Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay describes how she and co-host Van Lathan ‘don’t hold back’ on podcast topics like Kanye, Joe Rogan, and Whoopi Goldberg

March 9, 2022

On this episode of Podsauce, the hosts of “Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay” stopped by for a chat. Academy Award winner Van Lathan and author/former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay are friends of the show, so it was a mini-reunion. Dax and Van were once colleagues at TMZ, and Van shared some memories that had everyone laughing up a storm. Rachel and Van discussed their honest hosting approach, mutual respect for one another, and the kind of energy they bring to the podcast.

Alesha shared her True Crime Time podcast pick, catering to Dax’s interest in heist-centric stories, and recommended the 10-episode series, “Hooked.” The series covers Tony Hathaway’s prolific string of bank robberies and struggles with opioid addiction while working for Boeing as a design engineer.

Next, Dax shared his fascinating pick, iHeartPodcasts’ “Stuff To Blow Your Mind.” This science podcast has over 1,760 episodes to choose from on topics like evolution, cosmic mysteries, and neurological quandaries. Dax listened to the episode titled “Giants in the Earth: The Paleoburrows” where evidence suggests large claws (not human hands) were used to construct caves and burrows in South America. The episode discusses Megatherium, or elephant-sized prehistoric sloths. Dax also listened to an episode on crying and tears.

The Ringer’s “Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay” covers politics, current events, life happenings, Black culture, and more in bi-weekly episodes. The show has released over 180 episodes since 2020, and Van and Rachel had plenty to discuss with Podsauce. We learned how the hosts met through a mutual connection, recognized their chemistry right away, and the podcast’s idea was born. Rachel expressed that they’re both passionate people who speak their mind, as reflected in their energy, emotions, and conversations each episode.

Rachel and Van started the series in May 2020, a timeframe with lots of news and issues. The podcast’s episodes responded to the world’s events and how society was affected when we were hearing about Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and race controversies with stars like Hannah Brown. They do not hold back when debating topics, ranging from breaking heavy news in real time to lighter subject matters. Alesha loved their Super Bowl Halftime Recap episode from February 2022. Dax recommends the episode where Peter Rosenberg joined Van and Rachel to chat about Whoopi Goldberg’s controversy.

Van and Rachel shared their podcast picks including “Everything Iconic with Danny Pellegrino” for Bravo and reality TV fans. Van wholeheartedly recommended “Podsauce.”

Lastly, Alesha and Dax shared the catfishing situation detailed in “Sweet Bobby.” This Done in a Day pick is a short, 6-episode series listeners can finish in one sitting.