Vibe Check

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...

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”. -------------------------------------------...

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. P...

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....

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”. --------------------------------------------...

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...

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach are back with another rendition of modern scriptures, but this time, it’s all about Black History Month.   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.podswa...

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis, and what this moment reveals about the state of safety and power in America. They reflect on how this violence ripples far beyond one city, and how we can practice personal acts of resistance. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”. -----------------...

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach unpack the rise of the “maxxing” trend and what it says about living, optimizing, and coping when our sense of control feels more out of reach than ever. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”. ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem of the Week: Bluish by Diane Seuss Jan 28th 2026 - Boston Li...

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach discuss Trump’s obsession with wanting to take control of Greenland. Then, they talk about the “2016” social media trend and debunk the nostalgic romanticization of that year. Plus, they share their picks for “the vibes are on, the vibes are off”. ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “‘God’s Promises” by Paul...