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 9, 2025 • 104 mins
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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December 2, 2025 • 129 mins
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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November 25, 2025 • 124 mins
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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November 18, 2025 • 111 mins
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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November 11, 2025 • 114 mins
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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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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