Podcast
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Hosted by The Ringer · EN
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.
109episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
"New Face of Hollywood,” Boosie’s Pardon Play, and Rachel’s Finest
2d ago02:13:59Summary readyVan and Rachel react to a problematic Hollywood Reporter article and some Christian blacklash for KevOnStage, before discussing Boosie’s failed efforts to get a pardon and recent killings at the hands of ICE. Then Rachel gives her list of “top five finest men.” (0:00) Intro (24:38) New face of Hollywood (46:08) KevOnStage upsets some fans (1:05:27) Boosie’s pardon play (1:17:32) Memphis Bleek and community (1:34:48) ICE shootings (1:54:24) Rachel’s finest (2:02:18) Remembering a community hero Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Death of Lindsey Graham and Jay-Z’s Colin Kaepernick Diss
6d ago02:08:58Summary readyVan and Rachel react to the death of Senator Lindsey Graham and the speculation around the health of Senator Mitch McConnell before digging into Jay-Z’s mention of Colin Kaepernick at a recent performance. (0:00) Intro (27:25) Rachel’s porkless week (29:52) World Cup updates (33:29) Reactions to Lindsey Graham’s death (56:21) Mitch McConnell speculation (1:00:45) Jay-Z disses Colin Kaepernick (1:51:31) Rachel’s “Finest” (1:54:26) Revenge of the Bison Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Tubman $20 Bill, Graham Platner’s Exit, and Rappers Flying Commercial
1w ago02:17:24Summary readyVan and Rachel react to the U.S. men's soccer team’s loss to Belgium and the list of Emmy nominees. Then they discuss the end of the plans for Harriet Tubman’s $20 bill and Graham Platner ending his Senate campaign. Plus, an update on Marcellus Wiley, and the death of a Mississippi teen sparks conversation. (0:00) Intro (18:53) U.S. loses to Belgium (31:06) Emmy nominations (42:34) Harriet Tubman $20 bill plans ended (59:11) Graham Platner’s failed campaign (1:31:43) Marcellus and Annemarie Wiley update (1:48:28) Questions around the death of Nolan Wells (2:01:59) Rappers flying commercial Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Yung Miami and India.Arie “Spend Dat” Debate, Plus U.S.-FIFA Controversy
2w ago01:56:55Summary readyVan and Rachel react to the U.S. soccer controversy before discussing Marcellus Wiley’s arrest and the "America250" celebration in D.C. Plus, will Diddy get a pardon thanks to Trump? And the song of the summer sparks a debate. (0:00) Intro (35:07) The U.S.-FIFA controversy (51:15) Marcellus Wiley’s arrest (1:03:47) "America250" celebration (1:19:08) Will Trump pardon Diddy? (1:28:41) India.Arie, Yung Miami, and the “Spend Dat” debate (1:42:40) "White and Proud" Facebook group takeover Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryLeBron and the Mighty White Lakers. Plus, Are You Proud to Be an American?
2w ago02:18:34Summary readyVan and Rachel react to the biggest news of the NBA offseason before questioning whether Kamala Harris is gearing up for a presidential run and discussing Barack Obama’s opinion of George Washington. Then Maureen Edobor, an assistant professor at Washington and Lee School of Law, joins to help break down the impact of some recent Supreme Court decisions before Van asks a patriotic question. (0:00) Intro (10:01) The new-look (white) Lakers (15:57) LeBron’s latest decision (41:02) Is Kamala Harris running in 2028? (50:50) Obama on admiring George Washington (1:21:24) Maureen Edobor on SCOTUS’s latest decisions (1:50:02) Are you proud to be an American? Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Maureen Edobor Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryDruski’s BET Awards, Tucker Carlson Leaving the GOP, and “War” in the Democratic Party
3w ago02:00:38Summary readyVan and Rachel react to the 2026 BET Awards before discussing the latest from a pair of former Fox News hosts, and the conflict dividing the Democratic Party. (0:00) Intro (16:04) BET Awards recap (29:00) Haiti and Megyn Kelly’s racist rhetoric (54:11) Tucker Carlson leaving the GOP (1:06:14) Moderates vs. Democratic Socialists (1:31:03) New segment: Rachel Hasn’t Seen This (1:39:40) Fewer babies named Donald Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryXXL Freshman Class, and What Happened With Lizzo? Plus, the Last Gasp of Trumpism
3w ago02:07:02Summary readyVan and Rachel kick off the podcast with a follow-up discussion about Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico before digging into a pair of music industry topics. Plus, an awkward interaction during ESPN’s NBA draft coverage, and was A$AP Rocky disrespectful with the stuff he said during a performance? (0:00) Intro (0:17) A Crockett-Talarico recap (59:46) XXL Freshman Class: Auntie Rach vs. Baby Jade (1:08:55) Lizzo’s new album sales (1:24:03) Jokes about the Jay Williams accident (1:31:07) Was A$AP Rocky being disrespectful? (1:37:57) Is the GOP out of patience with Trump? (1:49:20) Black male suicide rates Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett The Ringer is committed to responsible trading. Please visit https://fanduel.com/predicts to learn more about the resources and helpline Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryCrockett Not Supporting Talarico? Plus, Estelle on the Art of Being a Humble Star
4w ago02:32:57Summary readyVan and Rachel react to questions about Representative Jasmine Crockett’s support of her former opponent James Talarico before Van makes a connection between geopolitics and ‘The Wire.’ They also hit a couple of sports topics and SZA’s anti-AI stance before the multi-hyphenate Estelle joins the show. (0:00) Intro (13:11) Jasmine Crockett, James Talarico, and party unity (35:10) The Iran conflict and ‘The Wire’ (1:01:19) Bill Maher and the Obama Presidential Library (1:16:32) New York Knicks headed to the White House (1:26:13) Wholesome World Cup content (1:33:48) SZA and the dangers of AI (1:45:27) Estelle joins the show Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Estelle Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryJemele Hill and the Jay-Z-Target Partnership: Is It a Big Deal?
Jun 1902:02:51Summary readyVan and Rachel discuss the results of the L.A. primary race, before reacting to the death of a one-year-old at the hands of police. Then Jemele Hill joins to talk boycotts amidst a deal between Target and Jay-Z. (0:00) Intro (13:43) L.A. mayoral primary race results (31:36) Mississippi police shoot and kill one-year-old (54:41) Jemele Hill joins the show (1:25:43) Tyra Banks sues Netflix (1:42:26) Knicks parade reactions (1:50:07) Twerking church mom Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Jemele Hill Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producers: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryKnicks Win It All, UFC at the White House, and the Conviction of Karmelo Anthony
Jun 1601:44:50Summary readyVan and Rachel are back from a break to react to the historic NBA Finals, the UFC fight at the White House, and David Oyelowo’s take on African and Southern Black accents. Then defense attorney Yodit Tewolde joins to help break down the trial and conviction of Karmelo Anthony. (0:00) Intro (8:26) New York Knicks are NBA champs (27:34) UFC fight at the White House (44:15) David Oyelowo on African and Southern Black accents (57:02) Yodit Tewolde on the trial of Karmelo Anthony Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Yodit Tewolde Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Social Producers: Bernard Moore and Jon Roemer Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Additional Language to be Inserted into Show Note/Description: The Ringer is committed to responsible trading. Please visit https://fanduel.com/predicts to learn more about the resources and helpline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Summary