Twelve years ago this week, presidential candidate Barack Obama gave what became a historic speech about race. He spoke in response to video that surfaced of his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, heatedly criticizing America's foreign policy and treatment of African-Americans. In his speech, Obama urged racial harmony and understanding. Sam is joined by political commentators, activists and academics to see if the speech's message still holds up.

It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders

Obama's Historic 'Race Speech' -12 Years Later

The coronavirus may force you to stay at home for the next few weeks, but here's how to successfully wait out a pandemic. <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/3813466/bob-mondello">Bob Mondello</a>, film critic for NPR, tells Sam what movies to catch up on while self-quarantined, with some tips for film-watching etiquette. And with more people working from home, <a href="https://www.npr.org/people/7535832/barrie-hardymon">Barrie Hardymon</a>, senior editor at <a href="https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/">Weekend Edition</a>, recommends shows, movies and games both parents and kids can enjoy. Then, Sam talks to Edgar Ortiz, a student at Berea College in Kentucky. Like millions of American students, Ortiz is facing the closure of his campus and preparing to finish the semester online. Sam also talks to reporter <a href="https://twitter.com/radiogirlmurphy?lang=en">Trish Murphy</a>, host of podcast <a href="https://www.kuow.org/podcasts/seattlenow">Seattle Now</a>, about what it's like to see an empty Seattle ⁠— America's coronavirus epicenter.

The coronavirus may force you to stay at home for the next few weeks, but here's how to successfully wait out a pandemic. Bob Mondello, film critic for NPR, tells Sam what movies to catch up on while self-quarantined, with some tips for film-watching etiquette. And with more people working from home, Barrie Hardymon, senior editor at Weekend Edition, recommends shows, movies and games both parents and kids can enjoy. Then, Sam talks to Edgar Ortiz, a student at Berea College in Kentucky. Like millions of American students, Ortiz is facing the closure of his campus and preparing to finish the semester online. Sam also talks to reporter Trish Murphy, host of podcast Seattle Now, about what it's like to see an empty Seattle ⁠— America's coronavirus epicenter.

Weekly Wrap: Everything Is Canceled, Here Are Some Distractions

Daniel Mallory Ortberg is the writer behind Slate's Dear Prudence advice column. But now in his new book, Something That May Shock and Discredit You, Ortberg writes about something closer to home: his journey of transition from Mallory to Daniel. He talks to Sam about his relationship with religion, the power of self-knowledge and being able to fully own who you are. Email the show at <a href="mailto:samsanders@npr.org">samsanders@npr.org</a>.

Daniel Mallory Ortberg is the writer behind Slate's Dear Prudence advice column. But now in his new book, Something That May Shock and Discredit You, Ortberg writes about something closer to home: his journey of transition from Mallory to Daniel. He talks to Sam about his relationship with religion, the power of self-knowledge and being able to fully own who you are.Email the show at samsanders@npr.org.

Interview: Daniel Mallory Ortberg on 'Something That May Shock and Discredit You'

It's an all-NPR show! Sam talks with two fellow correspondents about big stories in the news this week. <a href="https://twitter.com/svaneksmith">Stacey Vanek Smith</a>, co-host of NPR's <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510325/the-indicator-from-planet-money">The Indicator from Planet Money</a>, tells Sam about the "coronabump" — consumer goods and services that are seeing a spike in business because of the virus outbreak. And NPR's <a href="https://twitter.com/QuilLawrence">Quil Lawrence</a> talks about the negotiated withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years at war. Then Sam talks to <a href="https://twitter.com/HiddenBrain">Shankar Vedantam</a>, host of NPR's <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510308/hidden-brain">Hidden Brain</a>, about how we can keep our fears of coronavirus in perspective.

It's an all-NPR show! Sam talks with two fellow correspondents about big stories in the news this week. Stacey Vanek Smith, co-host of NPR's The Indicator from Planet Money, tells Sam about the "coronabump" — consumer goods and services that are seeing a spike in business because of the virus outbreak. And NPR's Quil Lawrence talks about the negotiated withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years at war. Then Sam talks to Shankar Vedantam, host of NPR's Hidden Brain, about how we can keep our fears of coronavirus in perspective.

