Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay introduce a new segment, The Big Deal, just in time to discuss the controversy surrounding Joe Rogan and his ensuing apology (5:10). Also, Awkwafina issues a statement via Twitter (50:23), and a reaction to Amir Locke’s unnecessary death and the concept of “no-knock warrants” (1:15:43).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham L...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay bring in Black History Month with reactions to former head coach Brian Flores’s decision to sue the NFL for racial discrimination (17:09), before welcoming Peter Rosenberg back for a layered discussion on the Whoopi Goldberg controversy (42:04). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Peter Rosenberg Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your...

Van Lathan & Rachel Lindsay react to the news of Cheslie Kryst’s unexpected passing (:11), before celebrating the big Rihanna and A$AP Rocky news (13:04). Plus a talk about ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’ (32:12), then podcaster MacG joins from South Africa to discuss the fallout from his problematic question to Ari Lennox (39:47). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: MacG Producers: Trudy Jo...

Van Lathan & Rachel Lindsay react to Joe Biden’s pledge to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court (9:37), before Republican candidate Tamika Hamilton joins to discuss her congressional bid as a Black woman in the GOP (24:38). Then, a breakdown of Joe Rogan’s problematic conversation on blackness (1:09:56).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Tamika Hamilton Producers: Trudy Joseph an...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay break down a Thought Warrior’s question with producer Trudy Joseph (8:21) before welcoming author, attorney, and political commentator Bakari Sellers to discuss the dire state of politics (30:49) and how citizens can make a difference (52:47). Plus, an interviewer's cringey question to Ari Lennox has the internet abuzz (1:00:26).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Mitch McConnell’s slip of the mind in differentiating Black people from Americans (17:04) before remembering the life and legacy of André Leon Talley (39:06). Plus, Fresh and Fit go head-to-head with Brittany Renner (41:43) and Awkwafina faces backlash after NAACP Image Award nomination (57:02).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and...

Van Lathan welcomes Rachel Lindsay back after a week off, and the two catch up on life and loss … the Cowboys' loss (7:23). Plus, with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day behind us, they reflect on the whitewashing of the civil rights icon (17:21) and react to the George Floyd comments on Mario Lopez’s podcast (48:57).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Lea...

Van Lathan’s riding solo this week as he and producers Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham react to Joe Biden’s speech on voting rights and Senator Tim Scott’s predictable response (18:54), plus the NFL coming out of the war on race unscathed (34:18). Then, LGBTQ+ journalist Kate Sosin joins to shed some light on 2021 being the deadliest year for transgender people (52:15).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rach...

