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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

The Sam Sanders Show

KCRW & Sam Sanders
Hollywood
Pop Culture
Oscars
KCRW
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 weeklyEpisodes170Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTV & Film

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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

Latest Episodes

Drag icon Bianca Del Rio has us in a fit of laughter this episode. Known for her blistering comedy, she rose to fame after winning the sixth season of 'RuPaul's Drag Race.' Since then, she's toured the world with her sharp tongue and fierce take down... more

YouTube

‘You Can See Everything’ has totally taken over our corner of the internet. The new documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes has garnered plenty of critical acclaim and awards buzz. But it also ignited many questions about grift ... more

From plastic surgeries to public backlash, comedian Heather McMahan has laughed through it all.  In her new standup special, Heather reflects on the unique experience of getting ‘cancelled’ online—something she went through last year after a golf tou... more

YouTube

Even the fashion industry can’t escape AI slop. Fast fashion brands are using AI to pump out new looks and trends, and speed up production at unsustainable rates. It’s a business model that relies much more on algorithmic data than human design. Chan... more

YouTube

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

Liz Plank
Journalist, author, and host of the Boy Problems podcast
Episode: Are We In An Elizabeth Holmes Fever Dream?
Heather McMahan
Comedian and actor with a stand-up special streaming on Hulu
Episode: Heather McMahan Is Hanging On ‘By A Thread’
Amy Odell
Fashion journalist and host of the Back Row podcast and newsletter
Back Row
Episode: Is Fashion Over?
Max Read
Tech journalist and New York Times contributor
The New York Times
Episode: Why Is Everything Gambling Now?
Angelica Jade Bastién
Vulture film critic and writer of the newsletter Mad Women and Muses
Vulture
Episode: Why Is Hollywood Obsessed with Tech Villains?
Lindsey Weber
Co-host of Who Weekly; author
Who Weekly
Episode: When Everybody And Nobody Is A Celebrity w/ Who? Weekly
Bobby Finger
Co-host of Who Weekly; author
Who Weekly
Episode: When Everybody And Nobody Is A Celebrity w/ Who? Weekly
Amy Nicholson
Film critic at the Los Angeles Times and co-host of the Unspooled Movie Podcast
Los Angeles Times
Episode: Hollywood’s Biggest Movie Star Flopped. What Now?
Barry Jenkins
Director of Moonlight
A24 / Moonlight
Episode: Barry Jenkins: The Legacy Of 'Moonlight'

Host

Sam Sanders
Host of The Sam Sanders Show, KCRW

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Why do you need a review to try this podcast? It's all in the title.

    It's The Sam Sanders Show.

    Listen to one of the greatest living pop culture thinkers have fascinating conversations with fun guests. Learn something AND have some fun while doing it.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Chai_Ito
    15 days ago
  • A persistent favorite. Sam is so good at bringing on interesting guests and holding great conversations.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    listener518
    16 days ago
  • Good thoughtful conversation.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    caterina_1212
    16 days ago
  • Perfect show

    Sam is good at his job. My favorite podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ShyamRGohel
    United States18 days ago
  • Love the show, annoyed at audio

    I love the show and Sam Sanders, but I need him to stop whispering and dropping his register. It messes with the listening experience!!! I can’t keep changing the volume whenever he decides to drop his voice

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bri00921
    United Statesa month 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.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why Is Hollywood Obsessed with Tech Villains?
Q: What do you hope film and TV viewers are thinking or asking themselves as they watch this Tech Bro, Tech Sister movie TV series fall?
Bastién urges viewers to ask what a film wants from them, whether it redirects their attention or challenges them, and whether it provokes anger and action or merely offers comfort.
Why Is Hollywood Obsessed with Tech Villains?
Q: What is the right way to think about representing tech villains on screen?
Bastién says films should examine the real power and consequences of tech leaders, avoid comforting audiences with superficial critiques, and ask viewers to consider their own complicity.
Why Is Everything Gambling Now?
Q: Is there a part of popular culture where gambling has not infested?
Read says prediction markets can cover almost any event with willing bettors, from awards results and speeches to elections. He notes that news outlets may use their data because the markets can offer predictive value when polling is difficult.
Why Is Everything Gambling Now?
Q: How would you put words on how pervasive the gambling money is right now, if you had to?
Read says traditional gambling is a $643 billion global industry, larger than the combined global music, video game and film industries. He adds that media companies facing pressure on other revenue may turn to gambling companies seeking access to sports audiences.
Is Fashion Over?
Q: How can they better spot it? And what might they do when they feel the urge to buy it, but want to be better consumers?
Odell advises avoiding impulse purchases by waiting a day, prioritizing durable clothing that will be worn often, researching materials and construction, and checking customer reviews.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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?

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

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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. Pop Syllabus
5. Keep It!

How many episodes of The Sam Sanders Show are there?

The Sam Sanders Show launched 2 years ago and published 170 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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What guests have appeared on The Sam Sanders Show?

Recent guests on The Sam Sanders Show include:

1. Liz Plank
2. Heather McMahan
3. Amy Odell
4. Max Read
5. Angelica Jade Bastién
6. Lindsey Weber
7. Bobby Finger
8. Amy Nicholson

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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