Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

The Ringer

4.7 (11K)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

1 DAY AGO

Trump, Nazis, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s N-Word Count

Van and Rachel react to President Trump’s executive orders (11:35) before welcoming assistant professor of law at Washington and Lee Maureen Edobor to dig into their legal and moral implications (22:33). Then Elon Musk salutes in a very Third Reich-ish kinda way (49:31 ), Sexyy Red apologizes to Bernice King (1:05:12), and Jamie Foxx discusses Leonardo DiCaprio’s discomfort with the N-word (1:15:50) Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Maureen Edobor Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 28m
5 DAYS AGO

Hip-Hop, MLK, and Trump’s Second Inauguration

Van and Rachel open the show with Coach Prime, a.k.a. impressionist Sam Croker (8:38), before welcoming the chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Ben Wikler, to discuss plans should he become chair of the DNC (27:43), and re-energizing the Democratic Party (33:12). Then, in-the-moment reactions to Donald Trump’s inauguration (1:02:10), and digging into Nelly, Snoop, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy’s participation (1:14:55). Plus, Byron Donalds calls Trump ‘daddy’ (1:42:30). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Sam Croker and Ben Wikler Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 58m
JAN 17

Drake’s Certified Legal Action and a Potential Ceasefire in Gaza

Van and Rachel discuss what looks to be a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas (7:44). Then, they welcome Toronto radio personality Marlon Palmer to break down the cultural impact of Drake’s lawsuit (15:24). Plus, Donnell Rawlings compares white and Black comedy culture (44:51), and SZA gets backlash for her praise of Drew Barrymore (1:03:14). Then, executive director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition Sam Lewis joins to give insight on the firefighter inmate program in California (1:12:49). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Marlon Palmer and Sam Lewis Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 45m
JAN 14

The Political Firestorm and Recovery in L.A.

Van and Rachel discuss the looming insurance crisis for Los Angeles homeowners (14:42), the price gouging of rental properties (21:14), and the use of prisoners to help fight the fires (29:41). Plus, Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism for her handling of the crisis (46:21). Then, Stephen A. Smith reflects on the election (1:13:57), Jimmy Butler is in a child support battle (1:27:20), and a former WNBA star makes a career shift to OnlyFans (1:37:16). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 58m
JAN 10

Processing the Los Angeles Wildfires With William Gude

Van and Rachel react to the devastation from the Los Angeles wildfires (0:00) before being joined by activist William Gude to provide insight on the fallout and impact of the disaster (16:01). Then, Stephen 'tWitch’ Boss’s widow, Allison Holker, has received criticism for the promotion of her memoir (47:40), Rachel speaks on her divorce being finalized (1:05:31) and Presidents Obama and Trump share a moment at Jimmy Carter’s funeral (1:12:50). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: William Gude Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 41m
JAN 7

The Fox Sports Lawsuit, and Drake’s Break Up With LeBron

Van and Rachel discuss the Fox Sports lawsuit and social media’s reaction to the allegations (15:12), before breaking down Drake’s, ‘Fighting Irish’ freestyle in the context of his relationship with LeBron James (51:48). Plus, Notre Dame’s Black head coach Marcus Freeman speaks on how “color shouldn’t matter” (1:14:51). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 38m
12/27/2024

A Higher Learning Rewind: Animal Welfare and the Return of Animal Games

Van and Rachel are joined by Chris Draper of the Performing Animal Welfare Society to discuss providing sanctuary and care for former performance animals (0:00), before welcoming Dr. Lauren Howard to talk about her role as director of veterinary services for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (23:34). Then, Animal Games makes it’s long anticipated return to the podcast (49:05). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Dr. Chris Draper and Dr. Lauren Howard Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

56 min
12/24/2024

Shameik Moore, Fat Joe, and Higher Learning’s Person of the Year

Van and Rachel kick off the last show of 2024 discussing the Matt Gaetz House Ethics report (5:19), reacting to ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ actor Shameik Moore’s questionable behavior with Spider-Man love interests (15:23), and Fat Joe’s comments on Foundational Black Americans (26:19). Then, a quick (and final) update on the Travis Hunter fiancé saga (41:18), Blake Lively’s legal action against Justin Baldoni (51:44), and NYPD corruption is brought to light (1:08:28). And finally, Van and Rachel reveal their Person of the Year (1:18:50). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1h 34m

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TRAILER

Introducing 'Higher Learning With Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay'

Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay is here. Twice a week the two will talk about Black culture, politics, sports, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1, E1

•

1 min

4.7

out of 5

11,145 Ratings

Thank you!

5 days ago

Rhyno1993

If I could give this podcast a million stars I would!! I look forward every week to a new episode! You both are filled with so much wisdom and give me hope during these uncertain times in our country. I leave each episode feeling empowered with the knowledge you have supplied me. So thank you both for being authentic and always showing up ⭐️
Love this pod

Jan 17

Max RF

Love this show and look forward to it every time i see it in my feed. I would say the ongoing Israel-Palestine discussions are severely surface level and not informed enough to listen to but everything else is 10/10.
Let Rachel and Van Lead

12/18/2024

Tatie_peace24

One of the reasons this is my favorite podcast is the chemistry between Van and Rachel. I love Donny but I don’t like the change of him introducing the topics. I like when Van and Rachel just tap him in periodically. The change has thrown off the flow and I’m someone who has listened to every single episode.
One of your Best

12/04/2024

Bridgeann

This was one of your best. The variety of topics. Relevant and a good discourse on the Drake ‘pre lawsuit’. Especially Rachel showing her legal expertise. Loved Van’s vulnerability in telling his ‘hair’ journey. I feel a bit wiser listening today

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.