DEK: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to discuss the closing of achievement disparities (31:44), safely reopening schools (34:33), and why we need algebra (40:47). Plus, convictions in the Ahmaud Arbery murder case come down (56:41) and Urban Meyer’s an even bigger POS than we thought (1:01:44).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Secretary of Ed...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome Felicia “Snoop” Pearson to discuss stepping in to complete voice-overs for the late Michael K. Williams in VICE TV’s 'Black Market' (1:28), how her relationship with Williams led to her legendary role on ‘The Wire’ (3:26), and her projects on the way in the future (10:10).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Felicia “Snoop” Pearson Producers: Trudy Jo...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the ‘Fresh and Fit’ podcast hosts’ declaration about not dating Black women (5:04), then rapper and L.A. native Reason talks the rise in crime in the city and the current state of hip-hop beef (28:11). Plus, New York’s newest mayor draws backlash (1:03:56).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Reason Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn mo...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay answer a Thought Warrior’s Very Serious Question (2:26) and get excited about the upcoming Janet Jackson documentary (26:06). Plus, epidemiologist and health economist Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding joins to discuss the rise of COVID cases and better ways to prevent and detect the virus (49:40).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding Producers: Trudy Jo...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the deaths of the legendary Archbishop Desmond Tutu (14:07) and coach-broadcaster John Madden (18:52). Plus, discussing Joe Rogan's suggestion of Michelle Obama for president in 2024 (27:42) and journalist Cerise Castle joins to provide insight on violence from the LAPD and gang affiliation within the department (35:38).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to ex-officer Kim Potter being found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright (15:29) before welcoming a Thought Warrior to the show for the first time to clear up a weeks-long debate (22:29). Plus, Bachelor Nation has its first black couple (34:12), and would Jay-Z be unbeatable in a ‘Verzuz’ battle (44:50)? Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Prod...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss a relationship scenario with producer Trudy Joseph (4:54), before reacting to the rise in U.S. COVID cases and debate the need for another massive shutdown (20:51). Plus, journalist Judd Legum joins the podcast to shed light on Senator Joe Manchin’s decision to pull support from the Build Back Better bill (36:52), and the hip-hop community mourns the death of...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Joe Biden’s decision not to extend student loan relief (5:51), and a Louisiana judge blames a slur on a sedative (19:07). Plus, the no. 1 recruit flips to Jackson State (37:08) and Breonna Taylor’s killer searches for sympathy (1:06:21).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the devastation left behind by tornadoes in several states and discuss the climate change divide within politics (20:20), Governor Gavin Newsom plans to use Texas's restrictive abortion law as a model for an assault weapon ban (38:59), and the recent crime wave in L.A. has folks moving differently (49:39). Plus, merch sales from Kanye and Drake’s Free Larry H...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the news of Jussie Smollett being found guilty for falsely reporting a hate crime (13:56) and the Department of Justice suing the state of Texas (27:23). Plus, discussing Travis Scott's conversation with Charlamagne tha God about the recent tragedy at his Astroworld Festival (39:29) and breaking down the production woes for 'Black Panther 2' (1:03:18). Also,...

On a special episode of 'Higher Learning,' Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are in the studio, recording in person for the first time! They discuss everything from Chris Cuomo losing his job (16:48) to an eventful Verzuz between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia (24:11). Then bestselling author Michael Arceneaux joins to break down a controversial scene in Amazon Prime’s new show 'Harlem' (1:12:...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Stacey Abrams’s second gubernatorial bid (15:50), Chris Cuomo’s suspension from CNN (25:52), and Kyle Rittenhouse’s status at Arizona State (40:55). Also, the problem of gun violence continues in light of the Oxford High School tragedy in Michigan (58:59), and Thought Warriors get their mailbag questions answered (1:25:38).   Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Linds...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay reflect on the untimely passing of designer Virgil Abloh and discuss the ensuing Twitter debate over privacy in the face of an illness (11:13). Also, Jussie Smollett’s trial begins (21:42), the AMAs spark confusion after giving Doja Cat a pair of R&B awards (47:11), and a new COVID-19 variant emerges (53:44). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Josep...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Kyle Rittenhouse’s recent comments to Tucker Carlson (11:25), claims of sexism lobbied at the film ‘King Richard’ (26:42), and Idris Elba playing a Bond villain and not the man himself (38:14). Plus, Michael Tubbs, author and former mayor of Stockton, CA, joins the show to discuss his book ‘The Deeper the Roots’ and why Democrats are losing the messaging batt...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the commutation of Julius Jones’s death sentence (0:35), the exoneration of two men convicted of killing Malcolm X (9:29), and the tragic death of rapper Young Dolph (17:59). Then Antonio Brown is accused of obtaining a fake vaccine card (55:10), and domestic violence is discussed in light of the Zac Stacy incident (59:36).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Linds...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss DaBaby’s most recent controversy after the rapper called the cops on his child’s mother DaniLeigh (16:04). Then the Kyle Rittenhouse trial nears a conclusion (27:59), President Biden signs the infrastructure bill into law (49:52), and Beto is running for governor of Texas (1:07:11).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beach...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the start of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial and his testimony, which had the internet abuzz (17:41). Plus, Letitia Wright’s vaccination stance has the ‘Black Panther 2’ production on hold (33:27), Jay-Z and Hillary Clinton have a problem in common (40:06), and Scottie Pippen’s mad at Michael Jordan (1:00:36). And of course, it’s Mailbag Time (1:19:15). Hosts: Van...