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
When Everybody And Nobody Is A Celebrity w/ Who? Weekly
Everyone is way past their ‘15 minutes of fame.’
In today's episode, Sam is joined by culture journalists Lindsey Weber and Bobby Finger, hosts of the ’Who? Weekly’ podcast to break down modern stardom.
From influencers, to actors, to pop stars — becoming famous has never been easier. But becoming a household name is nearly impossible. Together they unpack how the demise of monoculture has entirely changed the celebrity landscape, why pop stars can’t rely on chart success for mainstream fame, and how every celebrity is selling something … whether it’s a brand or themselves.
Bobby and Lindsay also have a new book! It’s called ‘I Want To Be Famous: When Everybody And Nobody Is A Celebrity.’
PLUS! The Sam Sanders Show has been nominated for three Signal Awards! Vote for us below by October 15 to help us bring home the win.
More Episodes
Hollywood’s Biggest Movie Star Flopped. What Now?
In this episode, Sam asks: What even is a flop? And if a flop happens to the biggest movie star alive, is it actually something else altogether?
We’re talking about Tom Cruise and his newest movie ‘Digger.’ Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, this was supposed to be Tom’s ticket to finally win an Oscar…He has long been Hollywood’s biggest brand ambassador after all.
But then, the movie flopped. Hard. Critically and commercially. How did this happen? What does it mean? And what does it say about the state of the movie industry, and the state of the ‘movie star’ as we know it?
Sam dives into all of this with Amy Nicholson, film critic at the ‘Los Angeles Times’ and co-host of the ‘Unspooled’ podcast.
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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Barry Jenkins: The Legacy Of 'Moonlight'
Ten years ago, 'Moonlight' premiered in theaters with an entirely Black cast and a haunting queer story that captivated audiences. It quickly earned critical acclaim and won three Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Director Barry Jenkins joins Sam to celebrate the film’s enduring legacy. He also breaks down how the project reflects his own relationship with his mother, and shares a very touching story involving a bootleg 'Moonlight' DVD.
Plus, he reveals his surprising pop culture scriptures…Turns out, even Barry Jenkins can appreciate reality TV!
Also, to celebrate the film’s 10th anniversary, 'Moonlight' has been remastered in 4K, now showing in theaters nationwide.
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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
Kerry Washington Has a Podcast?!
Sam is feeling sooo nostalgic this episode.
Flashback to 2012. Monoculture is omnipresent. ‘Scandal’ is on every Thursday night. Twitter is ablaze with reactions to the iconic Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington. Sam never misses an episode.
Flash forward to today, and Kerry now has a lot in common with Sam. She just launched a new podcast called Street You Grew Up On. The show revolves around one simple question — Can you tell me about the street you grew up on? Kerry explores the people, places, family stories, and defining moments that made them who they are.
She tells Sam all about launching the show and how interviewing relates to acting.
Plus, they get into all their memories of the Scandal era, today’s political climate and her favorite pop culture scriptures.
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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.
John Cho Just Wants To Connect
John Cho has portrayed plenty of lovable characters in Hollywood, but never a villain.
In the new action thriller ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,’ John finally steps into that role as a violent evangelical pastor. His character is equipped with a cowboy hat, gold grills and huge guns. John spoke with Sam about preparing for the role, the importance of connection and how becoming a father changed the way he approaches his craft.
Plus, a decade after the viral #StarringJohnCho online moment, he gets real about diversity and representation in Hollywood today.
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.
Introducing: Reaching Out
Today we’re excited to share a special episode of Reaching Out, a new podcast from Futuro and KCRW.
Hailed by Ira Glass as the “best new show I’ve heard in years,” Reaching Out is a story about fathers, sons, and the distance between. The story begins on the eve of twin brothers’ Sayre and Connor’s 30th birthday, when they set out to find the biological father who abandoned them before they were born.
Their search pulls them through desert raves, drunken nightclubs, and across borders of time and language, forcing the brothers to confront the truths they’ve hidden from each other and themselves. And it’s not long before the twins discover that their birth father is closer than they ever could have imagined.
Follow Reaching Out on your favorite podcast app. New episodes drop every week.
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.
It’s Time To Have Better Fights w/ Priya Parker
From The Real Housewives to The Jerry Springer Show, today’s episode is all about conflict through the lens of pop culture.
Author and conflict facilitator Priya Parker joins Sam to explain why conflict is so vital to building healthy communities and relationships. She also breaks down the tactics we often see in the media, and how they can teach us to fight in healthier ways. Priya even encourages something we do on this show a lot…Sharing and defending Hot Takes!
Priya’s new book The Art of Fighting: The Transformative Power of Conflict is available 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.
Orville Peck: How Do You Hide Rock Bottom in Plain Sight?
Orville Peck bares his soul in his music, but chances are you wouldn’t be able to pick him out of a crowd.
For the entirety of his country music career he has been wearing a literal mask, on and off the stage. For Orville, the mask gives him the strength to be vulnerable. In his new album, Mule, he opens up even more while singing songs about his darkest moments with addiction, his time in rehab, and his path to sobriety.
Orville tells Sam about hitting rock bottom, how he stays authentic even while wearing a mask, his country music influences, and how he’s queering the genre in his own way.
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 of Book Monoculture?
Books are bringing people together this year in ways Sam has never seen before.
There have been a handful of times in the last few months alone when it felt like he was in one giant book club with his friends, reading the same books, and having deep conversations. It made Sam ask himself … are books actually hot this year? Or should we believe the headlines that Western society is moving toward a post literate society?
To figure it out, Sam turns to his favorite book people Traci Thomas (The Stacks) and Greta Johnsen (Happy to Be Here). Together they get into the books everybody is reading this year, discuss why reading literacy is in danger, and make a case that there’s a book out there for everyone.
