Best Get Random With Sam Podcasts (2025)

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What Next | She Won the Election. The GOP Won’t Swear Her In. 27:02

Play Pause

3h ago27:02

27:02

She won a special election on Sept. 23 but still hasn’t been sworn into the House of Representatives—even though new members have been sworn in during government shutdowns in the past. What explains Speaker Mike Johnson’s now record-long delay? Guest: Adelita Grijalva, representative-elect for Arizona’s 7th congressional district. Want more What Ne…

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How To! | Talk to Contractors (With Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust) 49:35

13h ago49:35

49:35

Sam Sanders is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He’s also ”quite possibly the world's most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn’t have a clue where to start. Second, he’s not very handy. And thir…

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How To! | Talk to Contractors (With Sam Sanders and Mercury Stardust) 49:35

13h ago49:35

49:35

Sam Sanders is many things: journalist, podcaster, pop-culture obsessive, and a familiar voice from public radio. He’s also ”quite possibly the world's most hesitant homeowner.” Sam wants to fix up the house he recently bought, but three things are holding him back: First, he doesn’t have a clue where to start. Second, he’s not very handy. And thir…

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Death, Sex & Money | After SNL, Ego Nwodim Has Her Weekends Back 52:50

14h ago52:50

52:50

This September when SNL announced its season 51 cast, Ego Nwodim made the cut. Then, just days later, she announced on social media that she was leaving the show. "The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight," she wrote. In this episode, she talks about learning to trust her body when making big decisions, growing up in a fam…

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Death, Sex & Money | After SNL, Ego Nwodim Has Her Weekends Back 52:50

5h ago52:50

52:50

This September when SNL announced its season 51 cast, Ego Nwodim made the cut. Then, just days later, she announced on social media that she was leaving the show. "The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight," she wrote. In this episode, she talks about learning to trust her body when making big decisions, growing up in a fam…

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Hang Up | A World Series for the Ages 1:19:29

22h ago1:19:29

1:19:29

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh discuss what was possibly the greatest World Series of all time. Then they’re joined by Matt Brown, the publisher of Extra Points, to break down the competing Republican and Democratic proposals that could reshape the future of college sports. Finally, the Hang Up podfather Josh Levin returns to…

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Hang Up | A World Series for the Ages 1:19:29

22h ago1:19:29

1:19:29

Hosts Alex Kirshner, Lindsay Gibbs, and Ben Lindbergh discuss what was possibly the greatest World Series of all time. Then they’re joined by Matt Brown, the publisher of Extra Points, to break down the competing Republican and Democratic proposals that could reshape the future of college sports. Finally, the Hang Up podfather Josh Levin returns to…

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What Next | The Redistricting Arms Race Is On 29:05

1d ago29:05

29:05

Fearing a Democratic-led House of Representatives, Donald Trump set off a state-redistricting arms race when he asked Texas to find him five more safe GOP seats. This triggered California to go hunting for five more Democratic seats, and states like North Carolina and Missouri to search for other seats in the margins. But in some states, Trump’s de…

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Care & Feeding | Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling 44:12

1d ago44:12

44:12

On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen dig into homeschooling kids. They bring on special guest Julie Bogart from Brave Writer to dig into the history and current day trends of homeschooling, who should homeschool and who shouldn't, why people choose to homeschool, and so much more! Join us on Facebook and email us at careand…

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Care & Feeding | Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling 44:12

6h ago44:12

44:12

On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen dig into homeschooling kids. They bring on special guest Julie Bogart from Brave Writer to dig into the history and current day trends of homeschooling, who should homeschool and who shouldn't, why people choose to homeschool, and so much more! Join us on Facebook and email us at careand…

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Slate Money | A Second Gold Toilet!? 55:43

4d ago55:43

55:43

This week: OpenAI has moved away from being run as a non-profit. Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss the stated reasons behind the move and what it actually means to be a not-for-profit company. Then, the rates for next year's Affordable Care Act marketplace insurance have come out, and the prices have skyrocketed, reflecting an …

