Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

The Beautiful Women of ‘Living Single,’ Terrell Owens's Defamation Lawsuit, and Angie Nixon Joins the Show Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Your favorite hosts are back! This time from New York City. Today, Rachel and Van discuss the death of legendary R&B singer Freddie Jackson. Plus, the Views From the 7 podcast makes waves for the wrong reasons, NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens gets sued by Nolan Wells’s friends for defamation, Jamie Foxx has a new special out, and Florida Representative Angie Nixon joins us to discuss her run for Senate.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(3:47) Van likes to hang out
(21:27) R&B legend Freddie Jackson dies at 70 years old
(30:50) The wrong views from those seven
(50:24) Terrell Owens gets sued
(1:08:27) Jamie Foxx holds back
(1:14:33) Angie Nixon joins the show
(1:45:25) Van’s rants

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Angie Nixon

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Da’Vinchi Speaks on Black Americans, Chris Rock Regrets a Decision, and Bobby Shmurda Gives N-Word Passes Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Thought Warriors! Hope your thinking caps are on for this one. On today’s show, Rachel and Van opine on Da’Vinchi’s controversial comments while on Cam Newton’s podcast, Chris Rock’s biggest regret of his life, and the cease-and-desist warning Chris Harrison received. Plus, Bobby Shmurda grants permission to a group of people he probably shouldn’t have, and the gals of the ‘Whole Lotta Gay Show’ talk some D, and we don’t mean defense.

(00:00) Special announcement
(1:25)Welcome to Higher Learning
(9:58) Da’Vinchi stirs up some controversy
(49:51) Chris Rock’s biggest regret
(1:10:30) Chris Harrison back in a familiar role
(1:24:26) Permission granted
(1:42:24) Honest studs

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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The Cornell 7 Case, Eric Schmitt’s Basketball Blunder, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed Joins the Show Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Thought Warriors! We have a good one for you today! Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us in-studio to discuss his run for U.S. Senate and then some. But first, Rachel and Van discuss the latest in the Cornell 7 case, Senator Eric Schmitt tries to set a trap for former special counsel Jack Smith (and fails miserably), plus the hottest AI trend out there right now: Quavo and Takeoff's 'Hotel Lobby' video.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(16:57) More updates in the Cornell 7 case

(53:49) Schmitt hits the fan

(1:04:44) Sampson wants kids from his homegirls

(1:11:29) ‘Hotel Lobby’ AI going viral

(1:24:49) Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us in-studio

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed

Producer: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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'A Different World' Reboot, Nolan Wells Updates, and Nithya Raman Joins the Show Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

It's a guest fest this week on Higher Learning!! Leading off the week, L.A. mayoral candidate Nithya Raman joins us, just a few weeks away from the biggest election of her life. But first, Van and Rachel discuss their trip to Sweden and the new cast of 'A Different World.' Plus, they break down what a Mississippi grand jury had to say about the death of Nolan Wells, seven men in a Cornell University fraternity being sued in a sexual abuse case, and Lori Harvey having some detractors when it comes to her business acumen and privilege.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(3:32) 'A Different World' reboot

(15:55) Sweden Recap

(24:16) Grand jury finds no evidence of crime in Nolan Wells's death

(37:05) Cornell University under fire amid sexual abuse lawsuit

(48:04) Lori Harvey sparks debate over Create & Cultivate Festival appearance

(1:03:01) Nithya Raman joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Nikole Hannah-Jones Questions a Major Decision About Her Daughter’s Education Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Surprise, surprise, Thought Warriors!!! You thought you were done with us this week, but we said “nah!” Van and Rachel have a surprise episode for you straight from the plane in Sweden. They’ll discuss Nikole Hannah-Jones's decision to put her daughter through public, low-income school 10 years ago. How it’s going, the impact on her child, the community, and what the awareness has done.
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(00:51) Nikole’s experiment, 10 years later

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Jade Whaley and Marco Escalante

