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Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel LindsaySubscribed: 7,228Played: 515,241
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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.
493 Episodes
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Van addresses Memphis Bleek calling him out on Club Shay Shay, before he and Rachel react to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' being taken off the air and the media’s coverage of Charlie Kirk following his death.
(00:00) Intro
(00:12) A Memphis Bleek/Van Lathan explainer
(25:02) Kushner, Trump and the Carters
(49:29) Jimmy Kimmel Suspended
(1:22:52) The sanitizing of Charlie Kirk
(1:57:13) Hangings in Mississippi
(2:03:58) LeBron & Drake Update
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Van and Rachel start by discussing the legal and cultural fallout from the killing of Charlie Kirk. Then they welcome actress Erika Alexander to talk about Apple TV+’s ‘Invasion’ and look back on her role as Maxine in ‘Living Single.’
(0:00) Intro
(1:02) Fallout from Charlie Kirk’s shooting
(36:46) Brian Kilmeade on homeless: “Just kill ‘em”
(54:05) Van’s basketball tangent
(58:42) ‘The Gilded Age’
(1:01:22) Erika Alexander joins the show
(1:55:21) AI influencer?
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Erika Alexander
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Rachel and Van start the show off by talking about the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, the many reactions to it, and what may come from his killing. Then, they react to an excerpt from Kamala Harris’s upcoming book mentioning Joe Biden’s “reckless” decision to run again in the last election. Later, actor, model, and comedian Melvin Gregg joins to talk about his latest show, ‘The Paper,’ before he, Van, and Rachel all share memories of their biggest heartbreak.
00:00 - Welcome!
00:26 - The killing of Charlie Kirk
56:00 - Kamala’s book and her disappointment with Biden's reelection bid
1:14:50 - Israel bombed Hamas negotiators
1:16:24 - The new Bachelorette
1:20:20 - Melvin Gregg joins us!
2:11:59 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Melvin Gregg
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Van and Rachel dig into the Texas senate race, vaccine mandates (or lack thereof) in Florida, and Young Thug’s leaked jail calls, before welcoming marriage and family therapist Nina Westbrook to discuss her new mental wellness app, Nebbi.
(0:00) Intro
(0:39) Left-wing influencers
(13:29) The Phillies Karen
(27:15) Rep. James Talarico running for senate
(48:52) Vand & the realities of aging
(55:23) Nina Westbrook joins the show
(1:37:49) Florida’s vaccine overhaul
(1:55:34) Glaze of the Week
(2:03:08) Young Thug leaks
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Nina Westbrook
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including their theories on a study revealing that the number of Americans having sex has dropped to a record low. Then, they react to Trump’s address of his health rumors and the internet’s desire for his health to decline. Then, NFL quarterback whisperer Quincy Avery joins to discuss generational talent and his new movie, 'The Quincy Avery Effect.'
00:00 - Welcome!
08:04 - Americans are having less sex
19:43 - Trump addresses health rumors
42:18 - A leak reports ICE will be getting military assistance
57:53 - Is Tom Brady a generational talent?
1:06:27 - Brittany Renner’s video arguing about her son
1:25:36 - Drake and interviews with traditional hip-hop media
1:44:43 - Quincy Avery joins us!
2:05:20 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Quincy Avery
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
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1Rep. Ro Khanna returns to talk AIPAC’s role in politics, the release of the Epstein files and what he thinks of the gerrymandering debate.
(0:00) Intro
(0:46) AIPAC’s influence
(6:07) Releasing the Epstein files
(15:14) The gerrymandering fight
(25:29) Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including the return of Cracker Barrel’s old logo and Taylor Swift’s engagement. Then, they react to the developing story of an alleged dark money group secretly funding high-profile Democratic influencers. Later, they are joined by NYC Mayor Eric Adams as he addresses corruption allegations, his non-relationship with Trump, and how he feels about his competition, Zohran Mamdani.
00:00 - Welcome!
