Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

Trump’s Latest Pardons. Plus, Ethical Nonmonogamy With Mandii B and WeezyWTF May 30, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel are back from the Memorial Day break to talk Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" (:48), Elon Musk's decision to officially leave the administration (2:40), the latest out of the Diddy trial (8:15) and Trump’s recent pardons (17:37). Then they give their reactions to Druski’s skit in whiteface (24:46) and have a conversation about conversations with RGIII (32:53), before they give some updates on the alpha dog King Charles (45:46). Finally, Mandii B and WeezyWTF of Decisions Decisions join to talk about the name change from Whoreible Decisions (58:32) and takeaways from their upcoming book, ‘No Holes Barred: A Dual Manifesto of Sexual Exploration and Power’ (1:07:37)

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Mandii B and WeezyWTF

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Progressivism and Poetry With Newark Mayor Ras Baraka May 27, 2025

Show notes

Van sits down with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to discuss entering the gubernatorial race (:34), whether it’s important or possible for Black people to have positive relationships with police (16:15), Democrats shying away from more progressive politics (27:23), and criticism of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s White House appearance (38:40). Plus, a peek into his career in music (40:04).

Host: Van Lathan

Guest: Mayor Ras Baraka

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Kid Cudi Takes the Stand, and the Fight for Reparations With Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor May 23, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss a wholesome TikTok trend (10:50) before reacting to the death of a member of Congress (14:15), and giving an update on the RGIII vs. Ryan Clark drama (20:06). Then reparationist Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor joins to dig into Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s veto of a reparations bill (29:40). Plus, Kid Cudi takes the witness stand in the Diddy trial (57:22), humanitarian efforts are stalled in Gaza (1:11:21), and director David O. Russell gets accused of using the n-word on set (1:27:19).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis, and RGIII’s Got Thoughts on Caitlin vs. Angel May 20, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss Dan Bongino and Kash Patel’s comments on Jeffrey Epstein’s death (8:10), and whether Atlanta is still the Black Mecca (14:02). Then, reactions to Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis (20:49), before Robert Griffin III earns Glaze of the Week (36:31), and Snoop Dogg addresses the Trump inauguration backlash (53:59). Then, writer Anna Malaika Tubbs joins to talk about her new book, ‘Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us’ (1:07:53).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Anna Malaika Tubbs

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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A Dive Into the Diddy Trial, Meghan Trainor’s New Bass, and Bringing Redheads to the Community May 16, 2025

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode by discussing the TikTok trend of including redheaded Americans in the Black community (07:20). Then, they go through a few “quick hitters,” including the restraining order sought by Halle Bailey (18:52), the backlash about Meghan Trainor’s new look (33:28), and their reactions to the introductions to the federal bill redefining what qualifies as “obscene” (58:14). Then, they bring on Yodit Tewolde to give a look at the details of the Diddy trial (1:12:09) before ending the show with an important message of change from the hosts (1:38:02).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Yodit Tewolde

Producers: Ashleigh Smith

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Live from New York, It’s Higher Learning! May 14, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel took to New York’s Gramercy Theater in front of a lively audience to discuss the old guard of the Democratic Party, after David Hogg’s “get over yourself” comment (12:57). Then Van debuts a new spinoff, “Glaze of the Decade” (29:37), before thought warriors join the show for Animal Games (54:38) and a Rachel Apology Contest (1:12:07).

Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Additional Production Support: Chelsea Stark-Jones

Live Events Coordination: Elizabeth Fierman, Helen Eichner, Tessa Herrick

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The First American Pope, Plus Met Gala Rankings May 09, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss the buildup to the selection of the new pope (14:37) and the acquittal of the officers who killed Tyre Nichols (16:46) before shifting gears to the Met Gala and its celebration of Black style (32:43). Then, instant reactions to the announcement of Pope Leo XIV (56:08), a conversation around the lawsuit against Smokey Robinson (59:09), and the discussion on Jayden Daniels’s mom makes a comeback (1:28:30).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Hip-Hop’s Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump Meets the Press May 06, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to Donald Trump getting involved with NIL in college sports (14:02), and the Turkey Leg Hut crime saga (26:16). Then, Diddy’s trial begins (32:54), Trump appears on ‘Meet the Press’ (50:59), and thanks to a mom saying the N-word, we have a new Glaze of the Week (1:14:53). Plus, a conversation about squatters' rights (1::27:06).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Paying Teachers, Missing White Women Syndrome, and Pool Party Foul May 02, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss Donald Trump’s cabinet’s praise of his first 100 days in office (2:55), and Paul Pierce’s explanation of NBA players’ dating habits (14:51). Plus, Terrence Howard says what he’d do to his lips if he ever kissed a man (28:51), and Giannis Antetokounmpo gets into it with Tyrese Haliburton’s dad (35:33). Then, reactions to a video of somebody going too far at a pool party (47:35), before former secretary of education John King Jr. joins to discuss the present and future of the department (56:39), and producer Lisa Cortés joins to talk about her new docuseries, ‘Murder Has Two Faces’ (1:22:38).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: John King Jr. and Lisa Cortés

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Shedeur Sanders’s Draft Fall: The Civil Rights Issue of Our Time? Plus, Cinematography and ‘Sinners’ Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome former NFL cornerback and ESPN contributor Domonique Foxworth to react to Shedeur Sanders’s historic fall in the NFL draft (16:49) and Saquon Barkley spending quality time with President Trump (37:15). Then director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw joins to discuss how she shot arguably the most talked-about film of the decade, ‘Sinners’ (50:41). Finally, Van has a plan on how to defeat a gorilla with 100 men (50:39).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Dominique Foxworth and Autumn Durald Arkapaw

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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