Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

The Troubled ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Adaptation, and Usher’s Rejection Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss tragedy and personas in rap, and updates in the Nolan Wells case before diving into President Trump’s attempts at voter suppression. Then Jonathan Majors speaks, the author of ’Children of Blood and Bone’ distances herself from the film, and Usher’s interaction with a fan sparks debate.

(0:00) Intro

(7:46) The Madden curse

(27:48) Gun violence and 21 Savage

(40:37) Update on the Nolan Wells case

(54:07) Mail-in voting restrictions

(1:07:21) The punishing of Jonathan Majors

(1:20:46) The ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ controversy

(1:39:01) Usher kicks fan off stage

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Jacob Cornett

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Kerry Washington and 'The Whoopi Monologues,' a New Black Panther, and an Argument for Term Limits Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the recasting of Black Panther, a cheating scandal in the WNBA, and the White House Correspondents' Dinner before welcoming actor Kerry Washington to discuss the revival of ‘The Whoopi Monologues’ and the importance of theater. Plus, Representative James Clyburn says Black voters let Kamala down, and a respectability politics discussion about Tuskegee University.

(0:00) Intro

(20:08) David Jonsson is Black Panther

(29:36) WNBA cheating scandal

(39:17) White House Correspondents Dinner

(52:26) Kerry Washington joins the show

(1:28:09) Representative James Clyburn and the argument for term limits

(1:48:40) Tuskegee University’s dress code

(2:02:40) Has Rachel seen this?

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Kerry Washington

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Jacob Cornett

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Why Would ESPN Lay Off Ryan Clark? Plus, Mayor Mamdani’s Netanyahu Strategy. Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to both ESPN’s decision to lay off Ryan Clark and LeBron’s decision to drag out free agency. Then, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he can’t arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Trump administration freezes Medicaid funding for CA and MN. And finally, a debate about the placement of a controversially titled book on a former NBA head coach's desk.

(0:00) Intro

(27:42) Ryan Clark and the ESPN layoffs

(1:00:07) Mamdani’s message to Netanyahu

(1:21:25) Medicaid funds frozen

(1:46:21) House GOP advances plan to fund SAVE America Act

(1:56:14) George Karl and displaying the book 'N-----'

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Van’s ‘Obsession’ Obsession, ‘The Odyssey’ Wins, and the Life and Career of David Roberts Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel have a spoiler-filled discussion of the newly streaming film ‘Obsession,’ before reacting to the success of 'The Odyssey.' Then, controversy in the WNBA warrants an apology rating, the Tate brothers are arrested, the military’s testing testosterone, and Fox News is joking about sexual assault. Then, ESPN executive VP David Roberts joins to discuss his career and massive impact on the sports broadcasting industry.

(0:00) Intro

(14:57) SPOILERS: An ‘Obsession’ discussion

(47:27) ‘The Odyssey’ success

(58:37) Angel Reese and the “protected species” comment

(1:13:36) Andrew and Tristan Tate’s arrest

(1:21:48) Jesse Watters, Pete Hegseth, and testosterone

(1:34:25) Dave Roberts joins the show

(2:09:28) John Fetterman threatens to leave Democratic Party

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: David Roberts

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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"New Face of Hollywood,” Boosie’s Pardon Play, and Rachel’s Finest Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to a problematic Hollywood Reporter article and some Christian blacklash for KevOnStage, before discussing Boosie’s failed efforts to get a pardon and recent killings at the hands of ICE. Then Rachel gives her list of “top five finest men.”

(0:00) Intro

(24:38) New face of Hollywood

(46:08) KevOnStage upsets some fans

(1:05:27) Boosie’s pardon play

(1:17:32) Memphis Bleek and community

(1:34:48) ICE shootings

(1:54:24) Rachel’s finest

(2:02:18) Remembering a community hero

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

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The Death of Lindsey Graham and Jay-Z’s Colin Kaepernick Diss Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the death of Senator Lindsey Graham and the speculation around the health of Senator Mitch McConnell before digging into Jay-Z’s mention of Colin Kaepernick at a recent performance.

(0:00) Intro

(27:25) Rachel’s porkless week

(29:52) World Cup updates

(33:29) Reactions to Lindsey Graham’s death

(56:21) Mitch McConnell speculation

(1:00:45) Jay-Z disses Colin Kaepernick

(1:51:31) Rachel’s “Finest”

(1:54:26) Revenge of the Bison

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

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The Tubman $20 Bill, Graham Platner’s Exit, and Rappers Flying Commercial Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the U.S. men's soccer team’s loss to Belgium and the list of Emmy nominees. Then they discuss the end of the plans for Harriet Tubman’s $20 bill and Graham Platner ending his Senate campaign. Plus, an update on Marcellus Wiley, and the death of a Mississippi teen sparks conversation.

(0:00) Intro

(18:53) U.S. loses to Belgium

(31:06) Emmy nominations

(42:34) Harriet Tubman $20 bill plans ended

(59:11) Graham Platner’s failed campaign

(1:31:43) Marcellus and Annemarie Wiley update

(1:48:28) Questions around the death of Nolan Wells

(2:01:59) Rappers flying commercial

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

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The Yung Miami and India.Arie “Spend Dat” Debate, Plus U.S.-FIFA Controversy Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the U.S. soccer controversy before discussing Marcellus Wiley’s arrest and the "America250" celebration in D.C. Plus, will Diddy get a pardon thanks to Trump? And the song of the summer sparks a debate.

(0:00) Intro

(35:07) The U.S.-FIFA controversy

(51:15) Marcellus Wiley’s arrest

(1:03:47) "America250" celebration

(1:19:08) Will Trump pardon Diddy?

(1:28:41) India.Arie, Yung Miami, and the “Spend Dat” debate

(1:42:40) "White and Proud" Facebook group takeover

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

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LeBron and the Mighty White Lakers. Plus, Are You Proud to Be an American? Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the biggest news of the NBA offseason before questioning whether Kamala Harris is gearing up for a presidential run and discussing Barack Obama’s opinion of George Washington. Then Maureen Edobor, an assistant professor at Washington and Lee School of Law, joins to help break down the impact of some recent Supreme Court decisions before Van asks a patriotic question.

(0:00) Intro

(10:01) The new-look (white) Lakers

(15:57) LeBron’s latest decision

(41:02) Is Kamala Harris running in 2028?

(50:50) Obama on admiring George Washington

(1:21:24) Maureen Edobor on SCOTUS’s latest decisions

(1:50:02) Are you proud to be an American?

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Maureen Edobor

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

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Druski’s BET Awards, Tucker Carlson Leaving the GOP, and “War” in the Democratic Party Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the 2026 BET Awards before discussing the latest from a pair of former Fox News hosts, and the conflict dividing the Democratic Party.

(0:00) Intro

(16:04) BET Awards recap

(29:00) Haiti and Megyn Kelly’s racist rhetoric

(54:11) Tucker Carlson leaving the GOP

(1:06:14) Moderates vs. Democratic Socialists

(1:31:03) New segment: Rachel Hasn’t Seen This

(1:39:40) Fewer babies named Donald

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices