Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

A Real Conversation With Gov. Josh Shapiro Mar 14, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to discuss his memoir, ‘Where We Keep the Light,’ working across the aisle in the MAGA age, and community policing. Plus, addressing the rise in anti-semitism and approaching division on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

(0:00) Intro

(03:32) ‘Where We Keep the Light’

(08:58) Are we better than this?

(16:22) Crime and policing

(29:37) An NBA tangent

(32:26) Relationship with Meek Mill

(38:07) “Too bad a Jew can’t be president”

(46:03) Israel and the war in Gaza

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Gov. Josh Shapiro

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Magic City Night Canceled and Target Boycott Over? Plus, Ryan Michelle Bathé on ‘Paradise’ Season 2 Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the cancellation of the Atlanta Hawks’ "Magic City Night" and Bam Adebayo’s 83 points before switching gears to discuss potential threats from Iran. Plus, Harvey Weinstein speaks from behind bars, Ari Lennox gives life to a meme, and the Target boycott appears to be over. Then, Ryan Michelle Bathé, host of the ‘Paradise’ companion podcast joins to talk season 2 of the hit Hulu show.

(0:00) Intro

(2:32) Magic City Night canceled

(13:27) Bam’s 83 points

(42:34) Harvey Weinstein’s interview

(59:02) Ari Lennox and why nice guys finish last

(1:16:10) Jamal Bryant ends the Target boycott

(1:37:16) Real Housewives vs. the feds

(1:45:33) Ryan Michelle Bathé joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Ryan Michelle Bathé

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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‘Sinners,’ Awards Season, and Pearline’s Husband With Jayme Lawson Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss Logan Paul vs. Le’Veon Bell and Dak Prescott’s wedding being called off before reacting to the shooting at Rihanna’s home. Then, they discuss an update on the war in Iran before actress Jayme Lawson joins to talk representation in Hollywood, awards season, and of course, ’Sinners.’

(0:00) Intro

(2:08) Logan Paul vs. Le’Veon Bell

(10:23) Dak Prescott and prenups

(24:25) The shooting at Rihanna’s home

(28:14) War in Iran

(41:07) A conversation about Joe Budden: rooting for U.S.?

(55:51) Jayme Lawson joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Jayme Lawson

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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Trump Fires Kristi Noem, Talarico Takes Texas, and the Impact of ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to President Donald Trump’s ouster of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the results of the Texas Senate primary race before having another Drake–Kendrick Lamar debate thanks to Michael Eric Dyson. Finally, Pamela Dias and Takema Robinson join to discuss the grief, justice, and resilience behind the Netflix documentary 'The Perfect Neighbor.'

(0:00) Intro

(0:22) The cost of haircuts

(11:34) Kristi Noem fired by Trump

(23:18) ‘Scary Movie 6’ and cancel culture

(33:02) Teddy Riley’s MJ Photoshop

(38:41) James Talarico beats Jasmine Crockett

(1:03:12) Tim Tebow speaks to Congress

(1:13:47) Michael Eric Dyson on Drake vs. Kendrick

(1:37::45) Black vacationers

(1:41:04) Pamela Dias and Takema Robinson join the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Pamela Dias and Takema Robinson

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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War in Iran, Chalamet vs. Jordan, and the American Black Film Festival Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome Indiana University associate professor Hussein Banai, who gives his insight on the joint strikes against Iran. Then they switch gears to discuss Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar odds and Jonathan Majors’s next project. Then Jeff and Nicole Friday join to celebrate 30 years of the American Black Film Festival.

(0:00) Intro

(09:23) Hussein Banai on the conflict in Iran

(41:53) Predictive history

(1:02:20) NAACP Image Awards

(1:09:27) Oscar speculation

(1:23:36) Jonathan Majors and Ben Shapiro

(1:36:34) Jeff and Nicole Friday join the show

(2:05:42) Magic City Monday and the NBA

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Hussein Banai, Jeff Friday, and Nicole Friday

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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Comedy, Music, and the Black Church With KevOnStage Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Kevin Fredericks, aka KevOnStage, joins Van and Rachel for a discussion that touches on everything from fear of failure, jokes, the Black church, gospel, and hip-hop.

