It's Been a Minute
Episodes
What's Next For Biden And Democrats?
06 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Joe Biden appears to be inching closer to a victory, but there wasn't a blowout for Democrats this election. Sam talks to New York Times national poli...
What's Next For Trump And Republicans?
04 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With the election still too close to call, The Atlantic reporter McKay Coppins joins Sam with the latest on what we know about the results, what they ...
How To Take Care Of Yourself This Election Season
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's Election Day, but instead of the latest politics news, we're giving you some therapy. Sam shares listener questions around mental health issues w...
"Everything's Fine" With Sarah Cooper
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
With 2020 progressing the way it has, comedian Sarah Cooper wants you to know that Everything's Fine in her new comedy special. Sam talks to Sarah Coo...
Election Night(mare): Bush v. Gore and Why It Matters in 2020
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Election Night 2020 is a week away. It's hard to know whether we'll have results that night, in a week or maybe even a month. But that's exactly what ...
Presenting 'Rough Translation': Dream Boy And The Poison Fans
26 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On this bonus drop, we feature an episode from the NPR podcast Rough Translation. A Chinese idol had millions of fans who adored him for his kindness ...
Getting Gamers To The Polls, Plus The Pandemic Economy
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Voter outreach took on an unconventional form Tuesday night when Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez streamed her gameplay of the hit game "Among Us" on Twi...
'They've Dismissed Us': How Latino Voter Outreach Still Falls Short
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Latinos are the second largest group of eligible voters by race or ethnicity in the United States, but they continue to be misunderstood and underappr...
Voting In Texas, Plus John Paul Brammer Gives Advice
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From fights over early voting applications to ballot drop-off sites, voting in Texas has drawn national attention. Sam talks to Texas reporters Ashley...
Presenting Throughline: 'James Baldwin's Fire'
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and thinker James Baldwin used the power of his words to confront in order to connect, something that feels especially relatable in a year when...
Joel Kim Booster On Religion, Identity, and Coming Out
09 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In honor of Coming Out Day this weekend, Sam talks to comedian and actor Joel Kim Booster about his experience coming out to his evangelical Christian...
'Radio Ambulante' Host Daniel Alarcón On The Immigrant Experience
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam revisits his 2017 chat with author and Radio Ambulante host, Daniel Alarcón. They discuss Alarcón's book of short stories, The King Is Always Ab...
The Dangers of White Supremacy, Plus Demi Adejuyigbe Brings Joy
02 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When President Trump told white supremacists to "stand back and stand by," the country responded with heavy criticism. Sam talks with Kathleen Belew, ...
Bowen Yang on 'SNL,' Diversity, and Culture
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam chats with comedian Bowen Yang about becoming the first Chinese American cast member on Saturday Night Live, what it was like to do the show durin...
Supreme Court Misconceptions
25 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When the biggest news stories happen all at once, it's easy to miss what each of them really means. Since Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's ...
The Life And Legacy Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
24 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away last week at the age of 87. The conversation has quickly moved to the politics around her replac...
Coronavirus And Teachers
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This school year is proving to be unlike any other. Teaching might be a nightmare in schools doing hybrid learning, a success for those doing virtual ...
Movie Industry Adapts, Plus LeVar Burton Reads
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The movie industry is hurting. Most theaters in the U.S. are still shut down, and who knows when—or if—audiences will pack into theaters again. Ad...
Larry Wilmore's Return to Late Night
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Larry Wilmore has a resume that could rival pretty much anyone's in Hollywood. Name a show and he probably had his hands in it. He created The Bernie ...
West Coast On Fire, Plus Comedian Sam Jay
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The smoke, the flames, the creepy orange and red skies. It's fire season out west and it's already one for the books. Sam talks a resident of Napa Cou...
Poet Claudia Rankine And 'Just Us'
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Poet Claudia Rankine is back with a new book called Just Us: An American Conversation. Much like her acclaimed 2014 book of poetry, Citizen: An Americ...
