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

Epstein Revelations, Ja Rule vs. G-Unit, and Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels

February 13, 2026 • 140 mins
Van and Rachel welcome The Ringer’s Logan Murdock to react to Ja Rule’s confrontation with Uncle Murda and Tony Yayo on a flight, before they discuss more revelations from the Epstein files, hip-hop in the Trump era, and an HGTV show’s cancellation for the host's use of the N-word. (0:00) Intro (3:19) Ja Rule vs. G-Unit in 2026 (19:15) Latest Epstein updates (1:02:15) Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels join the show ...
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Bad Bunny’s Halftime, Trump’s Racist Post, and Activism in Sports With Jemele Hill

February 10, 2026 • 124 mins
Van and Rachel talk about Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and the TPUSA “patriotic” alternative, before reacting to Donald Trump’s racist post of the Obamas and an odd detail in the Epstein files. Then, journalist and podcaster Jemele Hill joins to talk activism and gambling in sports. (0:00) Intro (5:24) Bad Bunny’s halftime show (19:09) Jake Paul and Puerto Rico (26:39) TPUSA’s halftime show (33:30) Trump’s racist post (...
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Chris Harrison: The Return of Traditional Love, Epstein Update, and ICE at the Polls

February 6, 2026 • 115 mins
Van and Rachel kick off the pod with a Shaboozey conversation before reacting to the latest ‘Michael’ trailer. Then they have a discussion on the latest Epstein release, the funding of ICE, and the Texas Senate race, which is turning ugly. And finally, Rachel reacts to the return of Chris Harrison. (0:00) Intro (10:06) Shaboozey apology (20:27) ‘Michael’ trailer reaction (26:27) Epstein files update (43:45 ) ICE reform (58:...
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Don Lemon’s Arrest and ‘Melania’ a Box Office Hit? Plus, Howard Bryant on the Erasure of Paul Robeson

February 3, 2026 • 128 mins
Van and Rachel react to the Grammys before discussing the arrests of journalists who were covering the protests in Minnesota and former Trump supporters Harvey Levin and Andrew Schulz speaking against the president. Then, the host of The Town, Matt Belloni, sheds light on the box office performance of ‘Melania’ before author Howard Bryant joins to discuss his latest book, 'Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in Americ...
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Melania the "Trophy Wife," Nicki’s MAGA Turn, and Black Prestige Media With Ashley Allison

January 30, 2026 • 140 mins
Van and Rachel discuss the documentary ‘Melania’ before reacting to Nicki Minaj’s appearance at a Trump event and the congressional fight over DHS. Plus, Ashley Allison, owner of The Root, joins to discuss the importance of Black media. (0:00) Black Panther Party (14:53) The ‘Melania’ movie (27:47) Nicki Minaj and Trump (52:26) Congress's fight over DHS (1:18:27) Ashley Allison joins the show (2:10:16) Ray J’s health Hos...
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Ye’s Apology, Latest Death in Minneapolis, and Aldis Hodge and Ben Watkins on ‘Cross’

January 27, 2026 • 114 mins
Van and Rachel react to Kanye’s apology in The Wall Street Journal, before discussing the violence in Minnesota. Plus, actor Aldis Hodge and showrunner Ben Watkins join to get us set for Season 2 of Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Cross.’ (0:00) Intro (0:24) Kanye’s apology (29:16) Another shooting in Minneapolis (59:09) Texas Senate debate (1:02:51) Chris Broussard’s bad tweet (1:05:23) Aldis Hodge and Ben Watkins on Season 2 of ‘Cr...
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Michelle Appears on Call Her Daddy, Rachel’s Freedom, and Keith Edwards on Critiquing Crockett

January 23, 2026 • 128 mins
Van and Rachel react to the Oscar nominations before discussing Rachel’s newfound freedom and Michelle Obama’s appearance on Call Her Daddy. Then, there’s drama between LeBron and the Lakers, and media personality Keith Edwards joins to break down his coverage of the Texas Senate race. (0:00) Intro (2:18) Oscar nominations (14:14) Rachel’s IG post (20:41) Michelle Obama on Call Her Daddy (39:05) Lakers drama (49:34) Taylor ...
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Feeling for Josh Allen, Stephen A. and the Bruhs, Plus Charlie Kirk the Time Traveler

