Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

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.

Episodes

Van Jones’s Very Bad Joke, Ayesha Curry’s Admission, and Diddy’s Sentencing

October 7, 2025 • 157 mins
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 comments on motherhood and marriage. (0:00)  Intro (8:21)  Mark Sanchez’s stabbing & arrest (16:30)  Kyren Lacy update (31:09)  Van Jones apologizes for joke (48:19)  Diddy sentenced (1:03:32)  Ayesha Curry’s admission (1:45:58)  Theo Von & Adin Ross on Trump (2:08:31)  Taylor S...
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Navigating the Shutdown With Rep. Maxwell Frost! Plus, the WNBA's Bad Leadership, and Ray J Vs. the Kardashians. | Higher Learning | The Ringer

October 3, 2025 • 119 mins
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 government shutdown and the volatile housing market. After, they get into the drama surrounding the WNBA leadership comments, and Ray J getting sued by the Kardashians. Then, they end the show with a “VanLaTEN” for Bad Bunny. 00:00 - Welcome! 05:56 - Assata Shakur’s passing 08:15 ...
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Karen Attiah on The Washington Post Firing, Plus Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl

September 30, 2025 • 126 mins
Van and Rachel welcome former Washington Post opinion columnist Karen Attiah to discuss her firing from The Post after she made critical remarks about gun culture and violence in the U.S. in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing. (0:00)  Intro (9:30)  Release of redacted Epstein files (21:29)  A review of ‘107 Days’ by Kamala Harris (48:50)  Bad Bunny performing at Super Bowl  (55:33)  Karen Attiah joins the show (1:28:06)  Th...
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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

September 26, 2025 • 117 mins
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 Debaters’ from TSU’s campus and Jimmy Kimmel’s successful return. Then, Tyriq Withers joins the show to talk about his new movie, ‘Him’; the different reactions to the film; the realism of the athleticism showcased in it; and biracial identity. 00:00 - Welcome! 07:29 - Stephen A.’...
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The Lionizing of Charlie Kirk With Ryan Grim, Plus Malik B on Viral Comedy

September 23, 2025 • 185 mins
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, before comedian Malik B joins to talk how he literally fought for a role in ‘Creed,’ and his new Hulu special, ‘LOL Live With Malik B.’  (00:00)  Intro (10:21)  Having uncomfortable conversations (33:27)  Ryan Grim joins the show (1:27:28)  OG Corner: Van Jones & Stephen A. Smith ...
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Memphis Bleek and Van Lathan (Not Jones), Plus Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension

September 19, 2025 • 141 mins
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 media’s coverage of Charlie Kirk following his death. (00:00)  Intro (00:12)  A Memphis Bleek/Van Lathan explainer (25:02)  Kushner, Trump and the Carters (49:29)  Jimmy Kimmel Suspended  (1:22:52)  The sanitizing of Charlie Kirk (1:57:13)  Hangings in Mississippi (2:03:58)  LeBr...
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Empathy, Sympathy, and Charlie Kirk. Plus, Erika Alexander and the Legacy of ‘Living Single.’

September 16, 2025 • 127 mins
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 about Apple TV+’s ‘Invasion’ and look back on her role as Maxine in ‘Living Single.’ (0:00)  Intro (1:02)  Fallout from Charlie Kirk’s shooting (36:46)  Brian Kilmeade on homeless: “Just kill ‘em” (54:05)  Van’s basketball tangent  (58:42)  ‘The Gilded Age’ (1:01:22)  Erika Al...
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Kamala’s Disappointment and the Killing of Charlie Kirk. Plus, Melvin Gregg Talks ‘The Paper’! | Higher Learning | The Ringer

September 12, 2025 • 136 mins
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 his killing. Then, they react to an excerpt from Kamala Harris’s upcoming book mentioning Joe Biden’s “reckless” decision to run again in the last election. Later, actor, model, and comedian Melvin Gregg joins to talk about his latest show, ‘The Paper,’ before he, Van, and Rachel all...
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Vaccines, Who Needs 'Em? Plus, Nina Westbrook and the Wellness App, Nebbi

September 9, 2025 • 150 mins
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 marriage and family therapist Nina Westbrook to discuss her new mental wellness app, Nebbi.  (0:00)  Intro (0:39)  Left-wing influencers  (13:29)  The Phillies Karen (27:15)  Rep. James Talarico running for senate (48:52)  Vand & the realities of aging  (55:23)  Nina Westbrook jo...
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Generational Talent With Quincy Avery! Plus, Trump’s Health Rumors and Young Americans' High Standards. | Higher Learning | The Ringer

September 5, 2025 • 133 mins
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 dropped to a record low. Then, they react to Trump’s address of his health rumors and the internet’s desire for his health to decline. Then, NFL quarterback whisperer Quincy Avery joins to discuss generational talent and his new movie, 'The Quincy Avery Effect.' 00:00 - Welcome! ...
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The Epstein Files, AIPAC and Gerrymandering with Rep. Ro Khanna