Pandemic Childcare; Plus Mukbang Meets True Crime
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Guest host Elise Hu looks at how the pandemic has exacerbated existing problems when it comes to the care of small children. A Massachusetts childcare...
How Bill Nye Became the 'Science Guy'
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam revisits his 2017 chat with Bill Nye the Science Guy. They discuss climate change (and climate change deniers), how Nye got his start in TV, and w...
Bonus Episode: 'Truth Be Told'
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A special bonus feed drop from the KQED podcast Truth Be Told, hosted by Tonya Mosley. A conversation about parenting during the pandemic — there's...
Protests, Yesterday And Today
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week we're talking protests, both old and new. On Wednesday, Milwaukee Bucks players refused to play their NBA playoff game in protest of racial ...
'Pose' Star Billy Porter: 'Love Always Wins'
25 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Billy Porter is a force to be reckoned with. A Tony Award-winning Broadway performer. A fashion icon with unforgettable red carpet looks. An Emmy Awar...
Another Wrench In The (Voting) Works, Plus Robin Thede On 'A Black Lady Sketch Show'
21 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone's talking about obstacles to voting this year, from the post office to the pandemic. Sam talks with NPR's Miles Parks about how everything's ...
All About That Base: Trump And Biden Voters In 2020
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're in the homestretch of the 2020 presidential election campaign. Joe Biden announced Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate, Democrats have their ...
The Good, Bad And Ugly Of The Pandemic Housing Market, Plus TikTok Under Fire
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Home sales are up, but the number of people facing evictions is also up. Sam talks to The Indicator's Stacey Vanek Smith and Cardiff Garcia about the ...
The Rise of Netflix
11 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of the few companies doing well during this pandemic is Netflix. In the last few months, the streaming service has seen a huge uptick in new subsc...
Regina King on Race, Policing and HBO's 'Watchmen'
07 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam revisits his chat with Regina King from 2019 after the actress' recent Emmy nomination for her performance on the HBO series Watchmen. In this enc...
Code Switch: What's In A 'Karen'?
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Karen" is not just a name. It's also a persona, an attitude, a label for a certain type of white woman determined to get what she wants—especially ...
Bonus Episode: Padma Lakshmi on 'Asian Enough'
03 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A special bonus feed drop from The Los Angeles Times podcast Asian Enough: A conversation with Top Chef host, model and writer Padma Lakshmi about gro...
Coronavirus Questions Answered, Plus A Chat About 'Indian Matchmaking'
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Should I wear a mask while running? How often should I wipe down my phone? Can I say hello to other people's dogs? Our listeners had questions about c...
Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman And Their 'Big Friendship'
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
All relationships have a backstory, even friendships. Best friends Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, hosts of the podcast Call Your Girlfriend, are out w...
It's A Women's Recession
24 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're in a recession, and it's hitting women especially hard. So how does it compare to the last recession, and how much of it has to do with childcar...
'I May Destroy You' Star Michaela Coel
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam revisits his 2019 conversation with actress and writer Michaela Coel, who is the star and creator of the new critically acclaimed show, I May Dest...
What's College Without A Campus? Plus Ziwe Makes Things Awkward
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Colleges and universities are getting ready for a new year, but like everything else, coronavirus is complicating everything. Some are closing campus...
Reckoning With Race in Journalism
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The newsrooms that covered the protests for racial justice are now being forced to confront racism and inequity within their own organizations. Black ...
Paying The Price Of Coronavirus
10 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Four months into the pandemic, it seems like we're no better off in dealing with the coronavirus. There are still so many questions and few definitive...
Chelsea Handler On White Privilege
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Last year, comedian Chelsea Handler made a documentary on Netflix called, Hello Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea, where she explored the idea of white priv...
Summer Pop Culture Recs, Plus A Visit With Kirk Franklin
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's summer without a lot of the usual summer fun because, you know, pandemic. But we've got music and TV recommendations to keep you company. Joining...
