It's Been a Minute

The debate over climate change continues to simmer after this week's climate strike demonstrations and 16-year-old Greta Thunberg's speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. One author is arguing for a vegan-by-day approach to reduce carbon emissions. Plus, are the Emmys making progress on diversity? Sam is joined by Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins of the Slate podcast, 'Thirst Aid Kit....

Jonathan Van Ness stepped into the spotlight in 2018 as a walking, talking bundle of energy, optimism and fierceness on the Netflix reboot of Queer Eye . But in his new memoir, Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-Love , Van Ness writes about how life wasn't always like that for him. He recounts growing up and dealing with hardships such as childhood trauma, depression, drug use, sexual compulsion,...

Union workers at General Motors went on strike this week for the first time in more than a decade. What does the United Autoworkers Union want for its members in the next contract with the automaker? As kids return to school, some will still struggle to afford lunches. What happens when students accrue meal debt — and what one woman in North Carolina is doing to alleviate the problem in her commun...

Journalist Malcolm Gladwell's best-selling books have explored a wide range of topics from decision making to 'The Tipping Point.' His latest work, 'Talking To Strangers,' takes a look at stories such as the Sandra Bland case, the trial of Amanda Knox and the Stanford rape case to explain why interactions with strangers often go wrong. Sam spoke to Gladwell about his new book at The George Washing...

Congress is back in session, but what are lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives prioritizing for the foreseeable future? Meanwhile, presidential campaigns are working hard to activate and engage youth voters, but how effective are their strategies? Plus, Sam and People Magazine's food editor dig into why one how-to video involving a deep-fried barbecue chicken-quesadilla-pizza hybri...

Social media influencers have changed the marketing industry. Brands now pour billions of dollars into partnering with people who can reach audiences on platforms like Instagram and YouTube — whether they're advertising a handbag, a video game or a meal at a local restaurant. But what does it take to become an influencer, and what happens when your livelihood is tied to a platform that's not your...

Democratic Presidential candidates talked climate in a town hall this week. How does transportation factor into combating climate change? In the wake of several mass shootings, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is still yet to bring forward any legislation on gun control. We take a look at how President Trump may be influencing McConnell's thinking and actions. Plus, with all the yelling and...

Actress Danielle Brooks caught the eye of many Netflix viewers as Tasha 'Taystee' Jefferson in the streaming platform's original series Orange Is The New Black . All seven seasons of the show, which tells the fictional stories of women in prison, are streaming on Netflix now. Brooks sat down with Sam Sanders to talk about what it took to step into the role of Taystee and taping her final emotional...

We're taking a break from the news this week to revisit conversations with stars from two shows nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards on September 22. Dan Levy from Pop TV's 'Schitt's Creek' discusses creating the show with his father, comedic actor Eugene Levy, and Greta Lee from Netflix's 'Russian Doll' talks to guest host Julia Furlan about the show's New...

Writer Jia Tolentino has a keen eye for processing bits of internet absurdity and telling readers what they say about us. The 'New Yorker ' staff writer's new book, 'Trick Mirror,' examines several different systems that impact our lives through a series of nine deeply researched essays. Tolentino and Sam Sanders discuss growing up in church, putting your life on the internet and what happens when...

President Trump wanted to buy Greenland but Denmark said no. Meanwhile, American fast food chains argued over who has the best friend chicken sandwich. Plus, 'Sporkful' host Dan Pashman stops by to taste test the latest plant-based "milks." Sam is joined by Los Angeles Times reporter Melanie Mason and KPCC's Leo Duran. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about...

In a new cover story for The Atlantic , Vann R. Newkirk II tells the story of how the government systematically stripped black farmers of their land via illegal pressures levied through its loan programs, which created massive transfers of wealth from black to white farmers, especially in the period just after the 1950s. Follow Vann on Twitter @fivefifths. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org. See...

Markets had a roller coaster week as talks of an oncoming recession roiled the global economy. The White House wants social media companies to try to stop violence before it occurs, but what would that mean for privacy? Plus, how the internet is shifting the way we text and talk. Sam is joined by NPR White House reporter Ayesha Rascoe and Washington Post senior tech policy reporter Tony Romm. See...

X Ambassadors landed their first big hit with 2015's "Renegades," which made an appearance in a Jeep commercial, hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rock charts and went platinum in the U.S. and four other countries. The band, which often seems to fly under the radar, returned with its new album ' Orion' earlier this year. Sam Sanders sat down with the band's lead singer and songwriter, Sam Harris to find...

Americans continue to wrap their heads around last week's mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Our panel examines two big threads behind them: the history of violence against Latinos in the U.S. and websites where men often share violent views and hateful rhetoric. Plus, Victoria's Secret announced the hire of its first transgender model this week, but does the company still have th...

Stand-up comedian Ana Fabrega is the co-writer, co-show runner and one of the stars of HBO's breakout Spanish-language comedy 'Los Espookys.' Guest host Julia Furlan spoke with Fabrega about her brand of comedy, bringing a Spanish-language show to a mostly English-speaking audience and collaborating with Fred Armisen. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal dat...

Coal miners in Harlan County, Kentucky, camped out on train tracks this week to protest lack of payment from a coal company that declared bankruptcy earlier this summer. Is this part of a larger trend in the coal industry? There's a lot of new streaming content coming down the pipeline, and it could mean more subscriptions for viewers. Plus, what does the Federal Reserve's decision to lower intere...

As the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination heats up, New York Times White House correspondent Katie Rogers and Associated Press national political reporter Juana Summers join Sam for a look at the big threads running through politics right now. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship p...

Former special counsel Robert Mueller testified in front of Congress this week on his investigation's findings, but how consequential was his testimony? Meanwhile the Internet had questions about who Beyoncé's song 'Brown Skin Girl' is for and the lack of East African musical artists on her new 'Lion King'-adjacent album 'The Gift.' Plus, what are the effects of surveillance and technology on low-...

Erin Lee Carr's documentaries have probed some dark true crime stories. She's made films about the so-called "cannibal cop," the USA Gymnastics scandal, as well as a daughter accused of murdering her mother. Her latest, ' I Love You, Now Die' tells the story of Michelle Carter, who stood trial on involuntary manslaughter charges after she encouraged her boyfriend to kill himself over text message....

The U.S. announced new asylum rules this week, making asylum seekers who have passed through another country first ineligible to claim asylum at the U.S. southern border. Sam looks at how recent attacks on four Democratic congresswomen of color falls in line with President Trump's reelection strategy. Plus, why millions of people have responded to a Facebook event to "storm Area 51" and "see them...

Sam recently teamed up with reporter Allison Aubrey and NPR's Life Kit — a series of audio guides for navigating your life — to help you understand how to choose a diet approach that's right for you. More guides at npr.org/lifekit. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

With the year more than halfway over, Sam and his guests are taking a look at some of 2019's driving narratives, including the future of the U.S. economy, shifts in the music industry and "cancel culture." Plus, Sam talks to a reporter at the U.S.-Mexico border near El Paso, Texas, about the mood amidst the immigration crisis. NPR chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley and NPR Music assistant...

Financial journalist Hannah Seligson and Aminatou Sow from the podcast 'Call Your Girlfriend' join Sam to discuss why more and more millennials are financially intertwined with their parents — and why it's so hard to talk about. Listeners call in. Sends thoughts to samsanders@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage yo...

In this special episode, Sam presents a collection of interviews with musicians, featuring songs that are perfect for summer: the spacey soul-pop of Nick Hakim, the flowery, unhurried R&B of Syd and her band The Internet, and the eighties-colored pop of Emily King. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorshi...