Vibe Check

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 Sae...

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.” -----------------------...

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

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.” ------------------------------------------------------ S...

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. You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com We want to hear from you! Email us...

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 t...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed talks with writer, poet, and communications strategist Camonghne Felix about her new book, Let the Poets Govern. They discuss her political awakening, embracing changing perspectives, and more. 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 touc...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed welcomes back friend of the show Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks  podcast, to talk about all things summer reading. They share their immersive favorites and recommend books that they deem perfect for the season. ------------------------------------------------------ You can find everything Vibe Check related at our official website, www.vibecheckpod.com We wa...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach talk about fandoms and why it suddenly feels so out of control. From the origins of the word "stan" to the ways fan culture has evolved from community into something a little more obsessive, they explore how we got here, and confess some of the wild things they've done in the name of being fans. You can find everything Vibe Check related at our offici...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Zach chats with comedian Julian Shapiro - Barnum about their show Celebrity Substitute, what adults can learn from kids, his new show  Outside Tonight (out June 17th), his upcoming book How to Grow Up Without Becoming a Grown-Up  (out August 4), and more. ------------------------------------------------------ Pre-order Julian’s new book, How to Grow Up Without Becom...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach offer advice to new graduates entering the workforce. They discuss career paths beyond your degree, the growing impact of AI on jobs, and the money conversations every graduate should have. 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...

On this episode of Vibe Check,  Zach sits down with Dr. Jack Halberstam to discuss his forthcoming book, Anarchitecture After Everything: A Trans Manifesto , and revisit the ideas behind The Queer Art of Failure . They talk about why freedom may require letting old systems collapse, what failure can teach us about living differently, and how uncertainty can open the door to new possibilities. You...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach are joined by special guest Jess Michaels – TEDx speaker, survivor advocate, and 1991 survivor of Jeffrey Epstein. They explore why the Epstein files matter beyond the headlines, and how the conversation around abuse, consent, and survivor expectations often misses the deeper cultural realities. You can find everything Vibe Check related at our offici...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Saeed and Zach discuss the new movie, Is God Is,  and explore how rage shapes politics, culture, and our personal lives – and whether rage can sometimes be a force for something better. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.”  ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “Acquainted with the Night”...

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach react live to listener voice messages for the very first time. Listeners reveal the major life decisions the hosts have influenced – while Saeed and Zach try to remember ever giving the advice at all. 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 , a...

On this episode of Vibe Check , Zach is joined by special guest host Fran Tirado, editor and co-host of the podcast, Like a Virgin . Together, they discuss how AI slop is slowly turning into “taste slop,” and how Pride can become more than just a moment to fight for trans people, but a way to materially support them and help them survive this moment. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vi...

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...