Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Channel Details
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. Two times per week, they will wade into the most important and timely conversations, frequently inviting guests on the podcast and occasionally debating each other.
Recent Episodes
516 episodes
Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico, Sherrone Moore Arrested, and Rachel Dating Drug Dealers
Van and Rachel discuss Representative Jasmine Crockett, who's entered the Senate race in Texas, and the rejection of health-care subsidies by the Sena...
L.A. Hip-Hop Culture With Nana, and Sydney Sweeney Speaks
Van and Rachel welcome rapper Nana to talk hip-hop culture in Los Angeles before they react to Sydney Sweeney’s comments on her infamous jean ad campa...
Talking Reparations and “Black Boy Tragic” With Governor Wes Moore! Plus, the Diddy Documentary and BD Wong’s Apology Rating. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by talking about podcasters like Joe Rogan and his possible intentions with those he interviews. Then, they discuss Gove...
Pete Hegseth’s Investigation, and the Danish Deception
Van and Rachel are back from break to weigh in on the investigation of boat strikes, a TikTok relationship scam, and financial literacy in the NFL. Pl...
Trump Hearts Mamdani, MAGA Bots Exposed, and the Summer Walker Drama Explained
Van and Rachel check in on the state of politics and culture before taking a quick Thanksgiving break!
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Senator Brian Schatz On Trying to Comprehend MAGA. Plus, Men’s Views on the WNBA With Angel McCoughtry! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by discussing Pharrell Williams's intention behind his comments from the last episode. They are then joined by U.S. Sena...
MAGA Regrets, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Apology, and Pharrell’s Philosophy
Van and Rachel react to fractures in the MAGA movement, give a rating for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s apology, and get into the Epstein brothers' corresp...
Is the Shutdown Really Over? Plus, More Epstein Files Leak, and the State of the GOP With Emma Vigeland! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the Epstein emails released by both Democrats and Republicans. Then, they are joined by former reporter f...
The End of the Shutdown with Rep. Summer Lee, Plus the ‘Michael’ Trailer Reactions
Van and Rachel discuss the agreement to end the government shutdown before welcoming Representative Summer Lee to give her perspective as a congresswo...
The New Blue Wave, a Great Value Economy, and the Act of Centering Men. Plus, Talking the World Series With Jesse Blake! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show with a recap of the recent elections, including what the “blue wave” of elected officials means for the future of politi...
A Broken White House, With Karine Jean-Pierre. Plus, the End of SNAP?
Jomi Adeniran joins Rachel and Van to react to the Dodgers winning a classic World Series before discussing the Trump administration’s efforts to cut...
Black Political Power and Jesse Jackson, With Abby Phillip! Plus, Elections Galore and a Red Alert for Hip-Hop. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show with a conversation on the Virginia election and intercommunity politics concerning Black Republicans. Then they are joi...
Fatherhood and Forgiveness With Roy Wood Jr., Plus Ed Zitron Breaks Down the “AI Bubble”
Van and Rachel talk Kamala Harris’s political future, New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries endorsing Zohran Mamdani, and the Cash Money vs. No Limi...
Sifting Through Emmanuel Acho’s Perspective. Plus, Logan Explains the NBA Gambling Scandal! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by rating Stephen A. Smith’s apology to Jasmine Crockett before getting into Emmanuel Acho’s latest comments and perspec...
The State of the Gaza Ceasefire With Akbar Ahmed. Plus, the Demands of the “No Kings” Protest and the Ghost of Social Media’s Past. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the “No Kings” protest, the goals of the protest, and the “blatant hypocrisy” from the reaction of the...
Breaking Down Reparations and Restorative Justice With Isaac Bryan! Plus, Threatening the Voting Act and Stephen A.’s Crockett Comments. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by remembering the late legend D’Angelo and the issue concerning the health of black men in America. Then, they are join...
Exploring the Democratic Narrative With Governor Gavin Newsom! Plus, Ryan Grim Explains the Ceasefire. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by giving their reactions to the return of ‘Verzuz’ and their opinion of Cash Money versus No Limit Records. Then, they...
Van Jones’s Very Bad Joke, Ayesha Curry’s Admission, and Diddy’s Sentencing
Van and Rachel react to a strange weekend of football before discussing Van Jones’s “dead Gaza baby” joke, Diddy’s sentencing, and Ayesha Curry’s comm...
Navigating the Shutdown With Rep. Maxwell Frost! Plus, the WNBA's Bad Leadership, and Ray J Vs. the Kardashians. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by taking a moment to acknowledge the life of the late Assata Shakur before Rep. Maxwell Frost joins to talk about the g...
