Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

XXL Freshman Class, and What Happened With Lizzo? Plus, the Last Gasp of Trumpism Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel kick off the podcast with a follow-up discussion about Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico before digging into a pair of music industry topics. Plus, an awkward interaction during ESPN’s NBA draft coverage, and was A$AP Rocky disrespectful with the stuff he said during a performance?

(0:00) Intro

(0:17) A Crockett-Talarico recap

(59:46) XXL Freshman Class: Auntie Rach vs. Baby Jade

(1:08:55) Lizzo’s new album sales

(1:24:03) Jokes about the Jay Williams accident

(1:31:07) Was A$AP Rocky being disrespectful?

(1:37:57) Is the GOP out of patience with Trump?

(1:49:20) Black male suicide rates

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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Crockett Not Supporting Talarico? Plus, Estelle on the Art of Being a Humble Star Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to questions about Representative Jasmine Crockett’s support of her former opponent James Talarico before Van makes a connection between geopolitics and ‘The Wire.’ They also hit a couple of sports topics and SZA’s anti-AI stance before the multi-hyphenate Estelle joins the show.

(0:00) Intro

(13:11) Jasmine Crockett, James Talarico, and party unity

(35:10) The Iran conflict and ‘The Wire’

(1:01:19) Bill Maher and the Obama Presidential Library

(1:16:32) New York Knicks headed to the White House

(1:26:13) Wholesome World Cup content

(1:33:48) SZA and the dangers of AI

(1:45:27) Estelle joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Estelle

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Jemele Hill and the Jay-Z-Target Partnership: Is It a Big Deal? Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss the results of the L.A. primary race, before reacting to the death of a one-year-old at the hands of police. Then Jemele Hill joins to talk boycotts amidst a deal between Target and Jay-Z.

(0:00) Intro

(13:43) L.A. mayoral primary race results

(31:36) Mississippi police shoot and kill one-year-old

(54:41) Jemele Hill joins the show

(1:25:43) Tyra Banks sues Netflix

(1:42:26) Knicks parade reactions

(1:50:07) Twerking church mom

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Jemele Hill

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producers: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Knicks Win It All, UFC at the White House, and the Conviction of Karmelo Anthony Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel are back from a break to react to the historic NBA Finals, the UFC fight at the White House, and David Oyelowo’s take on African and Southern Black accents. Then defense attorney Yodit Tewolde joins to help break down the trial and conviction of Karmelo Anthony.

(0:00) Intro

(8:26) New York Knicks are NBA champs

(27:34) UFC fight at the White House

(44:15) David Oyelowo on African and Southern Black accents

(57:02) Yodit Tewolde on the trial of Karmelo Anthony

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Yodit Tewolde

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producers: Bernard Moore and Jon Roemer

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

Additional Language to be Inserted into Show Note/Description:

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Senator Chris Murphy and ‘Crisis of the Common Good’ Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

Connecticut senator Chris Murphy joins to discuss multiculturalism, the withdrawal of Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy, and his new book, ‘Crisis of the Common Good.’

(0:00) Intro

(1:36) Responding to the symptom of Trump

(5:07) Common good capitalism

(7:21) The country’s most harmful cults

(10:07) Building cultural connections

(21:38) Getting personal

(24:20) The male loneliness epidemic

(27:14) Governing in 2026

(31:51) A ‘Star Wars’ analogy

(37:59) The Divine Nine

(39:30) Too much focus on the executive branch?

(43:28) The Democratic plan for Black women and men

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Senator Chris Murphy

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producers: Bernard Moore and Jon Roemer

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

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A Conversation With Rep. Ilhan Omar: AIPAC, MAGA Expats, and Standing Up to ICE Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome U.S. Representative from Minnesota Ilhan Omar for a wide-ranging discussion of governing in 2026.

(0:00) Intro

(1:09) Governing in 2019 vs. 2026

(5:07) What’s holding Democrats back?

(7:07) AIPAC-sponsored candidates

(15:47) 2024 election post-mortem

(21:52) MAGA vs. Rep. Omar

(24:28) Minnesota stands up to ICE

(29:22) Nancy Mace pushes ban on naturalized citizens

(36:32) Embracing MAGA expats

(39:12) Message to Black voters

(47:00) L.A. mayoral race

(51:30) Minnesota Mt. Rushmore

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Rep. Ilhan Omar

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

Additional Language to be Inserted into Show Note/Description:

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Spencer Pratt’s Obama Comparisons, Plus Life and ’The Odyssey’ With Jay Pharoah Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel check in on the California primary races, and discuss Tyler, the Creator's disdain for top-five lists before senior politics reporter at Axios, Marc Caputo, joins to break down the congressional vote on Iran. Plus, comedian and rapper Jay Pharoah sheds light on fame, faith, and impressions.

(0:00) Intro

(12:18) Spencer Pratt and the L.A. mayoral race

(37:03) Tyler, the Creator on top fives

(50:46) Marc Caputo on the war powers resolution

(1:16:43) Sloane Stephens gets an awkward introduction

(1:32:37) Jay Pharoah joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Jay Pharoah and Marc Caputo

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

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Jay-Z Returns to Beef With Drake, Plus Trump’s Failed Concert Series Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to Jay-Z’s freestyle at the Roots Picnic, and Donald Trump taking two public L's in the lead-up to his Freedom 250 festival. Plus a check-in on the L.A. mayoral race, and an Atlanta judge and police deputy chief’s noisy sexual encounters get exposed.

(0:00) Intro

(19:12) Jay-Z freestyle

(42:57) Trump cancelling concert

(52:27) Removal of Trump’s name from Kennedy Center

(1:00:06) Spencer Pratt’s appeal

(1:24:47) Courtroom sex affair

(1:34:52) The return of Mountain Lion

(1:39:30) Give up your section for Lil Baby?

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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Kevin Hart: Black Culture Vs. Comedy Culture, and Spencer Pratt’s Mayoral Bid May 29, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel are back from the holiday break to react to Kevin Hart's response to problematic jokes at his roast, updates in the fight against redistricting, and Spencer Pratt’s appeal to L.A. voters. Plus Jaxson Dart’s MAGA moves, and Ray J gets KO'd.

(0:00) Intro

(15:54) Kevin Hart responds to roast critics

(41:20) Iran conflict update

(56:40) The redistricting battle

(1:12:37) White wine spritzers

(1:21:13) Spencer Pratt on homelessness

(1:38:31) Jaxson Dart, Abdul Carter, and MAGA

(1:49:03) Ray J’s knockout

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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Is Hip-Hop Still Fun? Plus the DNC’s Autopsy Report and “Dr.” Cheyenne Bryant’s Alleged Title May 22, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the results of this week’s primary races and the release of the DNC Autopsy report of the 2024 election. Plus Chelsea Handler on racist jokes, Cheyenne Bryant’s doctoral backlash, and Michelle Obama on MAGA.

(0:00) Intro

(0:18) Is Hip-Hop still fun?

(15:47) Primary election reactions

(28:10) The DNC’s 2024 election autopsy
(51:04) Chelsea Handler, race and roasts

(1:10:13) “Dr.” Cheyenne Bryant

(1:29:08) Michelle Obama on the MAGA movement

(1:52:42) Trump’s J6 “slush fund”

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