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
Aug 22, 2025 • 40min
Does Pop Culture Give a F*#% about Friendship?
BFF’s Lindy West and Meagan Hatcher-Mays (Text Me Back! Podcast) dive into what pop culture gets right (and wrong) about friendships.
The duo share their hot takes with Sam, make a case for renaming Love Island to Friendship Island, and ask if MTV’s The Real World ruined the country. Plus, should some problematic celebrities (cough *Cardi B* cough) get a pass for being too real?
Want more Lindy and Meagan? Check out their Substack for Text Me Back!
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.
Aug 15, 2025 • 48min
Bob the Drag Queen: What is Freedom?
Join Bob the Drag Queen, a New York Times bestselling author and RuPaul's Drag Race winner, as he hilariously reimagines Harriet Tubman as a rap icon in his new book. He discusses Tubman's powerful legacy and what freedom means today. Prepare for amusing impressions and insightful commentary on protest music and cultural icons. Bob dives into complex themes of racial identity and privilege, blending humor with deep reflections on social justice. This engaging conversation is a must-listen!
Aug 8, 2025 • 46min
Big Freedia: Is Twerking Next to Godliness?
Big Freedia is best known as the Queen of Bounce, but her new gospel album Pressing Onward showcases her holy roots.
She tells Sam about growing up as a young gay church kid in New Orleans, what moved her to make a gospel album, and how twerking and praising God go hand in hand. Plus, Big Freedia breaks down her iconic feature on Beyoncé’s 2016 hit single “Formation.”
Pressing Onward is out now.
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.
Aug 1, 2025 • 58min
Did Beyoncé Change Country Music Forever?
Tressie McMillan Cottom, a writer, cultural critic, and New York Times columnist, joins the discussion to unpack Beyoncé's impact on country music. They explore whether the genre still grapples with racial issues, highlighting historical barriers faced by Black artists. The conversation shifts to recent cultural changes and how diverse artists are reshaping the norms. Tressie also champions a standout summer hit, encouraging listeners to engage with music through dance and connection.
Jul 25, 2025 • 49min
Are We Living in a Feminist Dystopia?
In this engaging discussion, Anne Helen Petersen, writer of the Culture Study newsletter and host of the Culture Study podcast, sheds light on the concept of 'Feminist Exhaustion'—the burnout women face from unmet feminist promises. She critiques how pop culture shapes our views on empowerment, citing examples from shows like Scandal and Girls. The conversation also navigates shifting identities from girlboss to tradwife, exploring how future generations can reshape feminism and foster authentic representation in media.
Jul 24, 2025 • 4min
Checking in from the public media dumpster fire
Anyone else exhausted?
Jul 18, 2025 • 53min
What’s Worth Watching (and Skipping) in 2025 So Far?
Linda Holmes, an NPR pop culture correspondent and author, joins Ronald Young Jr., host of Leaving the Theater, to dissect the ups and downs of 2025's entertainment landscape. They tackle the escapism found in films and series, from the witty critiques in 'The Studio' to the gripping narratives of thrillers like 'Drop.' Expect fresh takes on the importance of representation in Hollywood and humorous reflections on reality TV's allure with 'Love Island.' Plus, they brainstorm an intriguing concept for a new series, 'Black Lotus.'
Jul 11, 2025 • 53min
Can Atsuko Okatsuka Turn Family Trauma Into Comedy Gold?
Atsuko Okatsuka, a comedian renowned for weaving family trauma into her performances, dives deep into her wild childhood experiences, including being kidnapped by her grandmother. She discusses her new Hulu special, 'Father', where she navigates themes of marriage and mental illness. From trying to hire a sex worker for her mom to the chaos of bathing her elderly grandmother, Atsuko masterfully blends humor and authenticity. Her journey highlights the resilience of family and the art of turning sadness into laughter.
Jul 4, 2025 • 42min
Woodstock '99: Mosh Pit at the Apocalypse with Sam Sanders and Lindy West (From The Big Flop)
Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends at The Big Flop!
Every week, the show unpacks pop culture’s most fascinating flops, frauds, and fiascos. In this episode, host Misha Brown throws back to Woodstock '99 with Sam and Lindy West (Text Me Back!). The music fest was meant to commemorate the original 1969 festival with “three days of peace and music” but instead became "three days of rage and chaos." If you thought Fyre Fest was bad… At least it wasn’t actually on fire!
Listen to The Big Flop on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
Jun 27, 2025 • 50min
Is Allison Williams Afraid of Her Own Movies?
Allison Williams, acclaimed actress known for her roles in HBO's Girls and the horror hits Get Out and M3GAN, dives into her captivating career path. She discusses the allure of playing morally complex characters and reflects on her latest film, M3GAN 2.0, exploring its commentary on AI and parenting. The conversation also touches on the cultural resurgence of Girls, how Gen Z perceives it, and the psychological depth of her roles. Plus, there’s a fun twist imagining a comedy-horror remake of Carrie with a Girls flair!
