Episodi

  • American Music Was Birthed in the Black Church
    Feb 27 2026

    On this episode of Vibe Check LIVE, Saeed and Zach head to Boston for a special live taping with special guest, classical composer Carlos Simon. They talk about Carlos writing music for America’s 250th anniversary, how faith and spirituality shape his work, his newest piece, Good News Mass, and more. Plus, they close out the conversation with an audience Q&A.

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.

    Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.

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    55 min
  • The Politics of Pretending to be Apolitical
    Feb 25 2026

    On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach break down the political drama surrounding the Berlin Film Festival 2026 (Berlinale). Then, they dive into Tyra Banks and the new documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, unpacking how the show’s cruelty reflected its era, and how it functioned as part of a broader cultural machine built to break women down. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”

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    Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “How Can Black People Write About Flowers at a Time Like This” by Hanif Abdurraqib

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.

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    1 ora e 2 min
  • Difficulty Isn’t a Wall, It’s a Doorway
    Feb 20 2026

    On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed speaks to author Namwali Serpell about her new book, On Morrison. They talk about their personal relationships to Toni Morrison’s work, the shortcomings of academic approaches to teaching literature, why difficult books are worth the effort, and more.


    Namwali Serpell’s Book On Morrison is out now!

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.

    Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.

    Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.
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    45 min
  • Epstein Files and the American Psyche
    Feb 18 2026

    On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach wrestle with the emotional weight of the Epstein files and the aftershocks that follow each new revelation.

    Then, they examine America’s growing literary crisis – declining reading skills, shrinking attention spans, and what it all means.

    Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.

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    Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “The Problem with Early Warnings” by Charles Rafferty

    Namwali Serpell’s Book On Morrison is out now!

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.

    Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.

    Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.
    Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    57 min
  • RomanceLandia and the Rise of Queer Romance
    Feb 13 2026

    On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach welcome Saeed’s longtime friend and romance expert Tanya Melendez to break down the rise of romance across every genre. From beloved tropes to what really separates a true romance from just a love story, they cover it all — including a deep dive into the TV show Heated Rivalry. Then, Tanya spills a little tea about what Saeed was like as a teenager. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.

    Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.

    Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.
    Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    46 min
  • Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl and his Politics of Joy
    Feb 9 2026

    On this special episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach break down the cultural and political impact of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance with Nelini Stamp – Director of Strategy at the Working Families Party and certified Bad Bunny superfan!

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.

    Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.

    Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.
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    49 min
  • You Can’t "Try On” Blackness
    Feb 6 2026

    On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach break down Timothée Chalamet’s recent behavior shift leading up to the Oscars and what it says about image, performance, and proximity to Black culture. They dig into “wigga” culture and who benefits when Black culture becomes a costume. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”.

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    Saeed’s Poem: “Another Nate Marshall Origin Story” by Nate Marshall

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    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.

    Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.

    Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.
    Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.


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    44 min
  • The Art of Resistance with Maxwell Frost
    Feb 4 2026

    On this episode of Vibe Check, Zach sits down with Congressman Maxwell Frost, the youngest person elected to Congress in modern history, for a wide-ranging conversation on activism, art, and politics. Rep. Frost opens up about his early start as an organizer, how music continues to shape his leadership, his new CREATE Art Act tackling the future of music and AI, and his experience being assaulted at the Sundance Film Festival. Plus, a special rendition of “the vibes are on, the vibes are off,” and a sneak peek at a future episode.

    You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com

    We want to hear from you! Email us at vibecheck@stitcher.com, and keep in touch with us on Instagram @vibecheck_pod.

    Get your Vibe Check merch at www.podswag.com/vibecheck.

    Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Vibe Check ad-free.
    Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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    46 min