The Sam Sanders Show
The Sam Sanders Show from KCRW is your guide to entertainment. Find out what makes your favorite artists tick, dissect the trends that shape our culture, or just make sense of that random meme you can’t stop thinking about. Join us every week to unpack the pop culture we love.
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Sam Sanders is an award-winning podcast and radio host. He’s been named best podcast host by both The Ambies and the iHeart Podcast Awards. He was one of the founding hosts of The NPR Politics Podcast and the host who launched both It’s Been A Minute from NPR and Into It from Vulture.
Most Recent Episode
Is Culture Stuck? (From Decoder Ring)
Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends at Decoder Ring, a podcast that explores cultural mysteries.
In this episode, host Willa Paskin digs into one of Sam’s biggest critiques about culture right now. There is more of it than ever before, it’s more accessible than ever, but so little of it feels original. New movies are based on old stories, new songs are recycling old hooks, and fashion trends are cycling so fast that everything’s in. Has our culture grown stagnant?
Author and culture critic W. David Marx thinks so. His book, Blank Space, argues that there is a “blank space” in the 21st century where cultural innovation should be. David explains to Willa how culture change worked in the 20th century, what changed after the turn of the millennium, and what we might do about it.
Listen to Decoder Ring on your favorite podcast app!
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
More Episodes
Hannah Einbinder on Comedy, Connection & Queer Art
Actor and comedian Hannah Einbinder has had an eventful past few years.
She burst onto the scene with the acclaimed HBO comedy ‘Hacks’ in 2021. She won an Emmy for her role last season, and is nominated again this year. Now, she’s starring in the new horror film, ‘Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.’
Hannah tells Sam about the craft of transitioning from comedy to drama, television to film, and why her true love will always be standup. She also dives into the importance of queer art and her lessons for navigating Hollywood.
Plus, she tells Sam about her future passion project: An eventual stoner comedy made with her best friend.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
The Cyndi Lauper Conspiracy (From Switched on Pop)
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode of Switched on Pop!
Sam believes in his heart that every song Cyndi Lauper has ever written is pop perfection.
Many fall for “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” but his favorite song is the slow burner “All Through The Night,” save for one moment: the synthesizer solo. For Sam, this solo never fit in. In this episode of Switched on Pop, co-host Charlie Harding helps Sam investigate the source of his musical malady and uncovers how the ‘80s got its groove.
You can find Switched on Pop on your favorite podcast app and now on Netflix!
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Are We All Nostalgic For Better Times?
If you could go anywhere back in time, where would you go?
That’s the premise of writer Jessica M. Goldstein’s new novel, Retro. Set in a fantastical time travel agency, the book follows wealthy tourists who take vacations to the past. Destinations include 1920s speakeasies, bachelor parties at Woodstock, or even just a day wandering through a Y2K shopping mall. Sam chats with Jessica about what inspired the book and what the time travel genre says about our obsession with nostalgia.
But first, Jessica unpacks a few modern hot topics…Like is smoking cool again? And why are movies so damn dark these days?
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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
What Is Sam’s Guiding Philosophy? (From Well Said)
Today we’re bringing you Sam’s episode of the Well Said podcast.
The podcast explores all things public relations, communications, and the ever-evolving media landscape. Hosts Pia Arthur and Kelly Cheeseman talk to Sam about his career, his philosophy for interviewing, how he tries to break free from perfectionism and why he stopped covering politics.
Find Well Said on your favorite podcast app and on YouTube.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Harvey Guillén Is Not An Overnight Success
You probably know Harvey Guillén from his breakout role as Guillermo in the FX vampire comedy 'What We Do In The Shadows.'
Working on the show was a masterclass in acting for Harvey, but he never lost sight of his childhood dream to perform on stage. That dream came true earlier this year when Harvey made his Broadway debut in the revival of 'The Rocky Horror Show.' He tells Sam about his road to the stage, which included collecting cans as a kid to pay for acting classes. Plus, he shares how his family always keeps him grounded, and his favorite pop culture scripture.
You can see Harvey Guillén in The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54 in New York City.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Jane Wickline Is Weird. In All The Best Ways
You probably know Jane Wickline from her hilariously awkward songs on 'Saturday Night Live.' Her absurd lyrics about topics like time management and Sabrina Carpenter have made her one of the most talked about comedians currently on the show.
Jane now stars in the off-broadway play Dukes, a show she created with her comedy partner Liva Pierce. It’s part sketch comedy, part musical theater, and a whole bunch of raunchy humor. Jane spoke with Sam all about the inspiration behind the show and what she’s learned from her time on SNL.
Catch Dukes on stage in New York at the SoHo Playhouse through August 2nd.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Does ‘The Odyssey’ Have A Woman Problem?
The summer’s most anticipated blockbuster is finally here...
‘The Odyssey,’ directed by Christopher Nolan, is a retelling of the ancient Greek epic of the same name. The movie has received rave reviews, but for Sam the movie fell short.
He caught up with film critic Angelica Jade Bastién to break down the movie's highs and lows, from lackluster performances to bad lighting to Angelica’s biggest critique — Christopher Nolan doesn’t know how to write women.