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Jade Whaley

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Ed Sheeran's Apology, Trump's Journalist Ban, and Shaquille O'Neal Named Honorary FBI Special Agent Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Thought Warriors, mount up! On today’s show, Rachel and Van discuss Ed Sheeran’s apology and almost immediate take-back, and Trump's ban on leftist media platforms from the White House. Speaking of which, Hasan Piker takes on some leftist media critiques on MSNow’s 'Clock That.' NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is “Shaqtin’ a Fool” with Kash Patel, plus Rep. Lauren Boebert’s freaky side comes out again, allegedly. Van and Rachel talk all that and more.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(7:46) Ed Sheeran’s ... apology?
(26:28) Trump escalates his war with the media
(47:39) Hasan Piker vs. the world
(1:10:17) Shaqtin’ with fools
(1:29:25) Boebert's alleged sexcapades

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Janine Nabers in the house! More Macklemore drama, Kash Patel chewed out and JD Vance begs. Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

On today’s show, we have the über-talented Janine Nabers in studio, but first, Van has some thoughts on social media, and Rachel gives a quick take on Chris Brown rejecting a Texas legislative honor. Plus, our hosts recap the ever-growing fallout of Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour and the 2026 Emmys diss of actors of color. Finally, Van UNLEASHES on Kash Patel, and the crew discusses JD Vance’s plea to the American people.
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(4:31) Van has some thoughts
(10:45) Chris Brown responds to criticism
(14:10) More fallout from Macklemore’s dismissal
(26:08) 2026 Emmys award no people of color
(33:16) FBI Director Kash Patel roughed up
(42:02) JD Vance begs voters for “another chance”
(50:36) Janine Nabers joins us in studio
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Janine Nabers
Producer: Marco Escalante
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Colin Kaepernick Joins Higher Learning Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Surprise, Thought Warriors! Higher Learning is here with a pop-up episode featuring none other than Colin Kaepernick in the studio! Kaepernick drops by not just to promote his new book, 'The Perilous Fight,' but to have a real conversation with Van and Rachel about everything. From civil rights to NFL blackballing to racial identity to protesting against police brutality to Target, no topic is off-limits.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(2:59) Colin Kaepernick joins us in the studio; 'The Perilous Fight' out September 15
(15:52) Racial identity
(26:48) NFL career
(45:52) The settlement
(58:02) Muddled message?
(1:08:08) Growth through adversity
(1:19:07) Fighting the good fight

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Colin Kaepernick
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Lil Durk Acquitted, Jasmine Crockett Presents Congressional Award to Chris Brown, and Trump on Reparations Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

On today’s show, Rachel and Van chat about Rachel’s newest gig at the U.S. Open, and Lil Durk gets acquitted in his murder-for-hire trial. Speaking of trials, Lindsay Clancy’s trial ends with a hung jury that has sparked a racial debate, plus Rep. Jasmine Crockett gets backlash for awarding Chris Brown and Usher with congressional recognition for their contributions to music and culture. Ed Sheeran gives Macklemore his walking papers, and Trump says yes to $5K checks for voting Republican, but no to reparations. Rachel and Van break it all down.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(16:20) Lil Durk acquitted in murder-for-hire trial
(27:18) Lindsay Clancy trial ends with a hung jury
(1:01:25) Jasmine Crockett getting too cozy
(1:34:21) Macklemore handed his walking papers
(1:47:30) Trump on checks for reparations: It’s “un-American”
(1:57:03) Van meets Rachel’s biggest fan

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Fat Joe is Apparently Black, Stephen A. Smith is Upset and Danielle Brooks & Walter Thompson-Hernandez Join the Show Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Today on Higher Learning, Van and Rachel discuss Fat Joe defending his use of the N-word, Tim Scott’s fiery GOP convention speech, and Stephen A. Smith’s sit-down with Cari Champion and Jemele Hill. Plus, Danielle Brooks and Walter Thompson-Hernández join the show to talk If I Go Will They Miss Me, Hakeem Jeffries faces a racist attack from journalist Rula Jebreal, and a woman goes viral for tracking down the man she says scammed her out of a cruise.
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(6:57) Fat Joe defends his use of the N-Word
(42:41) Tim Scott speaks at the GOP convention
(51:15) Stephen A. Smith stops by Flagrant and Funny
(01:02:04) Danielle Brooks & Walter Thompson-Hernandez Join the Show
(0122) Hakeem Jeffries called a monkey by Rula Jebreal
(01:39:28) Woman Tracks Down Alleged Cruise Scammer
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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