On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed speaks to British-Palestinian author, Isabella Hammad, about her book, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. They discuss the Israel-Hamas war, student activism, and much more.

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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

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Merch: www.podswag.com/vibecheck

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed, Sam and Zach chat about the internet’s reaction to Luigi Mangione, suspect in the United Healthcare shooting. Plus, they discuss LGBTQ+ rights under a second Donald Trump presidency and 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 or TikTok @vibecheckpod.

You can now get direct access to the group chat! Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/vibecheck. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

Merch: www.podswag.com/vibecheck

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

SAM: The Wonder of Stevie podcast, Lost Notes: 1980 - Ep 1. Stevie Wonder

ZACH: Anatomy of Lies doc on Peacock

SAEED: “A Poem of Friendship” by Nikki Giovanni, Wild Card podcast with Nikki Giovanni

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam and Zach share their thoughts on if smartphones and social media are negatively impacting the youth. They also talk about Billboard’s list of greatest pop stars of the 21st century, and whether Beyoncé or Taylor Swift deserved the #1 spot. 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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

SAM: “Piano & A Microphone 1983” by Prince

ZACH: Casting JonBenet film

The Sam Sanders Show: Inside 2024’s Tech Revolution with Journalists Taylor Lorenz & Elise Hu

Merch: 

www.podswag.com/vibecheck

On this episode of Vibe Check, Zach speaks with civil rights attorney and trans rights activist, Chase Strangio. They discuss his upcoming court case - United States v. Skrmetti, which focuses on trans youth in Tennessee being denied access to gender affirming care.

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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

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Chase Strangio on Instagram

Merch: www.podswag.com/vibecheck

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach offer advice on preparing for a potentially rocky holiday season.

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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

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Zach x Kimberly Drew

Zach x Jenna Wortham

Sam x Emily King

Merch: www.podswag.com/vibecheck

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach discuss Trump’s controversial cabinet appointments. Then, they talk about the press tour for the new movie, Wicked. 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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

SAM: Sometimes by Bilal

SAEED: “Missed Time” by Ha Jin

ZACH: The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions by Larry Mitchell 

Merch: www.podswag.com/vibecheck

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about the aftermath of the election, what to expect moving forward, and what they’re doing to take care of themselves. 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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

SAM: Dance Yourself Clean (Song) and Sound of Silver (Album) by LCD Soundsystem

ZACH: Notting Hill and Zach’s guest appearance on Love To See It

SAEED: 

My Project 2025

by Saeed Jones

After Maggie Smith

I am having more sex. 

I am louder when I have sex.

I am asking more questions. 

I am asking questions like “why?” 

and “what happened to make you feel

that way?” and “do you feel safe here?”

and “what can I do to help you feel safe

here?” I know I like to talk; I love the sound

of my own voice, but I’m going to shut up

and listen more. Clearly, I haven’t heard

all that’s been said. I am protecting myself.

I am pulling up the drawbridge. I’m asking

Black women to pull up the drawbridge.

I’m Whitney Houston in the last verse

of “It’s Not Right, but It’s Okay.” I’m 

paying my light bill and taking care

of my babies. I’m in the bath tub

covered in bubbles and surrounded

with candles and good wine and I wish

Frank Ocean or Bill Withers or Frank Ocean

and Bill Withers were in the bathtub

with me but their voices will do. I am

pulling the voices of people I desire

and love and trust and worry over

into me. I am inviting them into the bright

dark of my soul. I am gonna live forever

because all the money I touch looks at me

and says e pluribus unum, out of many,

one. I am the water Jesus drank in the desert.

I am god talking to herself. I am evicting

America from my body and making room

in the borders of my black bad bitch body

for everyone I was sent into this life

to love loudly. 

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach share another installment of their modern scriptures, as they talk about works of art, literature, and pop culture that they turn to for inspiration.

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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

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MODERN SCRIPTURES:

SAM

• JP Brammer - Hola Papi
• Hanif - A Little Devil In America

SAEED

• “Ode to My Blackness” by Evie Shockley (The New Black – 2011)
• “Ode to My Whiteness” by Sharon Olds (Odes – 2016)

ZACH

• “Kiss of Life” by Sade
• Steel Magnolias (1989)

Zach’s Guest DJ Song List

Sam’s Guest DJ Song List

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach chat with special guest, podcast host Tommy Vietor (of Pod Save America & Pod Save the World), about the truths and anxieties of the upcoming election. Then, they discuss if celebrity involvement in politics actually makes an impact. 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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

To help get out the vote or volunteer in the coming days, head to votesaveamerica.com

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Recommendations:

SAM: English Teacher on FX

SAEED: “the earth is a living thing” by Lucille Clifton

ZACH: Meli Beer (drinkmeli.com) 

On this episode of Vibe Check, Sam, Saeed and Zach talk about why Harris and Trump are neck and neck in the polls. Then, they discuss the role religion is playing in the final weeks of the election. 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. 

Vibe Check listeners can now get a free three month trial to the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/vibecheck.

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Recommendations:

SAM: The Tokyo Mass Choir singing GOSPEL MUSIC + Whitney Houston Freedom Concert (in limited Theaters)

SAEED:  “Haiku Garden” by Harryette Mullen from Best American Poetry 2024

ZACH: Celebrity Substitute on YouTube