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
Shedeur Sanders’s Draft Fall: The Civil Rights Issue of Our Time? Plus, Cinematography and ‘Sinners’
April 29, 2025 • 109 mins
Van and Rachel welcome former NFL cornerback and ESPN contributor Domonique Foxworth to react to Shedeur Sanders’s historic fall in the NFL draft (16:49) and Saquon Barkley spending quality time with President Trump (37:15). Then director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw joins to discuss how she shot arguably the most talked-about film of the decade, ‘Sinners’ (50:41). Finally, Van has a plan on how to defeat a gorilla with 100...
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April 25, 2025 • 94 mins
Van and Rachel react to the latest in Shannon Sharpe's lawsuit and discuss his reaction (22:41), before breaking down Elon Musk’s decision to take a step back from politics to focus on Tesla (55:34). Then astrophysicist Dakotah Tyler (soon to be Dr. Tyler) joins to debunk Wiz Khalifa’s belief that the Earth is flat (1:07:21).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Dakotah Tyler
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith...
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April 22, 2025 • 167 mins
Van and Rachel react to the death of Pope Francis (4:00), before discussing the opening weekend of ‘Sinners’ and the way the film's success has been covered in the trades (16:09). Plus, Shannon Sharpe gets sued (30:05), Rev. Al Sharpton meets with Target (41:43), and we crown the latest Glaze of the Week (50:55). Then, Deion Sanders justifies the retiring of jerseys (1:09:31), before QB guru Quincy Avery joins to talk the upcoming ...
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April 18, 2025 • 76 mins
Van and Rachel react to the wrongful deportation of a Maryland man to El Salvador (7:21), before welcoming actor Omar Miller to discuss Ryan Coogler’s latest film, 'Sinners’ (27:22).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Omar Miller
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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April 15, 2025 • 166 mins
Van and Rachel react to the death of LSU football standout Kyren Lacy (15:07), before Bill Maher inspires the start of a new segment following his dinner with Donald Trump (24:00), and they discuss black businesses in light of Wallo’s recent comments (56:35) Then, Ringer social content producer and Midnight Boy Jomi Adeniran joins to give some insight on KTLA accidentally tweeting the N-word (1:07:57). Finally, Jason Wilson, author...
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April 11, 2025 • 98 mins
Van and Rachel give an update on the roller coaster that is the U.S. economy (2:10) and talk Keri Hilson’s recent comments on her 2009 Beyoncé diss (16:05) before welcoming actor and producer David Oyelowo to discuss his new Apple TV+ show, ‘Government Cheese’ (28:32), the types of roles he will and will not play (39:51), and his friendship with Jonathan Majors (1:01:02). Plus, Animal Games makes a comeback (1:11:46), Terrence Howa...
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April 8, 2025 • 109 mins
Van and Rachel react to a recent tweet of Van’s (:18) before discussing Kamala Harris’s recent “I told you so” comments (24:23) and a stabbing at a Texas track meet that left one student dead and another claiming self-defense (49:47). Then, a message to rappers regarding tariffs (1:17:09) and a celebration of Duke’s NCAA tournament loss (1:26:04).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smit...
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April 4, 2025 • 104 mins
Van and Rachel have a conversation about her experience with alimony (3:37) before welcoming writer Michael Harriot to help break down Trump’s tariff war, which is looking bleak (23:32). Plus, Young Thug may be in trouble with the law again (45:38), Cory Booker breaks a record (57:47), and Andrew Schulz appeared on The Pivot (1:05:39). And finally, an Anthony Edwards rumor gets put to rest, but we still have questions (1:28:06).
H...
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April 1, 2025 • 108 mins
Van and Rachel discuss YG’s new single, "2004," and conversations about male survivors of sexual assault (1:15), and the White House Correspondents Dinner (9:07) before comedian and podcaster TK Kirkland joins to talk everything from Donald Trump’s road to the White House (24:59) to domestic violence, mental health (38:32), and touring with N.W.A in the late ’80s (1:04:44). Plus, TK’s thoughts on child support (1:11:14) and Mo’Niqu...
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March 28, 2025 • 92 mins
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode by discussing the discourse around Van’s idea of a top BBL city, and then they change direction with a chat about the characteristics behind “BDE” (04:27). Then, they get into the simmering Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James feud (08:55) and the accidental adding of The Atlantic’s editor in chief to the Trump administration’s war plans group chat (35:10). They also ask the question, “W...