(0:00) Intro

(:38) Getting past fear

(15:50) God’s sense of humor

(26:23) Pressure to get political

(32:20) Gospel, hip-hop, and R&B

(52:37) Going to church

(58:45) Scripture, sexuality and the church

(1:29:50) Oversharing and overexposure

(1:42:09) “The Christian I will not be”

(1:46:12) Boyz II Men vs. Dru Hill

(1:49:59) Anita Baker

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: KevOnStage

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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The N-Word at the BAFTAs, Producing R. Kelly, and Gavin Newsom Backlash: Fair or Unfair? Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the conversations around racism and ableism following outbursts at the BAFTA Awards, and Teddy Riley walking back support for R. Kelly. Plus, Gavin Newsom gets criticized,

(0:00) Intro

(9:24) N-word at the BAFTA Awards

(34:53) Teddy Riley and R. Kelly

(57:31) Gavin Newsom backlash

(1:15:55) Huckabee on Israel: “Fine if they took it all”

(1:30:55) Trump, Susan Rice, and Netflix

(1:36:25) Economic viability for men

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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LaBeouf Takes Louisiana. Plus, Colbert, Crockett, and Talarico. Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel remember the life of Jesse Jackson before addressing Shia LaBeouf’s Mardi Gras and the latest drama in the Texas Senate race. Then, a breakdown of "Afro-pessimism" before Cori Bush joins to discuss her campaign for Congress. And last but not least, thoughts on Tyler Perry’s most vulgar film.

(0:00) Intro

(9:17) Tyra Banks & America’s Next Top Model

(20:28) The life of Jesse Jackson

(31:34) Addressing Shia LaBeouf

(42:15) Colbert, Crockett, and Talarico

(1:14:33) Patrick Bet-David and interracial marriage

(1:25:33) Afro-pessimism

(1:50:42) Cori Bush joins the show

(2:31:07) Voter ID

(2:37:30) Thoughts on Tyler Perry’s ‘Joe’s College Road Trip’ and ‘Beauty in Black’

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Cori Bush

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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LeBron and Israel, the “Kevin Durant Files,” and the Beautiful Hellscape of Culver City Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss the NBA dunk contest before reacting to leaks from an alleged burner account, and LeBron’s message to his Israeli fans. Then, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove joins to discuss the Pam Bondi hearings, before Ed Zitron returns to shed light on the world of AI.

(0:00) Intro

(8:39) NBA dunk contest

(19:32) The very alleged Kevin Durant files

(39:42) LeBron James and Israel

(1:05:58) Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove interview

(1:42:07) Ed Zitron interview

(2:12:55) Hillary Clinton on migration

(2:22:36) Barack Obama confirms aliens are real?

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Ed Zitron

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

For more from Ed Zitron: wheresyoured.at and betteroffline.com

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Epstein Revelations, Ja Rule vs. G-Unit, and Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome The Ringer’s Logan Murdock to react to Ja Rule’s confrontation with Uncle Murda and Tony Yayo on a flight, before they discuss more revelations from the Epstein files, hip-hop in the Trump era, and an HGTV show’s cancellation for the host's use of the N-word.

(0:00) Intro

(3:19) Ja Rule vs. G-Unit in 2026

(19:15) Latest Epstein updates

(1:02:15) Symone Sanders Townsend and Eugene Daniels join the show

(1:39:33) James Talarico vs. Jasmine Crockett

(1:50:53) Hip-hop serves only itself?

(2:01:36) The N-word and HGTV’s ‘Rehab Addict’

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Logan Murdock, Symone Sanders Townsend, and Eugene Daniels

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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