Nicole Byer On How To Love Yourself
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder what it would be like to take hundreds of photos of yourself for a giant coffee table book ... wearing only a bikini? Comedian Nicole Byer...
How Much Have Facebook And Twitter Changed Since 2016?
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How much has Big Tech changed since the 2016 election? Sam is joined by Washington Post tech reporters Elizabeth Dwoskin and Tony Romm. They chat abou...
Tracee Ellis Ross Is Thriving, Not Surviving
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Actress Tracee Ellis Ross has been acting for years — from the early 2000s sitcom 'Girlfriends' to her Golden Globe winning role on ABC's 'Black-i...
Supreme Court Protects Rights For DACA And LGBTQ Workers
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What does it all mean when so much change happens at the same time? This week, the Supreme Court protected the rights of two marginalized groups — D...
James McBride on Race, Religion and Why He's Hopeful
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
James McBride is the National Award-winning author of The Good Lord Bird and the best-selling memoir, The Color of Water. His latest book is Deacon Ki...
Lessons About Racism from 'Cops' and 'Gone With The Wind'
12 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The killing of George Floyd has inspired global protests against police brutality, and it seems like everyone has something to say, including the ente...
Trump v Nixon on Race: Why 2020 Isn't Quite 1968
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
2020 is '68 all over again. But not the '68 you think. Yes, 1968 also saw protests, racial divisions and political polarization. Adam Serwer covers po...
Not Just Another Protest
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There is so much to unpack in this current moment. Sam has a candid conversation with Aunt Betty about how history has shaped her view of the current ...
Hasan Minhaj On Faith And Seeking Answers
02 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Hasan Minhaj is not afraid of talking about his faith, even when it gets him in trouble. He's a two-time Peabody Award winner and host of the...
Money and Coronavirus; Samantha Irby On Judge Mathis
29 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus pandemic has us worrying not only about our health, but also about money. Sam talks to CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger, abo...
Interview: Yvonne Orji on 'Insecure'
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Yvonne Orji plays the part of best friend Molly Carter on the HBO series Insecure, but Orji will soon headline her own stand-up special in June called...
Maya Erskine Takes The Lead In 'Plus One' And 'PEN15'
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Maya Erskine has come a long way from the NYU experimental theater department where she met her PEN15 co-creator Anna Konkle. In this encore episode, ...
Saeed Jones On 'How We Fight For Our Lives' — And How He Fought For His
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam revisits his 2019 conversation with poet and writer Saeed Jones. Saeed discusses his memoir, How We Fight For Our Lives, a vulnerable exploration ...
The Show Must Go On
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ever since the coronavirus pandemic began, we've become more accustomed to life closing down than opening up. But for many, putting life on pause isn'...
Interview: Chicano Batman On 'Invisible People' And LA Vibes
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The music of the band Chicano Batman has long defied genre. Funk, psychedelic, soul, indie — it's all these things and more. Sam talks to band membe...
Weekly Wrap: Back To Capitol Hill
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Politics may not be the first thing on minds right now, but it's still happening. With the Senate returning to session this week, Sam checks in to see...
Love And Coronavirus
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sam hears listener stories and expert tips on virtual dating and maintaining relationships in the coronavirus era. He's joined by Lane Moore, comedian...
TV, Movies And Coronavirus
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus pandemic is affecting all parts of the entertainment industry. Sam talks to writer and comedian Jenny Yang and camera operator Jessica...
It's Been A Minute Presents: Code Switch
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The United States government has changed its definition of who counts as black throughout the years and the census is proof of that. During the very f...
Coronavirus: The Great Equalizer — Or Maybe Not
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Depending on where you live, your race, and your income, the coronavirus pandemic can look dramatically different. Sam's NPR colleagues, Leila Fadel, ...
Interview: Sopan Deb on 'Missed Translations' and Found Connections
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sopan Deb lived under the same roof with both of his parents for most of his childhood, but never knew their ages or where they grew up or if they had...
