Tag: rachel lindsay

Podcasts Take Center Stage at SXSW as Top Creators Discuss Video’s Impact

March 18, 2025

From morning commutes to late-night listening sessions, Spotify is the essential daily companion for millions of listeners globally. Podcasts, in particular, have become a cultural conversation driver among listeners, with video continuing to grow in popularity. 

There are few better places to celebrate the power of the format and its evolution than at SXSW, where culture, content, and business collide. That’s why we brought Spotify House to Austin and invited guests to relax and enjoy a day of conversations featuring some of today’s most influential voices. 

The first session of the day served up hot takes, modern wisdom, and plenty of laughs from Ira Madison III, cohost of the Crooked Media award-winning podcast Keep It, Chris Williamson, host of the popular show Modern Wisdom, and Sara Foster, actress and cohost of The World’s First Podcast, in a conversation about how podcasts have helped evolve commentary in the digital age. 

The next session turned its focus to video, with panelists Morgan Absher, host of the comedy podcast Two Hot Takes, and Rachel Lindsay, attorney, media personality, and cohost of the NAACP-nominated show Higher Learning as well as Morally Corrupt on Spotify’s The Ringer.

Both creators broke down how the format has changed their approach to podcasting. For Rachel, video has offered a level of intimacy for the audience in a way that audio alone could not. 

“Video has been a game changer for us. At first, it was a bit intimidating, but soon you forget the camera is there and just get comfortable,” she told the crowd. “My facial expressions almost become another character on the show, like an extra cohost. It unlocks a whole new level of podcasting, making our audience feel like family.”

Morgan, who recently added video episodes to Spotify, agreed with this sentiment, adding that video has the ability to capture the unspoken moments, adding an additional layer of dynamism to the conversation. 

“Sometimes there are no words and you need that reaction. Bringing video on Spotify is a ‘have your cake and eat it too’ experience,” she said. 

Discover why fans can’t get enough of Morgan Absher on Two Hot Takes, now featuring video episodes: 

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.

Spotify’s House of Are & Be Puts the Spotlight on Black Voices

July 6, 2022

Panelists pose on stage in front of a camera

Over the weekend, Spotify celebrated Black voices and community with the return of House of Are & Be during the annual ESSENCE Festival Of Culture in New Orleans. 

“In 2019, we created our first-ever House of Are & Be experience, paying homage to women throughout the decades. And this year we’re returning to the same incredible location with even more live music and conversations from our podcast creators,” explained Sydney Lopes, Spotify’s Head of Hip-Hop and R&B, Artists, and Label Partnerships. “With an even bigger lineup of rising and established talent, Spotify’s House of Are & Be continues to highlight the breadth of sounds that affect our mind, body, and spirit.” 

Returning for the third year, Spotify celebrated the stories of Black creators with our largest lineup to date. Spotify kicked things off with a hosted brunch that included performances by Mereba and SiR.