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.
118episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Yung Miami and India.Arie “Spend Dat” Debate, Plus U.S.-FIFA Controversy
Jul 701:56:55Summary 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?
Jul 302:18:34Summary 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
Jun 3002:00:38Summary 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
Jun 2602:07:02Summary 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
Jun 2302:32:57Summary 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
SummarySenator Chris Murphy and ‘Crisis of the Common Good’
Jun 1200:54:54Summary readyConnecticut senator Chris Murphy joins to discuss multiculturalism, the withdrawal of Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy, and his new book, ‘Crisis of the Common Good.’ (0:00) Intro (1:36) Responding to the symptom of Trump (5:07) Common good capitalism (7:21) The country’s most harmful cults (10:07) Building cultural connections (21:38) Getting personal (24:20) The male loneliness epidemic (27:14) Governing in 2026 (31:51) A ‘Star Wars’ analogy (37:59) The Divine Nine (39:30) Too much focus on the executive branch? (43:28) The Democratic plan for Black women and men Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Senator Chris Murphy Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Social Producers: Bernard Moore and Jon Roemer Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryA Conversation With Rep. Ilhan Omar: AIPAC, MAGA Expats, and Standing Up to ICE
Jun 900:58:09Summary readyVan and Rachel welcome U.S. Representative from Minnesota Ilhan Omar for a wide-ranging discussion of governing in 2026. (0:00) Intro (1:09) Governing in 2019 vs. 2026 (5:07) What’s holding Democrats back? (7:07) AIPAC-sponsored candidates (15:47) 2024 election post-mortem (21:52) MAGA vs. Rep. Omar (24:28) Minnesota stands up to ICE (29:22) Nancy Mace pushes ban on naturalized citizens (36:32) Embracing MAGA expats (39:12) Message to Black voters (47:00) L.A. mayoral race (51:30) Minnesota Mt. Rushmore Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Rep. Ilhan Omar Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore 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
SummarySpencer Pratt’s Obama Comparisons, Plus Life and ’The Odyssey’ With Jay Pharoah
Jun 502:35:11Summary readyVan and Rachel check in on the California primary races, and discuss Tyler, the Creator's disdain for top-five lists before senior politics reporter at Axios, Marc Caputo, joins to break down the congressional vote on Iran. Plus, comedian and rapper Jay Pharoah sheds light on fame, faith, and impressions. (0:00) Intro (12:18) Spencer Pratt and the L.A. mayoral race (37:03) Tyler, the Creator on top fives (50:46) Marc Caputo on the war powers resolution (1:16:43) Sloane Stephens gets an awkward introduction (1:32:37) Jay Pharoah joins the show Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Jay Pharoah and Marc Caputo Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Summary