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

December 30, 2025 140 mins
Van and Rachel close out 2025 with a bang! Thanks for listening and watching this year and keep doing so in the next. See ya’ll in 2026. (0:00) Intro (12:01) Van Lathan: King of Threads (15:59) Auntie or nah? (20:03) ‘Stranger Things’ (32:49) Chappelle backlash (1:00:26) Nigeria strikes (1:08:02) Epstein update (1:21:57) Dr. Umar on Venus and Serena (1:55:13) New Diddy documentary (2:08:00) Russian ‘Bad Girls Club’ (2:...
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Van and Rachel welcome author, activist, and daughter of Malcolm X, Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, to discuss her father’s autobiography, 60 years after its first publication. Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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December 23, 2025 132 mins
Van and Rachel react to the latest Epstein file dump, Nicki Minaj’s “surprise” appearance at a Turning Point USA conference, and Dave Chappelle’s latest Netflix special. Plus, a breakdown of the “f--k the streets” controversy and the Jake Paul–Anthony Joshua fight. (0:00) Intro (7:54) Jeffrey Epstein file dump (39:31) Nicki Minaj at TPUSA (1:02:06) Dave Chappelle’s 'The Unstoppable' (1:21:59) “F--k the streets” (1:40:52) Ja...
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Van and Rachel discuss the dysfunction in the FBI and the Trump administration as a whole in the lead-up to the release of more Epstein files. Plus, Keith Edwards sparks debate on criticisms of candidates. Then, Dr. Umar weighs in on the Netflix Diddy documentary, and Van introduces a new game. (0:00) Intro (3:48) Dysfunction in the FBI (29:57) Epstein distractions (39:32) Vivek Ramaswamy and the American dream (47:03) Keith...
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Van and Rachel react to a weekend filled with difficult news, from the killing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, to the mass shootings at Brown University and a Hanukkah event in Australia. Then, the return of Philip Rivers resurrects discussions about Colin Kaepernick, the cofounder of Uncle Nearest apologizes, and Atlanta tops an OnlyFans list. (0:33) Reiner family tragedy (8:59) Trump’s response (22:16) Bro...
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Van and Rachel discuss Representative Jasmine Crockett, who's entered the Senate race in Texas, and the rejection of health-care subsidies by the Senate. Then they react to the drama out of the University of Michigan. Plus, reporter Marc Caputo joins to shed light on Trump’s actions against Venezuela and political change in Miami. Finally, they talk about ‘Sinners’ erasure on end of the year lists. (0:00) Intro (9:30) Jasmine C...
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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 campaign. Then a boxing-style scoring of the best back-and-forths between Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman. (0:00) Intro (11:41) Jason Derulo on working with women (23:15) Nana joins the show (53:04) Sydney Sweeney on the “great jeans” ad (1:01:33) Stephen A. Smith vs. Max Kellerm...
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Rachel and Van start the show by talking about podcasters like Joe Rogan and his possible intentions with those he interviews. Then, they discuss Governor Josh Shapiro’s opinions on Kamala Harris’s book and react to both the new four-part Netflix documentary on Diddy and the response to it from Diddy’s team. Rachel also gives an apology rating to BD Wong. Later, they are joined by Governor Wes Moore to talk about reparations, child...
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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. Plus, Stephen A. Smith’s talking politics, tech bros are freestyling, and inmates are dancing with their daughters. (0:00) Intro (13:53) Boat strike investigations (31:19) Defining ‘remigration’  (41:46) The Danish Deception (1:04:33) Odell Beckham Jr. and financial literacy (1:...
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Van and Rachel check in on the state of politics and culture before taking a quick Thanksgiving break! (0:00) Intro (12:58) Mamdani’s meeting with Trump (42:10) No primary challenge for Representative Hakeem Jeffries (59:53) The erotic poetry of RFK Jr. (1:16:14) A new game: Where in the world is MAGA? (1:24:58) Klay Thompson vs. Ja Morant (1:33:38) Summer Walker relationship drama Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay ...
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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. Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii to break down his X post about converting MAGA supporters. Last, they are joined by WNBA legend, musician, and honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta, Angel McCoughtry, to talk about how men treat and talk about the WNBA. 00:00 - Welcome!  00:54 - Pharrell C...
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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' correspondence about Trump “blowing Bubba.” Plus, Michelle Obama talks about America’s readiness for a woman president, Pharrell shares his dislike of politics, and Eric Adams goes to Israel. (0:00) Black women in pop and hip-hop (19:16) MAGA regrets (45:23) Marjorie Taylor Greene’s apo...
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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 for the Young Turks and current co-host of the Majority Report, Emma Vigeland, to talk about the Epstein files, the state of the GOP, and the characteristics of useful disagreements between progressives. Later, they talk about the response toward Donald Trump’s appearance on the Pat Mc...
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Van and Rachel discuss the agreement to end the government shutdown before welcoming Representative Summer Lee to give her perspective as a congresswoman. Then Van gives his take on the controversy surrounding James Talarico’s social media habits, and a Michael Jackson impersonator responds to the trailer for the biopic ‘Michael.’ 00:00 Intro (6:13) Government shutdown ends (31:00) Representative Summer Lee joins the show (1:...
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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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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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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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