Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices