Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Date: January 9, 2026
Episode: Minneapolis ICE Shooting, Chris Redd Gets Candid, and the Penis Lawsuit

Episode Overview

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay return for a packed episode of “Higher Learning,” taking aim at the biggest stories intersecting Black culture, politics, and sports. The hosts dive into the fallout from a Minneapolis ICE shooting, dissect controversies around public Democratic spectacles, and sharply analyze high-profile lawsuits and pop culture messes. Chris Redd, former SNL comedian, becomes a focal point as he opens up about addiction, relationships, and his time with Kenan Thompson. The episode blends serious political critique and heated social commentary with moments of levity, offering both in-depth insight and laughter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Social Media Backlash and Podcast Accountability

Timestamps: 00:07–15:35

• Van and Rachel recount recent controversies around their discussions of Black masculinity and hip-hop culture, especially relating to Aiden Ross.
• Van directly addresses criticisms leveled at him over his past podcast comments, emphasizing personal accountability:

  "Everything I say, I'm responsible for everything. So it doesn't matter whether or not context is my ally or not. If you can clip it and put it out there and I said it, it's on me." (03:23, Van)

• He explains nuances in his perspective on conversations about Black men, expressing a desire for depth, context, and honesty without idealizing or demonizing.
• Van reflects on the dangers of binary thinking about cultural figures, referencing his own upbringing:

  "I see myself in the type of Black men that are most routinely criticized by platforms like ours..." (08:41, Van)

• He asserts the importance of nuance when discussing systemic dysfunction versus individual responsibility in Black communities.

2. Democratic Leadership and January 6th Anniversary

Timestamps: 15:36–28:49

• The hosts ridicule Democratic leaders for their candlelight vigil and public singing of "God Bless America," commemorating the January 6th insurrection.
• Rachel is sharply skeptical:

  "There should be no candlelight vigils. Singing 'God Bless America' is not the way to do it. This kind of behavior has to stop." (17:24, Rachel)

• Van expresses both grudging support and strong criticism of Democrats, calling them “the only thing that is standing in the gap for democracy,” but laments their ineffectiveness:

  "They're likely a milquetoast version of leftist political movement...I just don't like this current batch of Democratic leadership." (21:02, Van)

• Discussion about optics, branding, and outreach—how missteps undermine their political messaging, especially heading into the 2026 midterms.

3. Minneapolis ICE Shooting: Analysis and Broader Implications

Timestamps: 28:50–54:24

• Donnie lays out the facts: Renee Nicole Macklin, an American citizen and observer monitoring ICE actions, was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
• The hosts analyze bystander video evidence, contrasting conflicting narratives from DHS and Minneapolis officials.
• Rachel points out serious protocol violations by ICE agents and emphasizes the dangers of militarized federal presence in cities:

  "There's a different type of protocol and training that is for an officer who's going to be within a populated urban city than there is for someone who is there to control the border. That's also why this, sadly, was inevitable." (30:46, Rachel)

• Van explains the function and risks of sanctuary cities, including how ICE ramps up at-large operations in such areas, making community observers like the victim primary targets.
• The conversation turns to authoritarianism and precedent:

  "It falls right in line with what is necessary for them to build an authoritarian government and a fascist regime." (41:00, Rachel)

• Van extrapolates:

  "This year was the execution, but last year was the primer...Now it's in your neighborhood. They say she's a terrorist, so they kill her...This ends up with the Crips and the Bloods being designated domestic terrorists. This ends up with Black Lives Matter being designated domestic terrorists." (43:46, Van)

• Both hosts warn of narrative manipulation by federal authorities and the steady normalization of lethal force against activists and civilians.

4. Spencer Pratt’s Mayoral Bid & Wildfire Activism

Timestamps: 54:25–63:38

• Donnie shares that reality star Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of Los Angeles, launching his campaign at a "They Let Us Burn" rally marking fire devastation in the Palisades.
• Rachel notes the performativity of single-issue candidates:

  “You can't run for office based on one cause, in my opinion.” (58:28, Rachel)

• Van reflects on disaster profiteering and draws parallels with experiences post-Katrina:

  "There's a special place in hell...If there is any part of anyone, Spencer, Heidi, anybody that is using a fire that devastates to promote their own personal brand, then you are a piece of—" (62:17, Van)

• Discussion on how politicians and influencers risk their reputations if seen as inauthentic after tragedy.

5. The “Penis Lawsuit”: Matt Khalil Sues Ex Over Private Comments

Timestamps: 64:31–78:58

• Donnie introduces the viral lawsuit: former NFL player Matt Khalil suing ex Haley Bailey for publicly discussing his penis size on her stream.
• Rachel finds the situation absurd and potentially First Amendment-threatening:

  "It is scary...for you to say, actually that's an invasion of privacy or you're not allowed to do that, it's kind of raising a First Amendment concern here. It's a slippery slope." (73:01, Rachel)

• Van jokes, considering the perverse attention the lawsuit has sparked and hypothesizes about Khalil’s discomfort:

  "By filing this lawsuit, he does bring more attention to the fact that he's got an Oregon Trail cock wagon..." (75:11, Van)

• Both acknowledge that legal attempts to silence ex-partners could establish a disturbing precedent.

6. Chris Redd Opens Up: Substance Issues & Dating Kenan Thompson’s Ex-Wife

Timestamps: 80:01–94:44

• Donnie plays Chris Redd’s emotional Instagram video where Redd directly addresses longstanding rumors of betrayal and outlines his struggles with addiction:

  "It wasn't no plan...I'm not the type of person to scheme on a person...But I did choose love—and that's what this story is." (82:45, Chris Redd)

• Van commiserates with Chris about public vulnerability and the heavy cost of choosing personal relationships over public perception.
• Rachel voices empathy but also sadness for the fallout:

  "He chose love and lost a lot, like friendships, maybe even affected his career in certain ways..." (88:28, Rachel)

• The hosts discuss the fraught ethics of dating a friend’s ex, referencing Hollywood stories like Lee Majors, Ryan O’Neal, and Farrah Fawcett—debating whether love justifies breaking friendship codes.

7. Lighter Fare: Higher Learning Games, Pop Culture, and Upcoming Guests

Timestamps: 99:02–End

• Quick-fire updates and future plans: Van’s new Substack, the “Higher Learning Games” (a friendly podcast athletic competition), and podcast live shows with audience interaction.
• Brief mention of the Zion Williamson OnlyFans controversy and its lack of newsworthiness beyond the basic facts.
• Announcement that Hasan Piker will be a guest on a future episode.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Black Men and Societal Critique:

  "I don't want to be a desirable. I don't want to be a nigger y'all look up to. What I want to be on this podcast and with everyone that listens, is the most authentic, imperfect, but, like, present version of myself."
  (12:13, Van Lathan)

• On Democrats and Optics:

  "You're putting on a show and the jig is up with that. People don’t want to see that anymore."
  (22:38, Rachel Lindsay)

• On ICE and Authoritarianism:

  "They called this woman...a domestic terrorist. The argument could be made that ICE is a domestic terrorist organization."
  (41:00, Rachel Lindsay)

• On Disaster Profiteering:

  "If there is any part of anyone...that is using a fire that devastates to promote their own personal brand, then you are a piece of—"
  (62:17, Van Lathan)

• On Likelihood of Lawsuit Success (Penis Lawsuit):

  "It may bother him. I totally understand that. I do think that this is a real reach when it comes to the law of invasion of privacy."
  (76:36, Rachel Lindsay)

• On Chris Redd’s Confession:

  "Messy shit happens...The question is, if this was the one true love of yours, would you pass up on that one true love because of the friendship code?"
  (92:55, Van Lathan)

Key Timestamps for Segment Reference

• Opening & Social Media Controversy: 00:07–15:35
• Democratic Leadership Critique: 15:36–28:49
• Minneapolis ICE Shooting: 28:50–54:24
• Spencer Pratt Mayoral Run: 54:25–63:38
• The Penis Lawsuit: 64:31–78:58
• Chris Redd’s Emotional Video: 80:01–94:44
• Pop Culture/Outro/Lighter Segments: 99:02–end

Tone & Language

The episode is candid, vulnerable, and often irreverent—mixing serious political and cultural critique with humor and personal storytelling. Van is especially self-reflective and unfiltered, while Rachel often grounds the discussion with policy and cultural analysis. There’s a strong emphasis on authenticity, personal accountability, and community impact.

This summary covers all primary topics, illuminates the episode's structure, and spotlights unmissable moments for listeners new and old.