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Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel LindsaySubscribed: 7,309Played: 523,931
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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.
505 Episodes
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Rachel and Van start the show with a conversation on the Virginia election and intercommunity politics concerning Black Republicans. Then they are joined by Abby Phillip, anchor of 'NewsNight' on CNN, to talk about her latest book, 'A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power.' They end the show by giving their thoughts on the Billboard Hot 100's top 40 not having any rap songs for the first time since 1990.
00:00 - Welcome!
01:27 - Virginia Election Day approaches
16:12 - NYC mayoral race
38:50 - California’s Prop 50
51:58 - Abby Phillip joins us!
1:53:31 - The attack on SNAP benefits and resources
1:56:09 - Billboard Hot 100’s top 40: no rap songs
2:13:31 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Abby Phillip
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
RESOURCES :
Detroit Farmers Giving Away Food
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQa5L7jDRa3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
LA County Mobilizes Food Assistance as Federal Government Shutdown Continues
https://lacounty.gov/2025/10/28/la-county-mobilizes-food-assistance-as-federal-government-shutdown-continues/
SNAP benefits ending: Here's where you can get emergency assistance in Southern California
https://www.foxla.com/news/snap-benefits-ending-november-government-shutdown
SNAP runs out of money Nov. 1. Here's what that means in your state
https://www.npr.org/2025/10/28/g-s1-95189/snap-food-stamps-government-shutdown-november
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Van and Rachel talk Kamala Harris’s political future, New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries endorsing Zohran Mamdani, and the Cash Money vs. No Limit ‘Verzuz’ battle before Roy Wood Jr. joins to discuss his new memoir, 'The Man of Many Fathers.' Then technology writer Ed Zitron joins to break down the economic impact of AI.
(0:00) Intro
(1:00) Kamala Harris running again?
(9:53) Hakeem Jeffries endorses Mamdani
(18:57) Roy Wood Jr. joins the show
(1:12:51) Ed Zitron on AI
(1:45:29) ‘Verzuz’: Cash Money vs. No Limit
(1:50:30) Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on "inclusion and exclusion"
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Roy Wood Jr. and Ed Zitron
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Rachel and Van start the show by rating Stephen A. Smith’s apology to Jasmine Crockett before getting into Emmanuel Acho’s latest comments and perspective on our past intense interview with him. Then, Logan Murdock from The Ringer’s Real Ones joins to talk about the NBA gambling scandal, celeb culture, and masculinity. Last, they talk about the backlash against Keke Palmer’s new fish-out-of-water show, ‘Southern Fried Rice.’
00:00 - Welcome!
00:53 - Sneak peek of next week’s show: The AI problem
07:29 - Stephen A.’s apology
29:34 - Revisiting Emmanuel Acho
53:11 - Logan Murdock joins us!
1:40:51 - Keke Palmer’s new show
1:59:14 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Logan Murdock
Producer: Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the “No Kings” protest, the goals of the protest, and the “blatant hypocrisy” from the reaction of the far right. Then, they talk about two controversies concerning offensive past social media posts, one from Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner and the other from Grammy winner Tyler, the Creator. Last, they go over the Gaza ceasefire deal with Huffington Post senior diplomatic correspondent Akbar Ahmed and the violations that followed it.
00:00 - Welcome!
09:12 - The “No Kings” protest
44:16 - Joe Rogan declines to debate Gov. Gavin Newsom
49:36 - Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner apologizes for past social media posts
1:03:49 - Tyler, the Creator’s social media past brings current backlash
1:23:21 - Akbar joins the show!
1:41:23 - What do we do about the Stephen A. thing?
1:52:39 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Akbar Ahmed
Producers: Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Rachel and Van start the show by remembering the late legend D’Angelo and the issue concerning the health of black men in America. Then, they are joined by Isaac Bryan, member of the California State Assembly, to talk about assaults on reparations and restorative justice and his relationship with Governor Gavin Newsom. Later, they take a peek into the latest Stephen A. Smith drama and the reactions to his comments on Representative Jasmine Crockett.
00:00 - Welcome!
03:23 - Thoughts about the Gavin Newsom interview
14:42 - Remembering D’Angelo
36:51 - The Supreme Court and the Voting Rights Act
50:46 - Young Republicans' secret Telegram chat leaked
57:56 - Isaac Bryan joins us!
