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Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel LindsaySubscribed: 7,331Played: 528,483
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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.
511 Episodes
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1Rachel 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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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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Van 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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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