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ICYMI: Can The Internet Save Animation? 43:20

4d ago43:20

43:20

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by producer Vic Whitley-Berry, whose favorite animated shows like Hazbin Hotel have been funded by the internet—not big studios. In fact, as major studios consolidate and cut resources for animation, platforms like Patreon and YouTube are keeping the genre afloat. If we don’t continue to support indep…

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ICYMI: Can The Internet Save Animation? 43:20

4d ago43:20

43:20

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by producer Vic Whitley-Berry, whose favorite animated shows like Hazbin Hotel have been funded by the internet—not big studios. In fact, as major studios consolidate and cut resources for animation, platforms like Patreon and YouTube are keeping the genre afloat. If we don’t continue to support indep…

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Amicus | The Federal Judiciary Is Trapped 1:07:56

4d ago1:07:56

1:07:56

“The Chief Justice… is presiding over the end of the rule of law in America”. That quote did not come from host Dahlia Lithwick, but this week’s guest, former Federal Circuit Court Judge and George H. W. Bush appointee, J Michael Luttig. On this week’s show, Judge Luttig explains the unprecedented split we’re seeing between the federal courts and t…

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Hit Parade | If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 2 55:27

4d ago55:27

55:27

Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” sooner or later. Thanks to that ubiquity, the swooning, menacing megahit’s songwriter—Sting—is a very wealthy man. Now his former bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, are suing Sting over who deserves to profit from “Breath” and other Poli…

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Hit Parade | If You Love Sting, Set Him Free Edition Part 2 55:27

4d ago55:27

55:27

Walk into any store or flip on a radio, and you’ll probably hear the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” sooner or later. Thanks to that ubiquity, the swooning, menacing megahit’s songwriter—Sting—is a very wealthy man. Now his former bandmates, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, are suing Sting over who deserves to profit from “Breath” and other Poli…

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Rad Dads! - Zombie Paintball Churro 1:18:12

4d ago1:18:12

1:18:12

Chris's friend Matt Kappler returns with the addition of Mike Phirman to have a fun dad chat about Halloween, whether or not to build up a movie you loved as a kid before you show it to your own kids, and what's up with Ms. Frizzle?? Plus, clunky billion-dollar ideas! AND stick around for a great bonus chat clip with Chris's 3-year-old daughter Dim…

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Is the Grind of a Comedian Never-Ending? 32:30

5d ago32:30

32:30

Comedian Jazmyn W. pokes fun at everything from being a single mom to dating post-divorce. It’s part therapy, part life advice, and 100% real. She chats with Sam about why she isn’t afraid to be honest in her stand up, the realities of working as a comedian and content creator, and why even though she has over a million followers on TikTok, she cou…

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What Next: TBD | Inside the Goonerverse 29:52

5d ago29:52

29:52

One legacy of the internet is the millions of subcultures that it helps flourish. Another is pornography—and lots of it. At a “gooner meet-up,” the two collide. Guest: Daniel Kolitz, author of “⁠⁠The Goon Squad⁠⁠” for Harper’s Magazine. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and al…

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What Next: TBD | Inside the Goonerverse 29:52

5d ago29:52

29:52

One legacy of the internet is the millions of subcultures that it helps flourish. Another is pornography—and lots of it. At a “gooner meet-up,” the two collide. Guest: David Kolitz, author of “The Goon Squad” for Harper’s Magazine. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all you…

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Political Gabfest | Live from Chicago! 1:19:00

5d ago1:19:00

1:19:00

This week, live from Chicago to celebrate 20 years of the Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the Trump vs. Chicago showdown and the dynamics between progressive and centrist Democrats with former Chicago Mayor and Obama White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, what threat President Trump poses to the future of…

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What Next | How Will We Feed Our Neighbors? 32:20

6d ago32:20

32:20

Why SNAP benefits potentially won’t be replenished Nov. 1, and what happens to the people who depend on them to eat. Guest: Dr. Lindsay Allen, health economist and policy researcher at Northwestern University. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate po…

