Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the Astroworld Festival tragedy (5:55) before digging into Kanye West's latest stream of consciousness (21:34) and the right getting big mad at Big Bird (38:49). Plus, National Hip-Hop Month is now a thing (49:19) and President Biden farts in front of royalty (54:36).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Aaron Rodgers testing positive for COVID-19, and the difference between vaccination and immunization (16:40). Then, fear of critical race theory fuels Republican victory in Virginia (42:52), the NFL combine gets compared to slavery (56:18), and the jury selection in the Ahmaud Arbery case has people scratching their heads (1:07:47).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rac...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Jay-Z’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Tina Turner and LL Cool J (9:13), a Southwest Airlines pilot who got investigated for signing off with an anti-Biden rallying cry (29:11), J.Lo's “horrible” early-career experience (49:22), and lastly Florida students who were suspended for confronting racism (1:09:33).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Jada Pinkett Smith’s latest 'Red Table Talk' and why "relationship goals" is a myth (17:05), Kyle Rittenhouse’s victims can’t be called such in the upcoming trial (29:53), and the political right declares war on Black intellectual thought (37:12). Plus, Facebook gets a name change (1:01:34) and it’s Mailbag Time (1:21:06)! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the U.S. Department of Justice cracking down on modern-day redlining (7:25). Plus: Kyrie Irving’s vaccine stance seemingly has MAGA and BLM protestors on the same side for once (23:30). Then, Issa Rae and Amanda Seales have some Black Greeks upset (41:41), and Boosie’s homophobia is showing again (47:58). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy J...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the #BlackburnTakeover at Howard University, while producer Donnie Beacham details his experience with dorm life at the “Mecca” (23:33), then we welcome family and supporters of Julius Jones, a death row inmate they say was wrongfully convicted of murder in 1999 (37:08). Plus, it’s Thought Warrior mailbag time (1:19:35)! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Gu...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the Cult of Trump being told by their god not to vote (12:16), coach Ed Orgeron is out at LSU (23:25), and Patrick Mahomes’s little brother gets accused of e-thuggery (36:51). Plus, Hooters reverses a mandate (46:01) and Stacey Dash tests our empathy (1:04:14).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about y...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Kyrie Irving’s IG Live regarding his COVID vaccine choice (4:22), discuss Joe Biden’s presidential performance thus far (28:36), and ask an unexpected question about Ruth Bader Ginsburg (39:59). Also, 25-year-old Jelani Day is remembered amid rampant rumors following his mysterious death (48:45).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph a...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay check in with instant reactions to some breaking news that’s got the people a-buzzing. Now-former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden steps down after offensive emails see the light of day (5:25), Nicki Minaj defends Jesy Nelson and the art of ‘blackfishing’ (29:59), and Kyrie Irving gets an unvaccination vacation (38:04). Plus, Superman comes out and the homophob...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome activist and founder of Not Our Native Daughters Lynnette Grey Bull to discuss the lack of attention given to missing Indigenous people, and what she’s doing to make a change. Plus, myths get dispelled and she tells us the dopest thing about being a Native American.  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Lynnette Grey Bull Producers: Trudy Joseph and Don...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay dig into the divided reactions to Dave Chappelle’s latest Netflix special 'The Closer' (9:05), before welcoming back law professor Caroline Mala Corbin to discuss the most recent developments in the Texas abortion law (41:59). Plus, HBCU funding takes a big cut (1:10:23), then it’s Mailbag Time (1:22:41).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Caroline Mala Corb...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss a recent poll that suggests we might be at the beginning of the end of the American union (8:49). Seriously. But on a lighter note, there’s drama coming out of ESPN (33:53), Urban Meyer likes to party (1:01:45), and another famous white lady comes for Denzel Washington (1:24:00). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham L...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome bestselling author Frederick Joseph to discuss his recent run-in at a dog park that went viral and the social media frenzy that followed (5:48). Plus, Black Twitter comes for Ellen Pompeo (1:00:56), the #FreeBritney movement succeeds (1:09:57), and a casting decision for the upcoming film ‘The Harder They Fall’ comes under scrutiny (1:18:08). Hosts: Van Lathan...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the guilty verdict in the R. Kelly trial and that age-old question of separating the artist from the art (23:10). Plus, national police reform talks fail (42:46), the NBA faces vaccination troubles (1:08:37), and Will Smith opens up about his open marriage with Jada Pinkett Smith (1:19:08). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donn...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the disparities in media coverage for missing people of color amid the sad news of the Gabby Petito case (2:28). They then welcome lawyer, TV host, and Real Housewife of New York Eboni K. Williams to discuss breaking reality-TV barriers and what is next for the broadcaster (29:55). Plus, could James Bond be a woman (1:02:18), and is Drake bigger than Beyoncé (...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay break down the overwhelming whiteness of the 2021 Emmys (18:48), despite the diverse nominee lineups. Plus, the U.S. begins the removal of Haitian migrants as the border crisis worsens (32:46), the Clippers gentrify Inglewood (42:28) and the Karen Civil–Joyner Lucas drama provided some top-tier, Saturday afternoon mess (50:30).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay  P...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay lament the end of days as Nicki Minaj and the barbs take on the Center for Disease Control (4:02), then balance things out with some positivity as author and host of the Dropping Gems podcast Devi Brown stopped by to give some steps towards true healing (18:25). Oh yeah, and Diddy owes Jermaine Dupri an apology (51:11).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay  Guest: De...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome law professor Caroline Mala Corbin to help break down the Justice Department's lawsuit against the state of Texas after the passage of its restrictive abortion law (18:38). Then, Biden’s new vaccine mandate faces the inevitable GOP backlash (41:18), and irresponsible policing causes yet another unnecessary tragedy (1:00:38). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsa...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay pay their respects to the ultra-talented Michael K. Williams, who’s missed but remembered fondly (23:14). Then, Election Day in California quickly approaches, so we break down Larry Elder’s ridiculousness (47:19), plus the 20th anniversary of 9/11 has us reflecting on that fateful day (56:50). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay  Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Be...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome Dr. Yusef Salaam, motivational speaker, author and member of the Exonerated Five to discuss life after his wrongful conviction at the age of 15, and growing to become better, not bitter, in the face of injustice. Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay  Guest: Dr. Yusef Salaam  Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the podcast off with a game of Is It Better Than?, the subject being the legendary LL Cool J (2:04). Then, with the Supreme Court's refusal to block Texas’s restrictive abortion law, Texas Representative Shelia Jackson Lee stops by to give some insight on the impact the legislation will have on women in the Lone Star State (37:54). Plus, Drake’s new album has to...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay kick things off with their thoughts and reviews on Kanye West’s latest album, 'Donda' (12:28) before breaking down the disappointment surrounding the Tyron Woodley–Jake Paul fight (33:13). Plus, Hurricane Ida has Louisiana on our hearts and minds (46:43), and Van shares how he's tried to keep Freddy Krueger out of his dreams since childhood (1:03:51).  Hosts: Van Lath...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome investigative journalist Azmat Khan to the podcast to help contextualize the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan (19:55). Then: Sha’Carri Richardson is staying in the news for all the wrong reasons (50:03), Van makes the case for Ray J to take over at ESPN (1:06:10), and Martin Luther King Jr. is coming to 'Fortnite' (1:23:58). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay ...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay break down Sha’Carri Richardson’s last-place finish at the Prefontaine Classic (6:33), before welcoming a true television legend to the podcast, Larry Wilmore, to discuss his career as a writer, comedian and producer on some of your favorite shows (25:45). Plus, the FDA has approved the Pfizer vaccine and Trump gets booed in Alabama (1:05:02), while Jay-Z and Beyoncé...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome four-time Olympic medalist Dominique Dawes to discuss everything from mental health in gymnastics to the time Prince made her hot cocoa before a music video shoot (8:00). Plus, OnlyFans changes its policies (35:33), Jeopardy!’s got a new and problematic host (43:12), and Amber Rose vents her relationship frustrations (56:40).  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lind...