Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

Kamala’s Disappointment and the Killing of Charlie Kirk. Plus, Melvin Gregg Talks ‘The Paper’! | Higher Learning | The Ringer Sep 12, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show off by talking about the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, the many reactions to it, and what may come from his killing. Then, they react to an excerpt from Kamala Harris’s upcoming book mentioning Joe Biden’s “reckless” decision to run again in the last election. Later, actor, model, and comedian Melvin Gregg joins to talk about his latest show, ‘The Paper,’ before he, Van, and Rachel all share memories of their biggest heartbreak.

00:00 - Welcome!

00:26 - The killing of Charlie Kirk

56:00 - Kamala’s book and her disappointment with Biden's reelection bid

1:14:50 - Israel bombed Hamas negotiators

1:16:24 - The new Bachelorette

1:20:20 - Melvin Gregg joins us!

2:11:59 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Melvin Gregg

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Vaccines, Who Needs 'Em? Plus, Nina Westbrook and the Wellness App, Nebbi Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel dig into the Texas senate race, vaccine mandates (or lack thereof) in Florida, and Young Thug’s leaked jail calls, before welcoming marriage and family therapist Nina Westbrook to discuss her new mental wellness app, Nebbi.

(0:00) Intro

(0:39) Left-wing influencers

(13:29) The Phillies Karen

(27:15) Rep. James Talarico running for senate

(48:52) Vand & the realities of aging

(55:23) Nina Westbrook joins the show

(1:37:49) Florida’s vaccine overhaul

(1:55:34) Glaze of the Week

(2:03:08) Young Thug leaks

Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Nina Westbrook

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Generational Talent With Quincy Avery! Plus, Trump’s Health Rumors and Young Americans' High Standards. | Higher Learning | The Ringer Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including their theories on a study revealing that the number of Americans having sex has dropped to a record low. Then, they react to Trump’s address of his health rumors and the internet’s desire for his health to decline. Then, NFL quarterback whisperer Quincy Avery joins to discuss generational talent and his new movie, 'The Quincy Avery Effect.'

00:00 - Welcome!

08:04 - Americans are having less sex

19:43 - Trump addresses health rumors

42:18 - A leak reports ICE will be getting military assistance

57:53 - Is Tom Brady a generational talent?

1:06:27 - Brittany Renner’s video arguing about her son

1:25:36 - Drake and interviews with traditional hip-hop media

1:44:43 - Quincy Avery joins us!

2:05:20 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Quincy Avery

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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The Epstein Files, AIPAC and Gerrymandering with Rep. Ro Khanna Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Rep. Ro Khanna returns to talk AIPAC’s role in politics, the release of the Epstein files and what he thinks of the gerrymandering debate.

(0:00) Intro

(0:46) AIPAC’s influence

(6:07) Releasing the Epstein files

(15:14) The gerrymandering fight

(25:29) Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu

Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Addressing the Corruption Allegations With Mayor Eric Adams. Plus, Is Dark Money Funding Democratic Influencers? | Higher Learning | The Ringer Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including the return of Cracker Barrel’s old logo and Taylor Swift’s engagement. Then, they react to the developing story of an alleged dark money group secretly funding high-profile Democratic influencers. Later, they are joined by NYC Mayor Eric Adams as he addresses corruption allegations, his non-relationship with Trump, and how he feels about his competition, Zohran Mamdani.

00:00 - Welcome!

1:32 - Cracker Barrel scrapped the new logo

07:37 - Taylor is finally engaged (to Travis Kelce)

24:15 - The Nina Turner response

25:19 - Dark money is allegedly secretly funding Democratic influencers

43:51 - The raw milk story and a quick vaccine debate

51:26 - A quick message from Van before the interview

52:42 - Mayor Eric Adams joins us!

1:25:19 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Mayor Eric Adams

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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Nina Turner and the Democratic Playbook Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome former Ohio senator Nina Turner to hear her thoughts on the Democratic strategy to fight gerrymandering.

(0:00) Intro

(1:32) Snoop & Pixar’s LGBTQ character

(8:54) Bill Maher changes tone on Trump

(22:02) Dean Cain’s ICE training

(30:21) Serena Williams weight loss journey

(43:04) Jussie Smollett doc review

(58:08) Nina Turner joins the show

Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Nina Turner

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Hitting the Target on Target, Cracker Barrel’s Rebrand, and the Reality of Texas’s GOP Congressional Map | Higher Learning | The Ringer Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the predicted increased prices for Sony’s PlayStation 5 and the Cracker Barrel rebranding. Later, they discuss the Texas House of Representatives’ approval of a GOP-centered congressional map and the disturbing release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting a minor in Nevada. They end with the Glaze of the Week and Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal (thank you, Megan Thee Stallion).

00:00 - Welcome!

10:08 - Jury finds Hernandez Govan not guilty of the Young Dolph killing

30:02 - PlayStation 5 prices will increase

36:06 - Cracker Barrel’s rebrand

52:07 - Amateur football leagues

1:01:50 - Target’s CEO steps down

1:09:58 - Texas House approves GOP congressional map

1:26:40 - The Israeli official Nevada sex crime case

1:40:58 - Glaze of the Week

1:53:06 - Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal

1:57:25 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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The LAST Biracial Conversation With Molly Daniel, Plus the Gaza Ceasefire Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the news of a new ceasefire proposal being accepted by Hamas before welcoming Molly Daniel to the podcast to provide some perspective on the ongoing biracial discussions.

(0:00) Intro

(3:57) Tyla on the ‘coloured’ controversy

(18:43) Jamie Lee Curtis’ boobs

(25:18) Trump names Kennedy Honorees

(34:49) Gaza ceasefire proposal

(39:22) Gavin Newsom’s trolling

(50:33) Kaepernick & Spike Lee ESPN doc

(53:17) Whitney Houston’s receipts

(58:37) Molly Daniel joins the show

(1:46:14) KKK shirt offends racist

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PragerU Replaces PBS, Celebs in Relationship Drama, and the National Guard in D.C. | Higher Learning | The Ringer Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the differences in sharing food in different locations. They get into some Trump administration updates, like the deployment of the National Guard in D.C. and the administration's partnership with PragerU. Later, they react to some celebrity news, including Sha'Carri Richardson's apology and the drama between Jurnee Smollett and her ex-husband.

00:00 - Welcome!

7:57 - Trump deploys the National Guard in D.C.

37:00 - PragerU to replace PBS

1:09:07 - Sha’Carri Richardson apologizes to Christian Coleman

1:24:06 - Jurnee Smollett’s ex-husband wants a portion of her retirement

1:57:09 - Glaze of the Week

2:02:42 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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Gender Wars: David Justice and Halle Berry, Plus S.A. Cosby’s ‘King of Ashes’ Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Halle Berry’s ex-husband David Justice sparks a gender war after speaking on their divorce. Then, New York Times bestselling author S.A. Cosby joins to discuss his latest novel, ‘King of Ashes’.

(0:00) Intro

(0:32) Van’s Very Serious Question

(20:55) Trump deploys National Guard

(25:49) Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Debut

(46:35) Nancy Mace fact checked

(58:05) David Justice on divorcing Halle Berry

(1:33:08) S.A. Cosby joins the show

(2:04:29) Israel-Gaza updates

Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: S.A. Cosby

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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