Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

Bad Bunny’s Halftime, Trump’s Racist Post, and Activism in Sports With Jemele Hill Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel talk about Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and the TPUSA “patriotic” alternative, before reacting to Donald Trump’s racist post of the Obamas and an odd detail in the Epstein files. Then, journalist and podcaster Jemele Hill joins to talk activism and gambling in sports.

(0:00) Intro

(5:24) Bad Bunny’s halftime show

(19:09) Jake Paul and Puerto Rico

(26:39) TPUSA’s halftime show

(33:30) Trump’s racist post

(49:26) Epstein typo or clue?

(59:49) Jemele Hill joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Jemele Hill

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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Chris Harrison: The Return of Traditional Love, Epstein Update, and ICE at the Polls Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel kick off the pod with a Shaboozey conversation before reacting to the latest ‘Michael’ trailer. Then they have a discussion on the latest Epstein release, the funding of ICE, and the Texas Senate race, which is turning ugly. And finally, Rachel reacts to the return of Chris Harrison.

(0:00) Intro

(10:06) Shaboozey apology

(20:27) ‘Michael’ trailer reaction

(26:27) Epstein files update

(43:45 ) ICE reform

(58:59) Race and the Texas Senate race

(1:18:57) Chris Harrison’s new dating series

(1:43:32) Tetairoa McMillan and the N-word

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: vote.naacpimageawards.net

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Don Lemon’s Arrest and ‘Melania’ a Box Office Hit? Plus, Howard Bryant on the Erasure of Paul Robeson Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the Grammys before discussing the arrests of journalists who were covering the protests in Minnesota and former Trump supporters Harvey Levin and Andrew Schulz speaking against the president. Then, the host of The Town, Matt Belloni, sheds light on the box office performance of ‘Melania’ before author Howard Bryant joins to discuss his latest book, 'Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America.'

(0:00) Intro

(3:49) 2026 Grammys

(16:14) Journalists arrested

(37:56) Harvey Levin and Andrew Schulz on Trump

(59:26) Matthew Belloni joins to talk ‘Melania’

(1:29:23) Howard Bryant joins to talk Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson

(1:59:42) Sha’Carri Richardson jailed for speeding

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Matthew Belloni and Howard Bryant

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: vote.naacpimageawards.net

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Melania the "Trophy Wife," Nicki’s MAGA Turn, and Black Prestige Media With Ashley Allison Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss the documentary ‘Melania’ before reacting to Nicki Minaj’s appearance at a Trump event and the congressional fight over DHS. Plus, Ashley Allison, owner of The Root, joins to discuss the importance of Black media.

(0:00) Black Panther Party

(14:53) The ‘Melania’ movie

(27:47) Nicki Minaj and Trump

(52:26) Congress's fight over DHS

(1:18:27) Ashley Allison joins the show

(2:10:16) Ray J’s health

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Ashley Allison

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: vote.naacpimageawards.net

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

Ye’s Apology, Latest Death in Minneapolis, and Aldis Hodge and Ben Watkins on ‘Cross’ Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to Kanye’s apology in The Wall Street Journal, before discussing the violence in Minnesota. Plus, actor Aldis Hodge and showrunner Ben Watkins join to get us set for Season 2 of Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Cross.’

(0:00) Intro

(0:24) Kanye’s apology

(29:16) Another shooting in Minneapolis

(59:09) Texas Senate debate

(1:02:51) Chris Broussard’s bad tweet

(1:05:23) Aldis Hodge and Ben Watkins on Season 2 of ‘Cross’

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Aldis Hodge and Ben Watkins

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Michelle Appears on Call Her Daddy, Rachel’s Freedom, and Keith Edwards on Critiquing Crockett Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the Oscar nominations before discussing Rachel’s newfound freedom and Michelle Obama’s appearance on Call Her Daddy. Then, there’s drama between LeBron and the Lakers, and media personality Keith Edwards joins to break down his coverage of the Texas Senate race.

(0:00) Intro

(2:18) Oscar nominations

(14:14) Rachel’s IG post

(20:41) Michelle Obama on Call Her Daddy

(39:05) Lakers drama

(49:34) Taylor Swift calls Justin Baldoni a “bitch”

(59:35) Keith Edwards on Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Keith Edwards

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Feeling for Josh Allen, Stephen A. and the Bruhs, Plus Charlie Kirk the Time Traveler Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to a weekend of sports before discussing Stephen A. Smith and frat life, the Black Panther Party in 2026, and military aid in Israel. Plus, Gavin Newsom caves to Ben Shapiro, and Candace Owens has a theory … a conspiracy theory.

(0:00) Intro

(0:58) Sisqo or Ne-Yo

(9:01) Feeling for Josh Allen

(24:21) Stephen A. Smith misspeaks

(44:20) A Divine 9 discussion

(57:50) The Black Panther Party in 2026

(1:11:20) AIPAC and congressional funding

(1:36:07) Gavin Newsom sits with Ben Shapiro

(1:53:33) The Charlie Kirk conspiracy

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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

Kanye West Will Return, Druski and the Megachurch, and the Iranian Conflict Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss Teyana Taylor’s comments on Ye, Kai Cenat’s career shift, and Druski’s megachurch skit. Then an update on the conflicts with ICE agents before associate professor Hussein Banai joins to help shed light on the conflict in Iran.

(0:00) Intro

(15:44) Teyana Taylor and Kanye West

(31:17) Kai Cenat’s new path

(42:39) Druski’s megachurch skit

(1:00:14) J. Cole’s upcoming album

(1:02:17) The war with ICE

(1:19:00) Hussein “Huss” Banai on the Iranian conflict

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Hussein “Huss” Banai

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: www.naacpimageawards.net

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

‘Sinners,’ Jasmine Crockett, and the Black Panthers Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel kick the show off with some awards season reactions, check in on the situation in Minnesota, and react to some criticism of Representative Jasmine Crockett.

(0:00) NAACP Image Awards nominations

(5:47) Awards season reactions

(38:28) Kristy and Desmond Scott’s divorce

(53:13) Minneapolis update

(1:10:08) The Black Panthers and knowing your rights

(1:24:04) Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers, and criticisms of Representative Crockett

(2:08:23) Steve Nash and capitalism

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: www.naacpimageawards.net

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

Minneapolis ICE Shooting, Chris Redd Gets Candid, and the Penis Lawsuit Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss how House Democrats commemorated the five-year anniversary of the J6 riots before reacting to the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Then, Spencer Pratt is running for mayor of L.A., former NFL player Matt Kalil is suing for talk about his penis size, and comedian Chris Redd gets candid on Instagram.

(0:00) Intro

(2:59) Van addresses the response to the last episode

(15:37) Democrats mark five years since the J6 attack

(28:53) ICE shooting in Minneapolis

(55:43) Spencer Pratt’s mayoral race

(1:04:34) Matt Kalil suing for penis talk

(1:19:53) Chris Redd’s emotional post

(1:48:01) Zion Williamson’s latest drama

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas