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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

The Sam Sanders Show

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

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 weeklyEpisodes134Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

Latest Episodes

‘Love Island USA’ is known for its very hot and very straight contestants. But two guys this season, Zach and Bryce, are getting a lot of attention for their own intimate connection on the show. Jason P. Frank is a superfan and writer for ‘Vulture.’ ... more

EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.  Roz Hernandez is a comedian who approaches the craft unlike most other comics right now.  For starters, she is a trans woman, working in a world still largely ruled ... more

YouTube

EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here. Summer movie season is off to a good start. Two movies in particular are giving Hollywood a lot of hope. Both original horror films, Backrooms and Obsession, are new ... more

EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here. At the halfway point of 2026, Sam is joined by Traci Thomas (The Stacks) and Christiana Mbakwe Medina (Pop Syllabus) to ask what this year in pop culture is really be... 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

Roz Hernandez
Comedian and author/performer
Comedian, author of Peeing in an Empty Bottle and Other Glamorous Shenanigans of an Almost Famous Transgender Comedienne
Episode: What Happens When a Trans Comedian Tours America Alone?
Christopher Rosen
Deputy Editor at The Ankler
The Ankler
Episode: Is Hollywood In The Middle Of An Age War?
Traci Thomas
Host of The Stacks, author and book podcaster
The Stacks
Episode: Is 2026 the Year Everything Started to Look Too Perfect?
Christiana Mbakwe Medina
TV writer and host of Pop Syllabus
Pop Syllabus
Episode: Is 2026 the Year Everything Started to Look Too Perfect?
Leslie Jones
Actor/Comedian, former SNL cast member
Self / Leslie Jones
Episode: Leslie Jones Says Comedy Needs Gatekeepers Again
Anna Wiener
Contributing writer at The New Yorker, interviewer on the Apple News In Conversation episode
The New Yorker
Episode: Why So Many People Are Falling In Love With AI Chatbots
Ari Shapiro
Co-host of Engagement Party, veteran journalist
CNN
Episode: Audie Cornish & Ari Shapiro On Ambition, Purpose, Poetry
Margaret Cho
Legendary comedian and actor
Choligarchy tour
Episode: Margaret Cho Is Still Hopeful About Comedy
Jacob Collier
Musician, composer, and educator
Episode: Jacob Collier Can Make Anyone Sing

Host

Sam Sanders
Host of The Sam Sanders Show, KCRW. Renowned interviewer with a background in NPR, Vulture, and public radio; known for thoughtful, cosmopolitan conversations across pop culture, politics, and media.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Great Show

    Sam is the best! I follow all your pod casts because of your great interviews and insightful takes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marigold135
    United States24 days ago
  • Jimmy yang

    Really enjoyed this show, thank you! And was that the first time the word “Cantonese” was said on a KCRW show, multiple times, ever? Feeling seen ☺️ so glad you landed here after that other NPR show Sam Sanders!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tarang Tarang
    United States2 months ago
  • Sam!

    I will follow Sam Sanders anywhere! Always so smart and fun

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Surewitch
    United States2 months ago
  • Protein problem?

    As a nurse caring for diabetic patients we always tell them to eat protein to stabilize their blood sugar levels…so I was surprised the doctors didn’t mention that?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Cindy Delano
    United States3 months ago
  • I am always interested in what Sam has to say.

    I have been following Sam since he was a political reporter at npr and I really valued his reporting but had a feeling that he was chafing under the role of never saying anything controversial or expressing opinions. I always loved when he would do a guest appearance on Pod Save America and let loose a little. Eventually he left npr and political reporting and since then has had several podcast projects—none have quite showcased the full splendor of this very cosmopolitan gay black man who was r... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisaOtero
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The host is praised for smart, funny interviews and strong guests.
Listeners note engaging, insightful cultural commentary with warmth and humor.
Fans report extensive loyalty and cross-show recognition.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Stuff You Should Know
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The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Sword and Scale
Sword and ScaleSword and Scale
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
The Why Files: Operation Podcast
The Why Files: Operation PodcastThe Why Files: Operation Podcast
Modern Wisdom
Modern WisdomChris Williamson
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is Hollywood In The Middle Of An Age War?
Q: Do you think Hollywood is more about aging leadership or new ideas driving the next wave?
The guest argues it's a bit of both, with age influencing risk tolerance but new generations and creators like Quinta Brunson and Ryan Coogler showing how to blend originality with broad audience appeal.
What Happens When a Trans Comedian Tours America Alone?
Q: What were the biggest safety or logistical challenges on the road?
Traveling alone, navigating often hostile or uncertain environments, and managing real-time feedback from diverse audiences while keeping focus on performance quality and personal safety.
What Happens When a Trans Comedian Tours America Alone?
Q: How did performing in queer spaces affect her approach to comedy and audience interaction?
She emphasized charging for tickets to ensure audience investment, adapting material to respect boundaries while still delivering power and humor, and prioritizing spaces where she feels safe and can truly connect with listeners.
What Happens When a Trans Comedian Tours America Alone?
Q: What inspired Roz Hernandez to run a tour that focused on queer spaces across the country?
She wanted to build a safe, focused environment where queer audiences could hear her material about trans life without the pressure of traditional mainstream venues, and to test how her jokes land across diverse communities.
Audie Cornish & Ari Shapiro On Ambition, Purpose, Poetry
Q: What is Blue Dot Fever and why does it matter for touring and ticketing economics?
Blue Dot Fever describes unsold tickets in stadiums; the guests discuss how rising touring costs and stagnant artist margins push venues to larger spaces, while fans and middle-market buyers are squeezed, illustrating broader market dynamics rather than a simple decline in demand.

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?

The show centers on pop culture, entertainment, and media trends, with a host who guides conversations through interviews, cultural commentary, and thoughtful questions. Recurring subject matter includes music, film, fashion, celebrity culture, and the evolving media landscape, often tying insights to broader political and social contexts. A standout has been the host's ability to mix sharp analysis with warmth and humor, plus a track record of deep-dive interviews with high-profile guests and creators across entertainment and journalism. Listeners likely value intelligent, cosmopolitan dialogue that stays relevant to current culture and media dynamics, with occasional forays into personal storytelling and design of new projects in the arts... 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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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 2 years ago and published 134 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.

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What guests have appeared on The Sam Sanders Show?

Recent guests on The Sam Sanders Show include:

1. Roz Hernandez
2. Christopher Rosen
3. Traci Thomas
4. Christiana Mbakwe Medina
5. Leslie Jones
6. Anna Wiener
7. Ari Shapiro
8. Margaret Cho

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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