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Care & Feeding | When Alcoholism Impacts the Children In Your Life 40:04

6d ago40:04

40:04

On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen have a tough listener question about what to do when a relative is an alcoholic and don’t think the environment is safe for the relative’s kid. To answer this question, they’re joined by Lisa Smith from Parallel Recovery. They unpack how to set real boundaries with family members without…

1
Care & Feeding | When Alcoholism Impacts the Children In Your Life 40:04

6d ago40:04

40:04

On this episode: Lucy Lopez, Elizabeth Newcamp, and Zak Rosen have a tough listener question about what to do when a relative is an alcoholic and don’t think the environment is safe for the relative’s kid. To answer this question, they’re joined by Lisa Smith from Parallel Recovery. They unpack how to set real boundaries with family members without…

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Is Jaws Really a Horror Movie? 27:46

6d ago27:46

27:46

It’s a bonus episode! From now on you’ll get Sam in your feed two times a week with a new segment we’re calling Not Safe for Radio. Sam will chat with friends, writers, podcasters (and sometimes the team behind this show) about what we’re obsessed with to what we’re reading to pop culture hot topics and more. This week… When Sam placed Jaws on our …

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What Next | The Volunteers Taking on ICE 28:17

7d ago28:17

28:17

Having successfully gotten their photo ops, the National Guard receded from the streets of Los Angeles, but an aggressive border patrol, with an eye on raising arrest numbers, has taken their place. In the South Bay, an activist group has formed to monitor where raids are happening, who’s conducting them, and try to help residents keep themselves s…

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Outward | 4: Friends in the Fire | When We All Get to Heaven 50:44

7d ago50:44

50:44

As MCC grew as a denomination, they tried to figure out if and how to relate to other churches. Would any befriend a queer church? And if so, would that friendship help other churches shift their perspective on homosexuality? These questions got harder as AIDS numbers grew—it made people more afraid yet friendship more vital. But sometimes friendsh…

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ICYMI | Halloween Used to Be Fun Online 45:20

7d ago45:20

45:20

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Jonquilyn Hill, host of Vox’s Explain It To Me podcast. The pair chat about how the internet used to celebrate Halloween, from spooky Twitter display names to Snapchat filters, and why no one wants to be earnest online anymore. However, today’s internet is still filled with plenty of scary stuff, w…

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ICYMI | Halloween Used to Be Fun Online 45:20

7d ago45:20

45:20

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Jonquilyn Hill, host of Vox’s Explain It To Me podcast. The pair chat about how the internet used to celebrate Halloween, from spooky Twitter display names to Snapchat filters, and why no one wants to be earnest online anymore. However, today’s internet is still filled with plenty of scary stuff, w…

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Culture Gabfest: Netflix Goes Nuclear with A House of Dynamite Edition 1:03:08

7d ago1:03:08

1:03:08

On this week’s show, Dana is joined by fellow movie critics Amy Nicholson of The Los Angeles Times and Slate’s Sam Adams for an all-film edition of the Gabfest. First up, they enter A House of Dynamite, Kathryn Bigelow’s tense procedural about a nuclear catastrophe. Whether or not this grim thriller has any spark is up for debate. Next, they step i…

1
Culture Gabfest: Netflix Goes Nuclear with A House of Dynamite Edition 1:03:08

7d ago1:03:08

1:03:08

On this week’s show, Dana is joined by fellow movie critics Amy Nicholson of The Los Angeles Times and Slate’s Sam Adams for an all-film edition of the Gabfest. First up, they enter A House of Dynamite, Kathryn Bigelow’s tense procedural about a nuclear catastrophe. Whether or not this grim thriller has any spark is up for debate. Next, they step i…

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What Next | Where Sports Betting Got Us 29:45

8d ago29:45

29:45

Last week, the FBI indicted more than 30 people in a series of NBA gambling scandals. The sports leagues are promising drastic action – but with everyone from the states to the owners getting rich off legal sports gambling, is the game rigged? Guest: Jay Willis, editor-in-chief of Balls and Strikes. Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to a…