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Donald Trump
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Israel-Palestine Conflict
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A weekly podcast where Saeed Jones and Zach Stafford make sense of what’s going on in news and culture – and how it all feels. Vibe Check is your favorite group chat, come to life. 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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes264Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Vibe Check

Latest Episodes

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about Ariana Grande and the concern over her weight loss. And about America’s flop era. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”

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On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach answer some of listeners’ questions about following your intuition, parasocial relationships, Taylor Swift, the anxiety of creating art in the age of AI, and more.

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On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss the new film, The Odyssey. They share their reactions, and talk about its enduring themes and what it can tell us about the present. They consider what makes a hero and why the story continues to ... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed sits down with acclaimed novelist and writer Sarah Schulman to discuss why telling the truth is worth the risk, the power of showing up for one another, and her new book, The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity. T... more

Key Facts

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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

Sarah Schulman
Acclaimed novelist and writer
Writer and activist
Episode: Who Are You When It Actually Matters?
Roxane Gay
Cultural critic, writer, editor
New York Times bestselling author; editor
Episode: The TV That Raised US
Kimberly Drew
Art influencer, writer, author
Independent contributor to art and culture
Episode: Why You Deserve Softness
Kiese Laymon
Writer and MacArthur Genius Grant recipient
Author (Long Division, Heavy, How to Kill Yourself and Others in America)
Episode: We’re Not Feeling the Stars and Stripes
Beronda Montgomery
Scientist and author featured as a guest discussing When Trees Testify
Montgomery Lab/Academic affiliations not explicitly named in transcript
Episode: The Trees Saw Everything
Camonghne Felix
Writer, poet, political strategist
Author of Let the Poets Govern
Episode: Girl, Change Your Mind
Julian Shapiro-Barnum
Creator/host known for Recess Therapy and Celebrity Substitute
Recess Therapy, Celebrity Substitute
Episode: What Kids Know That Burned-Out Adults Don't
Dr. Jack Halberstam
Professor from Columbia University; author
Columbia University
Episode: Is Success Ruining Everything?
Jess Michaels
Epstein survivor and advocate
Epstein survivors network, advocacy work
Episode: What We Get Wrong About Epstein

Hosts

Saeed Jones
Host with deep background in culture and LGBTQ advocacy; frequent commentator on race, sexuality, and media.
Zach Stafford
Co-host known for political and cultural analysis with a focus on community perspectives.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.8k ratings
  • The over 300,000 black women who were fired

    You mentioned this in one of your podcast and I’m wondering what’s the latest.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Linda55
    United States2 months ago
  • Episode w/ Fran Tirado

    Loved Zach’s conversation with Fran! As always—meaningful, insightful, and recentering.

    Love y’all’s work and look forward to every new episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RC.or.something
    United States3 months ago
  • Favorite podcast by far

    Ya’ll are incredible. Much love and gratitude. Listening makes me feel sane in an insane world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NW135
    United States3 months ago
  • No need for fascist sympathizers

    Love this pod but can we not talk about Trump voters & their regrets & feelings 🙄 I don’t care about the opinions or regrets of fascist. They can suffer like the rest of us. I mean - it’s their fault.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    treshyy
    United States3 months ago
  • Not as good as it used to be

    I’ve enjoyed and looked forward to this podcast weekly for years but lately it has become a bummer. Y’all have become so negative. I know the world is going to hell in a hand basket but it seems like you look for things to complain about. Like every subject… what can we find wrong with it?? It makes me miss Sam because I feel like he tried to keep a positive vibe. I’m still listening but you make it hard sometimes!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vaquera76
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics say the tone can lean negative at times, but depth remains strong.
Guests consistently elevate conversations on culture and politics.
Thoughtful, empathetic discussions with heart and humor.
Audience feels connected and heard through honest dialogue.
Missing the earlier trio energy, but the duo still offers sharp insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The TV That Raised US
Q: What has it been like these last few years in terms of your transition from books to TV, and how has the strike and streaming landscape affected that work?
Roxane describes TV writing as collaborative and educational, noting the complexities of writer's rooms, the shift from book publishing to television, and the impact of strikes on opportunities, inclusion, and career trajectory for writers of color.
The TV That Raised US
Q: Oh my god, let's get into it. So on Vibe Check, we always start our conversations by checking each other's vibe, asking how we're doing. And so I thought I'd ask you, Roxane Gay, esteemed cultural critic, writer, person in the world, what's your vibe?
Roxane expresses frustration and fatigue but also a desire to stay hopeful and keep learning, emphasizing the emotional load of current times yet remaining committed to storytelling.
Wait...Are We Having Fun?
Q: What is the hosts' reaction to the Supreme Court's recent decisions?
They express deep concern about how the rulings affect immigrants and transgender athletes, linking them to broader white supremacist history and potential long-term harm, while acknowledging the urgent need to organize and resist.
Why You Deserve Softness
Q: How does soft power manifest in your professional lives within art and culture?
By choosing collaboration over domination, listening first, and advancing goals with empathy while staying true to core ethics, which builds trust and long-term influence rather than short-term prestige.
Why You Deserve Softness
Q: What does soft landing mean to you, and why is it important right now?
It means creating conditions at home and in workspaces that allow you to arrive relaxed and ready to continue without burning out, emphasizing care, boundaries, and practical steps to sustain you through pressure.

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 Vibe Check

What is Vibe Check about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A frequent roundtable discussion blends politics, culture, and personal storytelling with a focus on contemporary issues affecting communities at the intersection of identity and media. Episodes often unpack how AI, tech, and digital culture shape everyday life, while also foregrounding LGBTQ+ perspectives, survivor narratives, and civil rights concerns. The show uniquely pairs sharp analysis with warmth and humor, frequently hosting voices from journalism, literature, advocacy, and public policy to illuminate how public conversations translate into personal decisions and social change.

Where can I find podcast stats for Vibe Check?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Vibe Check. 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 Vibe Check and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Vibe Check get?

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What are the audience demographics for Vibe Check?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Vibe Check, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Vibe Check have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Vibe Check 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 Vibe Check?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Vibe Check:

1. The Sam Sanders Show
2. It's Been a Minute
3. The Stacks
4. Keep It!
5. Code Switch

How many episodes of Vibe Check are there?

Vibe Check launched 4 years ago and published 264 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 Vibe Check?

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 Vibe Check?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Vibe Check 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 Vibe Check?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Vibe Check. 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 Vibe Check?

Recent guests on Vibe Check include:

1. Sarah Schulman
2. Roxane Gay
3. Kimberly Drew
4. Kiese Laymon
5. Beronda Montgomery
6. Camonghne Felix
7. Julian Shapiro-Barnum
8. Dr. Jack Halberstam

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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