Plus, Traci and Greta share a few book recommendations to add to your reading list.
Books mentioned in this episode:
'John of John' by Douglas Stewart
'Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage' by Belle Burden
'Yesteryear' by Caro Claire Burke
'Kin' by Tayari Jones
'The Disappearers' by Marlon James
'The Great Wherever' by Shannon Sanders
'Sunrise' by Téa Obreht
'Unreasonable Women' by Justine van der Leun
'American Hagwon' by Min Jin Lee
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.
David Archuleta Powered Through Mormon Shame
David Archuleta shot to fame while competing on American Idol when he was just 17 years old.
During his time on the show he was a poster boy for his Mormon faith, but behind the scenes he was forced to hide his sexuality and queerness. He describes all of this in his memoir Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself. David talks to Sam about learning to accept himself, why his time on American Idol was terrifying, and the surprising ways he’s found community after leaving his religion.
David Archuleta’s new holiday album Warm Me Up is out this fall. Check out his website for tour dates.
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.
Not The Odyssey: Small Movies Had A Big Blockbuster Summer
We gotta admit, this summer felt great for movies!
From all the monoculture surrounding The Odyssey, to the successful sleeper hits like Backrooms and Obsession, the past few months felt like a magical comeback for the industry.
Joining Sam to break it all down is Jacqueline Coley, awards editor at Rotten Tomatoes and host of the Seen On The Screen podcast. Together, they unpack the biggest lessons for Hollywood and also give some movie recommendations for your watchlist.
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.
Wyclef Jean: How To Write A Hit Song
Musician and rapper Wyclef Jean shot to fame in the ‘90s after founding the seminal hip-hop group Fugees. Since then, he’s had an impressive solo career with plenty of acclaimed projects. He’s also become an undeniable hitmaker, creating massive records for artists like Shakira, Santana, Whitney Houston and many more.
Wyclef joined Sam in the studio with his guitar, to play some songs that tell his life story. From his campaign to be president of Haiti, to his fondness for church music, he shares the many life moments that shaped his craft.
He also breaks down his new project 'Quantum Leap,' a seven-album project spanning seven different genres. So far, his jazz album ‘Q Theory’ and ‘Clef Notes,’ the hip-hop project, are out 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.
Fred Armisen Revisits Portlandia
This episode, we’re going back in time for one of Sam’s favorite shows…‘Portlandia!’
For eight seasons, the sketch comedy show famously poked fun at the hipster culture, all while set in a fictionalized version of Portland. Creators and co-stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein played many of the show’s central characters. Now, they’re revisiting the episodes with a weekly rewatch podcast called ‘Podlandia: A-O Rewatch with Fred and Carrie.’
Sam got to chat with Fred about the show, their favorite sketches, and why hipsters were always ripe for spoofing.
“Podlandia: A-O Rewatch” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. New episodes air every Thursday.
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 Made Dolly Parton So Beloved?
We will always love Dolly Parton.
Sam unpacks Dolly’s immense legacy with Ann Powers, critic and correspondent for NPR Music. Together they spend time reflecting on her many hit songs, her brilliant roles in Hollywood and her everlasting philanthropic efforts.
They also break down the secrets to Dolly’s impeccable stardom, diving into what exactly made her so ubiquitous and beloved. Plus, they share some overlooked music from her catalog.
Also, make sure to check out Ann's moving tribute essay to Dolly Parton.
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.
Did Summer 2026 Bring Back Monoculture?
Whether it was big sporting events, or big blockbusters, or even celebrity weddings, Summer 2026 had a ton of pop culture that we all consumed together. For the first time in years, we even talked about it all together.
But was it actually a return of monoculture? Sam looks at how this happened (and if it will ever happen again) with Esther Zuckerman, culture reporter for The Wall Street Journal who recently wrote all about the monoculture phenomenon.
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.
Janelle James: What’s It Like To Embody A Diva?
Comedian Janelle James became a star after playing the selfish, scamming, yet hilarious principal Ava Coleman in 'Abbott Elementary.'
She’s since been nominated for five Emmy awards for the role. But Janelle spent years grinding through the standup scene before finding television success. She told Sam about what inspired her to try comedy years ago, and what she’s learned about herself from playing a larger than life character in a sitcom. Plus, Janelle breaks down her forthcoming Hulu show inspired by her own childhood in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
This conversation took place in front of a live audience at KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio in Santa Monica.
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.
Can Mamdani Save Broadway?
Sam recently experienced one of the best stage musicals he’s seen in years.
Cats: The Jellicle Ball reimagines the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber story with a ballroom twist. The show is filled with voguing, runway and Black, queer joy. It also won multiple Tony awards this year, which packed the theater night after night.
The whole show seemed like it was on the path to success, until it closed suddenly on August 8th.
Theater critic Naveen Kumar wrote about the fate of the production for The New York Times. He joined Sam to break down the major money problems facing Broadway. He also shares some ideas to fix them…Which may involve a certain charismatic mayor.
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.
Eliot Glazer: Spiritually Lesbian, Sexually Gay
Comedian Eliot Glazer feels like he “missed the first day of Gay 101.”
Even though he came out in college, he has always struggled to fit into gay culture. He doesn’t like the parties. He doesn’t wear the right clothes. Never listens to the right music. Can’t give off the right vibes.
He writes about all these feelings in his hilarious new book of essays ‘The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Gay.’ Eliot tells Sam about feeling like an outcast, yearning for connection, and how he learned to find peace with his style of queerness.
Check out Eliot on his book tour now through September.
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 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.
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?
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 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.