Sam is among the best progressive hosts, in my opinion. Lionel and Randi as well talk TOO much and don't want to let knowledgeable guests or listeners say much. Sam and Rachel have valuable information to pass on to their listeners, but they also listen to the smart people they have on their shows and allow us to hear what they have to say- making for much more informative discourse, not just words. I learn from Sam and Randi (and Thom and Bobby and David), as opposed to having to endure a lot of bombast and verbiage from too many of the others. And that's why I listen to talk radio instead of music stations- because there's a lot going on that we need to be aware of to be informed citizens- I don't want to waste my time listening to egos with big opinions of themselves and little substance. With other hosts I end up waiting a little while for something interesting to be said, and more likely turning the channel in hopes of finding something being said that informs me- sometimes even turning to the inane right talk shows to hear how they're spinning the news (but I can take that only for a few minutes before I vomit a little in my mouth).