Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Latest Episodes:

The Venezuela Takeover. Plus, a Conversation About Adin Ross, Doechii, and Black Men. Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Van and Rachel kick off the New Year with a look at the drop in U.S. crime and Pastor Jamal Bryant’s defense of his wife’s dress before they welcome back 'Breaking Points’ host Ryan Grim to help break down Trump’s actions against Venezuela. Plus, a look at a pair of prominent lawsuits before a discussion of Adin Ross, Doechii, and Glasses Malone, the latter of whom came to the defense of the star rapper.

(0:00) Intro

(3:50) Van’s dreams

(14:44) U.S. crime rates are falling

(34:21) Pastor Jamal Bryant defends his wife’s dress

(1:00:36 Ryan Grim on Venezuela

(1:38:19) Will Smith and Tyler Perry lawsuits

(2:03:44) Adin Ross, Doechii, and Glasses Malone

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Ryan Grim

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Do the Epstein Files Matter? Is Rachel an Auntie? Plus, Interracial Relationships and a New Diddy Doc Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel close out 2025 with a bang! Thanks for listening and watching this year and keep doing so in the next. See ya’ll in 2026.

(0:00) Intro

(12:01) Van Lathan: King of Threads

(15:59) Auntie or nah?

(20:03) ‘Stranger Things’

(32:49) Chappelle backlash

(1:00:26) Nigeria strikes

(1:08:02) Epstein update

(1:21:57) Dr. Umar on Venus and Serena

(1:55:13) New Diddy documentary

(2:08:00) Russian ‘Bad Girls Club’

(2:14:40) Top moments of 2025

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz and the Legacy of Malcolm X Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome author, activist, and daughter of Malcolm X, Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, to discuss her father’s autobiography, 60 years after its first publication.

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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Jeffrey Epstein, Nicki Minaj, and the Streets Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to the latest Epstein file dump, Nicki Minaj’s “surprise” appearance at a Turning Point USA conference, and Dave Chappelle’s latest Netflix special. Plus, a breakdown of the “f--k the streets” controversy and the Jake Paul–Anthony Joshua fight.

(0:00) Intro

(7:54) Jeffrey Epstein file dump

(39:31) Nicki Minaj at TPUSA

(1:02:06) Dave Chappelle’s 'The Unstoppable'

(1:21:59) “F--k the streets”

(1:40:52) Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua

(1:58:00) Timothée Chalamet’s rap video

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

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Epstein Distractions, Dr. Umar vs. 50 Cent, and Van’s N-Word Game Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss the dysfunction in the FBI and the Trump administration as a whole in the lead-up to the release of more Epstein files. Plus, Keith Edwards sparks debate on criticisms of candidates. Then, Dr. Umar weighs in on the Netflix Diddy documentary, and Van introduces a new game.

(0:00) Intro

(3:48) Dysfunction in the FBI

(29:57) Epstein distractions

(39:32) Vivek Ramaswamy and the American dream

(47:03) Keith Edwards and Jasmine Crockett

(1:23:52) Dr. Umar vs. 50 Cent

(1:38:47) Van’s N---a Number Game

(1:59:55) Young Thug proposes to Mariah the Scientist

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Jon Jones

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The Reiner Family Tragedy, Mass Shootings, and an Uncle Nearest Apology Rating Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel react to a weekend filled with difficult news, from the killing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, to the mass shootings at Brown University and a Hanukkah event in Australia. Then, the return of Philip Rivers resurrects discussions about Colin Kaepernick, the cofounder of Uncle Nearest apologizes, and Atlanta tops an OnlyFans list.

(0:33) Reiner family tragedy

(8:59) Trump’s response

(22:16) Brown University shooting

(42:49) Bondi Beach shooting

(1:00:04) Philip Rivers, Colin Kaepernick, and the NFL

(1:32:43) Fawn Weaver apologizes

(1:46:32) Atlanta loves OnlyFans

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico, Sherrone Moore Arrested, and Rachel Dating Drug Dealers Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel discuss Representative Jasmine Crockett, who's entered the Senate race in Texas, and the rejection of health-care subsidies by the Senate. Then they react to the drama out of the University of Michigan. Plus, reporter Marc Caputo joins to shed light on Trump’s actions against Venezuela and political change in Miami. Finally, they talk about ‘Sinners’ erasure on end of the year lists.

(0:00) Intro

(9:30) Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico

(43:33) Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring

(56:08) Sherrone Moore fired

(1:14:03) Marc Caputo joins the show

(1:47:31) ‘Sinners’ erasure

(2:07:21) Rachel dating drug dealers

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Marc Caputo

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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L.A. Hip-Hop Culture With Nana, and Sydney Sweeney Speaks Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel welcome rapper Nana to talk hip-hop culture in Los Angeles before they react to Sydney Sweeney’s comments on her infamous jean ad campaign. Then a boxing-style scoring of the best back-and-forths between Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman.

(0:00) Intro

(11:41) Jason Derulo on working with women

(23:15) Nana joins the show

(53:04) Sydney Sweeney on the “great jeans” ad

(1:01:33) Stephen A. Smith vs. Max Kellerman

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Talking Reparations and “Black Boy Tragic” With Governor Wes Moore! Plus, the Diddy Documentary and BD Wong’s Apology Rating. | Higher Learning | The Ringer Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Rachel and Van start the show by talking about podcasters like Joe Rogan and his possible intentions with those he interviews. Then, they discuss Governor Josh Shapiro’s opinions on Kamala Harris’s book and react to both the new four-part Netflix documentary on Diddy and the response to it from Diddy’s team. Rachel also gives an apology rating to BD Wong. Later, they are joined by Governor Wes Moore to talk about reparations, child poverty, and direct conversations with Trump.

00:00 - Welcome!

04:15 - Joe Rogan and intentions

09:57 - Governor Shapiro comments on Kamala Harris

17:43 - Netflix releases a four-part Diddy documentary

28:24- Pharrell addresses recent political comments

48:39 - BD Wong apologizes for racist joke

58:06- Governor Wes Moore joins us

2:00:57 - Thanks for watching!

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Governor Wes Moore

Producers: Ashleigh Smith and Donnie Beacham

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Pete Hegseth’s Investigation, and the Danish Deception Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

Van and Rachel are back from break to weigh in on the investigation of boat strikes, a TikTok relationship scam, and financial literacy in the NFL. Plus, Stephen A. Smith’s talking politics, tech bros are freestyling, and inmates are dancing with their daughters.

(0:00) Intro

(13:53) Boat strike investigations

(31:19) Defining ‘remigration’

(41:46) The Danish Deception

(1:04:33) Odell Beckham Jr. and financial literacy

(1:17:21) An HBCU/Divine 9 debate

(1:33:18) Stephen A. Smith and politics

(1:41:07) A very cringey freestyle

(1:47:34) Angola prison father-daughter dance

(2:00:49) Gun pulled over hairline

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith