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
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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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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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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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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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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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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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
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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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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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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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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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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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