January 20, 2026 • 138 mins
Van and Rachel react to a weekend of sports before discussing Stephen A. Smith and frat life, the Black Panther Party in 2026, and military aid in Israel. Plus, Gavin Newsom caves to Ben Shapiro, and Candace Owens has a theory … a conspiracy theory. (0:00) Intro (0:58) Sisqo or Ne-Yo (9:01) Feeling for Josh Allen (24:21) Stephen A. Smith misspeaks (44:20) A Divine 9 discussion (57:50) The Black Panther Party in 2026 (1:11:...
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Kanye West Will Return, Druski and the Megachurch, and the Iranian Conflict

January 16, 2026 • 144 mins
Van and Rachel discuss Teyana Taylor’s comments on Ye, Kai Cenat’s career shift, and Druski’s megachurch skit. Then an update on the conflicts with ICE agents before associate professor Hussein Banai joins to help shed light on the conflict in Iran. (0:00) Intro (15:44) Teyana Taylor and Kanye West (31:17) Kai Cenat’s new path (42:39) Druski’s megachurch skit (1:00:14) J. Cole’s upcoming album (1:02:17) The war with ICE (1...
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‘Sinners,’ Jasmine Crockett, and the Black Panthers

January 13, 2026 • 143 mins
Van and Rachel kick the show off with some awards season reactions, check in on the situation in Minnesota, and react to some criticism of Representative Jasmine Crockett. (0:00) NAACP Image Awards nominations (5:47) Awards season reactions (38:28) Kristy and Desmond Scott’s divorce (53:13) Minneapolis update (1:10:08) The Black Panthers and knowing your rights (1:24:04) Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers, and criticisms of Representa...
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Minneapolis ICE Shooting, Chris Redd Gets Candid, and the Penis Lawsuit

January 9, 2026 • 115 mins
Van and Rachel discuss how House Democrats commemorated the five-year anniversary of the J6 riots before reacting to the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Then, Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of L.A., former NFL player Matt Kalil is suing for talk about his penis size, and comedian Chris Redd gets candid on Instagram. (0:00) Intro (2:59) Van addresses the response to the last episode (15:37) Democrats mark five years since the ...
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The Venezuela Takeover. Plus, a Conversation About Adin Ross, Doechii, and Black Men.

January 6, 2026 • 161 mins
Van and Rachel kick off the New Year with a look at the drop in U.S. crime and Pastor Jamal Bryant’s defense of his wife’s dress before they welcome back 'Breaking Points’ host Ryan Grim to help break down Trump’s actions against Venezuela. Plus, a look at a pair of prominent lawsuits before a discussion of Adin Ross, Doechii, and Glasses Malone, the latter of whom came to the defense of the star rapper. (0:00) Intro (3:50) Van...
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Do the Epstein Files Matter? Is Rachel an Auntie? Plus, Interracial Relationships and a New Diddy Doc

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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Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz and the Legacy of Malcolm X

December 26, 2025 • 25 mins
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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Jeffrey Epstein, Nicki Minaj, and the Streets

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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Epstein Distractions, Dr. Umar vs. 50 Cent, and Van’s N-Word Game

December 19, 2025 • 130 mins
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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The Reiner Family Tragedy, Mass Shootings, and an Uncle Nearest Apology Rating

December 16, 2025 • 118 mins
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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Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico, Sherrone Moore Arrested, and Rachel Dating Drug Dealers

December 12, 2025 • 139 mins
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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L.A. Hip-Hop Culture With Nana, and Sydney Sweeney Speaks

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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Talking Reparations and “Black Boy Tragic” With Governor Wes Moore! Plus, the Diddy Documentary and BD Wong’s Apology Rating. | Higher Learning | The Ringer

December 5, 2025 • 125 mins
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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