Tag: bachelorette

Big ‘Higher Learning’ Fan? We Are Too. Rachel Lindsay Shares Why Video Is Such an Important Part of the Podcast

November 14, 2024

This week, talented creators traveled to Los Angeles to join Spotify for Now Playing, where we unveiled a series of new offerings aimed at helping them better monetize their video podcasts on Spotify and grow their audiences. It was an exciting event that spotlighted our biggest update to podcasts on Spotify—including an exciting evolution of the name and brand of our accompanying platform to Spotify for Creators—all to better serve the multiformat needs of our community.

One creator in attendance was Rachel Lindsay. The attorney, internet personality, author, and Bachelorette star is also the cohost of the Ringer podcast Higher Learning. On the show, Rachel and her cohost Van Lathan dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. At Now Playing, Rachel shared her experience and expertise in a panel titled “Fandoms Are Culture: How Creators & Content Grow on Spotify.”

For the Record caught up with Rachel to learn more about how her show comes together, as well as the creators and artists she’s currently listening to on Spotify.

What inspired you to start your show?

Sometimes other people recognize what is right for you before you can see it for yourself. I always wanted to be in the media but thought that only could be with television. I met Bill Simmons because I was doing some interviews with Juliet Litman on Bachelor Party. I ended up doing some other work with The Ringer, and eventually Bill asked me if I wanted to create a project that was purposeful and I could be proud of. He had an idea and introduced me to my cohost, Van Lathan. We immediately connected and had a brother-sister relationship. Originally we were supposed to start our podcast in March 2020, but COVID hit and changed everything regarding the production and launch of our podcast. We eventually launched in May 2020, which was a very pivotal and dark time for Black people in this country. We decided to change the direction of our podcast to be the pulse of the culture…the rest is Higher Learning history.

How do you select the topics you cover?

We have a topical show that is a reflection of what is happening in the culture. If something is happening in the world, we want people to know that you can find us covering it that week. We select topics by following the news, social media, reading articles, podcasts, and talking with friends. We don’t want to miss breaking news or viral moments. We share stories, ideas, and topics in a group chat and narrow down what is the most effective rundown for our show.

How has working with Spotify helped strengthen your connection with your fans?

Higher Learning was one of the first podcasts to have the video element. This allowed our viewers to feel as if they were sitting at the podcast table with us in an intimate way. Video brings the podcast to life in a different way. My favorite thing is to spot one of our listeners (aka Thought Warriors) in the wild. They will often tell me how they feel like they know us and relate to us, and it is because they can watch us on Spotify with video.

What advice do you have for emerging creators?

There is so much content available out there that covers every genre, topic, etc. What makes the content different is the creator. I would encourage you to find something that you are passionate about and then apply your unique voice and perspective to it because that is what will differentiate you. Do not try to emulate your favorite creator. Learn from them and use them as a guide to build something special.

Are there any Spotify features or tools that are especially helpful for you?

I cannot talk enough about Spotify video!

Who are some of your favorite creators to follow?

Everyone on The Ringer and Ringer Reality TV, Danny Pellegrino, Kid Fury and Crissle, and Natasha Parker.

What are you currently listening to?

Akeem Ali, Tyler, The Creator, Willie Jones, GloRilla, BigXthaPlug, Doechii, and Muni Long.

Rachel Lindsay, Van Lathan, and Mallory Rubin speak onstage during the “Now Playing” Event

Check out more coverage from Spotify’s Now Playing event.

Nick Viall Dishes on Relationships, His Podcast, and How He Discovers New Music on Spotify

February 12, 2024

We love helping listeners discover new music on Spotify, and when it comes to features that guide them toward their next favorite songs or artists, personalization tops the list. With Spotify playlists like Discover Weekly and daylist; playlist-enhancing features like Smart Shuffle and Jam; and curated, AI-powered experiences like DJ; nearly 2 billion music discoveries happen on Spotify daily.

But it’s not just fans who love discovery. Creators around the world are constantly sharing their favorite playlists, products, and people with their followers, which in turn helps fans fall in love with the next best thing. And in For the Record’s ongoing Discovery Monday series, we connect with creators to pick their brains about recent finds, from new music to podcasts and beyond.

