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The Sam Sanders Show

KCRW & Sam Sanders
Climate Change
Mental Health
Christmas
Grief
Comedy
Movies
Monét X Change
Political Comedy
Therapy
Party Of One
Music
Social Media
Beyoncé
Politics
The Daily Show
2024 Election
Humor In Politics
Tiktok
Asian Representation
NPR

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-winn... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes79Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

Latest Episodes

Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode from the How To! Podcast.  Sam is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He’s also “quite possibly the world’s most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up... more

Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode from Life in Seven Songs.  Sam grew up strictly Pentecostal in Texas. Non-religious music was forbidden in his house – so Sam got resourceful, smuggling CDs into the house in his underwear and watching MTV in secret.... more

Even though 2025 gave us big albums from artists like Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny, did pop music fall short overall?  Sam breaks down the year’s hits and misses with Reanna Cruz, music journalist and producer at Switched on Pop. Why does everything sound... more

Grammy winner Samara Joy is a jazz prodigy, but her singing is rooted in gospel music.  She tells Sam about discovering jazz in high school, her family’s famous Godmobile, and how faith shaped the artist she is today. Plus, why her music will never b... more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Reanna Cruz
Music journalist and producer, known for the podcast Switched on Pop.
Switched on Pop
Episode: Who Can Save Pop Music?
Samara Joy
Grammy-winning jazz singer known for her unique sound and style.
Episode: Samara Joy: What’s A Church Girl To Sing?
Avery Trufelman
Host of the podcast Articles of Interest, discussing fashion and its cultural implications.
Episode: Can We Survive the Gift Guide Industrial Complex?
Traci Thomas
Host and creator of the book podcast, The Stacks
Episode: K-Pop, AI Slop & Ms. Rachel? 2025 Pop Culture Review
Franklin Leonard
Founder and CEO of The Black List
Episode: K-Pop, AI Slop & Ms. Rachel? 2025 Pop Culture Review
Alex Abad Santos
Senior correspondent at Vox
Vox
Episode: How Queer Was 2025?
Ruth E. Carter
Two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer known for her work in films like Black Panther and Malcolm X
Episode: Ruth E. Carter: What Makes an Iconic Costume?
Danielle Pinnock
Actor and comedian known for her role as Alberta in CBS sitcom Ghosts
CBS
Episode: Scam To The Top? w/ Danielle Pinnock
Samin Nosrat
Renowned chef and author known for her cookbooks and Netflix series
None stated
Episode: Samin Nosrat: Do Dinner Parties Have Healing Powers?

Host

Sam Sanders
Award-winning podcast and radio host known for his engaging interviews and insightful commentary on pop culture and entertainment. He has a background in journalism and is celebrated for his conversational style and ability to discuss complex topics with humor and warmth.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Simply the best!

    Sam Sanders is a National Treasure!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BuckNails
    United Statesa month ago
  • Sam Sanders is the best!

    When Sam left his NPR podcast, I was sad. Very sad. But still happy for him as he moved on to do something else. Imagine my surprise a few years later when I stumbled across this show. Now, I get my Sam Sanders fix again-Yes! Seriously, he is so engaging with his guests and has a gift for talking to people like it’s just a nice conversation that we are lucky enough to hear. My most recent favorite interviews have been the June Squib one, Jeff Hiller, & Samin Nosrat. Just enjoy all of Sam’s inter... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lee44!
    United States2 months ago
  • My fav pop culture pod

    I love this show!!!! Sam has the best takes and always has interesting guests. I love the topics the pod spans and that there is always a connection to the underlying political landscape. Thoughtful commentary, even on topics that might seem inconsequential. I look forward to this every week!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    blurrykid28
    United States2 months ago
  • We are a Sam Sanders Household

    We are a Sam Sanders household, ever since It's Been a Minute on NPR. Sad to see Into It end its run, but so glad that he got picked up at KCRW. He's insightful, funny, and asks great questions all with a bit of sass. And I love that these interviews don't drone on and on forever. Sam (

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Itisdtk
    United States2 months ago
  • sam sanders is a national treasure

    Love

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    languagepop
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many express admiration for the host's engaging interview style, highlighting his warmth and relatability.
Listeners appreciate the heartfelt and insightful conversations that blend entertainment with social commentary.
The show is praised for its thoughtful exploration of current pop culture trends and inspiring guests from diverse backgrounds.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#213
Singapore/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Samara Joy: What’s A Church Girl To Sing?
Q: What's your favorite track on your new album, your newest album?
My favorite track as of right now is 'Now And Then', composed by Barry Harris, written in honor of him and all mentors who impact our lives.
Scam To The Top? w/ Danielle Pinnock
Q: What advice would you give to someone trying to break into the industry?
I believe there's no secret; it's all about hard work, ongoing learning, and being prepared for opportunities at any time.
Scam To The Top? w/ Danielle Pinnock
Q: How do you feel body positivity has been affected by trends like Ozempic?
It's tricky, as while it promotes an exploration of self-acceptance, the abuse of medications like Ozempic can create barriers for those who genuinely need it.
Scam To The Top? w/ Danielle Pinnock
Q: Was there ever a moment in doing all those jobs, working for so long to get such a big and steady job, did you ever think about quitting?
Absolutely, especially before booking Ghosts, where I contemplated quitting acting after years of struggle.
Samin Nosrat: Do Dinner Parties Have Healing Powers?
Q: What do you think are the important aspects of your weekly dinner gatherings?
It's about fostering community, connection, and creating a simple yet meaningful routine in my life.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Sam Sanders Show

What is The Sam Sanders Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show serves as a vibrant exploration of the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture, leveraging engaging conversations to decode what drives artists and influences entertainment trends. With a focus on diverse topics ranging from the state of music, especially pop and jazz, to significant cultural phenomena like queer representation and the impact of AI on creativity, the content is both insightful and relatable. The host, who is an acclaimed journalist, often invites a mix of established and emerging personalities from the music and entertainment industries to discuss their journeys, challenges, and the cultural significance of their work. This unique blend of thought-provoking discussion and heartfelt storytelling is likely to resonat... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Sam Sanders Show?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Sam Sanders Show. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Sam Sanders Show and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Sam Sanders Show get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Sam Sanders Show?

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How many subscribers and views does The Sam Sanders Show have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Sam Sanders Show has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Sam Sanders Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Sam Sanders Show:

1. Vibe Check
2. It's Been a Minute
3. Pop Culture Happy Hour
4. Culture Study Podcast
5. Keep It!

How many episodes of The Sam Sanders Show are there?

The Sam Sanders Show launched a year ago and published 79 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Sam Sanders Show?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Sam Sanders Show?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Sam Sanders Show from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Sam Sanders Show?

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What guests have appeared on The Sam Sanders Show?

Recent guests on The Sam Sanders Show include:

1. Reanna Cruz
2. Samara Joy
3. Avery Trufelman
4. Traci Thomas
5. Franklin Leonard
6. Alex Abad Santos
7. Ruth E. Carter
8. Danielle Pinnock

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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