Van and Rachel react to the breaking news of President Joe Biden’s positive COVID test (10:41), Ne-Yo’s comments regarding R. Kelly and separating art from artist (39:47), and Dave Chappelle’s canceled First Avenue show (58:50). Plus, Herschel Walker won’t debate Raphael Warnock (1:06:04).

Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

At the 2022 Essence Festival, Rachel hosted a panel at Spotify’s ‘House of Are & Be’ activation called, “The Power of Audio Storytelling”. Featured panelists included Danyel Smith, host of Black Girl Songbook, Lovelyti, host of Tea Time UNFILTERED with Lovelyti, along with Dr. Titi Shodiya and Dr. Zakiya Whatley, hosts of Dope Labs. ENJOY!

Host: Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Danyel Smith, Lovelyti, Dr. Titi Shodiya, and Dr. Zakiya Whatley

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel discuss the Sesame Place backlash following a video of a character ignoring Black children (22:30) before welcoming model, author, and musician Amber Rose to discuss the arc of her career (38:23). Plus, a pair of prominent members of the church come under fire for questionable comments (1:42:06).

Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Amber Rose

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel discuss a new viral trend and whether it’s traumatic, funny, or both (19:15). Plus, Jill Biden compares Latinos to breakfast tacos (30:46), concern grows for Orlando Brown following his Bow Wow comments (55:06), and LeBron questions Brittney Griner wanting to return to the U.S. (1:00:56).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel discuss white fans rapping along to lyrics that contain the n-word (6:51), before digging into Pres. Biden’s executive order on abortion access (26:02). Plus, Doja Cat’s ‘Stranger Things’ DM’s become public (41:01) and Herschel Walker says some things (59:16).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel are joined by Rhode Island state Senator Tiara Mack to address "respectability politics" after going viral for twerking (8:49). Then, comedian and podcaster Marlon Palmer joins to discuss a recent tweet about the African diaspora (41:02). Plus, an update on the Brittney Griner situation (1:03:40).

Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Sen. Tiara Mack and Marlon Palmer

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel react to the latest police shooting that saw an unarmed man shot 60 times in Akron, OH (22:25), before discussing a July 4th weekend of tragedy (38:09). Plus, Brittney Griner pens a letter to President Biden from a Russian prison (1:02:40) and dynamics of the Black diaspora are discussed (1:16:41).

Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel react to R. Kelly’s 30-year sentence and the "normalization" of his crimes (17:02), plus Ketanji Brown Jackson is officially sworn in (24:26) to the Supreme Court. They are then joined by Marc Goldwein, senior policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, to break down the current state of the U.S. economy (41:07).

Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Marc Goldwein

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel react to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and discuss how people will be immediately affected (13:42), talk about the political and actionable plan going forward (23:26), and compare the Democratic Party to fake Jordans (40:59). Plus, constitutional law professor Caroline Mala Corbin joins to help make some sense of the landmark decision (43:39).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Caroline Mala Corbin

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel react to the Texas GOP’s new platform suggesting secession (8:51), before discussing the mixed reaction to Drake’s new album in the new segment, "This Week in D**k-Riding" (25:19). Plus, Amazon's Alexa could be reaching beyond the grave (53:23).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr.