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.
120episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
War in Iran, Chalamet vs. Jordan, and the American Black Film Festival
Mar 302:17:54Summary readyVan and Rachel welcome Indiana University associate professor Hussein Banai, who gives his insight on the joint strikes against Iran. Then they switch gears to discuss Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar odds and Jonathan Majors’s next project. Then Jeff and Nicole Friday join to celebrate 30 years of the American Black Film Festival. (0:00) Intro (09:23) Hussein Banai on the conflict in Iran (41:53) Predictive history (1:02:20) NAACP Image Awards (1:09:27) Oscar speculation (1:23:36) Jonathan Majors and Ben Shapiro (1:36:34) Jeff and Nicole Friday join the show (2:05:42) Magic City Monday and the NBA Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Hussein Banai, Jeff Friday, and Nicole Friday Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryComedy, Music, and the Black Church With KevOnStage
Feb 2702:01:12Summary readyKevin Fredericks, aka KevOnStage, joins Van and Rachel for a discussion that touches on everything from fear of failure, jokes, the Black church, gospel, and hip-hop. (0:00) Intro (:38) Getting past fear (15:50) God’s sense of humor (26:23) Pressure to get political (32:20) Gospel, hip-hop, and R&B (52:37) Going to church (58:45) Scripture, sexuality and the church (1:29:50) Oversharing and overexposure (1:42:09) “The Christian I will not be” (1:46:12) Boyz II Men vs. Dru Hill (1:49:59) Anita Baker Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: KevOnStage Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe N-Word at the BAFTAs, Producing R. Kelly, and Gavin Newsom Backlash: Fair or Unfair?
Feb 2402:10:07Summary readyVan and Rachel react to the conversations around racism and ableism following outbursts at the BAFTA Awards, and Teddy Riley walking back support for R. Kelly. Plus, Gavin Newsom gets criticized, (0:00) Intro (9:24) N-word at the BAFTA Awards (34:53) Teddy Riley and R. Kelly (57:31) Gavin Newsom backlash (1:15:55) Huckabee on Israel: “Fine if they took it all” (1:30:55) Trump, Susan Rice, and Netflix (1:36:25) Economic viability for men Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryLaBeouf Takes Louisiana. Plus, Colbert, Crockett, and Talarico.
Feb 2002:54:37Summary readyVan and Rachel remember the life of Jesse Jackson before addressing Shia LaBeouf’s Mardi Gras and the latest drama in the Texas Senate race. Then, a breakdown of "Afro-pessimism" before Cori Bush joins to discuss her campaign for Congress. And last but not least, thoughts on Tyler Perry’s most vulgar film. (0:00) Intro (9:17) Tyra Banks & America’s Next Top Model (20:28) The life of Jesse Jackson (31:34) Addressing Shia LaBeouf (42:15) Colbert, Crockett, and Talarico (1:14:33) Patrick Bet-David and interracial marriage (1:25:33) Afro-pessimism (1:50:42) Cori Bush joins the show (2:31:07) Voter ID (2:37:30) Thoughts on Tyler Perry’s ‘Joe’s College Road Trip’ and ‘Beauty in Black’ Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Cori Bush Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryLeBron and Israel, the “Kevin Durant Files,” and the Beautiful Hellscape of Culver City
Feb 1702:28:49Summary readyVan and Rachel discuss the NBA dunk contest before reacting to leaks from an alleged burner account, and LeBron’s message to his Israeli fans. Then, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove joins to discuss the Pam Bondi hearings, before Ed Zitron returns to shed light on the world of AI. (0:00) Intro (8:39) NBA dunk contest (19:32) The very alleged Kevin Durant files (39:42) LeBron James and Israel (1:05:58) Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove interview (1:42:07) Ed Zitron interview (2:12:55) Hillary Clinton on migration (2:22:36) Barack Obama confirms aliens are real? Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Ed Zitron Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore For more from Ed Zitron: wheresyoured.at and betteroffline.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryEpstein Revelations, Ja Rule vs. G-Unit, and Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels
Feb 1302:20:46Summary readyVan and Rachel welcome The Ringer’s Logan Murdock to react to Ja Rule’s confrontation with Uncle Murda and Tony Yayo on a flight, before they discuss more revelations from the Epstein files, hip-hop in the Trump era, and an HGTV show’s cancellation for the host's use of the N-word. (0:00) Intro (3:19) Ja Rule vs. G-Unit in 2026 (19:15) Latest Epstein updates (1:02:15) Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels join the show (1:39:33) James Talarico vs. Jasmine Crockett (1:50:53) Hip-hop serves only itself? (2:01:36) The N-word and HGTV’s ‘Rehab Addict’ Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Logan Murdock, Symone Sanders Townsend, and Eugene Daniels Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: vote.naacpimageawards.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryBad Bunny’s Halftime, Trump’s Racist Post, and Activism in Sports With Jemele Hill
Feb 1002:04:46Summary readyVan and Rachel talk about Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and the TPUSA “patriotic” alternative, before reacting to Donald Trump’s racist post of the Obamas and an odd detail in the Epstein files. Then, journalist and podcaster Jemele Hill joins to talk activism and gambling in sports. (0:00) Intro (5:24) Bad Bunny’s halftime show (19:09) Jake Paul and Puerto Rico (26:39) TPUSA’s halftime show (33:30) Trump’s racist post (49:26) Epstein typo or clue? (59:49) Jemele Hill joins the show Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Jemele Hill Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: vote.naacpimageawards.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryChris Harrison: The Return of Traditional Love, Epstein Update, and ICE at the Polls
Feb 601:55:30Summary readyVan and Rachel kick off the pod with a Shaboozey conversation before reacting to the latest ‘Michael’ trailer. Then they have a discussion on the latest Epstein release, the funding of ICE, and the Texas Senate race, which is turning ugly. And finally, Rachel reacts to the return of Chris Harrison. (0:00) Intro (10:06) Shaboozey apology (20:27) ‘Michael’ trailer reaction (26:27) Epstein files update (43:45 ) ICE reform (58:59) Race and the Texas Senate race (1:18:57) Chris Harrison’s new dating series (1:43:32) Tetairoa McMillan and the N-word Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: vote.naacpimageawards.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryDon Lemon’s Arrest and ‘Melania’ a Box Office Hit? Plus, Howard Bryant on the Erasure of Paul Robeson
Feb 302:08:43Summary readyVan and Rachel react to the Grammys before discussing the arrests of journalists who were covering the protests in Minnesota and former Trump supporters Harvey Levin and Andrew Schulz speaking against the president. Then, the host of The Town, Matt Belloni, sheds light on the box office performance of ‘Melania’ before author Howard Bryant joins to discuss his latest book, 'Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America.' (0:00) Intro (3:49) 2026 Grammys (16:14) Journalists arrested (37:56) Harvey Levin and Andrew Schulz on Trump (59:26) Matthew Belloni joins to talk ‘Melania’ (1:29:23) Howard Bryant joins to talk Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson (1:59:42) Sha’Carri Richardson jailed for speeding Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Matthew Belloni and Howard Bryant Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: vote.naacpimageawards.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryMelania the "Trophy Wife," Nicki’s MAGA Turn, and Black Prestige Media With Ashley Allison
Jan 3002:20:28Summary readyVan and Rachel discuss the documentary ‘Melania’ before reacting to Nicki Minaj’s appearance at a Trump event and the congressional fight over DHS. Plus, Ashley Allison, owner of The Root, joins to discuss the importance of Black media. (0:00) Black Panther Party (14:53) The ‘Melania’ movie (27:47) Nicki Minaj and Trump (52:26) Congress's fight over DHS (1:18:27) Ashley Allison joins the show (2:10:16) Ray J’s health Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Ashley Allison Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: vote.naacpimageawards.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Summary