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PODCAST

The Sam Sanders Show

KCRW & Sam Sanders

The Sam Sanders Show from KCRW is your guide to entertainment. Find out what makes your favorite artists tick, dissect the trends that shape our culture, or just make sense of that random meme you can’t stop thinking about. Join us every week to unpack the pop culture we love. Sign up forSam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. Sam Sanders is an award-winning podcast and radio host. He’s been named best podcast host by both The

society & culture

All Episodes

59:51

Caroline Rose: The Album You Won’t Find on Spotify

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2025/02/21

Caroline Rose makes music that cuts deep, and their latest album, year of the slug, is no exception. Sam talks with the indie singer-songwriter about why this album isn’t on Spotify, the struggle of working-class musicians in today’s industry, and how rejecting major platforms is an act of artistic defiance. Plus, Caroline opens up about their past breakup album The Art of Forgetting, how it helped Sam process his own grief, and what it means to truly move on. They

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52:04

Who Belongs on Black Hollywood’s Mount Rushmore?

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2025/02/14

It’s Black History Month, and Sam is doing something a little different: building a Black Hollywood Mount Rushmore! Comedians and writers Yassir Lester and Garrick Bernard join Sam to debate which Black entertainers have left the biggest mark on the industry.Plus, the trio unpacks how the entertainment industry has evolved for Black creatives, the impact of strikes and streaming, and what it takes for rising stars — like Yassir and Garrick — to carve out a

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57:17

Should the Oscars Even Exist? with The Big Picture...

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2025/02/07

Sam’s hot take — it’s time to put an end to the Academy Awards. He lays out his case to Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins, hosts of The Big Picture podcast from The Ringer. They break down why the Oscars often reward the wrong films, prioritize campaigning over quality, and struggle to stay relevant in today’s entertainment landscape. Plus, how to make the hours-long ceremony actually fun.Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff

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51:33

Sam Sings! with Celebrity Vocal Coach Doug Peck

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2025/01/31

Instead of dishing on Grammys predictions, we’re taking singing lessons. Vocal coach Doug Peck has worked with Grammy winners like Billie Eilish, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, and Broadway legend Patti Lupone. What exactly does a vocal coach do, why does everyone in the biz have one, and how do you learn to sing like a star? Plus, listen to the very end for Sam’s own musical surprise.Sign up forSam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every

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47:12

TikTok's Rise, Fall & Messy Future

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2025/01/24

The internet was in a frenzy over the short-lived TikTok ban. The app went down, then came back, and could still disappear again? Here to unpack what it all means for pop culture are two viral sensations, Franchesca Ramsey and Brandon Kyle Goodman. They’re both creators, podcasters, actors, and TV writers who had a lot to say about the internet and why Americans should party more.Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each

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52:47

2025’s Pop Culture Forecast

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2025/01/17

It’s been a rough start to the year for everyone in Los Angeles so we invited some friends to help us get through it with laughter.Chelsea Devantez, host of the Glamorous Trash podcast, and comedian Erin Dewey Lennox. Together, we break down the pop culture we’re excited for in 2025 and what we’re leaving behind in 2024.If you need resources or you’re looking for ways to help those affected by the LA fires, visitkcrw.com/firehelp Other resources

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2:28

Checking in from Los Angeles

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2025/01/10

Due to the recent fires in Los Angeles, we’re postponing our episode this week. Sam and the KCRW team are safe. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these devastating events. We’ll be back in your feed soon.Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to keep in touch.

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49:25

Rachel Bloom Confronts Grief with a Heckler Named Death

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2025/01/03

In early 2020, comedian and actor Rachel Bloom faced life-changing extremes: the birth of her first child and the loss of collaborator Adam Schlesinger to COVID in the same week. In her Netflix special Death, Let Me Do My Special, Bloom processes these losses in a way that caught Sam’s attention, making his favorite comedy special of the last year. Rachel chats with Sam about her process and gives him advice on whether he should become a parent.Sign up for Sam’s

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69:25

How To Talk To Yourself When Things Suck (from 10%...

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/12/27

Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends at 10% Happier with Dan Harris featuring our own Sam Sanders.Sam shares how he’s been dealing with grief over the last year, what it looks like to maintain a relationship with someone even after they’ve died, and what death has taught him about living a good life. If you like what you hear, check out10% Happier with Dan Harris wherever you get podcasts.