Weekly Wrap: Sports On Hold, And Your Productivity Too
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus has completely reshaped the world of sports. Sam talks to ESPN senior writer and ESPN Daily host Mina Kimes and The Undefeated columni...
Encore: Drag Culture's Moment - From 'RuPaul's Drag Race' to Shangela
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Where is drag culture right now? It's certainly continuing to have a moment: from RuPaul's Drag Race, to DragCon, to drag queens appearing on the big ...
Weekly Wrap: Yes, The Census Is Still Happening
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The census comes but once a decade, and this time it's in the midst of a pandemic. Code Switch co-hosts Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji talk it ...
Interview: Jonathan Van Ness on Quarantine Life and His New Children's Book
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jonathan Van Ness wears many hats: He's one of the Fab Five on the popular Netflix show Queer Eye, a podcast host, an aspiring figure skater and gymna...
Weekly Wrap: A Jobs Crisis, And It's No One's Fault
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus is taking a toll on jobs and the economy. Sam talks to NPR's Cardiff Garcia and Stacey Vanek Smith, co-hosts of The Indicator from Pla...
Homeschooling In The Age Of The Coronavirus
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Right now a lot of parents have taken on a new responsibility: homeschool teacher. Many feel like they have no idea what they're doing. Sam talks with...
Weekly Wrap: The Coronavirus 'New Normal'
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The last few weeks have meant adjusting to new ways of life. Sam talks to two NPR colleagues about how life in lockdown is affecting them personally. ...
Interview: Audie Cornish on 'She's Funny'
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Audie Cornish sits down with Sam Sanders to discuss her She's Funny series: conversations with female comedians Hannah Gadsby, Margaret Cho, Julia Lou...
Special Episode: A Social Distancing Survival Guide
20 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard being isolated from jobs, friends and family. So Sam is changing up this week's show with guests who have ideas on how to cope with the quar...
Obama's Historic 'Race Speech' -12 Years Later
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Twelve years ago this week, presidential candidate Barack Obama gave what became a historic speech about race. He spoke in response to video that surf...
Weekly Wrap: Everything Is Canceled, Here Are Some Distractions
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The coronavirus may force you to stay at home for the next few weeks, but here's how to successfully wait out a pandemic. Bob Mondello, film critic fo...
Interview: Daniel Mallory Ortberg on 'Something That May Shock and Discredit You'
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Mallory Ortberg is the writer behind Slate's Dear Prudence advice column. But now in his new book, Something That May Shock and Discredit You, ...
Weekly Wrap: Afghanistan Withdrawal, Coronavirus Fears
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's an all-NPR show! Sam talks with two fellow correspondents about big stories in the news this week. Stacey Vanek Smith, co-host of NPR's The Indic...
Interview: Pamela Adlon on 'Better Things'
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Pamela Adlon is the writer, star, director and co-creator of Better Things on FX. The television comedy-drama follows Adlon's character, Sam, as a div...
Weekly Wrap: Coronavirus and the Markets; 'Love Is Blind' is Final Boss Reality TV
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The fast-moving coronavirus has turned up in more than 40 countries, and now it's affecting the global economy. Sam talks to two reporters from Marke...
Interview: Nick Kroll on 'Olympic Dreams' And 'Big Mouth'
25 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nick Kroll is the co-creator of the raunchy animated Netflix hit Big Mouth. The show (and Kroll) are known for over the top, strange, yet totally rela...
Weekly Wrap: The Rise of Bloomberg, Revisiting Oakland
21 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has been rising in the polls. He's spent more than $450 million on ads, but faced a big challenge Wednesday in his first...
Interview: R. Eric Thomas on 'Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America'
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
R. Eric Thomas writes a column that is part news, part culture and part celebrity shade for Elle.com. But in his new book, "Here for It: Or, How to Sa...
Weekly Wrap: Elections Are Too Modern, Evidently So Are Federal Buildings
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The nation's first caucus and primary are in the rear-view mirror, and states around the country are second-guessing their election systems after the ...
