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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

The Sam Sanders Show

KCRW & Sam Sanders
Hollywood
Pop Culture
KCRW
Oscars
Mental Health
Spotify
Tiktok
Streaming Music
Grief
Comedy
Heated Rivalry
Queer Representation
Youtube
Hip Hop
Movie Stars
Black Music
Bad Bunny
AI Music
Social Media
Beyoncé

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 weeklyEpisodes164Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTV & Film

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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

Latest Episodes

Everyone is way past their ‘15 minutes of fame.’ In today's episode, Sam is joined by culture journalists Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger, hosts of the ’Who? Weekly’ podcast to break down modern stardom. From influencers, to actors, to pop stars — bec... more

In this episode, Sam asks: What even is a flop? And if a flop happens to the biggest movie star alive, is it actually something else altogether?  We’re talking about Tom Cruise and his newest movie ‘Digger.’ Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, this wa... more

Ten years ago, 'Moonlight' premiered in theaters with an entirely Black cast and a haunting queer story that captivated audiences. It quickly earned critical acclaim and won three Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted... more

Sam is feeling sooo nostalgic this episode. Flashback to 2012. Monoculture is omnipresent. ‘Scandal’ is on every Thursday night. Twitter is ablaze with reactions to the iconic Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington. Sam never misses an episode. Flas... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Kerry Washington
Actor and producer, host of Street You Grew Up On
Simpson Street
Episode: Kerry Washington Has a Podcast?!
John Cho
Actor known for Harold & Kumar, Star Trek, and Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
Actor
Episode: John Cho Just Wants To Connect
Priya Parker
Author of The Art of Fighting
Author, The Art of Fighting
Episode: It’s Time To Have Better Fights w/ Priya Parker
Orville Peck
Country singer, actor and artist known for wearing a mask
Self/Orville Peck
Episode: Orville Peck: How Do You Hide Rock Bottom in Plain Sight?
David Archuleta
Singer, former American Idol contestant, author of Devout
David Archuleta, memoir author
Episode: David Archuleta Powered Through Mormon Shame
Fred Armisen
Actor/Comedian, co-creator and star of Portlandia
Portlandia
Episode: Fred Armisen Revisits Portlandia
Ann Powers
NPR music critic and correspondent
NPR
Episode: What Made Dolly Parton So Beloved?
Esther Zuckerman
Culture and Film Reporter for The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
Episode: Did Summer 2026 Bring Back Monoculture?
Janelle James
Actress and comedian known for Ava Coleman on Abbott Elementary
ABC/Hulu
Episode: Janelle James: What’s It Like To Embody A Diva?

Host

Sam Sanders
Host of The Sam Sanders Show, KCRW

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Melodica influence, Cyndi Lauper and the Hooters

    Enjoyed this episode. What you call an “accordion” sound on that acoustic demo of “All Through The Night” may be an instrument called the Melodica made by Hohner, which local Philly hometown heroes The Hooters used extensively in their own band and recordings. Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman, both members of the Hooters, played on all songs on that album. I wish she recorded more albums with them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luckylily70
    United States2 months ago
  • Meh.

    I expect more from the great Sam Sanders than an interview with an author who clearly at some level idolises and normalises the corrupt and boring Kardashians, even emulating their laughable vocal fries and lethargic tones (perhaps unconsciously) while also working to pass herself off as a morally neutral academic; it’s difficult to engage with such a boring and disingenuous approach. Her arguments are half-cooked, muddy, and frankly lazy. This “academic” also praises Alfred Adler’s outdated, de... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Shalma M.
    United States2 months ago
  • 90s Nostalgia

    I had to watch this one on YouTube. So funny. Sadly, agreed with the panel and the audience on the winner.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Noahm22
    United States3 months ago
  • Marvelous podcast!

    Sam Sanders’ excellent, insightful and genuine interviews make for great episodes! Recommended. Kudos to Sam and all involved in making this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SweetGoofyMo
    United States4 months ago
  • Rich people get a free pass!

    I love the conversations. I just feel like when people who don’t fit the dominant power dynamic are on, they are held to a different standard. Then when you have rich folks like yourself on, especially when discussing concert prices, you let these people who make better than $200k chat and act like they’re middle class. Cake eaters make everything terrible and unrelateable.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Hieronymous? Bosh!
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners note pacing or breathing as areas to refine.
Listeners praise Sam's sharp questions and engaging interview style.
The host's humor and warmth are frequently highlighted as a strength.
Guests consistently deliver deep, informed perspectives on culture and media.
Audience appreciates diverse guest lineups and candid conversations about representation.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Reaching Out
Reaching OutFuturo Media
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Modern Wisdom
Modern WisdomChris Williamson

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

John Cho Just Wants To Connect
Q: What drew you to the character Pastor Huan Yun and this project given its unusual premise?
Cho describes collaboration with the writer-director and Mahershala Ali as crucial, focusing on keeping the character authentic and avoiding vilification, which helped him commit to a role that blends religious zeal with moral complexity.
Orville Peck: How Do You Hide Rock Bottom in Plain Sight?
Q: How has wearing the mask influenced your authenticity and artistry?
The mask allowed me to access honesty and vulnerability in my storytelling, while also creating a performance framework that respects tradition and invites new interpretations.
Orville Peck: How Do You Hide Rock Bottom in Plain Sight?
Q: What is the biggest difference between the Orville Peck who released his last album and the new one?
The big difference is a much greater level of vulnerability and a willingness to be explicit about personal topics, with less metaphor and more direct storytelling in Mule.
David Archuleta Powered Through Mormon Shame
Q: What was your coming out moment like and how did your family react?
The moment involved telling his mom he would start dating guys, followed by a difficult but honest family conversation about faith and acceptance.
David Archuleta Powered Through Mormon Shame
Q: Did you feel a certain pressure or responsibility to share this kind of story with the world?
Yes, being raised with duties and religious expectations made me feel obligated to speak out, believing it could help others who are navigating similar struggles.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Sam Sanders Show

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

The show delivers searchable, culture-first conversations with a wide range of guests across music, film, theater, and media. Hosts bring warmth, curiosity, and sharp cultural analysis, drawing out personal stories, craft insights, and industry context from artists, critics, and thought leaders. Sponsorships occasionally anchor episodes, but the core appeal lies in informed, nuanced interviews about identity, creativity, and the evolving media landscape, making it a strong fit for listeners who want thoughtful takes on pop culture and its broader social impact.

A notable strength is the consistent ability to surface practical insights for creators and brands alike—whether unpacking production choices, representation, or industry economics—... more

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

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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. Keep It!
5. Pop Syllabus

How many episodes of The Sam Sanders Show are there?

The Sam Sanders Show launched 2 years ago and published 164 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Sam Sanders Show. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Sam Sanders Show?

Recent guests on The Sam Sanders Show include:

1. Kerry Washington
2. John Cho
3. Priya Parker
4. Orville Peck
5. David Archuleta
6. Fred Armisen
7. Ann Powers
8. Esther Zuckerman

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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