September 2, 2025 • 37 mins
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.  (0:00)  Intro (0:46)  AIPAC’s influence (6:07)  Releasing the Epstein files (15:14)  The gerrymandering fight (25:29)  Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ...
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Addressing the Corruption Allegations With Mayor Eric Adams. Plus, Is Dark Money Funding Democratic Influencers? | Higher Learning | The Ringer

August 29, 2025 • 91 mins
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, they react to the developing story of an alleged dark money group secretly funding high-profile Democratic influencers. Later, they are joined by NYC Mayor Eric Adams as he addresses corruption allegations, his non-relationship with Trump, and how he feels about his competition, Zohran ...
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Nina Turner and the Democratic Playbook

August 26, 2025 • 121 mins
Van and Rachel welcome former Ohio senator Nina Turner to hear her thoughts on the Democratic strategy to fight gerrymandering. (0:00)  Intro (1:32)  Snoop & Pixar’s LGBTQ character (8:54)  Bill Maher changes tone on Trump (22:02)  Dean Cain’s ICE training (30:21)  Serena Williams weight loss journey (43:04)  Jussie Smollett doc review  (58:08)  Nina Turner joins the show Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest...
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Hitting the Target on Target, Cracker Barrel’s Rebrand, and the Reality of Texas’s GOP Congressional Map | Higher Learning | The Ringer

August 22, 2025 • 121 mins
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 discuss the Texas House of Representatives’ approval of a GOP-centered congressional map and the disturbing release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting a minor in Nevada. They end with the Glaze of the Week and Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal (thank you, Megan Thee Stallion...
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The LAST Biracial Conversation With Molly Daniel, Plus the Gaza Ceasefire

August 19, 2025 • 122 mins
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 perspective on the ongoing biracial discussions. (0:00)  Intro (3:57)  Tyla on the ‘coloured’ controversy  (18:43)  Jamie Lee Curtis’ boobs (25:18)  Trump names Kennedy Honorees  (34:49)  Gaza ceasefire proposal (39:22)  Gavin Newsom’s trolling  (50:33)  Kaepernick & Spike Lee ES...
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PragerU Replaces PBS, Celebs in Relationship Drama, and the National Guard in D.C. | Higher Learning | The Ringer

August 15, 2025 • 127 mins
Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the differences in sharing food in different locations. They get into some Trump administration updates, like the deployment of the National Guard in D.C. and the administration's partnership with PragerU. Later, they react to some celebrity news, including Sha'Carri Richardson's apology and the drama between Jurnee Smollett and her ex-husband. 00:00 - Welcome! 7:57 - Trump deploys...
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Gender Wars: David Justice and Halle Berry, Plus S.A. Cosby’s ‘King of Ashes’

August 12, 2025 • 155 mins
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 to discuss his latest novel, ‘King of Ashes’. (0:00)  Intro (0:32)  Van’s Very Serious Question (20:55)  Trump deploys National Guard (25:49)  Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Debut (46:35)  Nancy Mace fact checked (58:05)  David Justice on divorcing Halle Berry  (1:33:08)  S.A. Cosby joi...
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The WNBA Conspiracy, One-Sided Beefs, and Our Voting Rights Under Attack | Higher Learning | The Ringer

August 8, 2025 • 107 mins
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 Trump against Gayle King and Megyn Kelly against Beyoncé. Then, they talk about Diddy’s possible presidential pardon and the threats against the Voting Rights Act before Van gets into the conspiracy happening in the WNBA. 00:00 - Welcome!  08:44 - The Howard Stern Show is done  18:...
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Rep. James Talarico and the Democratic Fight in Texas, Plus Stephen A. Vs. Michelle Obama

August 5, 2025 • 92 mins
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. (0:00)  Intro (8:01)  Top 5 White Singing Ladies *since 2010 (9:27)  Stephen A. Smith vs. Michelle Obama (28:42)  Rep. James Talarico joins the show (34:57)  The fight against gerrymandering (41:18)  Toughening the Democrats (1:02:35)  Glaze of the Week (1:15:15)  Palantir...
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Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans, Kamala’s '107 Days,' and the Aging of ‘Martin’ Jokes | Higher Learning | The Ringer

August 1, 2025 • 133 mins
Rachel and Van start the show by running through some quick-hitters, including the internet’s reaction to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle commercial, Ari Lennox’s thoughts on Martin’s treatment of Pam, and Kamala Harris’s new book. Then, they talk about new updates to the Israel-Hamas conflict and some reactions to their Hulk Hogan segment last week. 00:00 - Welcome! 00:59 - Sydney Sweeney’s good “jeans” 29:57 - Ari Lennox’s t...
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