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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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes289Founded4 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Latest Episodes

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach explore queer history in the horror genre and talk about how the film, Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma flips traditional horror tropes.

You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official web... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about what’s going on with the midterm elections. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”

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Saeed’s ... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Zach talks with writer and activist Jessica Valenti about the state of reproductive rights in America, how women’s rights shape the political landscape, and why the fight for reproductive freedom needs to go beyond Roe ... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach unpack the double standards in how Americans view political protest, romanticizing resistance in France while condemning it at home. They also discuss Todrick Hall’s Off-Broadway musical Midnight and the ... more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Emily Wilson
Translator, author of Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea
University of California? (as referenced; translator of Homer)
Episode: The Ancient Greeks Would Have Loved WAP (with Emily Wilson)
Ari Shapiro
Journalist; host of Engagement Party on CNN
CNN; formerly NPR
Episode: America's Death Cult (with Ari Shapiro)
Pam Grossman
Writer, curator, and teacher of magical practice and history
Episode: An Autumn Witchual
Taylor Mac
Playwright and performance artist, author of Bark of Millions
Self-directed/artistic practice
Episode: The World Was Never Straight
Timnit Gebru
Computer scientist and AI ethicist; founder of the DARe Institute
DARe Institute
Episode: The AI Apocalypse Is a Distraction
Christiana Mbakwe Medina
Guest expert, Pop Culture Syllabus host
Pop Culture Syllabus / Substack
Episode: Everybody Can’t Be a Star
Rachel Reid
Bestselling author and creator of Game Changers, Heated Rivalry
Game Changers / Heated Rivalry
Episode: Rivals Make Better Lovers (featuring Rachel Reid)
Jessica Wilson
Dietitian, expert guest
Dietitian, speaker on Maha and food policy
Episode: When Did Eating Get So Complicated?
Brittany Luse
Host of It's Been a Minute
NPR / SiriusXM
Episode: We Love You, Dolly

Hosts

Saeed Jones
Host of the show with co-host role and occasional extended duties; often discusses culture, media, and politics.
Zach Stafford
Co-host, known for analysis, banter, and cultural commentary with a political bent.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 3.8k ratings
  • I miss Sam

    While I still appreciate Zach and Saeed, I miss the energy that Sam brought to the show and am disappointed that he doesn’t ever drop in and is rarely mentioned. I was disappointed that the 4 year episode barely mentioned him.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Salma W K
    Belgium3 months ago
  • On Point

    This show provides such a breath of fresh air. It is a perfect combination of art, pop culture, and political awareness. I find myself so relieved to hear voices of logic and humor amidst the often topsy turvy, sinister dialogue on world events. Especially appreciate when they name names. Call out Jon, I’m so here for it!

    Thank you for bringing a weekly dose of hot, on point takes every week and bringing culture to our doorsteps. I have been listening since almost the beginning, and while I mi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Magentalemur
    United States3 months ago
  • Love you both

    Zach and Saeed your podcast means the world to me. At some point, I hope to have the opportunity tell you the specifics of how you helped us through and lifted us up during a difficult time. Just know yes, you’re helping others and changing the world. Respect and love.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Your Aunt Su-Su
    United States4 months ago
  • The healing I needed.

    If I had one word for this podcast it would be Care. They take so much care with diving deep with situations involving women, black women, LGBTQIA, immigrants, and anyone who has been othered/disenfranchised. It’s intentional, and not in a performative way. They are loving, big hearted, thoughtful people. I feel like I can take my hair down and take my bra off and it is because I know there will be so much care in the experience. I love them, and honestly feel like every single person in the c... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gcxfbhjnbvnj
    United States4 months ago
  • LOVE YALL DOWN!

    Hey Zach and Saeed! Day 1 listener here. I love the show!! It’s good bootz! However, these guests EVERY week here lately ain’t it lol. I miss the bristah-hood vibes yall bring each week…I miss the previous format when it was just the both of you and then a guest at the end of the week. Anyways, yall are so fab! Keep doing what you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JayWard7
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is seen as a reliable, humane space for political and cultural conversations.
Some listeners miss past formats or dynamics but still find the discussions engaging.
Listeners value the hosts' empathy and deep, thoughtful discourse on tough topics.
The chemistry between Saeed and Zach is repeatedly praised for balance of humor and rigor.
Guests and topics feel timely and relevant, with strong cultural 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.

An Autumn Witchual
Q: Can you name some examples of things that have just kind of become common habits or sayings that actually are rooted in witchcraft?
Grossman points to birthday candles and wishes, wishing on eyelashes or at 11:11, tossing coins into fountains, and using lucky charms as forms of folk magic.
An Autumn Witchual
Q: You identify as a witch. What does that mean for you, and why is it important for you to say that word witch?
Grossman says witch describes her pagan spiritual practice, an archetype of self-sustaining feminine power, and a subversive identity that stands against patriarchy, white supremacy, and colonialism.
The Ancient Greeks Would Have Loved WAP (with Emily Wilson)
Q: Which Greek god would you choose, and what about lesser deities?
Emily mentions favoring a figure like Hephaestus for craftsmanship or Demeter and the ecological goddesses for a broader, more life-centered spectrum, highlighting how Greek mythology can be reframed for contemporary relevance.
The Ancient Greeks Would Have Loved WAP (with Emily Wilson)
Q: What makes translation political, especially in terms of misogyny and slavery in Homer?
She argues that translation must reveal social hierarchies clearly, using precise terms for enslaved people and showing how gendered power structures are reflected in language, which can either normalize or critique violence.
The Ancient Greeks Would Have Loved WAP (with Emily Wilson)
Q: What's the difference between a subjective translation and an inaccurate one?
Emily explains that translation involves balancing fidelity to the source with the target language's rhythm, syntax, and cultural context, making responsible choices rather than simply copying words; accuracy includes capturing social world, power dynamics, and stylistic features, not just literal meaning.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Vibe Check

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

Two hosts—Saeed Jones and Zach Stafford—offer a witty, conversation-heavy take on politics, culture, and culture-war moments with insight, warmth, and a knack for balancing sharp analysis with personal storytelling. Episodes routinely blend current events, media critique, and cultural notes, often featuring thoughtful guests from journalism, literature, and the arts. The show is known for its candid banter, 다양한 perspectives, and a strong sense of community, with frequent discussions sparked by timely news, social dynamics, and creative culture. Noteworthy is the duo's ability to make complex topics feel accessible and navigable, whether they're unpacking political shifts, media landscapes, or AI and technology's impact on society; listeners... more

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How many listeners does Vibe Check get?

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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. Pop Syllabus
4. Code Switch
5. Pop Culture Happy Hour

How many episodes of Vibe Check are there?

Vibe Check launched 4 years ago and published 289 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.

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What guests have appeared on Vibe Check?

Recent guests on Vibe Check include:

1. Emily Wilson
2. Ari Shapiro
3. Pam Grossman
4. Taylor Mac
5. Timnit Gebru
6. Christiana Mbakwe Medina
7. Rachel Reid
8. Jessica Wilson

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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