Plus, Angelica shares a shortlist of her favorite films of the last few years. You can catch all her film reviews in ‘Vulture’ and in her substack ‘Madwomen & Muses.’
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
The Enduring Humanity of Wikipedia
Wikipedia might be the last good corner of the internet.
Just take a look at the Instagram account Depths of Wikipedia. It’s run by superfan Annie Rauwerda. In the height of the pandemic, Annie started the page as a way to share screengrabs of the most obscure, weird, and hilarious entries to ever exist on the website. Since then the account has racked up thousands of followers.
Annie chats with Sam about the Wikipedia page that started her obsession, how a small but dedicated group of people continue to power the website, and what Wikipedia has taught her about the internet and humankind.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
What Happened To Authenticity? w/ Ryan O’Connell
Writer, producer and actor Ryan O'Connell wants Hollywood to be more honest.
He first broke onto the scene after creating the Netflix comedy series 'Special' in 2019. The show was inspired by his own experiences as a gay millennial living with cerebral palsy. He tells Sam about his journey as a young writer in the 2010s, what it means to be authentic in this era of virality, and the reality of working in entertainment.
Ryan’s new book of essays is called 'Inspiration Porn.' It’s filled with his musings on disability, sexuality, family, and fame.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Madonna’s Pop Matriarchy
Confession: After several hours of sitting with Madonna’s new album on repeat, Sam isn’t sure he likes it…
To him, 'Confessions II' felt like a Madonna impersonation, stripped of a lot of the Madonna energy he’s loved for years. The album also raised some big questions: what even is Madonna anymore? What kind of music should we expect from a pop star who always seemed eternally young and new?
Sam breaks down these big feelings with musicology professor Louis Niebur, an expert on queer dance and music culture. He teaches at the University of Nevada, Reno. His book is called 'Menergy: San Francisco's Gay Disco Sound.'
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
The Ultimate ‘90s Nostalgia Party (Live Show!)
The ‘90s are surely having a moment: the clothes, the music, the pop culture! It’s everywhere, but what’s the BEST the ‘90s had to offer?
In this special live taping, Sam is joined by his friends Traci Thomas, Eliot Glazer and Franklin Leonard to debate the best of the decade in a live ‘90s Nostalgia Bracket showdown.
Recorded at Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles, Sam and the gang muse over the most iconic moments of ‘90s pop culture. Plus, composer Derek Muro plays some of the decade’s biggest hits on the piano. Sam even gives his own rendition of a major throwback banger.
Listen to the end to hear which moment is crowned the ultimate piece of 90’s nostalgia!
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
The Homoerotic Spectacle of ‘Love Island USA’
‘Love Island USA’ is known for its very hot and very straight contestants. But two guys this season, Zach and Bryce, are getting a lot of attention for their own intimate connection on the show.
Jason P. Frank is a superfan and writer for ‘Vulture.’ He breaks down what’s behind their homoerotic behavior. He also tells Sam why all the frenzy just might be a good thing…Especially during pride month.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
What Happens When a Trans Comedian Tours America Alone?
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
Roz Hernandez is a comedian who approaches the craft unlike most other comics right now.
For starters, she is a trans woman, working in a world still largely ruled by bros, her comedy is always tailored for her queer fanbase, and last year Roz embarked on a stand-up tour across the country, but instead of hitting up comedy clubs, she performed at gay bars.
She tells Sam about the lessons she learned on the road and how the current political climate around trans issues has changed the way she thinks about jokes. Roz shares many of these lessons in her new audiobook: ‘Peeing in an Empty Bottle: And Other Glamorous Shenanigans of an Almost-Famous Transgender Comedienne on the Road.’
Plus, Roz explains how she became a ghost huntress and Sam argues that ghosts are actually very queer.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Is Hollywood In The Middle Of An Age War?
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
Summer movie season is off to a good start. Two movies in particular are giving Hollywood a lot of hope.
Both original horror films, Backrooms and Obsession, are new movies made by Gen Z creators that very quickly became massive hits at the box office. So, are young people going to the movies again? Maybe they’re finally taking over Hollywood?
Despite these success stories, a recent piece from The Ankler’s Christopher Rosen argues that the larger film industry is still focused on the old guard. Sam spoke with Christopher about what’s going with the generational warfare happening in Hollywood right now.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Is 2026 the Year Everything Started to Look Too Perfect?
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
At the halfway point of 2026, Sam is joined by Traci Thomas (The Stacks) and Christiana Mbakwe Medina (Pop Syllabus) to ask what this year in pop culture is really becoming.
Their answer moves from the rise of “The Sculpt” and the pressure to optimize everything about ourselves, to the bigger feeling that so much of culture now looks filtered, flattened, and strangely unreal.
They also get into the dominance of big name celebrities, the absence of exciting new stars, AI anxiety, and why live sports and theater might be the thing we’re all craving most. Plus, predictions for the rest of 2026.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
The Real Reason American Men are Struggling
Today we’re sharing an episode of Apple News In Conversation, guest hosted by Sam.
The headlines say that American men are in crisis. But what does that actually mean — and what does it look like up close?
