Loading...

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

46:14

Are We All Nostalgic For Better Times?

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/31

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 shopping mall.Sam chats with Jessica about what inspired the book and what the time travel genre says about our obsession

en-us

42:33

What Is Sam’s Guiding Philosophy? (From Well Said)

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/28

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. Find Well Said on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube. Sign up forSam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes

en-us

40:36

Harvey Guillén Is Not An Overnight Success

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/24

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.' He tells Sam about his road to the stage, which included collecting cans as a kid to pay for acting

en-us

32:26

Jane Wickline Is Weird. In All The Best Ways

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/21

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 playDukes, a show she created with her comedy partner Liva Pierce. It’s part sketch comedy, part musical theater, and a whole bunch of raunchy humor. Jane spoke with Sam all about the inspiration

en-us

52:28

Does ‘The Odyssey’ Have A Woman Problem?

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/17

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 lackluster performances to bad lighting to Angelica’s biggest critique — Christopher Nolan doesn’t know

en-us

23:12

The Enduring Humanity of Wikipedia

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/14

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 of followers. Annie chats with Sam about the Wikipedia page that started her obsession, how a small but

en-us

51:37

What Happened To Authenticity? w/ Ryan O’Connell

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/10

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, and the reality of working in entertainment. Ryan’s new book of essays is called 'Inspiration

en-us

28:30

Madonna’s Pop Matriarchy

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/07

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 who always seemed eternally young and new? Sam breaks down these big feelings with musicology

en-us

103:03

The Ultimate ‘90s Nostalgia Party (Live Show!)

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/07/03

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 friendsTraci Thomas, Eliot Glazer and Franklin Leonard to debate the best of the decade in a live ‘90s Nostalgia Bracket showdown. Recorded atDynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles, Sam and the gang muse over the most iconic moments of ‘90s pop culture. Plus,

en-us

23:53

The Homoerotic Spectacle of ‘Love Island USA’

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/30

‘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 might be a good thing…Especially during pride month. Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get

en-us

47:24

What Happens When a Trans Comedian Tours America Alone?

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/26

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 country, but instead of hitting up comedy clubs, she performed at gay bars. She tells Sam about the lessons she

en-us

28:03

Is Hollywood In The Middle Of An Age War?

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/23

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 again? Maybe they’re finally taking over Hollywood? Despite these success stories, a recent piece

en-us

44:36

Is 2026 the Year Everything Started to Look Too Perfect?

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/19

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 bigger feeling that so much of culture now looks filtered, flattened, and strangely unreal. They

en-us

30:33

The Real Reason American Men are Struggling

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/16

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 between masculine ideals and the reality of men’s lived experience. Sam sat down with Ritter Conn to talk about what

en-us

54:40

Leslie Jones Says Comedy Needs Gatekeepers Again

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/12

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 on her years at SNL, what she’s learned from nearly 40 years in comedy, and why she wants gatekeepers

en-us

27:47

Why So Many People Are Falling In Love With AI Chatbots

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/09

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 Anna Wiener explores the rapidly expanding world of these products and the people who use them. Sam talked to her about the users

en-us

54:00

Audie Cornish & Ari Shapiro On Ambition, Purpose, Poetry

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/05

EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets hereLet’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 Malone to the Pussycat Dolls, tickets aren’t selling like they used to. They break down what the

en-us

72:40

Are They a Star, Celebrity or Famous Person? (From...

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/06/02

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 rising names like Sabrina Carpenter and Sydney Sweeney. Together, they break down what really makes

en-us

54:07

Margaret Cho Is Still Hopeful About Comedy

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/05/29

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, and why she’s still optimistic about comedy even as it swings to the right. Plus, she shares how

en-us

53:54

Jacob Collier Can Make Anyone Sing

The Sam Sanders Show ·

2026/05/26

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 that recently at On-Air Fest, with Charlie Harding, host of ‘Switched On Pop.’ Sam joined them both

en-us

163 results

Similar Podcasts

وجوه من الـظل

Medi1 Podcast

She"s in the Weeds - Pop Culture and The Female Experience

Sam and Hollis - Millennial Women with...

Avec philosophie

France Culture

National Day Spotlight | Presented By National Day Calendar

National Day Calendar

Not Aspirational with Hannah Aaron Brown

Hannah Aaron Brown