Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

Kendrick Lamar’s Televised Revolution and Ben Watkins Talks Alex Cross Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the Super Bowl (0:00) before giving their reviews of Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show (14:42). Then, Kanye West is regrettably in the news again (31:35), and Trump signs an order in solidarity with white South Africans (45:10). Finally, the showrunner of Prime Video’s ‘Cross,’ Ben Watkins, joins to discuss Aldis Hodge’s star power (55:51) and his thoughts on him possibly being the next Black Panther (1:08:37).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Ben Watkins

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Marc Lamont Hill on Trump’s Vision for Gaza, and DEI in the NFL Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the death of Murder Inc. founder Irv Gotti (10:46), before discussing the NFL removing "End Racism" from the end zones at the Super Bowl (15:00), and Dennis Schröder compares NBA trades to modern slavery (32:30). Then, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is back to talk about Donald Trump’s plan to take over Gaza (38:22), and resurfaced tweets has Van guessing the N-word count of Saquon Barkley’s fiancée (1:13:06).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Dr. Marc Lamont Hill

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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The Historic 67th Grammys, the Luka Trade, and a Tariff War Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start today’s episode by talking about the historic wins, controversial moments, and surprises from the 67th Grammys (05:21). Senior staff writer and fellow podcaster Justin Charity joins to give his opinion on the Grammys before discussing his Ringer podcast on the Kendrick-Drake beef culminating in Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance (27:46 ). Later, we talk with ‘Real Ones’ host Logan Murdock about the shocking NBA trade news (46:18).

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DEI Did It, Plus ‘How to Sell Out’ and the Future of AI Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss the midair collision that killed 67 people (1:00) before reacting to Donald Trump pointing the finger at DEI initiatives (10:05). Plus, DJ Akademiks gets banned from Twitch after inappropriate comments toward a minor(20:51), and Scott Storch’s exgets accused of racism after saying racist things (32:49). Then writer and podcaster Chad Sanders joins to talk authenticity and his new book, ‘How to Sell Out’ (38:14), before journalist Nathan Bomey from Axios explains DeepSeek and the future of AI (1:06:02).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Chad Sanders and Nathan Bomey

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Boycotts, Target and Tabitha Brown, Plus Snoop Speaks Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the death of DJ Unk (6:04), before discussing Tabitha Brown’s response to a call to boycott Target for ending DEI programs (15:40) and the Air Force’s choice to walk back a decision to end the use of a Tuskegee Airmen video from basic training (42:11). Then, Snoop Dogg responds to criticism for performing at a Trump inauguration event (57:03), Raven-Symoné speaks on racial identity (1:15:15), and Trump’s actions toward Colombia spark a debate on American supremacy (1:27:36). Plus the Michael Jackson biopic goes through major reshoots (1:39:11).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Trump, Nazis, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s N-Word Count Jan 25, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to President Trump’s executive orders (11:35) before welcoming assistant professor of law at Washington and Lee Maureen Edobor to dig into their legal and moral implications (22:33). Then Elon Musk salutes in a very Third Reich-ish kinda way (49:31 ), Sexyy Red apologizes to Bernice King (1:05:12), and Jamie Foxx discusses Leonardo DiCaprio’s discomfort with the N-word (1:15:50)

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Maureen Edobor

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Hip-Hop, MLK, and Trump’s Second Inauguration Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel open the show with Coach Prime, a.k.a. impressionist Sam Croker (8:38), before welcoming the chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Ben Wikler, to discuss plans should he become chair of the DNC (27:43), and re-energizing the Democratic Party (33:12). Then, in-the-moment reactions to Donald Trump’s inauguration (1:02:10), and digging into Nelly, Snoop, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy’s participation (1:14:55). Plus, Byron Donalds calls Trump ‘daddy’ (1:42:30).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Sam Croker and Ben Wikler

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Drake’s Certified Legal Action and a Potential Ceasefire in Gaza Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss what looks to be a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas (7:44). Then, they welcome Toronto radio personality Marlon Palmer to break down the cultural impact of Drake’s lawsuit (15:24). Plus, Donnell Rawlings compares white and Black comedy culture (44:51), and SZA gets backlash for her praise of Drew Barrymore (1:03:14). Then, executive director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition Sam Lewis joins to give insight on the firefighter inmate program in California (1:12:49).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Marlon Palmer and Sam Lewis

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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The Political Firestorm and Recovery in L.A. Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss the looming insurance crisis for Los Angeles homeowners (14:42), the price gouging of rental properties (21:14), and the use of prisoners to help fight the fires (29:41). Plus, Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism for her handling of the crisis (46:21). Then, Stephen A. Smith reflects on the election (1:13:57), Jimmy Butler is in a child support battle (1:27:20), and a former WNBA star makes a career shift to OnlyFans (1:37:16).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Processing the Los Angeles Wildfires With William Gude Jan 10, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the devastation from the Los Angeles wildfires (0:00) before being joined by activist William Gude to provide insight on the fallout and impact of the disaster (16:01). Then, Stephen 'tWitch’ Boss’s widow, Allison Holker, has received criticism for the promotion of her memoir (47:40), Rachel speaks on her divorce being finalized (1:05:31) and Presidents Obama and Trump share a moment at Jimmy Carter’s funeral (1:12:50).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: William Gude

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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