The Sam Sanders Show

Latest Episodes:

The Hipster Grifter Speaks: Kari Ferrell on Scamming & Redemption Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Kari Ferrell became a viral sensation in 2009 after her small time cons gained international attention. She was living in Brooklyn, working at Vice News when she was exposed and dubbed “The Hipster Grifter.” Sam chats with Kari about what led her to become a scammer, why the media became so obsessed and her road to redemption. Kari Ferrell’s new memoir You'll Never Believe Me: A Life of Lies, Second Tries, and Things I Should Only Tell My Therapist is out now.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Escaping Heartbreak with Musician Caroline Rose Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

Caroline Rose makes music that cuts deep, and their latest album, year of the slug, is no exception. Sam talks with the indie singer-songwriter about why this album isn’t on Spotify, the struggle of working-class musicians in today’s industry, and how rejecting major platforms is an act of artistic defiance. Plus, Caroline opens up about their past breakup album The Art of Forgetting, how it helped Sam process his own grief, and what it means to truly move on. They also share exclusive acoustic performances of “conversations with shiv (liquid k song)” and “Tell Me What You Want.”

Check out year of the slug on Bandcamp.

Listen to 10% Happier with Dan Harris to hear more about Sam’s journey with grief.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Who Belongs on Black Hollywood’s Mount Rushmore? Feb 14, 2025

Show notes

It’s Black History Month, and Sam is doing something a little different: building a Black Hollywood Mount Rushmore! Comedians and writers Yassir Lester and Garrick Bernard join Sam to debate which Black entertainers have left the biggest mark on the industry.

Plus, the trio unpacks how the entertainment industry has evolved for Black creatives, the impact of strikes and streaming, and what it takes for rising stars — like Yassir and Garrick — to carve out a lasting legacy in Hollywood.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Should the Oscars Even Exist? with The Big Picture Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Sam’s hot take — it’s time to put an end to the Academy Awards. He lays out his case to Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins, hosts of The Big Picture podcast from The Ringer. They break down why the Oscars often reward the wrong films, prioritize campaigning over quality, and struggle to stay relevant in today’s entertainment landscape. Plus, how to make the hours-long ceremony actually fun.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Sam Sings! with Celebrity Vocal Coach Doug Peck Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Instead of dishing on Grammys predictions, we’re taking singing lessons. Vocal coach Doug Peck has worked with Grammy winners like Billie Eilish, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, and Broadway legend Patti Lupone. What exactly does a vocal coach do, why does everyone in the biz have one, and how do you learn to sing like a star? Plus, listen to the very end for Sam’s own musical surprise.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

TikTok's Rise, Fall & Messy Future Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

The internet was in a frenzy over the short-lived TikTok ban. The app went down, then came back, and could still disappear again? Here to unpack what it all means for pop culture are two viral sensations, Franchesca Ramsey and Brandon Kyle Goodman. They’re both creators, podcasters, actors, and TV writers who had a lot to say about the internet and why Americans should party more.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

2025’s Pop Culture Forecast Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

It’s been a rough start to the year for everyone in Los Angeles so we invited some friends to help us get through it with laughter. Chelsea Devantez, host of the Glamorous Trash podcast, and comedian Erin Dewey Lennox. Together, we break down the pop culture we’re excited for in 2025 and what we’re leaving behind in 2024.

If you need resources or you’re looking for ways to help those affected by the LA fires, visit kcrw.com/firehelp

Other resources mentioned in this episode:

Best Friends Animal Society
Letters from Altadena: Wildfire Relief

Checking in from Los Angeles Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Due to the recent fires in Los Angeles, we’re postponing our episode this week. Sam and the KCRW team are safe. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these devastating events. We’ll be back in your feed soon.

Rachel Bloom Confronts Grief with a Heckler Named Death Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

In early 2020, comedian and actor Rachel Bloom faced life-changing extremes: the birth of her first child and the loss of collaborator Adam Schlesinger to COVID in the same week. In her Netflix special Death, Let Me Do My Special, Bloom processes these losses in a way that caught Sam’s attention, making his favorite comedy special of the last year. Rachel chats with Sam about her process and gives him advice on whether he should become a parent.

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

How To Talk To Yourself When Things Suck (from 10% Happier with Dan Harris) Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

Today we’re sharing an episode from our friends at 10% Happier with Dan Harris featuring our own Sam Sanders.

Sam shares how he’s been dealing with grief over the last year, what it looks like to maintain a relationship with someone even after they’ve died, and what death has taught him about living a good life.

If you like what you hear, check out 10% Happier with Dan Harris wherever you get podcasts.