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.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “I Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer” by Angel Nafis Sign up for Saeed’s Webinar: https://www.patreon.com/VibeCheck/posts/161968229?utm_campaign=postshare_fan

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.

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.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem: “The Two-Headed Calf” by Laura Gilpin

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.

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 the next few months might have in store for them personally.

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.

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. ------------------------------------------------------

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.

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 Becoming a Grown-Up

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.