1:32 - Cracker Barrel scrapped the new logo
07:37 - Taylor is finally engaged (to Travis Kelce)
24:15 - The Nina Turner response
25:19 - Dark money is allegedly secretly funding Democratic influencers
43:51 - The raw milk story and a quick vaccine debate
51:26 - A quick message from Van before the interview
52:42 - Mayor Eric Adams joins us!
1:25:19 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Mayor Eric Adams
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
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Van and Rachel welcome former Ohio senator Nina Turner to hear her thoughts on the Democratic strategy to fight gerrymandering.
(0:00) Intro
(1:32) Snoop & Pixar’s LGBTQ character
(8:54) Bill Maher changes tone on Trump
(22:02) Dean Cain’s ICE training
(30:21) Serena Williams weight loss journey
(43:04) Jussie Smollett doc review
(58:08) Nina Turner joins the show
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Nina Turner
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the predicted increased prices for Sony’s PlayStation 5 and the Cracker Barrel rebranding. Later, they discuss the Texas House of Representatives’ approval of a GOP-centered congressional map and the disturbing release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting a minor in Nevada. They end with the Glaze of the Week and Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal (thank you, Megan Thee Stallion).
00:00 - Welcome!
10:08 - Jury finds Hernandez Govan not guilty of the Young Dolph killing
30:02 - PlayStation 5 prices will increase
36:06 - Cracker Barrel’s rebrand
52:07 - Amateur football leagues
1:01:50 - Target’s CEO steps down
1:09:58 - Texas House approves GOP congressional map
1:26:40 - The Israeli official Nevada sex crime case
1:40:58 - Glaze of the Week
1:53:06 - Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal
1:57:25 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
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Van and Rachel react to the news of a new ceasefire proposal being accepted by Hamas before welcoming Molly Daniel to the podcast to provide some perspective on the ongoing biracial discussions.
(0:00) Intro
(3:57) Tyla on the ‘coloured’ controversy
(18:43) Jamie Lee Curtis’ boobs
(25:18) Trump names Kennedy Honorees
(34:49) Gaza ceasefire proposal
(39:22) Gavin Newsom’s trolling
(50:33) Kaepernick & Spike Lee ESPN doc
(53:17) Whitney Houston’s receipts
(58:37) Molly Daniel joins the show
(1:46:14) KKK shirt offends racist
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Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the differences in sharing food in different locations. They get into some Trump administration updates, like the deployment of the National Guard in D.C. and the administration's partnership with PragerU. Later, they react to some celebrity news, including Sha'Carri Richardson's apology and the drama between Jurnee Smollett and her ex-husband.
00:00 - Welcome!
7:57 - Trump deploys the National Guard in D.C.
37:00 - PragerU to replace PBS
1:09:07 - Sha’Carri Richardson apologizes to Christian Coleman
1:24:06 - Jurnee Smollett’s ex-husband wants a portion of her retirement
1:57:09 - Glaze of the Week
2:02:42 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
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Halle Berry’s ex-husband David Justice sparks a gender war after speaking on their divorce. Then, New York Times bestselling author S.A. Cosby joins to discuss his latest novel, ‘King of Ashes’.
(0:00) Intro
(0:32) Van’s Very Serious Question
(20:55) Trump deploys National Guard
(25:49) Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Debut
(46:35) Nancy Mace fact checked
(58:05) David Justice on divorcing Halle Berry
(1:33:08) S.A. Cosby joins the show
(2:04:29) Israel-Gaza updates
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: S.A. Cosby
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the news of the cancellation of The Howard Stern Show before getting into some one-sided beefs: Donald Trump against Gayle King and Megyn Kelly against Beyoncé. Then, they talk about Diddy’s possible presidential pardon and the threats against the Voting Rights Act before Van gets into the conspiracy happening in the WNBA.
00:00 - Welcome!
08:44 - The Howard Stern Show is done
18:57 - Gayle King vs. Trump?
24:17 - BET Hip-Hop and Soul Train Awards suspended indefinitely
45:22 - Megyn Kelly tries to rip Beyoncé
1:00:48 - Diddy’s possible presidential pardon
1:14:22 - Voting Rights Act under threat
1:26:57 - The WNBA dildo-tossing conspiracy
1:37:42 - Van's lovely sister joins us!