Weekly Wrap: Afghanistan Withdrawal, Coronavirus Fears

Pamela Adlon is the writer, star, director and co-creator of Better Things on FX. The television comedy-drama follows Adlon's character, Sam, as a divorced actress, raising three kids in Los Angeles. In real life, Adlon is a divorced actress, raising three kids in Los Angeles. Sam talks to Adlon about her career, seeing your parents as real-life people, and the awful, crazy, beautiful experience of being a parent yourself. Email the show at <a href="mailto:samsanders@npr.org">samsanders@npr.org</a>.

Pamela Adlon is the writer, star, director and co-creator of Better Things on FX. The television comedy-drama follows Adlon's character, Sam, as a divorced actress, raising three kids in Los Angeles. In real life, Adlon is a divorced actress, raising three kids in Los Angeles. Sam talks to Adlon about her career, seeing your parents as real-life people, and the awful, crazy, beautiful experience of being a parent yourself.Email the show at samsanders@npr.org.

Interview: Pamela Adlon on 'Better Things'

The fast-moving coronavirus has turned up in more than 40 countries, and now it's affecting the global economy. Sam talks to two reporters from <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/">Marketplace </a>about the financial impact of the virus. <a href="https://twitter.com/mariellesegarra?lang=en">Marielle Segarra</a> details how consumers might feel its consequences, while <a href="https://twitter.com/reemakhrais">Reema Khrais</a>, host of the podcast <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/shows/this-is-uncomfortable-reema-khrais/">This Is Uncomfortable</a>, explains how the US government is trying to respond. Then, Sam talks to <a href="https://twitter.com/markanthonycue?lang=en">Mark Cuevas</a>, a contestant on the Netflix show Love Is Blind, about his time on the show. He follows up that conversation with <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/regional/">Washington Post</a> TV critic <a href="https://twitter.com/hankstuever">Hank Stuever</a>, to break down the popularity of shows where contestants can't see each other.

The fast-moving coronavirus has turned up in more than 40 countries, and now it's affecting the global economy. Sam talks to two reporters from Marketplace about the financial impact of the virus. Marielle Segarra details how consumers might feel its consequences, while Reema Khrais, host of the podcast This Is Uncomfortable, explains how the US government is trying to respond. Then, Sam talks to Mark Cuevas, a contestant on the Netflix show Love Is Blind, about his time on the show. He follows up that conversation with Washington Post TV critic Hank Stuever, to break down the popularity of shows where contestants can't see each other.

Weekly Wrap: Coronavirus and the Markets; 'Love Is Blind' is Final Boss Reality TV

Nick Kroll is the co-creator of the raunchy animated Netflix hit Big Mouth. The show (and Kroll) are known for over the top, strange, yet totally relatable comedy. Now, Kroll is out with a new film in which he plays a romantic lead for the first time. Olympic Dreams was filmed at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. He tells Sam about making the movie and how it has a lot in common with Big Mouth.

Nick Kroll is the co-creator of the raunchy animated Netflix hit Big Mouth. The show (and Kroll) are known for over the top, strange, yet totally relatable comedy. Now, Kroll is out with a new film in which he plays a romantic lead for the first time. Olympic Dreams was filmed at the 2018 Olympics in South Korea. He tells Sam about making the movie and how it has a lot in common with Big Mouth.

Interview: Nick Kroll on 'Olympic Dreams' And 'Big Mouth'

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has been rising in the polls. He's spent more than $450 million on ads, but faced a big challenge Wednesday in his first presidential debate. This week, Sam talks to two journalists who have covered Bloomberg for years. <a href="https://twitter.com/RosieGray">Rosie Gray</a>, a reporter for <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/">Buzzfeed News</a>, says that his lackluster debate performance shows that there is a limit to the power of money on the campaign trail. <a href="https://twitter.com/mattfleg">Matt Flegenheimer</a>, a national political reporter for <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/">The New York Times</a>, details how Bloomberg is using his wealth to run a very different campaign than his competitors. Then, Sam revisits his <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/02/09/693077292/beyond-parkland-oakland-kids-who-experience-gun-violence-every-day">reporting from Oakland last year</a> on the realities of young people living with gun violence every day.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has been rising in the polls. He's spent more than $450 million on ads, but faced a big challenge Wednesday in his first presidential debate. This week, Sam talks to two journalists who have covered Bloomberg for years. Rosie Gray, a reporter for Buzzfeed News, says that his lackluster debate performance shows that there is a limit to the power of money on the campaign trail. Matt Flegenheimer, a national political reporter for The New York Times, details how Bloomberg is using his wealth to run a very different campaign than his competitors. Then, Sam revisits his reporting from Oakland last year on the realities of young people living with gun violence every day.

Weekly Wrap: The Rise of Bloomberg, Revisiting Oakland

R. Eric Thomas writes a column that is part news, part culture and part celebrity shade for <a href="http://elle.com">Elle.com</a>. But in his new book, "Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America," Thomas takes a look at his own life. He talks to Sam about his love of words, growing up as a gay black teenager and finding love in an unexpected place. Email the show at <a href="mailto:samsanders@npr.org">samsanders@npr.org</a>.

R. Eric Thomas writes a column that is part news, part culture and part celebrity shade for Elle.com. But in his new book, "Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America," Thomas takes a look at his own life. He talks to Sam about his love of words, growing up as a gay black teenager and finding love in an unexpected place. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org.

Interview: R. Eric Thomas on 'Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America'

The nation's first caucus and primary are in the rear-view mirror, and states around the country are second-guessing their election systems after the app used in the Iowa Caucus failed. <a href="https://twitter.com/MilesParks">Miles Parks</a>, a reporter on NPR's Washington Desk, talks about how the state of Nevada is learning lessons from Iowa, including keeping the process slow so that results are certain. <a href="https://twitter.com/libdenk">Libby Denkmann</a>, senior politics reporter at member station <a href="https://www.scpr.org/">KPCC</a>, discusses how Los Angeles County is creating its own voting system — a hybrid of paper and electronic systems. Then, Sam talks with writer and architecture critic <a href="https://mcmansionhell.com/">Kate Wagner</a> about why a proposed rule from the Trump administration that would mandate "classical style" for new federal buildings is angering the design world.

The nation's first caucus and primary are in the rear-view mirror, and states around the country are second-guessing their election systems after the app used in the Iowa Caucus failed. Miles Parks, a reporter on NPR's Washington Desk, talks about how the state of Nevada is learning lessons from Iowa, including keeping the process slow so that results are certain. Libby Denkmann, senior politics reporter at member station KPCC, discusses how Los Angeles County is creating its own voting system — a hybrid of paper and electronic systems. Then, Sam talks with writer and architecture critic Kate Wagner about why a proposed rule from the Trump administration that would mandate "classical style" for new federal buildings is angering the design world.

Weekly Wrap: Elections Are Too Modern, Evidently So Are Federal Buildings

Listen up music composition nerds and music lovers! In this episode Sam is joined by <a href="https://twitter.com/neatsloan">Nate Sloan</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/charlieharding">Charlie Harding</a>, co-hosts of the podcast <a href="https://www.vox.com/switched-on-pop">Switched On Pop</a>. They break down what makes a song: why certain pop songs become ear worms and what their form and structure mean for the future of music. Answers to those questions and more that will leave you singing along. Sloan and Harding's recent book is called Switched On Pop: How Popular Music Works and Why It Matters.

Listen up music composition nerds and music lovers! In this episode Sam is joined by Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding, co-hosts of the podcast Switched On Pop. They break down what makes a song: why certain pop songs become ear worms and what their form and structure mean for the future of music. Answers to those questions and more that will leave you singing along. Sloan and Harding's recent book is called Switched On Pop: How Popular Music Works and Why It Matters.

Interview: What Makes a Hit Pop Song

The Oscars are Sunday and once again this year's nominees reflect an Academy that's still older, whiter, and more male. All five directing nominees are men, and 19 of 20 nominees for acting are white. <a href="https://twitter.com/adambvary"> Adam B. Vary</a>, Senior Entertainment Writer for <a href="https://variety.com/">Variety</a>, tells Sam the best-reviewed film of the year is "Parasite," from South Korea, which is up for Best Picture. But none of its cast were singled out for awards. <a href="https://twitter.com/audreycleo">Audrey Cleo Yap</a>, host of <a href="https://variety.com/vcategory/daily-variety/">Daily Variety</a> on <a href="https://variety.com/">Variety.com</a>, says that lack of notice for Asian actors is consistent with past Academy behavior. She also notes the few film industry insiders who are pushing Hollywood to open up — but says most are too fearful to speak out. Sam also talks with two Virginia Commonwealth University political science students who traveled with their class to New Hampshire to observe and participate in the state's presidential primary activities. They're featured the New Hampshire Public Radio podcast <a href="https://www.strangleholdpodcast.com/">Stranglehold</a>. They asked why such an overwhelmingly white state should remain the first to hold a primary — when it doesn't reflect the rest of the nation.

