple by Audre LordZACH: GRISELDA on Netflix

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach give their reactions to the 2024 Oscar nominations, and talk about how culture is at a stand-still. Plus, a few recommendations to keep your vibe right.We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.------------------------------------------------------Recommendations:SAM: Game NightsSAEED: “Frank: Sonnets” by Diane SeussZACH:  Love Lies Bleeding by Rose Glass (out March 8th) Links:How Beyoncé, Drake and Taylor Swift landed on pop’s permanent A-listIs Our American Culture Frozen?Why the 2020s Don’t Have A Style

On this bonus episode of Vibe Check, Sam and writer and director, Cord Jefferson, talk about Cord’s new film, “American Fiction”, their long-time friendship, the importance of Black representation, and much more. We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram and Threads @samsanders, @theferocity, and @zachstaff.