1:41:26 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
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Van and Rachel welcome Texas Rep. James Talarico to shed light on the state’s Democrats fleeing to prevent a vote over efforts to add Republican seats.
(0:00) Intro
(8:01) Top 5 White Singing Ladies *since 2010
(9:27) Stephen A. Smith vs. Michelle Obama
(28:42) Rep. James Talarico joins the show
(34:57) The fight against gerrymandering
(41:18) Toughening the Democrats
(1:02:35) Glaze of the Week
(1:15:15) Palantir update
(1:16:15) FEMA to deny grants over Israel boycotts
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Rep. James Talarico
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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Rachel and Van start the show by running through some quick-hitters, including the internet’s reaction to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle commercial, Ari Lennox’s thoughts on Martin’s treatment of Pam, and Kamala Harris’s new book. Then, they talk about new updates to the Israel-Hamas conflict and some reactions to their Hulk Hogan segment last week.
00:00 - Welcome!
00:59 - Sydney Sweeney’s good “jeans”
29:57 - Ari Lennox’s thoughts on Martin and Pam
44:59 - Kamala Harris’s '107 Days'
1:12:28 - The Gaza-Israel Conflict
1:35:14 - Shannon Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas
1:45:32 - Reactions to our Hulk Hogan segment
2:08:38 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
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Van and Rachel discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, talk about Dr. Umar’s plea for help, and give N3on an apology rating before Elliott Connie joins to discuss his methods for mental wellness.
(0:00) Intro
(0:45) The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
(46:06) Dr. Umar’s Plea for Help
(59:46) N3ON Apology Rating
(1:25:20) Tyler Perry on Ownership & ‘Sinners’
(1:32:30) Elliott Connie Joins the Show
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Elliott Connie
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the passing of the infamous Hulk Hogan and the complexity of his legacy. Then, the host of Two Personal, Joy Taylor, joins us to talk about processing the surprise cancellation of her show, how she was treated in comparison to her male counterparts, and her opinion of men.
00:00 - Welcome!
00:37 - Hulk Hogan’s passing
03:56 - Joy Taylor joins us
38:57 - Feelings toward Fox
48:58 - Will the dam break?
57:48 - Vulnerably in certain spaces
1:02:18 - Opinion on men
1:56:41 - What does Joy want to build?
2:18:39 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Joy Taylor
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
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Van and Rachel react to the tragic news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death, before welcoming Houston farmer Jeremy Peaches to shed light on the Trump administration's impact on Black farmers.
(0:00) Intro
(4:59) Colbert ‘Late Show’ canceled
(14:07) Remembering Malcolm Jamal Warner
(22:52) Couple caught cheating at concert
(42:02) Glaze of the Week
(48:39) Jeremy Peaches joins the show
(1:10:11) Need to hear from Snoop and Nelly?
(1:26:18) WNBA pay dispute
(1:47:11) Nessa, Kaepernick and Jay-Z
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Jeremy Peaches
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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Rachel and Van are joined by Calvin Abbasi, strategic advisor to the OpenAI Nonprofit Commission, to talk about perceptions of AI, the dangers of it, and real questions that need to be asked about this developing technology.
00:00 - Welcome!
02:11 - AI and Self-Preservation
07:40 - Is AI Dangerous?
09:10 - The Grok Situation
14:18 - The Architect Determines the AI
17:14 - Thoughts on Sam Altman
19:53 - DeepSeek’s Effect on the AI Industry
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Calvin Abbasi
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
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Van and Rachel are joined by Director Malcolm D. Lee to discuss his new book, ‘The Best Man: Unfinished Business’, what inspired the writing of the original movie, and if we can expect a ‘Girls Trip 2’ anytime soon?
(0:00) Intro
(1:35) Adapting the story for the page
(7:33) Addressing criticism
(11:29) Adapting the story for the screen
(14:47) Prequels?
(17:46) One of the sexiest casts of all-time
(22:35) Sable bourbon
(22:41) Girls Trip 2
(24:17) Essence Fest
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Malcolm D. Lee
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
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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