Interview: What Makes a Hit Pop Song
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listen up music composition nerds and music lovers! In this episode Sam is joined by Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding, co-hosts of the podcast Switched ...
Weekly Wrap: Oscars Still So White. So Is New Hampshire's Primary
07 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Oscars are Sunday and once again this year's nominees reflect an Academy that's still older, whiter, and more male. All five directing nominees a...
Roy Wood Jr. on Comedy, Criminal Justice, and Chicken Sandwiches
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Roy Wood Jr. has been a comedian since he was 19. He's a correspondent for 'The Daily Show with Trevor Noah' and has two Comedy Central specials unde...
Weekly Wrap: Coronavirus and Racism, Australia Fires, Kobe Bryant's Legacy
31 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a busy week in news. Australia's capital Canberra is menaced by wildfires and has declared a state of emergency. And the fast spread of the...
Interview: Prince's Iconic Moments
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Randee St. Nicholas met Prince for the first time in 1991, when she was hired to do their first shoot together. From there she captured some of his hi...
Weekly Wrap: Flint Water Crisis Continues, Hillary Clinton on Bernie Sanders
24 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As President Trump's impeachment trial starts in the Senate, we look to some ongoing stories to recap the week in news. An NPR investigation finds a g...
Interview: Author Jennifer Weiner On 'Mrs. Everything' & Plus-Size Representation In Books
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
NPR Code Switch correspondent Karen Grigsby Bates steps in for Sam. She is joined by best-selling author Jennifer Weiner, who has written popular book...
Weekly Wrap: Big Tech Gonna Big Tech, Congrats To 'Those Men' On Oscar Nods
17 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Guest host Elise Hu steps in again for Sam this week, this time from member station KQED in San Francisco. She's joined by Nitasha Tiku, tech culture...
Interview: Broadway Playwright Jeremy O. Harris On 'Slave Play'
14 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of Broadway's hottest tickets last year was a play with no big-name actors by a 30-year-old black queer writer. Jeremy O. Harris talks to Sam abou...
Weekly Wrap: Harvey Weinstein Trial Begins, Iran Conflict, Plus Getting Off Twitter
10 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elise Hu steps in for Sam this week, from member station WBEZ in Chicago. She's joined by NPR's Peter Sagal, host of 'Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!', an...
Interview: Jad Abumrad On 'Dolly Parton's America'
07 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You may know Jad Abumrad as the host of WNYC's 'Radiolab.' He tells Sam why he created another podcast, Dolly Parton's America, examining the life and...
How To Start Your 2020 Right: Advice From NPR's 'Life Kit'
06 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Wondering how to get a solid start on your New Year's resolution? Whether you're hoping to get your finances in better shape or change your diet, the ...
Encore Interview: Jimmy O. Yang From 'Silicon Valley'
31 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
'Silicon Valley' and 'Crazy Rich Asians' star Jimmy O. Yang spoke to Sam in 2018 about his book 'How To American: An Immigrant's Guide To Disappointin...
Encore Interview: Authors Candice Carty-Williams And Angie Thomas
27 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this special episode, Sam Sanders revisits his 2019 conversations with two writers whose books he loved: Candice Carty-Williams, author of 'Queenie...
Encore Interview: Maroon 5's PJ Morton On Reimagining Classic Christmas Songs
24 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Last Christmas PJ Morton released 'Christmas With PJ.' He and Sam spoke about putting new twists on holiday classics, and what his father — a legend...
Weekly Wrap: A Look Back At 2019 In Democracy, Protests And Business
20 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There were large-scale protests in countries across the globe the year. What do they signify about our current cultural moment? Plus a look back at th...
Why 'Friends' Remains So Successful — And So Divisive — Even In 2019
17 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The NBC sitcom 'Friends' has been around for 25 years, and its popularity endures. Netflix says 'Friends' was the second most popular show on its stre...
Weekly Wrap: How Cities Are Responding To Homelessness, Plus All About Flu Season
13 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Cities across the United States are struggling to figure out how to best respond to rising populations of people experiencing homelessness, especially...