Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Magic City Night Canceled and Target Boycott Over? Plus, Ryan Michelle Bathé on ‘Paradise’ Season 2
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Mar 13, 2026 
Ryan Michelle Bathé, actress and host of the Paradise Companion podcast, joins to discuss Season 2 of Hulu’s Paradise. They explore why the show resonates, its apocalyptic themes, and the power of Black women driving cultural buzz. Conversation also touches on on-set anecdotes and producing a companion podcast.
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Weinstein Interview Shows Power’s Dehumanizing Logic
- Harvey Weinstein’s Rikers interview illustrated lack of contrition and showed how power can dehumanize victims; his explanations worsened perceptions.
- Van suggested the piece can serve as a cautionary case study for powerful men who dehumanize others.
Avoid Giving Platforms To Unrepentant Abusers
- Use public interviews with convicted abusers sparingly and only when they add accountability or learning for victims.
- Rachel Lindsay argued such platforms retraumatize survivors and often lack useful contrition.
Why People Gravitate Toward Toxic Energy
- Ari Lennox’s comments about choosing 'toxic energy' highlight attraction to excitement over stability, tied to cultural narratives that glamorize deviance.
- Hosts connected this to media portrayals of rebellious leaders and the thrill factor in relationships.