The Oscars are Sunday and once again this year's nominees reflect an Academy that's still older, whiter, and more male. All five directing nominees are men, and 19 of 20 nominees for acting are white. Adam B. Vary, Senior Entertainment Writer for Variety, tells Sam the best-reviewed film of the year is "Parasite," from South Korea, which is up for Best Picture. But none of its cast were singled out for awards. Audrey Cleo Yap, host of Daily Variety on Variety.com, says that lack of notice for Asian actors is consistent with past Academy behavior. She also notes the few film industry insiders who are pushing Hollywood to open up — but says most are too fearful to speak out. Sam also talks with two Virginia Commonwealth University political science students who traveled with their class to New Hampshire to observe and participate in the state's presidential primary activities. They're featured the New Hampshire Public Radio podcast Stranglehold. They asked why such an overwhelmingly white state should remain the first to hold a primary — when it doesn't reflect the rest of the nation.

Weekly Wrap: Oscars Still So White. So Is New Hampshire's Primary

Roy Wood Jr. has been a comedian since he was 19. He's a correspondent for 'The Daily Show with Trevor Noah' and has two Comedy Central specials under his belt. Wood talks to Sam about his career, how to be funny in a changing political climate, and a project he's working on that was inspired by a run-in with the law. Email the show at <a href="mailto:samsanders@npr.org">samsanders@npr.org</a>.

Roy Wood Jr. has been a comedian since he was 19. He's a correspondent for 'The Daily Show with Trevor Noah' and has two Comedy Central specials under his belt. Wood talks to Sam about his career, how to be funny in a changing political climate, and a project he's working on that was inspired by a run-in with the law. Email the show at samsanders@npr.org.

Roy Wood Jr. on Comedy, Criminal Justice, and Chicken Sandwiches

It's been a busy week in news. Australia's capital Canberra is menaced by wildfires and has declared a state of emergency. And the fast spread of the coronavirus has also led to racist comments and press coverage about Asian food and Asian-American eating habits. Sam talks about these stories with panelists Julie Cart, a reporter for <a href="https://calmatters.org/">CalMatters</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ANDREWTI">Andrew Ti</a>, host of the podcast <a href="https://www.earwolf.com/show/yo-is-this-racist/">Yo, Is This Racist?</a> and writer for the ABC series <a href="https://abc.com/shows/mixed-ish">Mixed-ish</a>. Then sports writer <a href="https://twitter.com/jemelehill?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Jemele Hill</a> of <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/feed/author/jemele-hill/">the Atlantic </a>reflects on basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed along with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash this past week. Sam asks how and when we should acknowledge the good and bad sides of someone's life after a sudden death.

It's been a busy week in news. Australia's capital Canberra is menaced by wildfires and has declared a state of emergency. And the fast spread of the coronavirus has also led to racist comments and press coverage about Asian food and Asian-American eating habits. Sam talks about these stories with panelists Julie Cart, a reporter for CalMatters and Andrew Ti, host of the podcast Yo, Is This Racist? and writer for the ABC series Mixed-ish. Then sports writer Jemele Hill of the Atlantic reflects on basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed along with his daughter and seven others in a helicopter crash this past week. Sam asks how and when we should acknowledge the good and bad sides of someone's life after a sudden death.

Weekly Wrap: Coronavirus and Racism, Australia Fires, Kobe Bryant's Legacy

Randee St. Nicholas met Prince for the first time in 1991, when she was hired to do their first shoot together. From there she captured some of his highest moments doing sold out shows across the world, to his most vulnerable, in hotel rooms late at night. Randee recalls her memorable relationship with Prince that spanned years and led to countless memories. She's published her photos of the iconic singer in a new book called My Name Is Prince.

Randee St. Nicholas met Prince for the first time in 1991, when she was hired to do their first shoot together. From there she captured some of his highest moments doing sold out shows across the world, to his most vulnerable, in hotel rooms late at night. Randee recalls her memorable relationship with Prince that spanned years and led to countless memories. She's published her photos of the iconic singer in a new book called My Name Is Prince.

Interview: Prince's Iconic Moments

Sometimes you just need to talk it out—and that's exactly what host Sam Sanders does each week. Join him on Fridays for a recap of the week's news, culture and everything – plus Tuesday deep dives with artists, writers, journalists and more.

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It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders

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