Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

A Conversation with Dr. Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome Dr. Yusef Salaam, motivational speaker, author and member of the Exonerated Five to discuss life after his wrongful conviction at the age of 15, and growing to become better, not bitter, in the face of injustice.

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Dr. Yusef Salaam

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

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Sheila Jackson Lee and the Cruelty of the Texas Abortion Law Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the podcast off with a game of Is It Better Than?, the subject being the legendary LL Cool J (2:04). Then, with the Supreme Court's refusal to block Texas’s restrictive abortion law, Texas Representative Shelia Jackson Lee stops by to give some insight on the impact the legislation will have on women in the Lone Star State (37:54). Plus, Drake’s new album has tons of features (1:14:07) and it’s that time of the week … Mailbag Time (1:27:48).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Sheila Jackson Lee

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

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God Bless Louisiana and Reviewing Kanye’s 'Donda' Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay kick things off with their thoughts and reviews on Kanye West’s latest album, 'Donda' (12:28) before breaking down the disappointment surrounding the Tyron Woodley–Jake Paul fight (33:13). Plus, Hurricane Ida has Louisiana on our hearts and minds (46:43), and Van shares how he's tried to keep Freddy Krueger out of his dreams since childhood (1:03:51).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

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Azmat Khan and the Latest From Afghanistan Aug 27, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome investigative journalist Azmat Khan to the podcast to help contextualize the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan (19:55). Then: Sha’Carri Richardson is staying in the news for all the wrong reasons (50:03), Van makes the case for Ray J to take over at ESPN (1:06:10), and Martin Luther King Jr. is coming to 'Fortnite' (1:23:58).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Azmat Khan

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

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TV Legend Larry Wilmore Shares His Top Five Black Sitcoms Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay break down Sha’Carri Richardson’s last-place finish at the Prefontaine Classic (6:33), before welcoming a true television legend to the podcast, Larry Wilmore, to discuss his career as a writer, comedian and producer on some of your favorite shows (25:45). Plus, the FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine and Trump gets booed in Alabama (1:05:02), while Jay-Z and Beyoncé do an ad for Tiffany that has the internet abuzz (1:17:37).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

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American Royalty: Olympian Dominique Dawes on Happy and Healthy Gymnasts Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome four-time Olympic medalist Dominique Dawes to discuss everything from mental health in gymnastics to the time Prince made her hot cocoa before a music video shoot (8:00). Plus, OnlyFans changes its policies (35:33), Jeopardy!’s got a new and problematic host (43:12), and Amber Rose vents her relationship frustrations (56:40).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Donnie Beacham

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The Crisis in Afghanistan, and Lizzo Responds to the Trolls Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the developing situation in Afghanistan and the impact the rise of the Taliban is having on citizens (5:59). Then they move to Lizzo's recent social media message about the toll that online trolls have taken on her (20:44) and continuing Future “baby mama drama”—but who’s really to blame (55:27)? Also, prayers to those impacted by the recent earthquake in Haiti.

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham

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Kmele Foster Reports on the Central Park Bird-watching Incident, Plus Skip Bayless Is Put in His Place Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are joined by cohost of 'The Fifth Column' podcast, Kmele Foster, to discuss what he’s learned a year later through his reporting on Amy Cooper and the Central Park bird-watching incident (7:04). Van and Rachel also discuss Governor Andrew Cuomo resigning (2:44), Jenny Taft putting Skip Bayless in his place (52:37), PJ Washington and Brittany Renner's situation (57:48), and Governor Ron DeSantis’s words about masks mandates (01:09:47). Then, they close out the episode with a Thought Warrior mailbag and and Unexpected Ally of the Week (01:14:56).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Kmele Foster

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Richie Bozek

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Sherri Shepherd on Black Motherhood and Finding a New Cohost for ‘The View’ Aug 10, 2021

Show notes

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss DaBaby deleting his apology to the LGBTQ+ community (16:12), the recent discussion about Alfonso Ribeiro on Twitter (21:30), and the latest inquiries into accounts of sexual harassment by Governor Andrew Cuomo (32:40). They talk about Jake Gyllenhaal being the latest white celebrity to discuss his bathing habits (42:06). Then, Sherri Shepherd joins the show to talk about being a Black mother and the search for a new 'The View' cohost (51:55).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Sherri Shepherd

Producers: Trudy Joseph and Richie Bozek

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Continuing the Fight for Voting Rights With Martin Luther King III and Talkin’ Hip Hop With Peter Rosenberg Aug 06, 2021

Show notes

In honor of the anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome human rights activist Martin Luther King III to discuss his father's legacy and the current assault on voting rights (15:42). Then we talk all things hip-hop with radio personality Peter Rosenberg (59:44), before discussing Andrew Cuomo's awkward attempts to defend himself (1:58:24), plus we try to figure out What the Whites Were Thinking (2:17:04).

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Martin Luther King III and Peter Rosenberg

Producers: Donnie Beacham

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