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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 weeklyEpisodes235Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Vibe Check

Latest Episodes

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about summer bodies, body anxiety, and the politics of appearance. They also explore whether today’s diet culture is veering into something more extreme – an obsession with control, conformity, and r... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach unpack the rise in intimate partner violence against women of color – touching on the D4vd case as part of thaw conversation. Then, they call out Vogue for calling an afro a “cloud bob.” Plus, they share ... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about taking the leap – what it really means to go for it, and how you know when the risk is actually worth it. They get into moments from their own lives, from bold career moves to saying yes to rom... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about the politics of Coachella and about a personal obsession of Saeed’s, competency porn. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”

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Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Symone Sanders-Townsend
Political strategist and commentator
Former National Press Secretary to Bernie Sanders; former senior advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris
Episode: The Business of Black Women: Symone Sanders-Townsend
Simone Sanders Townsend
Sister MSNBC/MS Now host; political commentator
MSNBC, MS Now
Episode: ICE Is at the Airport and Straight Men Have No Friends
Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman
Author of The Double Tax
Harvard/Book author
Episode: The Business of Black Women: Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman
Lisa Beasley
Actress, comedian, writer; creator of Corporate Erin
Independent creator; DePaul University professor (Chicago)
Episode: The Business of Black Women: Lisa Beasley
Traci Thomas
Host of The Stacks podcast
The Stacks
Episode: One Oscar Battle After Another with Traci Thomas
Ashley Cunningham
Owner of Bad Ash Bakes, private chef turned bakery founder
Bad Ash Bakes
Episode: The Business of Black Women: Ashley Cunningham
Afeef Nessouli
Journalist on the ground in Beirut reporting on the Middle East conflict
Beirut-based journalist
Episode: The Iran War: Shock & Awe, Again
Carlos Simon
Composer, Residence at the Kennedy Center
Carlos Simon (artist)
Episode: The Politics of Pretending to be Apolitical
Namwali Serpell
Author and Professor of English at Harvard University
Harvard University
Episode: Difficulty Isn’t a Wall, It’s a Doorway

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.7k ratings
  • Grounding and interesting

    Really love this podcast. I do miss Sam bringing a third and different energy but I’m glad losing a person did not derail them. They bring a really refreshing perspective. I especially appreciate them talking about the news. It’s been an easier way to digest some of the things going on in the world lately.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    NikkiGrn
    United States19 days ago
  • Love this show

    I’ve been listening for a few years now and I love Zach, Saeed, and Sam. My girlfriends and I often talk about the show after we all listen. It’s been a literal way of keeping my vibe balanced and grounded. It’s a delight to watch their careers and their relationships and Black Queer joy. I love the Hey Sis series of episodes they just wrapped. I often recommend the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    username19863
    United Statesa month ago
  • the vibes are on!

    spending time with this podcast rejuvenates me the way a coffee date with a beloved friend does. the time never feels long enough, and i’m excited to hang out again. so thankfully, twice a week, i get to listen to zach and saeed who — in every conversation — foster community, thoughtful reflection and joy. also, shout out the amazing guests y’all bring on and put me on to!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    podcastaspell
    United Statesa month ago
  • Even better as a duo

    Loved Vibe Check from day 1 and so happy to see how it has evolved as a show helmed by Saeed & Zach. Conversations feel richer and there’s more breathing room in the dialogue versus when it was a trio. Smart, full of heart and humor. Kudos to y’all, and thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    michelle.____
    United States2 months ago
  • Thank you!

    I hate to say but am so happy to say that as a duo I think Vibe Check is even better! You two were my favorite already anyway! Upping your game to two shows a week is so generous and SO MUCH APPRECIATED at this crazy time! Thank you both for all you do and bring!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kick Kennedy2
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the mix of humor, empathy, and smart political/cultural analysis.
Guests and topics are described as fresh, timely, and insightful, with strong community resonance.
Listeners praise the duo's chemistry and depth, noting richer conversations since focusing on two hosts.

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 Business of Black Women: Ashley Cunningham
Q: How did virality affect your business, and what did you do to prepare for it?
The guests discuss preparing for growth, setting boundaries, learning from feedback, and applying the discipline from line-cook training to scale operations responsibly.
The Business of Black Women: Ashley Cunningham
Q: Being a private chef can be incredibly demanding; what did you learn there that helped you scale your own brand?
She describes the front-of-house and back-of-house dynamics, the need for reliable systems, and how personal relationships and trust with clients shaped her approach to running a kitchen and later a store.
The Business of Black Women: Ashley Cunningham
Q: What motivated you to build a workspace centered on love and care for your staff and customers?
Ashley explains that creating a safe, supportive environment is essential to sustaining a business as a Black woman founder, and it helps staff bring their best selves to work while delivering excellent customer experiences.
One Oscar Battle After Another with Traci Thomas
Q: Who do you think will win Best Director, given the field and campaign dynamics?
Most likely Chloe Zhao or Ryan Coogler depending on campaigning and vote splits; several suggest Coogler could win while PTA might be favored for other categories, illustrating voting patterns and strategic marketing at play.
One Oscar Battle After Another with Traci Thomas
Q: Why do you think Warner Brothers pursued these two stories in 2026, and what are they signaling about Hollywood's direction?
The directors' star power and financial investments likely drove the choices; it reflects a push to foreground Black narratives while balancing white auteur perspectives, revealing studio leverage and marketing strategy in a crumbling theater system.

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 lively, culture-forward show that analyzes politics, race, and pop culture through thoughtful, witty conversations. Across recent episodes, topics include Black entrepreneurship and IP in creative work, Oscar politics and representation, the politics of music and monuments, Middle East coverage with on-the-ground reporting, and the social impact of major cultural moments (from celebrity discourse to high-profile performances). The format often blends personal storytelling, expert guests, and sharp cultural critique, offering listeners a mix of insight, humor, and practical takeaways for navigating media, culture, and current events. Noteworthy is the show's willingness to tackle difficult topics with candor and nuance, while elevating und... more

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How many listeners does Vibe Check get?

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What are the audience demographics for Vibe Check?

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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. Keep It!
4. The Stacks
5. Culture Study Podcast

How many episodes of Vibe Check are there?

Vibe Check launched 4 years ago and published 235 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.

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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. Symone Sanders-Townsend
2. Simone Sanders Townsend
3. Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman
4. Lisa Beasley
5. Traci Thomas
6. Ashley Cunningham
7. Afeef Nessouli
8. Carlos Simon

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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