A refreshing, real and grounded podcast with authentically beautiful hosts with amazing spirits giving refreshing, real and grounded insights on today’s hot topics. I love Sam, Zach and Saeed and their brilliant minds. I’m totally addicted. Keep the lights shining brothers! 🙏🏾☺️

It’s like they make me feel cool and smart by allowing me to listen in to their discussions about pop culture, politics, history, etc. I have a crush on Saeed Jones, I look forward to his poetry readings every week! Ive been listening to Sam Sanders since “It’s been a minute” and was bummed when they cancelled it with no warning. Anyhow, highly recommended!!

A format where I can ingest recent events from a critical lens. Love it.

This show is so smart and funny and full of heart. I learn something every episode.

I love this trio. They have incredible energy, thoughtful responses and of course good vibes. I always learn something new from them.

Nuance, funny, insightful, and relevant to the social, cultural and political topics currently affecting US society (and beyond). I love how it just feels like I’m catching up with friends! My only critique is that I wish it were longer!

I look forward to every episode each week. These 3 hosts are a shining ray of light in very dark times.

I love the show AND in the moment in time we are in, we have to practice more discretion. Advertising for Walmart, McDonald’s, and Amazon when they are the main contributors to the current administration and the very things you speak against on the show is contradictory and dangerous. These brands are now throwing their money at Black shows like this so they don’t go the way of Target and you’re elevating it? In one the recent episodes about boycotting Target y’all did everything you could not to mention Walmart. Come on now. We all have bills, but we have to take a stand and move with responsibility.

I started listening to this show solely because of Sam Sanders BUT love this other cohost - Zach and Saeed. They have such a great “vibe”. I love their perspectives from politics to pop culture to social issues. And I appreciate their recs at the end of the show. Thank you!

This podcast is the perfect para-social relationship. They will remind you of your favorite young teachers or professors and feel like your favorite elder millennial mentors. You won’t like or agree with everything they say (because they’re unafraid to disagree and be unlikeable with each other) but when you listen, you’ll also feel heard. You’ll feel it when they’re going through something, even if they don’t say it then, and you’ll want to be there for them. You’ll feel connected because you know when you’re going through something, you’ll have their recordings there, they’ll have another episode on Wednesday, and when they say “Hey, Ladies,” it will feel like they’re there for you. My dad always told me that the best teachers teach you how to learn. They’re teaching you how to be in relationships, romantic and Platonic. It’s why I’ve listened since they released and never wanted to miss a week.

Every week, Saeed, Sam, and Zach have exactly the conversations I didn’t consciously realize I needed until I hear them. They are hilarious, they are real, they are brilliant. Thank you Vibe Check for consistently being one of the highlights of my week 💝.

I love this podcast, it truly feels like a light in the storm and helps me to process the deluge of horrific news in a way that is focused, comforting, and forward-thinking. That said, I wish there was more discretion when it comes to the ads. Having the podcast be interrupted with ads for big corporations that have rolled back their DEI initiatives (like Walmart and McDonalds) feels really thoughtless.

I've been listening to the show for months now, and I absolutely adore the kinship and nuanced commentary from these three beautiful, extremely intelligent people. Saeed's reference to The Penguin this week reminded me to leave them a 5 star review.

When I say vibe check is my new favorite podcast I’m not kidding! They are so funny so intelligent so riveting to listen to every week they’ve got me as a fan for life. Also Saeed was on it this last episode about the K Dot halftime show, I loved it!

This show feels like I’m catching up with my old friend Sam and he brought his friends Zach and Saeed along, whom I love already.

I love the spirit, voice, and humor of this show. I really enjoy the honesty and vulnerability of the hosts, as well as their charisma.

Love this podcast! So glad Sam Sanders is back in my ear! Love Saeed and Zach!!! The most important weekly podcast! Thanks y’all!

Love this show so, so much. I rely on it to help me get my head straight in the current dystopia we’re living through. One small thing: the ads in the podcast (for me, anyway) are 100% for predatory gambling apps, I’m not sure y’all are aware. It seems off-brand at the very least…just letting you know. Love you all.

LOVE this show. Right now when everything feels heavy and dark, this show feels safe. Even when the topics are hard, these three leave me in a better place.

This. Show. Is. Everything. I am beyond grateful for these three ladies and their endless insight, love, humor, and light. If I looking for a hug in a podcast, this is it. I feel like I’m tuning in to dear friends when listening. Love that I also routinely learn something new - thanks ladies for being amazing!!

The nightlight of my Wednesdays is when there’s a new episode of Vibe Check and I get to hear Saeed, Sam and Zack discuss the topics of the week. They bring an important voice and perspective, humor and empathy for the most vulnerable.