This month, we’re talking to author, podcaster, and former Bachelor star Nick Viall. Nick’s time in the spotlight started when he was a contestant on the love-driven reality television show The Bachelorette and continued when he was subsequently chosen to be the star of The Bachelor’s 21st season.

In recent years, Nick has expanded his platform beyond the reality TV realm with his podcast The Viall Files, on which he discusses dating, love, and romance. From “Ask Nick” segments to famous guest interviews, the show gives fans a chance to hear Nick’s—and others’—perspective as he tackles everything from friendship, relationships, and the situationships in between.

For the Record sat down with Nick to chat about his love of podcasting, what he discovers from his followers, and his latest favorite Spotify finds.

What have you been up to lately? What new things have you discovered that you’re enjoying right now?

Recently I’ve been focused on expansion. Everything about my life right now is expanding—my family, my team, my network. And so I’ve discovered the excitement and the hard work that comes with trying to grow the world around you. I truly love what I do and I feel very blessed to do it with the people and the team that I have.

One way you connect with fans is on The Viall Files. What does the podcast format allow you to do that other mediums don’t?

We work really hard to deliver quality, entertaining content and especially with the interviews that we get to do. A podcast, with it being of the long format that it is, it really gives you an opportunity to expand, and my goal is to have my audience feel like they’re sitting in the room with me. 

And whether it’s interviewing or having our callers call in for our “Ask Nick” episodes to share their relationship stories and struggles, we get a chance to offer advice through the mistakes that we’ve made in the past. It’s all very rewarding and a lot of fun. I feel very lucky that I get to do what I do.

Your podcast covers all things dating and love. What is your favorite topic or segment that you cover on the show?

The relationship and dating space is always going to be a favorite of mine. I’ve always been really interested in social dynamics. Going back to school and becoming a therapist is a goal that I’ve stated that I want to do for the last chapter of my professional career, whenever that is… 

And really, when it comes to that space, everything about our show aims to help people value themselves a little bit more than they sometimes do. And we try to steer people to just make good decisions for themselves. We don’t try to yuck anyone’s yum or criticize anyone for whatever type of lifestyle they want, and we’re just here to help them process the good and the bad in a more honest way because we don’t have anything personally invested in their outcome.

How would you say your experience on The Bachelor helped equip you to talk romance and share advice with your listeners?

Being a part of The Bachelor franchise certainly gives you an incredibly intense version of falling in love, dating, disappointment, and rejection. You also have to understand if your ego is driving your decisions or if you’re actually making decisions that are really sound for your heart. I think going through that experience further taught me how to handle my emotions. And I want to try to pass that knowledge along to the people I talk to to help them with their own relationship struggles.

When you’re on the hunt for inspiration or to discover something new, what tools or resources do you use? 

I will definitely use my show from time to time to put something out there: “Hey, this is what’s going on, would love some feedback.” Google is always really great. And friends for sure. That’s how I definitely like getting referrals and references from people and mentors. Personal connections with people is probably my favorite way to learn. And for music, quite honestly, Spotify is where I discover all my music. Music and podcasts.

Any recent discoveries you’ve been listening to?

SZA is someone I’ve really enjoyed for a while now. And I’m obviously a big Taylor Swift fan. And sometimes I like looking for interesting, dramatic music that we can use for our show. I’ll use Spotify to discover random music soundtracks and things like that. I got into the country genre recently, so Zach Bryan is someone I’m a big fan of. 

What about podcasts?

In addition to being a pop culture and relationship fan, I’m a big football fan—and specifically I like to discover new niche Packers podcasts on Spotify. I listen to them all. I can’t get enough of nerdy football analytics talk, so that’s what I do in my car and what I listen to when I want to unwind and decompress.

What’s your favorite way to discover new music or podcasts on Spotify?

I like to use Discover Weekly. I don’t consider myself a very knowledgeable music person, especially compared to some people. So I really rely on Spotify’s searches and various playlists to help me discover and find new music that I like or podcasts that I enjoy. That feature is great.

 

Discover more about Nick and his take on love and relationships on his podcast, The Viall Files.