Study Group with Brittany Shepherd

Merging Podcasts, Pop Culture, & Politics with Sam Sanders

Join IOP Fellow Brittany Shepherd as she hosts journalist and NPR’s own Sam Sanders for a conversation about the evolving intersection of podcasts, pop culture, and political storytelling. Sanders, known for his work at NPR as a founding co-host of The NPR Politics Podcast and later as the creator of It’s Been a Minute, has spent his career bridging politics and culture in fresh, engaging ways. Since moving deeper into radio and podcast with shows like Into It and Vibe Check, he has explored how politics is increasingly shaped by cultural conversations, from music and movies to internet trends and celebrity activism.

Together, Brittany and Sam will discuss the rise of podcasting as a dominant media force, how traditional political journalism has struggled to keep up with shifting audience habits, and what it means to build an independent platform outside legacy institutions. Whether you're interested in media careers, politics, or the growing impact of culture on public discourse, this study group will offer an insightful look at where journalism is headed next.

AUDIENCE: These conversations are open to members of the Harvard community. Please RSVP with a valid Harvard email address. 

OFF-THE-RECORD: In keeping with our long tradition at the IOP to ensure honest and candid discussions of politics, all IOP study groups are off-the-record.