413 episodes

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.

Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay The Ringer

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.7 • 11K Ratings

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.

    Kramer’s Apology, Trump’s Paused Case, and Blum One-Ups the Fearless Fund

    Kramer’s Apology, Trump’s Paused Case, and Blum One-Ups the Fearless Fund

    Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the show by talking about the NBA Finals and a tale about a recent urgent care visit (00:10). Then, Rachel gives an apology rating for Michael Richards’s latest interview with 'The View' on his racist rant from nearly 20 years ago(11:57) before they talk about the possible outcomes from the Georgia appeals court's indefinite pause of the election subversion conspiracy case against Donald Trump (31:51). Later, Van breaks down a Twitter/X interaction and then asks Rachel an important question (52:09).

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
    Producer: Ashleigh Smith
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    • 1 hr 23 min
    Trump’s 34 Charges, Slim Shady’s Return, and Talking ‘Babes’ With Ilana Glazer

    Trump’s 34 Charges, Slim Shady’s Return, and Talking ‘Babes’ With Ilana Glazer

    Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay talk about the 34 guilty verdicts against Donald Trump and what that could possibly mean for both the election and his followers (08:59). Then, they talk about Eminem’s latest song’s targets (21:11), and Caitlin Clark’s rough initiation into the WNBA (35:09). Lastly, they are joined by Ilana Glazer to talk her latest project, ‘Babes,’ and the importance of art in today’s political and sociological climate (51:56).

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
    Guest: Ilana Glazer
    Producer: Ashleigh Smith
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    • 1 hr 38 min
    More Trump Misses, Drake’s New Defender, and Understanding the Airstrikes With Akbar Shahid Ahmed

    More Trump Misses, Drake’s New Defender, and Understanding the Airstrikes With Akbar Shahid Ahmed

    Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay give a quick recap on a few headlines that have captured their attention (08:24), before they are joined by Akbar Shahid Ahmed to talk about the recent airstrikes on Rafah and give more insight on America’s involvement in the Israel/Gaza conflict (19:33). Then, they discuss Drake’s latest defender (53:25) and ask an important question to our Thought Warriors: Can a man tell another man that he looks good? (1:04:42)

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
    Guest: Akbar Shahid Ahmed
    Producer: Ashleigh Smith
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    • 1 hr 24 min
    Spending Memorial Day With Prentice Penny and Black Twitter

    Spending Memorial Day With Prentice Penny and Black Twitter

    Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay spend Memorial Day with Prentice Penny, creator of ‘Black Twitter: A People's History.’ They talk about his latest project and the internet’s reaction to Black Twitter events. Then, they go over the influence and cultural importance that Black Twitter has had in America.

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
    Guest: Prentice Penny
    Producer: Ashleigh Smith
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    • 31 min
    Amber Loves Trumps, Caitlin Clark vs. Rachel, and Apple Music’s Top Albums With Bryan-Michael Cox

    Amber Loves Trumps, Caitlin Clark vs. Rachel, and Apple Music’s Top Albums With Bryan-Michael Cox

    Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay kick off the podcast celebrating four years with the Thought Warriors before Van brings us a surprise topic (05:44). Then, they talk about the contradictory stance Amber Rose has for Donald Trump (15:17). Later, Bryan-Michael Cox joins the show to talk about the revelations and disappointments coming out of Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums ranking (40:43).

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
    Guest: Bryan-Michael Cox
    Producer: Ashleigh Smith
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    • 1 hr 47 min
    Diddy’s Apology, Davis’ Side, and the Lack of Urgency to Help Black America With Rep. Jamaal Bowman

    Diddy’s Apology, Davis’ Side, and the Lack of Urgency to Help Black America With Rep. Jamaal Bowman

    Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the podcast with a discussion about their thoughts behind the emergency podcast and the lessons they learned from it (00:29) before giving their reactions to the apology posted by Diddy (28:09). Then, they are joined by New York Representative Jamaal Bowman to talk about his campaign and his frustrations with Congress (50:19). After, Glen “Big Baby” Davis joins to talk about his side of the story regarding his sentencing (1:25:29).

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
    Guests: Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Glen Davis
    Producer: Ashleigh Smith
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    • 2 hr 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
11K Ratings

11K Ratings

Emundyy ,

Topical and Thoughtful

I came for Rachel, I stayed for Van. Both are incredible podcasters who are willing to set down their egos but not their morals. I love listening to them work through complex topics with respect for one another even when they disagree. The range this podcast has is unmatched.

👁💁🏽‍♂️👏🏽 ,

Trash

(Reiterating)Van, your take on the trump rally was trash. Kaitlynn collins literally worked for Tucker Carlson. Shouldn’t be surprised that given YOUR work history… you give that 2% a pass. Side eying you too Rachael for not calling that out.

haitian91 ,

Giving family a platform episode

Appreciate and loved that Van allowed his cousin to come onto the Podcast and give his side of the story. Rachel and Van are two podcasters that can really conduct a solid interview because they listened, asked follow up questions, made sure what they were hearing was clear and concise. Van making sure his cousin took some accountability on his part because a lot of this sounds sad and trying to uphold “street code”. We only get one life and there’s no way I’m going to uphold a street code that will allow my life to change within an instant. Praying for Van cousin and praying he continues therapy because there was a lot of childhood blame in his explanation.

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