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59:42

Jessica Williams Talks Therapy and Life Lessons

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/12/20

Jessica Williams plays a shrink on TV, but we’d pay money to have her be our therapist IRL. From her time on The Daily Show, to playing a therapist on Apple TV+’s Shrinking, and what it was like to freeze her eggs, the comedian and actor shares life lessons with us. And does a cold plunge count as self-care? We play a game to find out.Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show is a

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59:28

The Evolution of Pop Music with Diallo and LUXXURY

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/12/13

Diallo and LUXXURY, hosts of the One Song podcast, help us recap the year in pop music. We talk about Drake’s beef with Universal, the evolution of sampling in the music industry, and the most slept-on artists of 2024. Plus, we discuss why the Grammys rarely get things right and launch The Sammies™ to set the record straight.Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff every week. The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders

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57:16

Kendrick vs. Drake to Wicked: 2024 unpacked

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/12/06

2024 delivered endless pop culture phenomena from Brat Summer to Wicked’s box office domination. Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, and Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, help us reflect on the year's defining moments.We rehash Kendrick and Drake’s beef, discuss Wicked’s cultural impact, and debate if monoculture still exists. Sign up forSam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam Sanders Show

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52:01

How to Be Your Own Best Life Partner with Author...

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/11/29

Sam breaks down the ‘romance industrial complex’ that shapes our views on love, relationships, and happiness. From Disney Princesses to Hollywood romcoms, our culture places marriage on a pedestal, often leaving singlehood overlooked. Sam is joined by journalist Meghan Keane, founder of NPR’s Life Kit and author of Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner. In her new book, Meghan explores society’s deep-rooted myths about romance and shares her own

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57:11

Why Matt Rogers Calls Himself the Prince of Christmas

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/11/22

Today on the show, Sam gets into the Christmas spirit with comedian and actor Matt Rogers. You know him as one of the hosts of the hit podcast Las Culturistas with his friend Bowen Yang. He’s also known as the self-declared Prince of Christmas, after making one of the funniest holiday comedy albums ever — Have you heard of Christmas. His holiday tour begins next month with dates across the country. Sam and Matt chat about how capitalism inspired his Christmas spirit

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56:43

This is Why Ronny Chieng Believes in America

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/11/15

Sam Sanders talks with comedian and actor Ronny Chieng to discuss his journey in American comedy, his role in Hulu’s Interior Chinatown, and the complex relationship between identity and humor in Hollywood. As they delve into the highs and lows of political satire, Ronny shares his unique global perspective, shaped by years spent across multiple countries. The conversation covers the evolution of comedy in the face of today’s divisive politics, the impact of Asian

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50:14

Inside 2024’s Tech Revolution with Journalists Taylor...

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/11/08

In this episode, we dive into the biggest tech stories of 2024, exploring how technology reshaped culture in surprising ways. From Hollywood to social media, AI is transforming creative industries, while TikTok continues redefining what it means to be an influencer. We also discuss Elon Musk’s impact on online communication and why social media feels less fun than it used to. Joining the conversation is tech journalist Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily and Taylor Lorenz,

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45:56

From Indie Videos to Hollywood Hits: Alvarez & Koenig...

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/11/01

This week on the show, Sam sits down with Brian Jordan Alvarez and Stephanie Koenig, the creative forces behind the new hit show English Teacher. Created by Alvarez, the show features both him and Koenig as high school teachers in Texas, with each of them also taking on writing roles. But this isn’t your typical sitcom. With razor-sharp writing, English Teacher dives into big topics—guns, drag queens, and queer identity—all with a subversive, hilarious twist

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57:07

Roy Wood Jr: Finding Comedy in Political Chaos

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/10/25

Comedian Roy Wood Jr. joins Sam to discuss why he believes comedy is a form of journalism and how humor can help us cope with today’s political chaos. Roy reflects on his time at The Daily Show, his experience hosting CNN’s Have I Got News For You, and the challenge of finding laughter amidst absurdity. Plus, they play a game inspired by Roy’s new show.Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week. The Sam

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53:52

Pop Culture Can Help the Climate w/ Dr. Ayana...

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/10/18

Sam sits down with author and marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson to explore her inspiring new book, What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures. Dr. Johnson offers a refreshing take on the climate crisis, imagining a future shaped by Hollywood, pop culture, poetry, and joy. Together, they discuss how creativity and optimism can help us reframe environmental challenges and inspire collective action.Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes

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54:18

Monét X Change: Drag, Politics, and Opera

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2024/10/11

Monét X Change, RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, opera singer, and co-host of Sibling Rivalry, joins The Sam Sanders Show to discuss her journey from church kid to drag queen and how it still influences her work. She talks about DRAG PAC, her political action committee fighting for drag and trans rights, and her new foray into performing R&B. Plus, she plays "I-CON or I-CAN’T" on some pop culture hot topics.Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the

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