Karen Attiah on The Washington Post Firing, Plus Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl
Van and Rachel welcome former Washington Post opinion columnist Karen Attiah to discuss her firing from The Post after she made critical remarks about...
Talking ‘Him,’ Biracial Identity, and Athleticism With Tyriq Withers! Plus, the Back-and-Forth With Stephen A. and Jimmy Kimmel’s Return. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show off by talking about Stephen A. Smith’s response to our comments last show before getting into the removal of ‘Fearless...
The Lionizing of Charlie Kirk With Ryan Grim, Plus Malik B on Viral Comedy
Van and Rachel welcome ‘Counter Points’ cohost Ryan Grim to discuss his and other platforms’ coverage of Charlie Kirk in the days since his death, bef...
Memphis Bleek and Van Lathan (Not Jones), Plus Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension
Van addresses Memphis Bleek calling him out on Club Shay Shay, before he and Rachel react to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' being taken off the air and the medi...
Empathy, Sympathy, and Charlie Kirk. Plus, Erika Alexander and the Legacy of ‘Living Single.’
Van and Rachel start by discussing the legal and cultural fallout from the killing of Charlie Kirk. Then they welcome actress Erika Alexander to talk...
Kamala’s Disappointment and the Killing of Charlie Kirk. Plus, Melvin Gregg Talks ‘The Paper’! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show off by talking about the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, the many reactions to it, and what may come from...
Vaccines, Who Needs 'Em? Plus, Nina Westbrook and the Wellness App, Nebbi
Van and Rachel dig into the Texas senate race, vaccine mandates (or lack thereof) in Florida, and Young Thug’s leaked jail calls, before welcoming mar...
Generational Talent With Quincy Avery! Plus, Trump’s Health Rumors and Young Americans' High Standards. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including their theories on a study revealing that the number of Americans having sex has...
The Epstein Files, AIPAC and Gerrymandering with Rep. Ro Khanna
Rep. Ro Khanna returns to talk AIPAC’s role in politics, the release of the Epstein files and what he thinks of the gerrymandering debate.
Addressing the Corruption Allegations With Mayor Eric Adams. Plus, Is Dark Money Funding Democratic Influencers? | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including the return of Cracker Barrel’s old logo and Taylor Swift’s engagement. Then, th...
Nina Turner and the Democratic Playbook
Van and Rachel welcome former Ohio senator Nina Turner to hear her thoughts on the Democratic strategy to fight gerrymandering.
Hitting the Target on Target, Cracker Barrel’s Rebrand, and the Reality of Texas’s GOP Congressional Map | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the predicted increased prices for Sony’s PlayStation 5 and the Cracker Barrel rebranding. Later, they di...
The LAST Biracial Conversation With Molly Daniel, Plus the Gaza Ceasefire
Van and Rachel react to the news of a new ceasefire proposal being accepted by Hamas before welcoming Molly Daniel to the podcast to provide some pers...
PragerU Replaces PBS, Celebs in Relationship Drama, and the National Guard in D.C. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the differences in sharing food in different locations. They get into some Trump administration updates...
Gender Wars: David Justice and Halle Berry, Plus S.A. Cosby’s ‘King of Ashes’
Halle Berry’s ex-husband David Justice sparks a gender war after speaking on their divorce. Then, New York Times bestselling author S.A. Cosby joins t...
The WNBA Conspiracy, One-Sided Beefs, and Our Voting Rights Under Attack | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the news of the cancellation of The Howard Stern Show before getting into some one-sided beefs: Donald Tr...
Rep. James Talarico and the Democratic Fight in Texas, Plus Stephen A. Vs. Michelle Obama
Van and Rachel welcome Texas Rep. James Talarico to shed light on the state’s Democrats fleeing to prevent a vote over efforts to add Republican seats...
Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans, Kamala’s '107 Days,' and the Aging of ‘Martin’ Jokes | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by running through some quick-hitters, including the internet’s reaction to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle commercial,...
The Hunger Crisis in Gaza and Solution-Focused Therapy With Elliott Connie
Van and Rachel discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, talk about Dr. Umar’s plea for help, and give N3on an apology rating before Elliott Co...
Gendered Problems and Decentering Men With Joy Taylor! Plus, Thoughts on Hulk Hogan. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the passing of the infamous Hulk Hogan and the complexity of his legacy. Then, the host of Two Personal...
The Life of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and What Just Happened to Black Farmers?
Van and Rachel react to the tragic news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death, before welcoming Houston farmer Jeremy Peaches to shed light on the Trump adm...