Journalist Jordan Ritter Conn spent five years inside the lives of four different men to find out. His new book, American Men, explores the gap between masculine ideals and the reality of men’s lived experience. Sam sat down with Ritter Conn to talk about what those four lives reveal about masculinity, inadequacy, and what the national conversation about men keeps getting wrong.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Leslie Jones Says Comedy Needs Gatekeepers Again
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
Leslie Jones thinks comedy has a problem.
The comedian and former 'Saturday Night Live' cast member joins Sam to talk about how comedy has changed, why viral fame doesn’t equal success, and why too many young comics are skipping the hard part: Honing their craft.
She also reflects on her years at SNL, what she’s learned from nearly 40 years in comedy, and why she wants gatekeepers back.
Plus: menopause, comedy clubs, and the one thing every great comedian has in common.
Catch Leslie Jones on her 'I’m Hot Tour' and on her HGTV show 'Roast My Rental,' premiering July 24.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Why So Many People Are Falling In Love With AI Chatbots
Today we’re sharing an episode of 'Apple News In Conversation,' guest hosted by Sam!
A medieval-monster slayer. A tiny alien named Roscoe. A talking plate of spaghetti. These are just a few of the customizable companions available through AI-chatbot apps like Kindroid, Tolan, and Character.AI.
In her latest piece for The New Yorker, journalist Anna Wiener explores the rapidly expanding world of these products and the people who use them. Sam talked to her about the users she met who are in relationships with AI chatbots, the Silicon Valley creators building them, and the risks of forming emotional bonds with technology.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Audie Cornish & Ari Shapiro On Ambition, Purpose, Poetry
EVENT ALERT! Join us LIVE on June 28 at Dynasty Typewriter in LA. Get tickets here
Let’s have a life-affirming party with Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro!
The longtime friends and journalists join Sam to explain the latest entry in the pop lexicon: Blue Dot Fever. It’s not a disease, but the terminology behind a recent wave of cancelled concert tours. From Post Malone to the Pussycat Dolls, tickets aren’t selling like they used to. They break down what the phenomenon says about our current economics and culture.
Plus, they share their “Modern Scriptures,” the pieces of pop culture they can always count on to boost their spirits. Including a rapper’s inspiring message and a vintage poem that will bring all the feels.
Audie Cornish and Ari Shapiro’s new podcast from CNN is called Engagement Party.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Are They a Star, Celebrity or Famous Person? (From Pop Syllabus)
Today we’re sharing Sam’s episode of 'Pop Syllabus'!
No matter where you find yourself on the internet, celebrities’ lives are constantly in front of us, but who’s actually a star and who’s just famous?
Sam sits down with host Christiana Mbakwe Medina to play “star, celebrity, or famous person” and rates icons like Beyoncé to rising names like Sabrina Carpenter and Sydney Sweeney. Together, they break down what really makes someone last in pop culture.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
'The Sam Sanders Show' is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Margaret Cho Is Still Hopeful About Comedy
Margaret Cho is a trailblazer and ‘mother’ to your favorite comedians.
She burst onto the scene in the 90s performing at night clubs and later starred in the ABC sitcom 'All-American Girl', the first network show to center an Asian American family. Margaret reflects on the impact of her groundbreaking show, how she sees her role as a mentor for younger comedians, and why she’s still optimistic about comedy even as it swings to the right.
Plus, she shares how standup helped her get through a very intense rehab experience. Margaret Cho is also on tour! Her latest standup set is called Choligarchy.
Note: This episode includes conversations about suicide and addiction. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know needs support, call or text 988.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Jacob Collier Can Make Anyone Sing
Today we’re sharing Sam’s recent collaboration with 'Switched On Pop.'
Jacob Collier is a rare musician. He’s been described as an ambassador of music, known for lushly orchestrated pieces with a myriad of collaborators. He’s also known for conducting the crowds of his live shows, turning the concert into a massive choir performance.
He did just that recently at On-Air Fest, with Charlie Harding, host of ‘Switched On Pop.’ Sam joined them both on stage to discuss the power of music, why we shouldn’t be afraid to sing, and the communal joy of harmonizing with others.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
The Kardashians Are American Icons (Whether You Like It or Not)
The Kardashians are one of the most famous families of our modern era.
Since their hit reality TV show first debuted in 2007, the family has become synonymous with American culture. Their celebrity has only grown with each new beauty and fashion enterprise.
Author MJ Corey analyzes the family’s staying power in her new book Dekonstructing the Kardashians: A New Media Manifesto. She talks to Sam about how the family built their media empire, how Kim Kardashian normalized selling her own image and what it says about our digital age, and how the family mirrors our deepest fears.
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
The Movies You Should Be Watching This Summer (From Prestige Junkie)
Today we’re bringing you an episode from our friends at Prestige Junkie.
Sam joins host Katey Rich to look ahead at this summer’s stacked box office lineup. From Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' and Spielberg’s 'Disclosure Day' to the movies you shouldn’t sleep on including Aleshea Harris’ directorial debut 'Is God Is' and Hannah Einbinder’s queer slasher film 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.'
Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.
The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.