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
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 politics, the passage of Prop 50, and the reactions to Zohran Mamdani winning the NYC mayoral election. Then, they are joined by Jesse Blake, co-owner of the podcast network SDPN, to talk about the World Series and what it’s like being a Toronto Blue Jays fan. Finally, they talk about the d...
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November 4, 2025 • 158 mins
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 the funding for SNAP. Then, Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary for the Biden administration, joins to talk about her new book, ‘Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines’; the response to her book tour; and the reasons behind her exit fr...
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Rachel and Van start the show with a conversation on the Virginia election and intercommunity politics concerning Black Republicans. Then they are joined by Abby Phillip, anchor of 'NewsNight' on CNN, to talk about her latest book, 'A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power.' They end the show by giving their thoughts on the Billboard Hot 100's top 40 not having any rap songs for the first time since 1...
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October 28, 2025 • 117 mins
Van and Rachel talk Kamala Harris’s political future, New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries endorsing Zohran Mamdani, and the Cash Money vs. No Limit ‘Verzuz’ battle before Roy Wood Jr. joins to discuss his new memoir, 'The Man of Many Fathers.' Then technology writer Ed Zitron joins to break down the economic impact of AI.
(0:00) Intro
(1:00) Kamala Harris running again?
(9:53) Hakeem Jeffries endorses Mamdani
(18:57) Roy ...
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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 perspective on our past intense interview with him. Then, Logan Murdock from The Ringer’s Real Ones joins to talk about the NBA gambling scandal, celeb culture, and masculinity. Last, they talk about the backlash against Keke Palmer’s new fish-out-of-water show, ‘Southern Fried Rice.’
00:...
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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 far right. Then, they talk about two controversies concerning offensive past social media posts, one from Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner and the other from Grammy winner Tyler, the Creator. Last, they go over the Gaza ceasefire deal with Huffington Post senior diplomatic c...
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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 joined by Isaac Bryan, member of the California State Assembly, to talk about assaults on reparations and restorative justice and his relationship with Governor Gavin Newsom. Later, they take a peek into the latest Stephen A. Smith drama and the reactions to his comments on Representative...
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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 are joined by California Governor Gavin Newsom to talk about the current Democratic Party, Trump, and who could be in the running to lead the Democratic Party. Later, Ryan Grim stops by to talk about the Gaza ceasefire and what it actually means.
00:00 - Welcome!
02:19 - Governor ...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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