Vibe Check

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach wrap up this year’s Hey, Sis mini-series with special guest – political commentator and strategist Symone Sanders-Townsend. They get into her dynamic career across politics and media, the challenges she’s faced as a Black woman in the spotlight, and how staying true to herself has been key to her success. They also discuss the outsized role Black women play in shaping culture, news, and politics, and the ways those same systems often work against them. You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

They unpack chaos in air travel, from air traffic control strain and TSA staff working without pay to ICE agents showing up at airports and what that signals. They explore the rise of the manosphere, its recruitment of lonely young men, influencer tactics, and troubling gender dynamics. Light picks and cultural takes round out the conversation.

Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman, economist and author who quantifies how racism and sexism affect Black women. She outlines the concept of the double tax and shares research methods and personal stories. Conversations cover housing disparities, hidden costs like haircare, and why supporting Black women advances broader economic progress.

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach welcome back Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks, for an Oscars recap – from the biggest wins to the most talked-about moments. Then, Saeed and Zach unpack a social media debate: should you expect your friends to post about politics and the news, and is it fair to judge them if they don’t? Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “I’m Learning Nothing This Night” by Reginald Dwayne Betts ------------------------------------------------------ You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lisa Beasley, actor and comedian who created the viral Corporate Erin, talks improv roots and performing solo for the camera. She explores owning intellectual property and choosing independence. Short, sharp takes on corporate language as gatekeeping, code switching, and how workplace performance signals power and belonging.

Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks and cultural critic, joins to unpack awards-season drama. She breaks down Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. They debate Hollywood’s reward of negative tropes about Black women and what defines a “Black movie.” The conversation ends with spirited Oscar winner predictions.

Ashley Cunningham, baker and owner of Bad Ash Bakes known for viral cinnamon rolls and community-first leadership. She recounts starting in cooking competitions, life as a private chef for athletes, and the pivot to a baking business after going viral. Conversations cover the physical toll of baking, building a kinder kitchen crew, choosing a brick-and-mortar in Pasadena, and creating a brand rooted in care and connection.

Afeef Nessouli, Beirut-based journalist giving on-the-ground reporting and interviews with displaced civilians. He describes loud airstrikes, mass displacement, and how regional populations get caught in geopolitical games. Conversations trace eerie parallels to post-9/11 wars, probe U.S. and Israeli motives, and unpack the human cost and visible chaos in Beirut.

On this episode of Vibe Check LIVE, Saeed and Zach head to Boston for a special live taping with special guest, classical composer Carlos Simon. They talk about Carlos writing music for America’s 250th anniversary, how faith and spirituality shape his work, his newest piece, Good News Mass, and more. Plus, they close out the conversation with an audience Q&A. You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.comWe want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

They unpack the Berlin Film Festival’s political flashpoints and why celebs claiming to be apolitical matters. They trace how a film festival’s history and memorials shape conversations about memory and responsibility. They dig into the new documentary about America’s Next Top Model, exploring how the show’s beauty machine shaped and harmed participants. They finish with quick cultural picks that are on and off the vibes chart.