Where else can you go for celebrity gossip, thoughtful analysis of current events, and…poetry?! Zach, Saeed, and Sam really have it all- a critical eye, levity, joy, nuance, insight. I’ve stopped listening to NPR bc I’d rather hear them!

I am bummed I missed the deadline to get a hat but trust that I am rocking my Vibe Check tote bag that I got at the Boston Live show in June (BTW thanks for the shout out…made my day especially since I was sitting in the dentist chair when I heard it. I got so excited she thought she hit a nerve). Vibe Check podcast is life for me. The love and respect Sam, Saeed and Zach have for each other is palpable over the airways. As trained journalists they are not simply spouting their opinions, they bring the receipts. They do their homework and while they may have strong personal feelings about a given topic, that is not the sole basis of their discussions. These three men are stauncher feminists than I have ever thought to be. They make me think, they make me laugh, they make me cry. And as a very unhip 65 year old woman who only remembers Drake as Jimmy from DeGrassi , I thank them every day from dragging me into the 21st century.

This is the podcast I listen to asap as soon as it lands. The hosts have brilliant, outside-the-box, fair-minded takes. Their guests are fascinating. Their relationship with each other is tender and supportive. I love how they blend politics and culture seamlessly, identifying ties between purportedly different zones in the zeitgeist. Love! Went to a live show in NYC and adored that too. The vibes are impeccable.

I listen to a lot of news, culture, and politics podcasts and yours is my favorite! I love your honesty, emotionality, intelligence, unique takes, and the way you center friendship in every discussion. Thanks for being who you are and deciding to do the podcast together!

Easily has become my favorite pod. I have listened to Sam since his NPR days and followed him here, and have now come to love listening to his friends here. I love the organic conversation and new perspectives they offer me (as someone who does not possess any similar identities as these folks). I feel I am better for listening to their thoughts. Only negative is I wish there were more episodes per week! But I know quantity does not always translate to quality, so am happy as it is.

I’ve been listening weekly since last spring. At some point I knew these girls would get me through the election and now through the years to come. They consistently produce quality, funny, informative content that equips me to be a better person. These three represent the best of my generation - doing their work, loving each other and living true to themselves. Thanks for being my modern day aunties and informing my auntiehood on the weekly!

I love when my Astro obsession on Chani ‘sode collides with the lighthearted triad of ferocious, truth-seeking, slaying sisters with a splash of humor and culture to keep vibes flowing and going no matter if they are low at first, (but they always land) especially with recommendations to look forward to by the end! Keep it up and thank you for your healthy ear candy throughout the years!

Vibe Check feels like a warm, weekly hangout with friends that you never knew you needed. Every Wednesday, Sam, Zach, and Saeed offer not just commentary on the latest happenings, but a genuine, human connection that resonates deeply with listeners. Their conversations are full of wisdom, insight, and humor, creating a space that feels both comforting and thought-provoking. It’s like receiving a virtual hug after a long day—a reminder that you’re not alone in navigating the chaos of life. Vibe Check has truly become a special part of my weekly routine, providing a refreshing blend of encouragement, warmth, and real talk.

I look forward to hearing from these three incredibly smart, funny, and humble humans every week. From the honest vibe check in to Saeed’s poetry reading, they have created a pod that upholds the standards of journalistic integrity, while remaining grounded in their real world lived experiences. They are all so skilled at infusing humor, grace, and depth of knowledge that is unfortunately uncommon in today’s oversaturated pod-market. I’m a huge fan of this pod and encourage others to tune in — it will sure to be your go-to highlight of the week!

When I say I’ve found my people, I mean I’ve FOUND. MY. PEOPLE. Sam’s musical knowledge never ceases to amaze me & has me checking for artists I never knew how much I needed. Zach, my fellow Pisces sister…you are me, I am you, we are one 😂 And Saeed Jones is something else…how you’re able to say everything I’m thinking whilst thinking it is unmatched. Safe to say I adore my sisters🤍

For the (many) days when I want to be informed, but am feeling overwhelmed by the many crises of the world, these three always do the work and gift it to me to make me feel optimistic, wiser, and closer to the truth about the world we live in.

Vibe Check has become a cherished part of my weekly routine. Each episode feels like a heartfelt conversation with close friends, offering insightful discussions on current events and culture. The hosts’ unique perspectives and genuine camaraderie make complex topics both accessible and engaging. Their thoughtful analysis and humor provide clarity and comfort in today’s fast-paced world. I eagerly anticipate each new episode, knowing it will leave me both informed and uplifted. Vibe Check is truly a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the world around us.

