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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 weeklyEpisodes241Founded4 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 explore regret. They get vulnerable, sharing stories about the regrets they still carry, the ones they’ve learned to let go of, and what it means to move forward without forgetting the past.

You can find... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk with Tennessee Representative Justin Jones about the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. Then, they talk about The Devil Wears Prada 2, and why it was unexpectedly triggering as people who’ve worked in... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach sit down with writer Isaac Fitzgerald – one of Saeed’s closest friends – for a personal conversation about storytelling, friendship, and finding your voice.

They discuss his new book American Rambler: Wa... more

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach revisit Beyoncé’s iconic Lemonade album on its 10th anniversary, unpacking its cultural impact. They also take a closer look at Beyoncé – how her politics, power, and public persona have evolved over the ... more

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Recent Guests

Isaac Fitzgerald
Writer, author of American Rambler
Writer, author; American Rambler
Episode: A Walk Down Memory Lane
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
Traci Thomas
Friend of the show and host of The Stacks
The Stacks
Episode: Oscars Recap & The Politics of Posting
Lisa Beasley
Actress, comedian, writer; creator of Corporate Erin
Independent creator; DePaul University professor (Chicago)
Episode: The Business of Black Women: Lisa Beasley
Ashley Cunningham
Owner of Bad Ash Bakes, private chef turned bakery founder
Bad Ash Bakes
Episode: The Business of Black Women: Ashley Cunningham
Carlos Simon
Classical music composer, Kennedy Center composer chair
Boston Symphony Orchestra; Kennedy Center
Episode: American Music Was Birthed in the Black Church
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
  • 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 States6 days ago
  • It’s not what it used to be

    Not sure how to explain what I’m about to say… I think the biggest problem might be the selection of subjects to discuss now that they have more episodes weekly? Also, it worked a lot better when Sam was there, funnily enough, he’s also not as good on his own show on his own. I don’t think I wanna listen anymore. It has become very shallow, not as thoughtful and the hosts sound very over their heads a lot.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Mau M.
    Mexico14 days ago
  • Simply the best

    Zach and Saeed you are the greatest. So funny, so genuine, so thought-provoking, and real. You can go deep as well as lean hard into the fun. Essential listening in these difficult times.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Your Aunt Su-Su
    United States24 days ago
  • April 17 show was a masterpiece

    Thank you so much for sharing this vulnerable, connected, and insightful dialogue with the podsphere!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andi New York
    United Statesa month ago
  • Much love and gratitude

    I truly love this podcast and I am so grateful that Zach, Saeed and Sam decided to create it. It’s a cozy place to go for an emotionally intelligent discussion of politics and culture…a unique combination! When I am worn down from the harsh-edged straight news but not in the mood for total goofy fluff, Vibe Check feels like the perfect place to rest, rejuvenate, inform and reflect…plus get a little goofy! Of course they do talk about really hard things too, but with so much heart and honesty. Th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    !Rewild!
    United Statesa month 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.

A Walk Down Memory Lane
Q: How has writing American Rambler changed your understanding of storytelling and truth?
Writing the book reinforced that storytelling is a collaborative act between author and reader; even grounded in facts, meaning evolves as readers bring their experiences. It underscored that the wood and clay metaphor of truth acknowledges multiple valid interpretations and the unknowable parts of any story, especially about family and faith.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
Q: What inspired you to open the book with that particular line about drinking less and praying more?
The opening line reflects the tension between retreat and renewal—the way the book uses a clear, almost ritual start to frame a journey through loss, memory, and the search for home. It sets up the central questions about belief, memory, and how we tell our own stories.
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.

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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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. Culture Study Podcast
5. Pop Culture Happy Hour

How many episodes of Vibe Check are there?

Vibe Check launched 4 years ago and published 241 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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What guests have appeared on Vibe Check?

Recent guests on Vibe Check include:

1. Isaac Fitzgerald
2. Symone Sanders-Townsend
3. Simone Sanders Townsend
4. Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman
5. Traci Thomas
6. Lisa Beasley
7. Ashley Cunningham
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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