Vibe Check

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach kick off the return of the Hey, Sis mini-series with special guest Ashley Cunningham, owner of Bad Ash Bakes in Pasadena, California. Ashley talks about starting out in cooking competitions at just 16, working as a line cook, and later becoming a private chef for NBA players before launching her baking business. She also shares how going viral during the pandemic helped jumpstart her career in baking, and the highs and lows that come with social media virality. Ashley also reflects on building a brand rooted in her tagline: “Love Made Visible.” Order cookies every 3rd week of the month at www.badashbakes.com

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach are joined by returning guest, journalist Afeef Nessouli, reporting live from Beirut, Lebanon. He breaks down what’s really happening in Iran and across the Middle East — and what life on the ground looks like amid rising tensions. Then, Saeed and Zach unpack the flashbacks this moment is triggering from the post-9/11 era, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “I don’t usually talk to strangers” from DON’T LET ME BE LONELY (2004) by Claudia Rankine

On this episode of Vibe Check LIVE, Saeed and Zach head to Boston for a special live taping with special guest, classical composer Carlos Simon. They talk about Carlos writing music for America’s 250th anniversary, how faith and spirituality shape his work, his newest piece, Good News Mass, and more. Plus, they close out the conversation with an audience Q&A.

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed and Zach break down the political drama surrounding the Berlin Film Festival 2026 (Berlinale). Then, they dive into Tyra Banks and the new documentary Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, unpacking how the show’s cruelty reflected its era, and how it functioned as part of a broader cultural machine built to break women down. Plus, they share their latest picks for “the vibes are on” and “the vibes are off.” ------------------------------------------------------ Saeed’s Poem of the Week: “How Can Black People Write About Flowers at a Time Like This” by Hanif Abdurraqib

On this episode of Vibe Check, Saeed speaks to author Namwali Serpell about her new book, On Morrison. They talk about their personal relationships to Toni Morrison’s work, the shortcomings of academic approaches to teaching literature, why difficult books are worth the effort, and more. Namwali Serpell’s Book On Morrison is out now!