I came to Vibe Check because I caught the guys on a cross pod (WWDTM- I’m an NPR addict) and immediately was drawn to the idea of listening in on three friends chatting about news, bringing their various expertise to the convo. I was unprepared for the connections to growth, reflection, cackling together, pop culture and new ideas. I stayed around for all that! Has been such a great way to process news but also remember that I (we all) am more than that. I used to get stuck in obsessive cycles of news binging…Sam, Zach and Saeed have helped me break free from the prison of legacy news and called me to action, reflection, connection and laughter. Cannot thank them enough ❤️❤️❤️

I am a new subscriber and a fan of the chemistry but also the honesty and vulnerability- the hosts are so authentic. I appreciate hearing a new point of view. I’m waiting for Sam to be a guest on the Handsome pod ;) If you like this pod you’d probably like Handsome (& vice a versa!).

I came to this podcast via Sam Sanders’ appearance on @forever35 podcast and really enjoy it every week. I don’t always agree with all of the hosts but love the widening of my own understanding of the discussion for entertainment , politics, and everything in-between.

Journalism at its finest. Artisic, funny - I love my parasocial Ladies! Vibe Check Chicks foreva

Every episode is packed with insightful, FUN, trustworthy conversations. I learn something new every time I listen, and I usually end up with a good laugh.

I would follow Sam Sanders anywhere (to any podcast) and I’m so thrilled to have followed him here and found two more stars (Saeed and Zach) to add to my will-follow-for-more list! Thank you for all you do and the incredible conversations you invite us to each week!!

Love this show. As queer black men, they give me the alternative takes on current events and pop culture I need. But I can’t stand the pop psych discourse. On latest podcast Saeed Jones says we need to “sit and stew” and just express ourselves after the United CEO shooting. But then criticizes the “It Gets Better” for doing just that—sitting and waiting for things to get better, without fighting for trans people and queer PoC. No, direct action is needed to change the health care industry and for queer rights. We always have to “process” and “be with our feelings.”I’ll keep listening every week, but I have to process all the pop psych jargon every week! And who would shame you for getting food poisoning, Sam, in 2024?!?! And who has a “sharing season”?!?

These three have brought a joy to my life that I didn’t know I needed ❤️ Each episode is a must-listen and highlight of my week. From pop culture and poetry to news, interviews, and personal stories, the vibe is always immaculate ✨

I save this podcast for my hardest gym workouts, because these ladies keep me distracted and cackling when I’m on the elliptical.

I don’t always listen to podcasts when they cover current events and political news, since the constant stream of upsetting and anxiety-inducing updates can be too much. But I always listen to Vibe Check, because it feels like a safe space where everything in the news, from culture to world events, is treated with care and humor and grace. Vibe Check is a soft landing place for insightful and comforting conversation, leaving you nourished and feeling a little better (not worse) about being in the world.

I love everything about this podcast. I love the politics and personal perspectives. I listened to Sam on IBAM and was sad when he left. Silly me, I didn’t look where he went so I just started listening to vibe check in the summer of 2024. I have never really been a poetry reader and I love hearing Saeed read poems at the end of episodes. (Love you, too, Zach.) FYI Gen-X white woman here who didn’t need to be guilted into listening.

truly a great show! i turn this on for every car ride and it makes my ride so much better. when things in society get bad, these guys help remind me that there’s good positive people in the world. as a trans guy, it’s great hearing lgbtq+ issues acknowledge, centered, and discussed in each episode. keep doing what you’re doing!!!

I have been following Sam Sanders' podcasts for many years ever since his NPR politics days. This podcast is so enjoyable – the vibe is joy, authenticity, and substance.

I love that each of the guys brings different perspective to the pod. They make me laugh, they give great recommendations and help me see the world through a gay, black male lens (as a cis white female in a straight passing relationship). I love the pod and look forward to listening every week!

A friend recommended this pod to me. I annoy believe I waited so long to check it out. Love the topics, the takes, and the viewpoints. Amazing hosts!

Such a fan of these gurls!! There is so much going on and every time i turn to this podcast their takes, their diverse perspectives always feel comforting and real! Thank you x1000 Sam, Saeed, Zach and the Vibe Check team <3

Whenever I talk to my friends about keeping my vibes right, I always refer them to Vibe Check. Smart pop culture is one of my favorite things—it’s the frivolous I need right now but not so frivolous that it feels out of touch or tone-deaf. I love smart people, and listening to y’all is what gets me right for the week. I would love to do Patreon, but I started a nonprofit this year and can’t spend money on anything but that. Hopefully soon though! Be proud of yourselves for what you’re doing. You’re making a difference ❤️