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Donald Trump
Kamala Harris
Mental Health
Trump Administration
Gaza
Self-Care
Grief
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Super Bowl
JD Vance
Beyoncé
Black History Month
Queer Identity
Climate Change
ICE
Pop Culture
Joe Biden
Taylor Swift
Pluto
Comedy

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 weeklyEpisodes282Founded4 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 discuss who gets to define power, and what that says about our culture. They discuss Vanity Fair’s “New Establishment” list, then turn to the comfort media they reach for when the world gets a little too ... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Zach sits down with award-winning playwright and performance artist Taylor Mac to talk about their new book, Bark of Millions, why art is political, the importance of making queerness visible in all spaces, and much mor... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach unpack Cornell University gang rape case. Then, they get into the viral Massachusetts lesbian bar story. 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 put a theory to the test: Is every great movie and TV show really about grief?

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

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
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
Artist, writer, author of Black Futures, curator
Black Futures / Artist
Episode: Hot Girl (Socialism) Summer

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
    Belgium2 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 States2 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 States3 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 States3 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 States3 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.

Rivals Make Better Lovers (featuring Rachel Reid)
Q: One of the most significant aspects of all of your books is the exploration of mental health. Can you speak to how you approach those issues in your writing?
Mental health is a core theme across the books; I show different kinds of struggles, how characters label or manage them, and how loved ones support them. I want readers to see that care and understanding can coexist with romance and vulnerability, not erase real issues.
The AI Apocalypse Is a Distraction
Q: What alternatives to the current AI development model does Gebru propose?
She advocates for decolonizing imagination, building small, community-driven models with curated data, and creating spaces to imagine futures that don't rely on centralized data-center hardware, thereby empowering marginalized communities.
The AI Apocalypse Is a Distraction
Q: Why do the industry leaders push the 'slow down' narrative, and who benefits?
She argues it's a marketing tactic to delay regulation while preserving investor and executive power, highlighting how foundational funders and executives influence public narratives to protect their interests rather than truly safeguarding society.
The AI Apocalypse Is a Distraction
Q: What is the doomsday scenario that proponents say AI could bring?
Gebru explains that doom narratives are often rhetorical tools used by powerful actors to push for regulation, funding, or monopolistic advantage, and stresses that there are multiple paths forward that prioritize human welfare and ethical constraints rather than inevitability.
You Can Be Gay and a Villain
Q: Why do you think outing public figures has changed in this era of social media?
The hosts argue that authenticity culture now drives much of public discourse, but they caution that outing should focus on actions and policies, not sensational private life, and that hypocrisy is often weaponized without changing outcomes.

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?

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. The Stacks
4. Code Switch
5. Pop Culture Happy Hour

How many episodes of Vibe Check are there?

Vibe Check launched 4 years ago and published 282 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. Taylor Mac
2. Timnit Gebru
3. Christiana Mbakwe Medina
4. Rachel Reid
5. Jessica Wilson
6. Brittany Luse
7. Sarah Schulman
8. Roxane Gay

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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