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
March 27, 2026 • 144 mins
Van and Rachel react to the latest from the LaRussell controversy before discussing Jay-Z’s interview with GQ and Usher’s comments on Diddy. Then, actresses Taylor Polidore Williams and Crystle Stewart from Netflix’s ‘Beauty in Black’ join the show.
(0:00) Intro
(9:05) Social media addiction ruling
(21:47) NBA salary cap
(30:48) Druski’s “conservative women” skit
(49:04) LaRussell controversy
(1:02:44) Jay-Z, capitalism, an...
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March 24, 2026 • 156 mins
Van and Rachel discuss ICE and TSA before reacting to the latest from the 'Bachelorette' cancelation. Plus: the release of Justin Timberlake’s DUI arrest footage, the return of the movie star, and Van’s got a take on J. Cole and ‘biracials.’ Then, Emma Vigeland from 'The Majority Report’ joins to discuss the war in Iran.
(0:00) Intro
(07:12) ICE and TSA
(20:52) 'Bachelorette' season cancelled
(51:10) Justin Timberlake arrest ...
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Van and Rachel remember the life of Kiki Shepard before discussing the negotiations between the WNBA and WNPBA that led to a verbal agreement for a new CBA. Then they discuss the recent New York Times investigation into Cesar Chavez. After that, the two get into the big controversy revolving around reality star Taylor Frankie Paul, Afroman’s lawsuit, and Ray J’s most recent viral moment: defending his sister Brandy. Lastly, the two...
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March 17, 2026 • 126 mins
Van and Rachel react to the Oscars before discussing Jack Harlow’s comments on his new album, LaRussell and what it means to be "heaven sent," and spring breakers taking Houston. Then hosts of The Big Picture, Amanda Dobbins and Sean Fennessey, join to look back at an Oscar season to remember.
(0:00) Intro
(2:09) Academy Awards reactions
(26:04) Jack Harlow’s "gotten Blacker"
(41:41) LaRussell backlash
(59:23) Spring break i...
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March 14, 2026 • 66 mins
Van and Rachel welcome Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to discuss his memoir, ‘Where We Keep the Light,’ working across the aisle in the MAGA age, and community policing. Plus, addressing the rise in anti-semitism and approaching division on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
(0:00) Intro
(03:32) ‘Where We Keep the Light’
(08:58) Are we better than this?
(16:22) Crime and policing
(29:37) An NBA tangent
(32:26) Relationship with ...
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March 13, 2026 • 170 mins
Van and Rachel react to the cancellation of the Atlanta Hawks’ "Magic City Night" and Bam Adebayo’s 83 points before switching gears to discuss potential threats from Iran. Plus, Harvey Weinstein speaks from behind bars, Ari Lennox gives life to a meme, and the Target boycott appears to be over. Then, Ryan Michelle Bathé, host of the ‘Paradise’ companion podcast joins to talk season 2 of the hit Hulu show.
(0:00) Intro
(2:32) M...
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March 10, 2026 • 109 mins
Van and Rachel discuss Logan Paul vs. Le’Veon Bell and Dak Prescott’s wedding being called off before reacting to the shooting at Rihanna’s home. Then, they discuss an update on the war in Iran before actress Jayme Lawson joins to talk representation in Hollywood, awards season, and of course, ’Sinners.’
(0:00) Intro
(2:08) Logan Paul vs. Le’Veon Bell
(10:23) Dak Prescott and prenups
(24:25) The shooting at Rihanna’s home
(2...
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March 6, 2026 • 133 mins
Van and Rachel react to President Donald Trump’s ouster of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the results of the Texas Senate primary race before having another Drake–Kendrick Lamar debate thanks to Michael Eric Dyson. Finally, Pamela Dias and Takema Robinson join to discuss the grief, justice, and resilience behind the Netflix documentary 'The Perfect Neighbor.'
(0:00) Intro
(0:22) The cost of haircuts
...
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March 3, 2026 • 137 mins
Van and Rachel welcome Indiana University associate professor Hussein Banai, who gives his insight on the joint strikes against Iran. Then they switch gears to discuss Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar odds and Jonathan Majors’s next project. Then Jeff and Nicole Friday join to celebrate 30 years of the American Black Film Festival.
(0:00) Intro
(09:23) Hussein Banai on the conflict in Iran
(41:53) Predictive history
(1:02:20) NAACP ...
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February 27, 2026 • 121 mins
Kevin Fredericks, aka KevOnStage, joins Van and Rachel for a discussion that touches on everything from fear of failure, jokes, the Black church, gospel, and hip-hop.
(0:00) Intro
(:38) Getting past fear
(15:50) God’s sense of humor
(26:23) Pressure to get political
(32:20) Gospel, hip-hop, and R&B
(52:37) Going to church
(58:45) Scripture, sexuality and the church
(1:29:50) Oversharing and overexposure
(1:42:09) “The Ch...
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February 24, 2026 • 130 mins
Van and Rachel react to the conversations around racism and ableism following outbursts at the BAFTA Awards, and Teddy Riley walking back support for R. Kelly. Plus, Gavin Newsom gets criticized,
(0:00) Intro
(9:24) N-word at the BAFTA Awards
(34:53) Teddy Riley and R. Kelly
(57:31) Gavin Newsom backlash
(1:15:55) Huckabee on Israel: “Fine if they took it all”
(1:30:55) Trump, Susan Rice, and Netflix
(1:36:25) Economic via...
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February 20, 2026 • 174 mins
Van and Rachel remember the life of Jesse Jackson before addressing Shia LaBeouf’s Mardi Gras and the latest drama in the Texas Senate race. Then, a breakdown of "Afro-pessimism" before Cori Bush joins to discuss her campaign for Congress. And last but not least, thoughts on Tyler Perry’s most vulgar film.
(0:00) Intro
(9:17) Tyra Banks & America’s Next Top Model
(20:28) The life of Jesse Jackson
(31:34) Addressing Shia LaBe...
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February 17, 2026 • 148 mins
Van and Rachel discuss the NBA dunk contest before reacting to leaks from an alleged burner account, and LeBron’s message to his Israeli fans. Then, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove joins to discuss the Pam Bondi hearings, before Ed Zitron returns to shed light on the world of AI.
(0:00) Intro
(8:39) NBA dunk contest
(19:32) The very alleged Kevin Durant files
(39:42) LeBron James and Israel
(1:05:58) Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove inte...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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