Danielle Pinnock got her big break in the wildly popular sitcom Ghosts. But just before she landed that role, she nearly quit acting.

She tells Sam how a ton of hard work (and a little bit of lying and scamming) finally got her noticed. Danielle also breaks down why she continues fighting for Black stories and body acceptance in Hollywood. Plus, her latest hot take gets us in the mood for the holiday season.

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Sports betting is a billion dollar industry chock full of scandals. 

Journalist Baker Machado breaks down how gambling has infiltrated sports from the collegiate to professional level, how players get involved, and how betting companies push fans into spending money they often can’t afford to lose. Spoiler alert: it’s all legal. 

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Samin Nosrat found a love for cooking through working in acclaimed restaurants and visiting kitchens around the world. She became a star after releasing her hit cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – which also became a Netflix series. But to her surprise, all that success left her feeling empty. 

Sam chatted with Samin in her ‘secret garden,’ surrounded by kumquats, limes and passion fruit. She broke down how hard it was to recover in the spotlight, and how she learned to embrace life’s pleasures. Plus, she dishes on the healing powers of dinner parties and gives advice for pulling them off yourself.

Samin Nosrat’s new book is called Good Things.

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Author Michael Lewis is best known for writing Money Ball, Liar's Poker and The Big Short, his seminal book about the 2008 financial crisis that later became an Oscar-winning film. He sat down with Sam for a recent Live Talk Los Angeles event to celebrate the 15 year anniversary and new audio book of The Big Short.

They revisit the biggest lessons from 2008 and reflect on what’s changed —and stayed the same— in finance, society and entertainment since then. Plus, he shares what’s making him happy during these tumultuous times.

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Comedian Jay Jurden loves seeing just how far he can push a joke. 

In his debut special, Yes Ma’am, Jay makes fun of everyone from millennials to Kid Rock to his own open marriage. Sam chats with Jay about his writing process, why you won’t hear a single Trump joke in his set, and why every comedian who has ever made fun of you might owe you money. 

Jay Jurden’s debut special Yes Ma’am is out now on Hulu. 

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

For the first time in 35 years, there are no rap songs in Billboard’s Top 40. Is hip-hop in trouble? 

Sam breaks down what it all means with Justin Richmond, music journalist and host of Pushkin’s Broken Record podcast. The two chat about the warning signs that might have led to this moment, how hip hop has evolved, and how Black music continues to influence artists across genres today. 

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

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 couldn't care less if the app shuts down. Plus, Jazmyn’s hot take on reality dating shows.  

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Surprise! From now on you’ll be getting double the Sam in your feed every week. 

In today's episode...When Sam placed Jaws on our Horror Movie Mt. Rushmore our videographer, Luis Peña, had A LOT to say. Sam and Luis duke it out and find out once and for all what actually makes a horror movie a horror movie.  

The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

We were all burned by the #GIRLBOSS era… just ask comedian Phoebe Robinson. Her latest standup special I Don’t Wanna Work Anymore gets into all the ways hustle culture made us all tired. 

Phoebe and Sam break down the realities of the girlboss, trad wives and tired baddies everywhere. They also reflect on the legacy of her comedy podcast 2 Dope Queens, which she hosted with friend and fellow comedian Jessica Williams. Plus, Phoebe shares why it’s just too late for her to become a sugar baby. 

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.

Hallelujah! It's finally spooky season! Time to break down the very best of Hollywood horror. Joining the show are culture journalists Brittany Luse (host of NPR’s It’s Been a Minute) and Tre’vell Anderson (host of the film podcast SEATED). 

They rank their favorite scary movies of all time and build the definitive Horror Movie Mount Rushmore. Can anything top Jordan Peele's Get Out? They also dive into the drama of celebrating Halloween while growing up Christian. Plus, pop culture hot takes! Swifties, you’ve been warned. 

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The Sam Sanders Show is a production of KCRW and Sam Sanders Productions.