1:28:24 - Stephen A. and his comments on Rep. Jasmine Crockett
1:46:27 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Isaac Bryan
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Rachel and Van start the show by giving their reactions to the return of ‘Verzuz’ and their opinion of Cash Money versus No Limit Records. Then, they are joined by California Governor Gavin Newsom to talk about the current Democratic Party, Trump, and who could be in the running to lead the Democratic Party. Later, Ryan Grim stops by to talk about the Gaza ceasefire and what it actually means.
00:00 - Welcome!
02:19 - Governor Gavin Newsom joins us!
1:10:34 - Ryan Grim joins us!
1:34:25 - ‘Verzuz’ returns
1:46:01 - Ubisoft cancels Civil War–era 'Assassin's Creed' game
1:48:13 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Governor Gavin Newsom and Ryan Grim
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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1Van and Rachel react to a strange weekend of football before discussing Van Jones’s “dead Gaza baby” joke, Diddy’s sentencing, and Ayesha Curry’s comments on motherhood and marriage.
(0:00) Intro
(8:21) Mark Sanchez’s stabbing & arrest
(16:30) Kyren Lacy update
(31:09) Van Jones apologizes for joke
(48:19) Diddy sentenced
(1:03:32) Ayesha Curry’s admission
(1:45:58) Theo Von & Adin Ross on Trump
(2:08:31) Taylor Swift’s new album
(2:21:13) “Love is Blind”
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Rachel and Van start the show by taking a moment to acknowledge the life of the late Assata Shakur before Rep. Maxwell Frost joins to talk about the government shutdown and the volatile housing market. After, they get into the drama surrounding the WNBA leadership comments, and Ray J getting sued by the Kardashians. Then, they end the show with a “VanLaTEN” for Bad Bunny.
00:00 - Welcome!
05:56 - Assata Shakur’s passing
08:15 - Rep. Maxwell Frost joins us!
1:04:04 - The WNBA’s leadership
1:31:33 - Ray J is getting sued
1:41:49 - The reaction to Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl
1:43:59 - Van’s 5 ideas for Bad Bunny’s performance
1:53:15 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Rep. Maxwell Frost
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Van and Rachel welcome former Washington Post opinion columnist Karen Attiah to discuss her firing from The Post after she made critical remarks about gun culture and violence in the U.S. in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing.
(0:00) Intro
(9:30) Release of redacted Epstein files
(21:29) A review of ‘107 Days’ by Kamala Harris
(48:50) Bad Bunny performing at Super Bowl
(55:33) Karen Attiah joins the show
(1:28:06) Therapy and Young Thug
(1:54:01) Looming government shutdown
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Karen Attiah
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Rachel and Van start the show off by talking about Stephen A. Smith’s response to our comments last show before getting into the removal of ‘Fearless Debaters’ from TSU’s campus and Jimmy Kimmel’s successful return. Then, Tyriq Withers joins the show to talk about his new movie, ‘Him’; the different reactions to the film; the realism of the athleticism showcased in it; and biracial identity.
00:00 - Welcome!
07:29 - Stephen A.’s response to Higher Learning
32:32 - Pandering to Black women
37:47 - ‘Fearless Debaters’ removed from TSU's campus
48:13 - Jimmy Kimmel’s return
1:10:03 - The missing PS5
1:16:38 - Kamala Harris’s appearance on 'The Rachel Maddow Show'
1:20:52 - Tyriq Withers joins us!
1:52:25 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Tyriq Withers
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Van and Rachel welcome ‘Counter Points’ cohost Ryan Grim to discuss his and other platforms’ coverage of Charlie Kirk in the days since his death, before comedian Malik B joins to talk how he literally fought for a role in ‘Creed,’ and his new Hulu special, ‘LOL Live With Malik B.’
(00:00) Intro
(10:21) Having uncomfortable conversations
(33:27) Ryan Grim joins the show
(1:27:28) OG Corner: Van Jones & Stephen A. Smith
(1:54:12) Democratic leadership
(2:05:33) Ghostface Killa and Infinite Coles
(2:16:49) Malik B joins the show
(2:56:10) ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ returns
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Ryan Grim and Malik B
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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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Rep. 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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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