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March 25, 2025 • 112 mins
Van and Rachel remember the life of George Foreman (19:32) before discussing Jonathan Majors’s latest film, ‘Magazine Dreams’ (29:06), and the controversy surrounding Disney’s ‘Snow White’ (48:01). Then they react to the lawsuits against Marcellus Wiley detailing accounts of rape and sexual assault (1:00:31). Then Van explains why he’ll redo his list of the top five Black cities while addressing income inequality (1:20:56), and is ...
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March 21, 2025 • 100 mins
Van and Rachel recap Jess Hilarious's airing out of 'Breakfast Club' grievances online and on air (7:32), before reacting to the erasure of Jackie Robinson and other military heroes in the name of getting rid of DEI (27:41). Plus, Van has a Kanye West theory (1:11:14) and gives his top five Black cities (1:21:21).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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March 18, 2025 • 100 mins
Van and Rachel give a review of Playboi Carti’s latest album, ‘Music’ (7:19), before reacting to Kanye West and Kim Kardashian butting heads over a new song featuring Diddy and their daughter (17:22), and Anthony Mackie’s backlash for comments on masculinity (38:45). Then, Congress and Trump avoid shutting down the government (56:10), and Rachel addresses the tragedy of domestic violence (1:12:05) before Ian Von, host of ‘Let’s Tal...
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March 14, 2025 • 89 mins
Van and Rachel react to questions about Doechii after she was invited onstage at a Lauryn Hill concert (12:35), Lil Yachty calls Black Lives Matter a "literal scam" (31:37), and Tucker Carlson touts the genetics of his people (45:10). Then a philosophical discussion on morality and religion: Can you have one without the other (57:44)?
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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March 11, 2025 • 116 mins
Van and Rachel remember the life of D’Wayne Wiggins and the impact of Tony! Toni! Toné! (:37), before Van breaks down five things Democrats can do to win back voters (11:01), Gavin Newsom calls trans athletes in women’s sports unfair (45:51), and Dana White welcomes Andrew Tate with open arms (1:02:19). Plus, Doechii’s dating red flag had some men upset (1:14:10), LeBron confronts Stephen A. Smith (1:22:55), and Dr. Umar has a soci...
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March 7, 2025 • 112 mins
Van and Rachel reflect on the life and career of Roy Ayers (1:40) and discuss Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China (7:22). Then, Washington bureau chief for The Economist Idrees Kahloon joins to break down the economic strategy of the tariffs (28:26). Plus, Democrats protest through song (52:52), Ben Shapiro calls for a pardon of Derek Chauvin (1:08:52), and a young man dies while pledging Omega Psi Phi (1:14:00). Finally, ...
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March 4, 2025 • 100 mins
Van and Rachel remember the life and career of Angie Stone (00:34) before reacting to the Oscars (2:36), and Van has thoughts on a Conan hip-hop joke (4:20). Then, a discussion of the lawsuit against Jay-Z being dropped (18:25), before filmmaker Mark Anthony Green joins to talk about his directorial debut, ‘Opus’ (42:22) and Ayo Edebiri’s star power (1:01:35).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Mark Anthony Green
Producer...
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February 28, 2025 • 96 mins
Van and Rachel discuss the life and death of Gene Hackman (4:55), before reacting to the GOP budget bill that could cause major cuts to Medicaid and have ripple effects for Medicare (10:13) before welcoming CNN journalist Omar Jimenez to discuss the White House moving to pick the pool reporters who cover Trump (36:42). Plus, Me Too founder Tarana Burke discusses where the movement stands in 2025 (59:47).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rach...
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February 21, 2025 • 58 mins
Van’s radio row adventures continue, as he welcomes Pacman Jones and Evan Rosenblum to discuss 'The Pacman Jones Show' (0:00). Then he welcomes Carolina Panthers beat writer Sheena Quick (19:13) and NFL draft prospect Tetairoa McMillan (28:58). Plus, Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (34:20) and Steelers legend Joey Porter (40:20) join the show.
Host: Van Lathan
Guests: Pacman Jones, Evan Rosenblum, Sheena Quick, Tetairoa McMillan, ...
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February 18, 2025 • 53 mins
While at Super Bowl LIX radio row, Van sat down with the likes of Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith (0:00), LSU great Andrew Whitworth (14:20), and a pair of legendary Saints Deuce McCallister (24:49, and Demario Davis (35:58).
Host: Van Lathan
Guests: Emmitt Smith, Andrew Whitworth, Deuce McCallister, Demario Davis
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr., Cory McConnell, Chia Hao Tat, and Ronak Nair
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