Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

Drake’s ‘Iceman’ Album Review. Plus, Tom Steyer’s Plan for California. May 19, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel review Drake’s highly anticipated new album, ‘Iceman.’ Did it live up to the hype? Then they discuss a white college student’s alleged scheme to attract Black athletes before gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer joins the podcast to shed light on his potential policies for the Golden State.

(0:00) Intro

(8:33) ‘Iceman’ album review

(35:06) Black athlete scheme

(54:59) Tom Steyer joins the show

(1:56:00) Polls in CA races

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Tom Steyer

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

Chud the Builder Shot, and SEC Boycott? Plus, Tiffany D. Cross on Womanhood May 15, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to Jason Lee and Peter Rosenberg’s "culture vulture" conversation and the AKA’s being upset with Rachel, before discussing Chud the Builder's shooting and arrest and calls for student-athletes to boycott SEC schools. Then author Tiffany D. Cross joins to talk about her new book, ‘Love, Me: A Letter to Black Women in a Toxic Country, Career, and Relationship.’

(0:00) Intro

(13:47) Jason Lee, Peter Rosenberg and culture vulture accusations

(27:12) AKA Sorority Inc. backlash

(35:29) Chud the Builder shooting

(45:57) SEC boycott

(1:02:10) Tiffany D. Cross joins the show

(1:07:56) What to love about being a Black woman

(1:35:49) Black and interracial love

(1:59:19) Scott Jennings and platforming conservatives

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Tiffany D. Cross

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

Kevin and Katt Squash the Beef, Stephen A.’s Wish, and ABC vs. Trump’s FCC May 12, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel recap ‘The Roast of Kevin Hart’ and discuss this era of gerrymandering and ABC challenging the FCC. Then, Stephen A. Smith has a wish for Black voters, James Charles apologizes, and Caitlin Clark does the Morgan Wallen walk.

(0:00) Intro

(0:14) 'The Roast of Kevin Hart'

(17:27) Virginia redistricting ruling

(36:04) ABC vs. the FCC

(48:02) Stephen A. Smith and the Black vote

(1:02:29) James Charles berates former Spirit Airlines employee

(1:33:28) Caitlin Clark and Morgan Wallen

(1:43:03) A white, MAGA member of AKA sorority?

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

Stefon Diggs Not Guilty, the Return of Migos, and Do We Need the Met Gala? May 08, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the verdict in the Stefon Diggs case before discussing the Bezos backlash at the Met Gala. Plus, Quavo and Offset tease new music, and Van has a brand-new VanLaTEN list.

(0:00) Intro

(4:33) Responding to viral racism

(15:10) Stefon Diggs found not guilty

(29:47) The Met Gala and Jeff Bezos

(42:53) MrBeast birthday love

(54:41) New music from Migos?

(1:00:12) L.A. mayoral debate

(1:16:08) Dana White on masculinity and mental health

(1:26:29) Dianna Russini–Mike Vrabel update

(1:37:44) VanLaTEN: Top cults

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

RIP ‘Love & Hip-Hop,’ Scott Jennings on CNN, and a Colorism Conversation May 05, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel look back on the legacy of 'Love & Hip-Hop' before reacting to the pausing of Post Malone and Jelly Roll’s stadium tour. Plus, Scott Jennings gets flustered on CNN and Fernando Mendoza skips the White House visit, before a conversation about colorism and Blackness.

(0:00) Intro

(17:37) The end of ‘Love & Hip-Hop’

(32:37) Post Malone and Jelly Roll cancellations

(44:51) Scott Jennings and CNN’s ‘Newsnight’

(1:06:27) Fernando Mendoza and the White House

(1:23:19) Colorism and Blackness

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

Druski, the Most Consequential Comedian? Plus: L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on Wildfires, Housing, and a Second Term May 01, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the news of Druski hosting the BET Awards before discussing the Supreme Court’s latest blow against the Voting Rights Act. Then L.A. Mayor Karen Bass joins to answer questions about her plan for the city in a second term.

(0:00) Intro

(0:14) Druski hosting BET Awards

(9:26) A Megan and Klay Thompson talk pt. 2

(21:31) The Supreme Court and voting rights

(53:40) Mayor Karen Bass joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Mayor Karen Bass

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

Meg and Klay’s Breakup and Trump’s Second Shooting Attempt? Plus, Durand Bernarr on Stardom Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss distrust around the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, before reacting to cheating allegations from Megan Thee Stallion about Klay Thompson. Then, Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr stops by to shed light on being “everyone’s favorite cousin,” before comedian Aida Rodriguez joins to preview Van’s upcoming standup set.

(0:00) Intro

(1:34) White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

(19:46) Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson’s breakup

(56:30) Durand Bernarr joins the show

(1:48:57) Aida Rodriguez on Van’s attempt at standup comedy

(2:13:18) Stephen A. Smith’s HR violation

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Durand Bernarr and Aida Rodriguez

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

‘Michael’ Review, ‘Iceman’ Preview, and Kendrick Sampson on Quincy Jones and Black Creativity Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

‘Michael’ Review, ‘Iceman’ Preview, and Kendrick Sampson on Quincy Jones and Black Creativity

Van and Rachel give a review of the Michael Jackson biopic before digging into theories about Drake’s upcoming album. Plus, they give a recap of the California gubernatorial debate before actor Kendrick Sampson joins to give insight on his portrayal of Quincy Jones in the film ‘Michael.’

(0:00) Intro

(8:08) ‘Michael’ review

(33:06) ‘Iceman’ preview

(48:22) California gubernatorial debate

(1:02:59) Kendrick Sampson joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Kendrick Sampson

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

Netflix’s ‘Man on Fire’ With Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Steven Caple Jr. Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel sit down with the star and director of the new Netflix series ‘Man on Fire’ following a screening of the show’s first episode.

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Steven Caple Jr.

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

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

Roland Martin’s Deleted Post and Jamilah Lemieux on Black Relationships Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to Mary J. Blige’s comments on her 2012 Burger King commercial before discussing Roland Martin’s response to Justin Fairfax killing his wife, Cerina, and then himself. Then writer Jamilah Lemieux joins to talk about her new book, ‘Black. Single. Mother.: Real Life Tales of Longing and Belonging.’

(0:00) Intro

(4:49) Mary J. Blige’s Burger King commercial

(16:04) Roland Martin’s response to the Fairfax murder-suicide

(46:06) Jamilah Lemieux joins the show

(48:16) Shame in being a single mom?

(1:02:29) A conversation about Black women and men

(1:33:08) Decentering men

(1:55:59) Should a man check his friends?

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Jamilah Lemieux

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore