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 for Sam’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 Ambies and the iHeart Podcast Awards. He was one of the founding hosts of The NPR Politics Podcast and the host who launched both It’s Been A Minute from NPR and Into It from Vulture.
Sign up for Sam’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 Ambies and the iHeart Podcast Awards. He was one of the founding hosts of The NPR Politics Podcast and the host who launched both It’s Been A Minute from NPR and Into It from Vulture.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 29, 2024 • 51min
Be Your Own Best Life Partner with Meghan Keane
Society places marriage on a pedestal, from Hollywood romcoms to Disney movies, often leaving singlehood overlooked. Journalist Meghan Keane, author of Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner, explores society’s deep-rooted myths about romance and shares her own journey in embracing singlehood as a fulfilling choice. We talk about reclaiming happiness beyond romantic relationships, celebrating personal independence, and the bias against single people.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Nov 22, 2024 • 56min
Matt Rogers, Prince of Christmas
Get into the Christmas spirit with comedian and actor Matt Rogers! When he’s not co-hosting his hit podcast Las Culturistas, he’s touring the country as the Prince of Christmas. We talk about his iconic holiday comedy album, Have You Heard of Christmas?, and break down the pop culture news of the moment. His holiday tour begins next month with dates across the country.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Nov 15, 2024 • 56min
Why Ronny Chieng Believes in America
Comedian Ronny Chieng believes America can survive another Trump administration. We talk about his role in Hulu’s Interior Chinatown, and the complex relationship between identity and humor in Hollywood. Plus, the impact of Asian representation in media, and the challenges— and freedoms — of creating authentic stories that resonate.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Nov 8, 2024 • 49min
Inside 2024’s Tech Revolution with journalists Taylor Lorenz & Elise Hu
Taylor Lorenz, a tech journalist known for her insights on online culture, and Elise Hu, host of TED Talks Daily, dissect the tech landscape of 2024. They highlight how AI is reshaping creative industries and discuss the evolving role of social media, notably TikTok. The duo explores Elon Musk's controversial impact on online communication, the challenges facing young influencers, and the effects of social media on body image. Additionally, they engage in a playful challenge to distinguish between real and AI-generated tech headlines.
Nov 1, 2024 • 45min
Brian Jordan Alvarez and Stephanie Koenig Break Through Hollywood
Brian Jordan Alvarez and Stephanie Koenig are the creative force behind the new hit show English Teacher. The show features both him and Koenig as high school teachers in Texas dealing with guns, drag queens, and queer identity, all with a subversive, hilarious twist. We talk about their journey from creating indie comedy videos online to finally breaking through in Hollywood.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Oct 25, 2024 • 57min
Roy Wood Jr Says Comedy is Journalism
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. believes comedy is a form of journalism. We talk about his new CNN show Have I Got News For You, his time at The Daily Show, and the challenge of finding laughter amidst absurdity. Plus, we 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 Sanders show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Oct 18, 2024 • 53min
Climate Change Needs Hollywood and Hope
What if Regina George cared about climate change? That’s the question from author and marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. Her new book, What If We Get It Right?, offers a refreshing take on the climate crisis imagining a future shaped by Hollywood, pop culture, poetry, and joy. We talk about 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 stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Oct 11, 2024 • 53min
Monét X Change: Drag, Politics, and Opera
Monét X Change, co-host of Sibling Rivalry, RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, and opera singer dives into her journey from church kid to drag queen and how it still influences her work. We also talk DRAG PAC, her political action committee fighting for drag and trans rights, and her new foray into performing R&B. Plus, we rate pop culture hot topics in a game of I-CON or I-CAN’T.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Oct 4, 2024 • 51min
Sasheer Zamata on Disney Parks to Disney+
We launched two episodes today! Don’t miss our episode with Joel Kim Booster, also in your feed.
Sasheer Zamata stops by to chat about her role in the hit Disney+ series "Agatha All Along," queerness in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and how her time working at Disney parks shaped her career. Plus, artificial intelligence, the band Oasis, and... WHIPPETS!
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Oct 4, 2024 • 51min
Joel Kim Booster: Sex, Wealth, and Comedy
Joel Kim Booster dishes on the wardrobe choices on "Loot," his on-screen chemistry with Maya Rudolph, and how the show tackles real-world issues like the unhoused crisis. We also talk about the portrayal of wealth on television and his discomfort with glamorizing billionaires.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
