Vibe Check

Zach Stafford, Saeed Jones

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.

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20 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 50 min
English

Episodes 20

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#270
Friday · 48 min
We Love You, Dolly
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach are joined by special guest Brittany Luse, host of the It's Been a Minute podcast, to discuss the life, legacy, and politics of Dolly Parton, and why she may be one of the most beloved cultural figures in the world.
#269
Wednesday · 1 hr 2 min
Play That Harp!
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss the allegations surrounding Trump and White House aide Natalie Harp. Then, they talk about the nationwide protest and vandalization of Flock surveillance cameras. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: WOLF CUT: New and Selected Poems by Anna Journey – “Adorable Siren, Do You Love the Damned?”
#268
August 21 · 39 min
The Vibes Are Open
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach dive into the growing fascination with polyamory and swinging. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”
#267
August 19 · 55 min
Summertime Sadness
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss the death of Jason Arday and the complicated realities of being “the first” in elite spaces. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “If You Go to Bed Hungry” by Angela Narciso Torres
#266
August 14 · 38 min
Hope and Hallucinations
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach dive into AI – the promises vs. the reality, and what the future might hold.
#265
August 12 · 1 hr 15 min
You Can Be Gay and a Villain
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about the Democrats’ obsession with outing Josh Hawley. And about the unfortunate incident of Perez Hilton. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “Why Some People Be Mad at Me Sometimes” by Lucille Clifton
#264
August 7 · 41 min
Life Is a River
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach look back at four years of the show's funniest, sharpest, and most unforgettable moments.
#263
August 5 · 57 min
America’s Flop Era
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about Ariana Grande and the concern over her weight loss. And about America’s flop era. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “I Have A Time Machine” by Brenda Shaughnessy
#262
July 31 · 42 min
Too Much, Too Soon, Too Fast
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach answer some of listeners’ questions about following your intuition, parasocial relationships, Taylor Swift, the anxiety of creating art in the age of AI, and more. ------------------------------------------------------ Sign up for Saeed’s Webinar: https://www.patreon.com/VibeCheck/posts/161968229?utm_campaign=postshare_fan
#261
July 29 · 56 min
Tell Me the Story of a Complicated Man
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss the new film, The Odyssey. They share their reactions, and talk about its enduring themes and what it can tell us about the present. They consider what makes a hero and why the story continues to resonate today. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: Siren Song by Margaret Atwood Sign up for Saeed’s Webinar: https://www.patreon
#260
July 24 · 45 min
Who Are You When It Actually Matters?
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed sits down with acclaimed novelist and writer Sarah Schulman to discuss why telling the truth is worth the risk, the power of showing up for one another, and her new book, The Fantasy and Necessity of Solidarity. Together, they explore what solidarity really means, and why it's more necessary than ever. ------------------------------------------------------ Sign up for Saeed’s Webinar: https://www.patreon.com/VibeCheck/posts/161968229?utm_campaign=postshare_fa
#259
July 22 · 52 min
Pete Hegseth Isn’t A Real Man
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's new testosterone screening protocol for service members. Then they dive into the idea of "Gen Z delusion". Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “The Weather in Space” by Tracy K. Smith Sign up for Saeed’s Webinar: https://www.patreon.com/VibeCheck/posts/161968229?utm_campaign=postshare_f
#258
July 17 · 36 min
The TV That Raised US
On this episode of Vibe Check, we're rereleasing a listener-favorite conversation between Saeed and professor, editor, and New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay. Together, they talk about television, the shows Roxane came of age watching, and the characters that helped shape who she is today. ———————————————————————————
#257
July 15 · 1 hr 1 min
Donald Trump Loves A Closet Queen
On this episode of Vibe Check, Zach and guest Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark podcast, talk about the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, what’s going on with Senator Mitchell McConnell and the state of politics on both sides of the aisle. Plus, Zach shares his latest pick for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem:For My Own Protection by Essex Hemphill Sign up for Saeed’s Webinar: https://www.patreon.com/VibeCheck
#256
July 10 · 40 min
Why You Deserve Softness
On this episode of Vibe Check, we're rereleasing a listener-favorite conversation between Zach and writer, author, and art world visionary Kimberly Drew. Together, they explore why softness is a superpower and how, in a world that often demands hardness, choosing to live softly can be essential to both surviving and thriving. ------------------------------------------------------ Sign up for Saeed’s Webinar: https://www.patreon.com/VibeCheck/posts/161968229?utm_campaign=postshare_fan
#255
July 8 · 1 hr 2 min
Hot Girl (Socialism) Summer
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach talk about what they're calling "Hot Girl Socialism" and why the Democratic Socialists recent electoral wins have them rethinking the current political moment. Then, they dig into our growing comfort with turning surveillance into entertainment. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “I Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer” by Angel Nafi
#254
July 3 · 47 min
We’re Not Feeling the Stars and Stripes
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach are joined by one of their favorite writers, Kiese Laymon. As America gears up for its 250th birthday, they ask: what exactly are we celebrating? They talk about where the country stands today, and why progress in America often feels like two steps forward, one step back.
#253
July 1 · 1 hr 5 min
Wait...Are We Having Fun?
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach ask whether the good vibes of the past few weeks were sparked by the World Cup and the Knicks' win – or if it's all just the start of a really good summer. They also break down the Supreme Court's latest rulings. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “The Two-Headed Calf” by Laura Gilpin
#252
June 26 · 33 min
The Trees Saw Everything
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed talks with plant scientist and writer Beronda Montgomery about her book, When Trees Testify. They explore the connections between Black history and the natural world, and what trees like pecans and sycamores can teach us about the past.
#251
June 24 · 50 min
The End of the World Is Never the End
On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach welcome back friend of the show, astrologer Chani Nicholas. They revisit the predictions Chani made the last time she stopped by in December 2025, checking in on what she saw coming for the first half of 2026 and how it all played out. Then, Chani looks ahead to the rest of 2026, sharing what's on the horizon and giving Saeed and Zach a peek at what the next few months might have in store for them personally.

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