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The Sam Sanders Show

KCRW & Sam Sanders

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.

Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.

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.

 

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  • 26 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 41 min
  • English

Episodes 26

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  • August 27 · 39 min

    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.

  • August 11 · 55 min

    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.

  • July 28 · 42 min

    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.

  • July 3 · 1 hr 43 min

    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.

Showing 1–20 of 26 episodes