Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

Election Recap, Plus Stacey Abrams and Shaniqua McClendon Join the Show Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

Fresh off a historic Democratic night, your favorite hosts are here to break it all down. Special guests Stacey Abrams and Shaniqua McClendon join Rachel and Van to talk elections till their faces turn blue. Plus, the gang opens up a new BBI investigation into some NFL pros, and finally, Van has a message for all of MAGA that you don’t want to miss.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(4:02) Stacey Abrams joins the show
(33:52) Democrats wipe the floor with Republicans
(1:10:11) BBI investigations
(1:22:48) Shaniqua McClendon joins the show
(2:00:30) Van’s Message to MAGA

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Stacey Abrams and Shaniqua McClendon

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Speakerbox Media

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Higher Learning LIVE in ATL! Senator Raphael Warnock, Deante Kyle & Big Kat, the First-Ever HL Draft Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

ATL, STAND UP! Higher Learning is taking over Atlanta for a special LIVE episode! With the midterm elections upon us, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock hits the stage to talk about what’s at stake for voters across the country. Then, things get wild when Grits & Eggs co-hosts Deante Kyle and Big Kat join the party to help Rachel find a man and kick off Higher Learning’s first-ever draft!

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(5:37) Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock
(24:01) Deante Kyle and Big Kat
(25:33) Higher Learning’s first draft ever
(48:37) Who is Rachel ‘Lindseein’?

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Charles Booker joins the show, Hasan sues Scott Jennings and Stephen A. Smith claps back Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

On today’s show, we are joined by U.S. Senate candidate for the state of Kentucky, Charles Booker. Plus, Rachel and Van discuss Stephen A. Smith’s personal clapback, streamer Hasan Piker sues CNN’s Scott Jennings, an Ohio pastor presents his second wife to his congregation and Van found someone who shares his opinion on animal rights.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(9:32) Stephen A. Smith responds to Higher Learning
(1:11:11) Hasan Piker sues Scott Jennings
(1:26:23) Sister wives
(1:47:13) Charles Booker joins the show
(2:27:40) Shark attack

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

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Jay-Z Closes Out 30th Anniversary Tour in L.A., and the 2026 Midterm Elections Are Here Oct 27, 2026

Show notes

Higher Learning is back!! On today’s show, Van and Rachel talk about gaming, Soul Food, and Jay-Z closing out his 30th anniversary tour in L.A. Plus, they break down the key senate races in the 2026 midterm elections, Vivek Ramaswamy’s horrendous ad, and Van gets deep into Greek mythology.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(41:00) Jay-Z’s star-studded L.A. finale
(56:35) 2026 midterm elections
(1:26:40) Greek freaks
(1:42:38) Ramaswamy is just the worst

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Oscar De La Luz

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F.D. Signifier Joins Higher Learning Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

We have a special treat for you, Thought Warriors! Today we have the one and only F.D. Signifier in studio, as Van joins us from Chi-Town. Rachel, Van, and F.D. get into his humble beginnings as a teacher and small-time content creator, to his evolution into one of hottest culture creators out now. Plus, they hit on his most recent and viral beef with Killer Mike.
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(1:35) Jay-Z to headline Super Bowl LXI

(16:12) F.D. Signifier in studio
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: F.D. Signifier
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Bill Maher, Stephen A., and Kid Rock Have Dinner With Trump. Plus, Abdul El-Sayed's Clapback and Todrick Hall's Off-Broadway Musical. Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

On today’s show, Rachel and Van discuss who’s a better dancer: MC Hammer or Chris Brown. Plus, a DHL manager may be in trouble after refusing to ship some anti-KKK merch; Trump has dinner with Bill Maher, Stephen A. Smith, and Kid Rock; NBA superstar Jaylen Brown harps on about his favorite instrument; Todrick Hall has a new musical; and Abdul El-Sayed claps back at a voter. And speaking of cooking, Van asks who Rachel’s inviting to the cookout.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(1:58) Who’s the better dancer?

(12:38) Pleasantries

(22:26) DHL manager refuses to ship anti-KKK gear

(38:00) Trump’s HUGE dinner

(01:22:01) Jaylen Brown loves the harp

(1:29:45) Todrick Hall’s new musical faces backlash

(1:47:11) Abdul El-Sayed cooks heckler

(1:57:56) Who’s coming to the cookout?

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Mike Tyson Joins Trump Campaign Trail, Katie Zacharia’s Rocky Press Conference, and Druski Set to Make History Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

After a little break, we are back, Thought Warriors!!! On today’s show, Rachel and Van say goodbye to Peacemaker Van, Bernard gets a car, and Mike Tyson shows support for Trump while Trump's new press secretary has a rough first day on the job. Plus, the gang talks about Representative Ilhan Omar being targeted by the Trump administration and the rumors that Druski will host 'SNL.' And in college news, a tennis team out of the University of Maryland is in trouble, while the AKAs claim their colors. All that and more.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(2:25) How was your weekend?
(10:16) RIP Peacemaker Van
(20:00) Bernard has a new whip
(25:31) Disastrous first day for Katie Zacharia
(42:41) Mike Tyson on the campaign trail
(58:37) AKA sorority purse debacle
(1:16:43) Rumor has it… Druski to host ‘SNL’
(1:23:43) Man mauled to death by tiger in U.K.
(1:31:45) Ilhan Omar’s house raided
(1:47:38) Tennis club sends racist images in email

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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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