It's Been A Minute With Sam Sanders

A migrant caravan, Scott Pruitt, James Brown, edible glitter, and 'Jesus Christ Superstar.' NPR 'Embedded' host Kelly McEvers (@kellymcevers) and Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) join Sam to talk about the week that was, plus an in depth look at police shootings of unarmed people. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org and tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with feels.

The Oscar-winning actor stars in a new HBO drama that follows one multicultural family's struggle to navigate American life post-election-2016. Tim also talks about his work in the theater, and why he'll never get tired of talking about 'The Shawshank Redemption.' Email the show at samsanders@npr.org and tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with feels.

Hacking for bitcoin, Stormy Daniels, privacy on Facebook, and sliceable ketchup. NPR Business Reporter Alina Selyukh (alinaselyukh) and Vanessa Romo (@vanromo), reporter for NPR's The Two-Way blog, join Sam to talk about the week that was. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org and tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with feels.

Zach Braff's character in the new ABC sitcom 'Alex, Inc.' is based on Alex Blumberg, who founded the podcast company Gimlet Media, and chronicled it in the podcast 'Start Up'. They talk to Sam about how the new TV show came to be. Follow @zachbraff, @abexlumberg, and @Gimletmedia. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org and tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with feels.

Cambridge Analytica, sanctuary cities, Blockbuster, and the Backstreet Boys. New York Times immigration reporter Caitlin Dickerson (@itscaitlinhd) and David Greene (@nprgreene), host of NPR's Morning Edition and Up First, join Sam to talk about the week that was. Plus, a call to a listener in Finland, and the best things that happened to listeners all week. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org and tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with feels.

Hillary Clinton's former Communications Director dishes about the 2016 campaign and its aftermath in a new book written as an open letter to the future first female president, "Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to Women Who Will Run The World." Jennifer Palmieri (@jmpalmieri) talks to Sam about the rigors of the campaign, how voters responded to Hillary Clinton's candidacy, crying at work, working in the Obama White House, and a confrontational post-election meeting with Kellyanne Conway. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org and tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with feels.

The revolving door at the White House, an irritated Chinese reporter, "norms- engineering," and an unexpected guest at a pro-hockey game. NPR's Invisibilia hosts Alix Spiegel (@aspiegelnpr) and Hanna Rosin (@HannaRosin) join Sam to talk about the week that was. Plus a call to a mom in Newtown, Connecticut, along with the best things that happened to listeners all week. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org and tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with feels.

Fried butterball potatoes. Tapioca lo mein. Crispy pork belly. Those are just a few of the items on the menu at majordōmo, the new restaurant from chef David Chang of Momofuku fame. Sam met up with David at majordōmo in Los Angeles, where they talked food, racial identity, and his new Netflix show, 'Ugly Delicious.' Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels.

Tariffs, day-cares, and laughing Alexas. Senior early childhood reporter for KPCC Priska Neely (@priskaneely) and NPR Business Correspondent Sonari Glinton (@Sonari) join Sam to talk news and culture of the week. Plus a call to a gun owner in Orlando, FL, and the best things that happened to our listeners all week. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels.

He plays Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles on FX's Atlanta. He's also starred in the original Broadway cast of The Book of Mormon and HBO's Vice Principals, and earned an Emmy nomination for his guest-starring role on NBC's This Is Us. Sam talks to Brian about his path to acting, the success of Atlanta, the city of Atlanta, show creator Donald Glover, how his mother figures into the character of Paper Boi, and his good friend Sterling K. Brown. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels.

It's Sam's first show in LA, and it's Oscar weekend. Variety/Access Live contributor Audrey Cleo (@audreycleo) and Wall Street Journal reporter Erich Schwartzel (@erichschwartzel) join Sam to talk about the Academy Awards, the state of the film industry, and more news and culture of the week. Plus a call to a listener in Oakland, CA, and the best things that happened to our listeners all week. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels.

Sam talks about the success of Black Panther and where Hollywood goes next with writer Glen Weldon (@ghweldon) from NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour and Evan Narcisse (@EvNarc), who's writing Rise of the Black Panther for Marvel Comics. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels.

The Parkland shooting, a wrap on the 2018 Olympic Games, and the mood at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Sam looks back at the week's news and more with PBS White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) and VICE News correspondent Evan McMorris-Santoro. (@EvanMcS). Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels. And PS — thanks for all the dog pics! Keep 'em coming.

Ann Curry, journalist and former host of Today on NBC, hosts a new PBS series called We'll Meet Again, documenting dramatic reunions of people whose lives crossed at pivotal moments. She talks to Sam about the series, the MeToo movement, and the reunion story in her own life. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with your feedback.

Music from Black Panther, the Pyeongchang Olympics, and a new champion show-dog. Sam looks back at the week's news and more with NPR International Correspondent Elise Hu (@elisewho) and NPR editor Barrie Hardymon (@bhardymon). Plus music from Nick Hakim (@nick_hakim). Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels.

In honor of Valentine's Day this week, a look at what happens AFTER you get married. Sam talks to PBS reporter and author Liz Flock about her new book, The Heart is a Shifting Sea: Love and Marriage in Mumbai. Liz spent about 10 years following three Indian couples in both love and arranged marriages. In a country that is rapidly changing, how do those changes impact marriage? Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with your feedback.

Space Jam, another government shutdown, military parades, and stock shock. Sam looks back at the week's news and more with New York Times reporter Sopan Deb (@SopanDeb) and comedian and Fake the Nation host Negin Farsad (@NeginFarsad). Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels.

Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) is a rising star in the Democratic party hoping to unseat Republican Senator Ted Cruz, which would make him the first Democrat to win statewide office in Texas since 1994. And he's trying to do it without party consultants, pollsters, and PAC money. O'Rourke talks to Sam about Texas politics, immigration policy, campaigning, how he got into public service, the President's State of the Union address, and Kit-Kats. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with your feedback.

Grammys Gonna Grammy, the State of the Union, and the state of pro football on Super Bowl weekend. Sam looks back at the week's news and more with NPR reporter Vanessa Romo (@vanromo) and Stephen Thompson (@idislikestephen) of NPR Music and Pop Culture Happy Hour. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenaMin with feels.

Carrie Brownstein was a member of indie rock band Sleater-Kinney for years before starring in and co-executive producing Portlandia. But the award-winning IFC show is taking its final bow this spring. Carrie chats with Sam about working with co-star Fred Armisen, the show's satirizing of liberals, and being a riot grrrl. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with your feedback.