Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

The WNBA Conspiracy, One-Sided Beefs, and Our Voting Rights Under Attack | Higher Learning | The Ringer Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the news of the cancellation of The Howard Stern Show before getting into some one-sided beefs: Donald Trump against Gayle King and Megyn Kelly against Beyoncé. Then, they talk about Diddy’s possible presidential pardon and the threats against the Voting Rights Act before Van gets into the conspiracy happening in the WNBA.

00:00 - Welcome!

08:44 - The Howard Stern Show is done

18:57 - Gayle King vs. Trump?

24:17 - BET Hip-Hop and Soul Train Awards suspended indefinitely

45:22 - Megyn Kelly tries to rip Beyoncé

1:00:48 - Diddy’s possible presidential pardon

1:14:22 - Voting Rights Act under threat

1:26:57 - The WNBA dildo-tossing conspiracy

1:37:42 - Van's lovely sister joins us!

1:41:26 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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Rep. James Talarico and the Democratic Fight in Texas, Plus Stephen A. Vs. Michelle Obama Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome Texas Rep. James Talarico to shed light on the state’s Democrats fleeing to prevent a vote over efforts to add Republican seats.

(0:00) Intro

(8:01) Top 5 White Singing Ladies *since 2010

(9:27) Stephen A. Smith vs. Michelle Obama

(28:42) Rep. James Talarico joins the show

(34:57) The fight against gerrymandering

(41:18) Toughening the Democrats

(1:02:35) Glaze of the Week

(1:15:15) Palantir update

(1:16:15) FEMA to deny grants over Israel boycotts

Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Rep. James Talarico

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans, Kamala’s '107 Days,' and the Aging of ‘Martin’ Jokes | Higher Learning | The Ringer Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show by running through some quick-hitters, including the internet’s reaction to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle commercial, Ari Lennox’s thoughts on Martin’s treatment of Pam, and Kamala Harris’s new book. Then, they talk about new updates to the Israel-Hamas conflict and some reactions to their Hulk Hogan segment last week.

00:00 - Welcome!

00:59 - Sydney Sweeney’s good “jeans”

29:57 - Ari Lennox’s thoughts on Martin and Pam

44:59 - Kamala Harris’s '107 Days'

1:12:28 - The Gaza-Israel Conflict

1:35:14 - Shannon Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas

1:45:32 - Reactions to our Hulk Hogan segment

2:08:38 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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The Hunger Crisis in Gaza and Solution-Focused Therapy With Elliott Connie Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, talk about Dr. Umar’s plea for help, and give N3on an apology rating before Elliott Connie joins to discuss his methods for mental wellness.

(0:00) Intro

(0:45) The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

(46:06) Dr. Umar’s Plea for Help

(59:46) N3ON Apology Rating

(1:25:20) Tyler Perry on Ownership & ‘Sinners’

(1:32:30) Elliott Connie Joins the Show

Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Elliott Connie

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Gendered Problems and Decentering Men With Joy Taylor! Plus, Thoughts on Hulk Hogan. | Higher Learning | The Ringer Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the passing of the infamous Hulk Hogan and the complexity of his legacy. Then, the host of Two Personal, Joy Taylor, joins us to talk about processing the surprise cancellation of her show, how she was treated in comparison to her male counterparts, and her opinion of men.

00:00 - Welcome!

00:37 - Hulk Hogan’s passing

03:56 - Joy Taylor joins us

38:57 - Feelings toward Fox

48:58 - Will the dam break?

57:48 - Vulnerably in certain spaces

1:02:18 - Opinion on men

1:56:41 - What does Joy want to build?

2:18:39 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Joy Taylor

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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The Life of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and What Just Happened to Black Farmers? Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the tragic news of Malcolm-Jamal Warner's death, before welcoming Houston farmer Jeremy Peaches to shed light on the Trump administration's impact on Black farmers.

(0:00) Intro

(4:59) Colbert ‘Late Show’ canceled

(14:07) Remembering Malcolm Jamal Warner

(22:52) Couple caught cheating at concert

(42:02) Glaze of the Week

(48:39) Jeremy Peaches joins the show

(1:10:11) Need to hear from Snoop and Nelly?

(1:26:18) WNBA pay dispute

(1:47:11) Nessa, Kaepernick and Jay-Z

Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Jeremy Peaches

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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How Scary Is AI? Let’s Ask Calvin Abbasi! | Higher Learning | The Ringer Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van are joined by Calvin Abbasi, strategic advisor to the OpenAI Nonprofit Commission, to talk about perceptions of AI, the dangers of it, and real questions that need to be asked about this developing technology.

00:00 - Welcome!

02:11 - AI and Self-Preservation

07:40 - Is AI Dangerous?

09:10 - The Grok Situation

14:18 - The Architect Determines the AI

17:14 - Thoughts on Sam Altman

19:53 - DeepSeek’s Effect on the AI Industry

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Calvin Abbasi

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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Malcolm D. Lee and Expanding Story of ‘The Best Man’ Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel are joined by Director Malcolm D. Lee to discuss his new book, ‘The Best Man: Unfinished Business’, what inspired the writing of the original movie, and if we can expect a ‘Girls Trip 2’ anytime soon?

(0:00) Intro

(1:35) Adapting the story for the page

(7:33) Addressing criticism

(11:29) Adapting the story for the screen

(14:47) Prequels?

(17:46) One of the sexiest casts of all-time

(22:35) Sable bourbon

(22:41) Girls Trip 2

(24:17) Essence Fest
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Malcolm D. Lee

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Is Nicki Lying? Plus, Tucker’s Epstein Theory and the Miami Mess. | Higher Learning | The Ringer Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van discuss Nicki Minaj’s X rants about the discrimination lawsuit against Megan Thee Stallion and Jay-Z’s possible debt. Then, they dissect Tucker Carlson’s Epstein cover-up theory before getting Rachel’s opinion of “the Miami mess” on X.

00:00 - Welcome!

24:13 - Nicki Minaj’s X posts

44:24 - Megan’s lawsuit moving forward

57:39 - Tucker Carlson’s Epstein theory

1:09:18 - The Miami mess

1:24:50 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith

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Tragic Flooding in Texas and the Essence Fest Diaspora Wars Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the tragic Texas floods, before switching gears to discuss the conversations coming out of this year’s Essence Festival.