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Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel LindsaySubscribed: 7,379Played: 539,715
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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.
525 Episodes
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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
(1:19:00) Hussein “Huss” Banai on the Iranian conflict
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Hussein “Huss” Banai
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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 Representative Crockett
(2:08:23) Steve Nash and capitalism
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: www.naacpimageawards.net
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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 J6 attack
(28:53) ICE shooting in Minneapolis
(55:43) Spencer Pratt’s mayoral race
(1:04:34) Matt Kalil suing for penis talk
(1:19:53) Chris Redd’s emotional post
(1:48:01) Zion Williamson’s latest drama
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
Van’s ‘Fuck You If You Disagree’ Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/vanlathan?r=5cs2w&utm_medium=ios
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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’s dreams
(14:44) U.S. crime rates are falling
(34:21) Pastor Jamal Bryant defends his wife’s dress
(1:00:36 Ryan Grim on Venezuela
(1:38:19) Will Smith and Tyler Perry lawsuits
(2:03:44) Adin Ross, Doechii, and Glasses Malone
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Ryan Grim
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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1Van 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’
(2:14:40) Top moments of 2025
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
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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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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) Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua
(1:58:00) Timothée Chalamet’s rap video
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
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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 Edwards and Jasmine Crockett
(1:23:52) Dr. Umar vs. 50 Cent
(1:38:47) Van’s N---a Number Game
(1:59:55) Young Thug proposes to Mariah the Scientist
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Jon Jones
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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) Brown University shooting
(42:49) Bondi Beach shooting
(1:00:04) Philip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, and the NFL
(1:32:43) Fawn Weaver apologizes
(1:46:32) Atlanta loves OnlyFans
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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 Crockett vs. James Talarico
(43:33) Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring
(56:08) Sherrone Moore fired
(1:14:03) Marc Caputo joins the show
(1:47:31) ‘Sinners’ erasure
(2:07:21) Rachel dating drug dealers
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Marc Caputo
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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 Kellerman
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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 poverty, and direct conversations with Trump.
00:00 - Welcome!
04:15 - Joe Rogan and intentions
09:57 - Governor Shapiro comments on Kamala Harris
17:43 - Netflix releases a four-part Diddy documentary
28:24- Pharrell addresses recent political comments
48:39 - BD Wong apologizes for racist joke
58:06- Governor Wes Moore joins us
2:00:57 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Governor Wes Moore
Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Donnie Beacham
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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
(1:17:21) An HBCU/Divine 9 debate
(1:33:18) Stephen A. Smith and politics
(1:41:07) A very cringey freestyle
(1:47:34) Angola prison father-daughter dance
(2:00:49) Gun pulled over hairline
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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 Clarifies
28:20 - Trump Berates Bloomberg News Reporter
37:54 - Sen. Brian Schatz Joins Us!
53:07 - Coast Guard Changes Classifications On Hate Symbols
1:11:12 - Angel McCoughtry Joins Us!
1:33:04 - Thanks for Watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Sen. Brian Schatz and Angel McCoughtry
Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Donnie Beacham
Video Supervision: Jon Jones
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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 apology
(50:55) Trump and Bubba
(56:15) Michelle Obama on a woman president
(1:10:40) Pharrell and politics
(1:34:04) Eric Adams in Israel
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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 McAfee Show for Veterans Day, and Rachel gives an apology rating to Kayla Nicole. Last, they end the show with a segment of VanLaTEN.
00:00 - Welcome!
05:08 - Updates on the Epstein files
32:04 - Emma Vigeland joins us!
1:31:39 - Trump on the Pat McAfee Show
2:01:15 - Rachel’s apology rating: Kayla Nicole’s old tweets
2:19:15 - The VanLaTEN: “Top five dudes that got their friends killed in movies”
2:29:04 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Emma Vigeland
Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Donnie Beacham
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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
(1:23:13) James Talarico follows adult film stars
(1:30:58) Reactions to the ‘Michael’ trailer
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Rep. Summer Lee
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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 developing GOP “civil war” over Nick Fuentes before getting into Summer Walker’s newest cover art and the viral discussion about whether it is embarrassing to have a boyfriend.
00:00 - Welcome!
04:34 - Election night recaps
32:02 - Van Jones comments on Zohran Mamdani
1:04:06 - Jesse Blake joins the show
1:18:13 - Has a GOP civil war begun?
1:40:32 - Summer Walker’s new album artwork
1:52:17 - Embarrassing boyfriends
2:10:35 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Jesse Blake
Producer: Ashleigh Smith and Donnie Beacham
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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 from the Democratic Party.
00:00 Dodgers' World Series win
(18:20) Efforts to end SNAP
(1:01:06) Ignoring the blackface costumes
(1:08:39) Karine Jean-Pierre joins the show
(1:12:46) A look into the book
(1:22:11) A broken White House
(1:38:17) Where should the party go?
(2:13:38) Graham Platner’s campaign
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Oluwajomiloju Adeniran and Karine Jean-Pierre
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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preach van, Rachel doesn't know what a hold down is!
I just discovered this show, it is great for the culture. Intelligent, funny and topical!
I absolutely love the conversations on 'Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay.' Van and Rachel have such a great dynamic, and their insights into current events, pop culture, and social issues are always thought-provoking and engaging. https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/rigidbox-masters/5233603
BUSTA was pretty damn happy!!!
ah the amount of stupid out of this guests mouth. He doesn't even know me personally, gaslighting my black ass experiences. What a clown hahahah.
woooo an tuck...da fuq
come thru Rachel... the 2 Justin's 😍
Van's lion talked reminds me of a movie called Uncaged. Good movie fun watch
I normally like your take on many topics but I really wished you would've did your research as to why it was so significant for the red wave not to have happened.
I really enjoyed that conversation
so this means you would have a problem with black country singers? country music has been seen as white forever.
They can only spend 4% of the endowment per year.
Oh yeah, there's a documentary called "Earth at Night in Color" and one episode is ALL ABOUT a mountain Lion living in the middle of LA 😳😬
Where's today's episode?
Check out The Fish Locker on YouTube. A lot of fun videos about fishing and beach foraging.
Sandwich attack! 01:53:00.
I would like the longer podcast
Van is talking about Idlewild, Michigan
The way Van talks about poly life is ignorant. You are misinformed and sound insensitive with your jokes.. I don't know... There's room for "learning" about a lifestyle YOU don't understand. Cheers tho. Love the pod.
facts are facts, MICHAEL JACKSON WAS NEVER CHARGED. Cases thrown out by the COURTS. investigated by the FBI. nothing found.. UNLIKE, R-kelly..bill Cosby.. were FACTS were found against them. stop clowning..... Rachel