Sam Sanders
Sam Sanders is a correspondent and host of It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders at NPR. In the show, Sanders engages with journalists, actors, musicians, and listeners to gain the kind of understanding about news and popular culture that can only be reached through conversation. The podcast releases two episodes each week: a "deep dive" interview on Tuesdays, as well as a Friday wrap of the week's news.
Previously, as a key member of NPR's election unit, Sam covered the intersection of culture, pop culture, and politics in the 2016 election, and embedded with the Bernie Sanders campaign for several months. He was also one of the original co-hosts of NPR's Politics Podcast, which launched in 2015.
Sanders joined NPR in 2009 as a Kroc Fellow, and since then has worn many hats within the organization, including field producer and breaking news reporter. He's spent time at three Member stations as well: WUNC in North Carolina, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and WBUR in Boston, as an intern for On Point.
Sanders graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2009 with a master's degree in public policy, with a focus on media and politics. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, with a double major in political science and music.
In his free time, Sanders runs, eats bacon, and continues his love/hate relationship with Twitter.
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Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Lizzo playing James Madison's flute, Usher's thirst traps, and more.
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Each week, the guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Horror in the High Desert, Emily the Criminal, and more.
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Janet Jackson's Control turns 35 this week. NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Sam Sanders of It's Been A Minute, who investigated the album's making and legacy to commemorate the anniversary.
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Singer-songwriter Yebba is out with her debut album, Dawn, named after her late mom. She describes the emotional toll she suffered making the album.
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The film Zola is based on a 148-tweet thread from 2015 — involving a 48-hour wild journey of partying, stripping and gangsters. Riley Keough is one of the stars of Zola.
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Boyega has been outspoken about systemic racism in Hollywood. Last year, he talked about how his character in Star Wars was sidelined, along with the other characters played by actors of color.
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Lee's heist thriller centers on five Black veterans who return to Vietnam. Lee says one scene with Chadwick Boseman took on particular resonance after the actor's death from cancer in August 2020.
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Bassett plays world-renowned jazz saxophonist Dorothea Williams in Disney/Pixar's latest animated film. She talks about that role, as well as the challenges she's faced as a Black woman in Hollywood.
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In 1968, several prominent anti-war activists were accused of conspiring to start a riot at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Sorkin's new film captures their infamous trial.
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NPR's Sam Sanders, host of the NPR podcast It's Been A Minute, talks to comedian Bowen Yang about the upcoming season of Saturday Night Live, and navigating queer and Asian identities on the show.