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

June 17, 2025 137 mins
With Rachel in Europe, Van’s flying solo to address the evolving conflict in the Middle East with HuffPost’s Akbar Shahid Ahmed. (0:00) Intro (3:14) Father’s Day (23:35) Israel-Iran attacks (28:48) Akbar Shahid Ahmed joins the show (1:03:09) GOP Rep calls for ‘nuking’ Gaza (1:08:04) Minnesota lawmaker shooting (1:21:08) Van hates Caitlin Clark (1:28:56) Stephen A. Smith loves solitaire (1:40:39) Will Smith’s new song (1...
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Van and Rachel give an update on the fallout from Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, before filmmaker Kayla Johnson and Pastor Tim Johnson join to discuss their documentary, ‘Fatherless No More’. (0:00) Intro (:31) Age guidelines in dating (7:00) Rachel’s skunk story (18:35) Remembering Sly Stone (20:53) Remembering Ananda Lewis (29:09) BET Awards (33:26) The Me Too Movement (50:01) Claressa Shields snubbed? (51:31) U...
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Van and Rachel are joined by Seema Mehta of the Los Angeles Times to address the unrest in L.A. (0:00) Intro (3:11) Cardi B and the Target boycott (8:40) Why Keith Sweat is single at 63 (18:01) Swedish gospel (24:06) Coco Gauff vs. Aryna Sabalenka (30:28) Anti-ICE protests in L.A. (48:16) Seema Mehta joins the show (1:01:02) Should Black people care? (1:26:7) 'Tha Carter VI' Review (1:34:21) Glaze of the Week Hosts: ...
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Van and Rachel are joined by NBA great Metta Sandiford-Artest, who thinks he’s the right man to lead the Knicks. (:39) Debating the phrase "freak-off" (12:53) Offset threatens violence (22:09) Linda McMahon and DEI (34:32) Metta Sandiford-Artest joins the show (56:08) Karine Jean-Pierre leaving the Dem. Party (1:09:47) Dez Bryant, homophobia, and the NFL (1:18:12) The White Black Panther (1:27:59) Transactional relationsh...
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Van and Rachel react to racists attempting to claim the sentiment “Black fatigue” (0:00), before legendary basketball player and coach Dawn Staley joins the show to talk about life lessons from her memoir, ‘Uncommon Favor’ (15:15). Then, reactions to Offset’s request for spousal support from Cardi B (46:31), an Atlanta family deals with squatters throwing pool parties (1:01:59), a debate on how many mechanical bull rides are too ma...
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Van and Rachel are back from the Memorial Day break to talk Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" (:48), Elon Musk's decision to officially leave the administration (2:40), the latest out of the Diddy trial (8:15) and Trump’s recent pardons (17:37). Then they give their reactions to Druski’s skit in whiteface (24:46) and have a conversation about conversations with RGIII (32:53), before they give some updates on the alpha dog King Charles ...
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Van sits down with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to discuss entering the gubernatorial race (:34), whether it’s important or possible for Black people to have positive relationships with police (16:15), Democrats shying away from more progressive politics (27:23), and criticism of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s White House appearance (38:40). Plus, a peek into his career in music (40:04). Host: Van Lathan Guest: Mayor Ras Barak...
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Van and Rachel discuss a wholesome TikTok trend (10:50) before reacting to the death of a member of Congress (14:15), and giving an update on the RGIII vs. Ryan Clark drama (20:06). Then reparationist Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor joins to dig into Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s veto of a reparations bill (29:40). Plus, Kid Cudi takes the witness stand in the Diddy trial (57:22), humanitarian efforts are stalled in Gaza (1:11:21), an...
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Van and Rachel discuss Dan Bongino and Kash Patel’s comments on Jeffrey Epstein’s death (8:10), and whether Atlanta is still the Black Mecca (14:02). Then, reactions to Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis (20:49), before Robert Griffin III earns Glaze of the Week (36:31), and Snoop Dogg addresses the Trump inauguration backlash (53:59). Then, writer Anna Malaika Tubbs joins to talk about her new book, ‘Erased: What American Patriarchy Has...
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Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode by discussing the TikTok trend of including redheaded Americans in the Black community (07:20). Then, they go through a few “quick hitters,” including the restraining order sought by Halle Bailey (18:52), the backlash about Meghan Trainor’s new look (33:28), and their reactions to the introductions to the federal bill redefining what qualifies as “obscene” (58:14). Then, they bring on...
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Van and Rachel took to New York’s Gramercy Theater in front of a lively audience to discuss the old guard of the Democratic Party, after David Hogg’s “get over yourself” comment (12:57). Then Van debuts a new spinoff, “Glaze of the Decade” (29:37), before thought warriors join the show for Animal Games (54:38) and a Rachel Apology Contest (1:12:07). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashl...
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Van and Rachel discuss the buildup to the selection of the new pope (14:37) and the acquittal of the officers who killed Tyre Nichols (16:46) before shifting gears to the Met Gala and its celebration of Black style (32:43). Then, instant reactions to the announcement of Pope Leo XIV (56:08), a conversation around the lawsuit against Smokey Robinson (59:09), and the discussion on Jayden Daniels’s mom makes a comeback (1:28:30). H...
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Van and Rachel react to Donald Trump getting involved with NIL in college sports (14:02), and the Turkey Leg Hut crime saga (26:16). Then, Diddy’s trial begins (32:54), Trump appears on ‘Meet the Press’ (50:59), and thanks to a mom saying the N-word, we have a new Glaze of the Week (1:14:53). Plus, a conversation about squatters' rights (1::27:06). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh ...
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Van and Rachel discuss Donald Trump’s cabinet’s praise of his first 100 days in office (2:55), and Paul Pierce’s explanation of NBA players’ dating habits (14:51). Plus, Terrence Howard says what he’d do to his lips if he ever kissed a man (28:51), and Giannis Antetokounmpo gets into it with Tyrese Haliburton’s dad (35:33). Then, reactions to a video of somebody going too far at a pool party (47:35), before former secretary of educ...
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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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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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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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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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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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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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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