Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van and Rachel discuss Bill Maher’s recent comments about slavery and his criticism of “presentism” (14:11), before reacting to the social media conversations around ‘The Woman King’ (47:42). Plus, Charlamagne tha God has a questionable take on the shipping of migrants (1:01:38), then Sen. Robert Peters joins the show to help break down Illinois’ SAFE-T Act (1:11:05). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rac...

Van and Rachel react to the killing of rapper PnB Rock and the ensuing social fallout (0:10). Plus, Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Server gets suspended after allegations of racism and misogyny (35:17), and Ray J produces receipts (47:35). Then, the roses and racism of the 'Bachelor' franchise return (57:47). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more a...

Van and Rachel react to the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death and the overall legacy of the crown (12:28), before giving an update on the Jackson, Mississippi water crisis (32:37). Plus, Kim Kardashian discusses her talent (53:56), and the “Peak White Mess” of the 'Don’t Worry Darling' press tour gets broken down (1:04:07). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.  Le...

Van and Rachel discuss Pennsylvania announcing an effort to pardon state residents of nonviolent marijuana offenses (20:39), and Mississippi using welfare money to pay Brett Favre (34:16). Plus, Tiffany Haddish responds to backlash (58:54), and Scottie Pippen’s ex-wife spotted out with Michael Jordan’s son (1:16:44). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the institutional failures that left Jackson, Mississippi without water (20:25), Serena Williams’s performance at the U.S. Open (35:24), and discuss Jay-Z’s relationship with capitalism (55:57). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel are joined by rapper Glasses Malone to discuss what it was like growing up in gang life (4:29), the impact of Drill Music and hip-hop vs. rap (18:54), and finding “value” in a modern woman (42:40). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Glasses Malone Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel are joined by musician, author, and director Blitz Bazawule to discuss the importance of African films made by African filmmakers (7:27), his experience working with Beyoncé on ‘Black Is King’ (10:44), and his upcoming musical adaptation of ‘The Color Purple’ (14:39). Plus, which country has the best jollof (26:30)? Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Blitz Bazawule Producer...

Van and Rachel discuss the Espionage Act as it relates to the FBI investigation of Donald Trump (14:21), before reacting to Deshaun Watson’s apology as the NFL preseason gets underway (31:08). Plus, U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar joins to discuss the January 6 congressional committee (42:42), and the church comes for Beyoncé (1:09:08). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Rep. Pete Aguilar Producer...

Van and Rachel are joined by actor Aldis Hodge to discuss latest season of ‘City on a Hill', the importance of being a Black man cast as Carter Hall in the upcoming DC film ‘Black Adam’, and much more (29:26). Van and Rachel also react to the resignation of Oklahoma football assistant coach Cale Gundy (0:50), the latest in the Alex Jones trials (01:14:53), and debate a love story published in the...

Van and Rachel analyze the reasoning behind Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension (12:04), react to Brittney Griner’s sentencing in Russian court (42:31), and discuss the federal charges against Breonna Taylor’s killers (54:04). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel remember the lives of Bill Russell and Nichelle Nichols (10:42) before reacting to Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension for sexual misconduct (25:50). Plus, monkeypox continues to be a public health crisis (52:48). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel break down President Biden’s Safer America Plan to fight violent crime (10:39), the latest news regarding Brittney Griner and a potential prisoner exchange (25:42), and Kyler Murray’s contractually obligated study (50:38). Plus, Marc Goldwein, Senior Policy Director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act (56:53). Hosts: Van L...

Van and Rachel discuss 'Nope' and the colorism debate and career comparisons of Keke Palmer and Zendaya (16:20), DaBaby’s support of Donald Trump (43:07) and the robbery of a church caught on Instagram Live (56:36). Plus, reactions to the much anticipated ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ trailer (1:18:32). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad ch...

At the 2022 Essence Festival, Rachel hosted a panel at Spotify’s ‘House of Are & Be’ activation called, “The Power of Audio Storytelling”. Featured panelists included Danyel Smith, host of Black Girl Songbook, Lovelyti, host of Tea Time UNFILTERED with Lovelyti, along with Dr. Titi Shodiya and Dr. Zakiya Whatley, hosts of Dope Labs. ENJOY! Host: Rachel Lindsay Guests: Danyel Smith, Lovelyti, Dr. T...

Van and Rachel discuss the Sesame Place backlash following a video of a character ignoring Black children (22:30) before welcoming model, author, and musician Amber Rose to discuss the arc of her career (38:23). Plus, a pair of prominent members of the church come under fire for questionable comments (1:42:06). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Amber Rose Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr....

Van and Rachel discuss a new viral trend and whether it’s traumatic, funny, or both (19:15). Plus, Jill Biden compares Latinos to breakfast tacos (30:46), concern grows for Orlando Brown following his Bow Wow comments (55:06), and LeBron questions Brittney Griner wanting to return to the U.S. (1:00:56). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choi...

Van and Rachel discuss white fans rapping along to lyrics that contain the n-word (6:51), before digging into Pres. Biden’s executive order on abortion access (26:02). Plus, Doja Cat’s ‘Stranger Things’ DM’s become public (41:01) and Herschel Walker says some things (59:16). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...

Van and Rachel are joined by Rhode Island state Senator Tiara Mack to address "respectability politics" after going viral for twerking (8:49). Then, comedian and podcaster Marlon Palmer joins to discuss a recent tweet about the African diaspora (41:02). Plus, an update on the Brittney Griner situation (1:03:40). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Sen. Tiara Mack and Marlon Palmer Producer...

Van and Rachel react to the latest police shooting that saw an unarmed man shot 60 times in Akron, OH (22:25), before discussing a July 4th weekend of tragedy (38:09). Plus, Brittney Griner pens a letter to President Biden from a Russian prison (1:02:40) and dynamics of the Black diaspora are discussed (1:16:41). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about you...

Van and Rachel react to R. Kelly’s 30-year sentence and the "normalization" of his crimes (17:02), plus Ketanji Brown Jackson is officially sworn in (24:26) to the Supreme Court. They are then joined by Marc Goldwein, senior policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, to break down the current state of the U.S. economy (41:07). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Mar...

Van and Rachel react to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and discuss how people will be immediately affected (13:42), talk about the political and actionable plan going forward (23:26), and compare the Democratic Party to fake Jordans (40:59). Plus, constitutional law professor Caroline Mala Corbin joins to help make some sense of the landmark decision (43:39). Hosts: Van Lathan and...

Van and Rachel react to the Texas GOP’s new platform suggesting secession (8:51), before discussing the mixed reaction to Drake’s new album in the new segment, "This Week in D**k-Riding" (25:19). Plus, Amazon's Alexa could be reaching beyond the grave (53:23). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices....

Van and Rachel dig into the resurfaced DJ Akademiks comments about sex, age, and college (16:34), before discussing the U.S. providing more aid to Ukraine (37:11) and Herschel Walker’s “secrets” coming to light (46:15). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to Matt James revealing his frustrations surrounding his ‘Bachelor’ experience (15:05), before welcoming model, author and actress Garcelle Beauvais to discuss a career spanning almost 40 years (30:05). Plus, journalist and co-host of the ‘FANTI’ podcast Jarrett Hill joins to revisit the conversation around Isimemen Etute’s acquittal (1:15:25). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lin...

Van and Rachel are joined by James Turk, the defense attorney representing Isimemen Etute, who was found not guilty in the beating death of a man he initially believed to be a woman (8:23). Plus, Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey breakup (1:07:47), Herschel Walker does press (1:31:39), and an update on ‘Mountain Lion Watch’ (1:36:51). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: James Turk Producer...