Vibe Check

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach explore regret. They get vulnerable, sharing stories about the regrets they still carry, the ones they’ve learned to let go of, and what it means to move forward without forgetting the past. 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 i...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach talk with Tennessee Representative Justin Jones about the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. Then, they talk about The Devil Wears Prada 2 , and why it was unexpectedly triggering as people who’ve worked in journalism and media. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”  ----------------------------------------...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach sit down with writer Isaac Fitzgerald – one of Saeed’s closest friends – for a personal conversation about storytelling, friendship, and finding your voice. They discuss his new book American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed (out May 12), reflect on his memoir Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional , and explore how grief, upbringing, an...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach revisit Beyoncé’s iconic Lemonade album on its 10th anniversary, unpacking its cultural impact. They also take a closer look at Beyoncé – how her politics, power, and public persona have evolved over the past decade, and where admiration, frustration, and critique collide when art and influence meet. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes...

This week on Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach let listeners take over with the first-ever “Patreon’s Choice” episode. They get into the ethics of true crime, why it endures, and where it crosses the line. Then, they talk about HBO’s Murder in Glitterball City. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”  ------------------------------------------------------ Saee...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach discuss the alleged assassination attempt at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Then, they break down the news of Megan Thee Stallion being cheated on by Klay Thompson. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”  ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “What Big Eyes You Have”...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach talk about summer bodies, body anxiety, and the politics of appearance. They also explore whether today’s diet culture is veering into something more extreme – an obsession with control, conformity, and rigid ideals. ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem of the Week: Old Glory by Ocean Vuong You can find everything Vibe C...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach unpack the rise in intimate partner violence against women of color – touching on the D4vd case as part of thaw conversation. Then, they call out Vogue for calling an afro a “cloud bob.” Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”  ------------------------------- ----------------------- Saeed’s Poem of the Week:...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach talk about taking the leap – what it really means to go for it, and how you know when the risk is actually worth it. They get into moments from their own lives, from bold career moves to saying yes to romance, and even figuring out when it’s time to walk away. You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com We...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach talk about the politics of Coachella and about a personal obsession of Saeed’s, competency porn. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”  ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “Characteristics of Life”  by Camille Dungy You can find everything Vibe Check related at...

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach get into spring cleaning — both literally and metaphorically. From tidying up your space to letting go of people and habits that no longer serve you, they talk about what it means to reset for a new season. Plus, they answer listener questions. You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com We want to hear from...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach break down the latest drama – from the political shake-up involving Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi’s firing by Trump, to the bigger questions it raises. Then, they dive into Summer House  chaos, unpacking Amanda allegedly dating West behind Ciara’s back. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” -------------------...

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach get into some Jesus-coded characters in film and TV, and the stories that feel just a little too Christ-adjacent to be a coincidence. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem of the Week: Heart to Heart by Rita Dove ---------------------------...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach talk about chaos surrounding comedian Druski’s viral skit about conservative white women and the conversation (and ruffled feathers) it sparked. Then, they unpack Usher’s recent controversial comments about Diddy. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach wrap up this year’s Hey, Sis  mini-series with special guest – political commentator and strategist Symone Sanders-Townsend. They get into her dynamic career across politics and media, the challenges she’s faced as a Black woman in the spotlight, and how staying true to herself has been key to her success. They also discuss the outsized role Black wom...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach talk about the latest chaos in air travel – from government funding cuts leaving TSA agents unpaid, to ICE agents being deployed in airports to “assist,” and safety concerns after a fatal air traffic control–related incident at LaGuardia. Then, they dive into the new documentary, Inside the Manosphere . Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vib...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach continue the Hey, Sis  mini-series with special guest – economist, Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman. They break down how systemic inequality creates real, measurable costs just to exist – especially for Black women – drawing on insights from Anna’s book, The Double Tax: How Women of Color Are Overcharged and Underpaid . They also unpack how misogynoir shows u...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach welcome back Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks , for an Oscars recap – from the biggest wins to the most talked-about moments. Then, Saeed and Zach unpack a social media debate: should you expect your friends to post about politics and the news, and is it fair to judge them if they don’t? Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach continue the Hey, Sis  mini-series with special guest – actor, comedian, and writer Lisa Beasley. They talk about Lisa discovering her viral character “Corporate Erin,” the performance of professionalism, and the ways code switching and corporate language can be exclusionary. Plus, a look at how race and gender quietly shape the rules of workplace com...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach are joined by Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, for an in-depth pre-Oscars chat. They break down this year’s awards season chaos and dig into Sinners and One Battle After Another, exploring how both films depict Black life in America from very different angles. They also get into Hollywood’s habit of rewarding negative tropes about Black women...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach kick off the return of the Hey, Sis mini-series with special guest Ashley Cunningham, owner of Bad Ash Bakes in Pasadena, California. Ashley talks about starting out in cooking competitions at just 16, working as a line cook, and later becoming a private chef for NBA players before launching her baking business. She also shares how going viral during...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach are joined by returning guest, journalist Afeef Nessouli, reporting live from Beirut, Lebanon. He breaks down what’s really happening in Iran and across the Middle East — and what life on the ground looks like amid rising tensions. Then, Saeed and Zach unpack the flashbacks this moment is triggering from the post-9/11 era, and the Iraq and Afghanistan...

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 r...

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 l...

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 we...