Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van and Rachel recap the first weekend of Coachella, before discussing Afrika Bambaataa’s legacy and reported history of abuse. Then, Trump shares an image of himself as Dr. Christ, Gucci Mane releases a diss track, and the church gets lit. (0:00) Intro (2:54) Coachella recap: Justin Bieber (11:47) Coachella recap: Sabrina Carpenter (22:54) The legacy of Afrika Bambaataa (42:18) Rep. Eric Swalwell...

Van and Rachel react to the shooting of the rapper Offset before welcoming HuffPost’s Akbar Shahid Ahmed to discuss the latest on the conflict in Iran. Then, actor Mark Kassen joins to discuss his newest film, ‘PH-1.’ (0:00) Intro (1:10) Jake Paul and blackface (7:11) Offset’s shooting (10:33) The state of Atlanta hip-hop (17:12) Akbar Shahid Ahmed joins the show (43:45) Kanye and the cancellation...

Van and Rachel discuss NBA players' dislike for staying in Memphis before reacting to Trump’s Easter message about Iran and Edward Blum’s fight against civil rights. (0:00) Intro (22:21) The NBA vs. Memphis (41:19) Trump’s Easter message (59:30) Joe Rogan and Theo Von on Iran (1:23:10) Edward Blum’s latest lawsuit (1:37:52) Sponsors and Kanye West (2:03:18) Trick Daddy vs. the AKAs Hosts: Van Lath...

Van and Rachel discuss the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi and revelations about former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s husband before reacting to the arrest of Pooh Shiesty. Plus a discussion of Jaden Ivey, Brandy and Wanya Morris’s relationship and Deontay Wilder’s wild comments. (0:00) Intro (0:54) AG Pam Bondi fired (26:06) Trump’s prime-time address (43:19) Kristi Noem’s husband and ‘bimbofi...

Van and Rachel react to Chilli’s rejection of the MAGA label, the politics of Nick Cannon and Amber Rose, and the latest music from Kanye West. Then, California gubernatorial candidate Dr. Butch Ware joins to discuss the two-party system and his plan for the communities of the state. (0:00) Intro (6:16) Black Republicans (13:02) Chilli denies being "MAGA" (35:52) The politics of Amber Rose and Nic...

Van and Rachel react to the latest from the LaRussell controversy before discussing Jay-Z’s interview with GQ and Usher’s comments on Diddy. Then, actresses Taylor Polidore Williams and Crystle Stewart from Netflix’s ‘Beauty in Black’ join the show. (0:00) Intro (9:05) Social media addiction ruling (21:47) NBA salary cap (30:48) Druski’s “conservative women” skit (49:04) LaRussell controversy (1:0...

Van and Rachel discuss ICE and TSA before reacting to the latest from the 'Bachelorette' cancelation. Plus: the release of Justin Timberlake’s DUI arrest footage, the return of the movie star, and Van’s got a take on J. Cole and ‘biracials.’ Then, Emma Vigeland from 'The Majority Report’ joins to discuss the war in Iran. (0:00) Intro (07:12) ICE and TSA (20:52) 'Bachelorette' season cancelled (51:...

Van and Rachel remember the life of Kiki Shepard before discussing the negotiations between the WNBA and WNPBA that led to a verbal agreement for a new CBA. Then they discuss the recent New York Times investigation into Cesar Chavez. After that, the two get into the big controversy revolving around reality star Taylor Frankie Paul, Afroman’s lawsuit, and Ray J’s most recent viral moment: defending...

Van and Rachel react to the Oscars before discussing Jack Harlow’s comments on his new album, LaRussell and what it means to be "heaven sent," and spring breakers taking Houston. Then hosts of The Big Picture, Amanda Dobbins and Sean Fennessey, join to look back at an Oscar season to remember. (0:00) Intro (2:09) Academy Awards reactions (26:04) Jack Harlow’s "gotten Blacker" (41:41) LaRussell bac...

Van and Rachel welcome Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to discuss his memoir, ‘Where We Keep the Light,’ working across the aisle in the MAGA age, and community policing. Plus, addressing the rise in anti-semitism and approaching division on the Israel-Gaza conflict. (0:00) Intro (03:32) ‘Where We Keep the Light’ (08:58) Are we better than this? (16:22) Crime and policing (29:37) An NBA tangent...

Van and Rachel react to the cancellation of the Atlanta Hawks’ "Magic City Night" and Bam Adebayo’s 83 points before switching gears to discuss potential threats from Iran. Plus, Harvey Weinstein speaks from behind bars, Ari Lennox gives life to a meme, and the Target boycott appears to be over. Then, Ryan Michelle Bathé, host of the ‘Paradise’ companion podcast joins to talk season 2 of the hit H...

Van and Rachel discuss Logan Paul vs. Le’Veon Bell and Dak Prescott’s wedding being called off before reacting to the shooting at Rihanna’s home. Then, they discuss an update on the war in Iran before actress Jayme Lawson joins to talk representation in Hollywood, awards season, and of course, ’Sinners.’ (0:00) Intro (2:08) Logan Paul vs. Le’Veon Bell (10:23) Dak Prescott and prenups (24:25) The s...

Van and Rachel react to President Donald Trump’s ouster of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and the results of the Texas Senate primary race before having another Drake–Kendrick Lamar debate thanks to Michael Eric Dyson. Finally, Pamela Dias and Takema Robinson join to discuss the grief, justice, and resilience behind the Netflix documentary 'The Perfect Neighbor.' (0:00) Intr...

Van and Rachel welcome Indiana University associate professor Hussein Banai, who gives his insight on the joint strikes against Iran. Then they switch gears to discuss Michael B. Jordan’s Oscar odds and Jonathan Majors’s next project. Then Jeff and Nicole Friday join to celebrate 30 years of the American Black Film Festival. (0:00) Intro (09:23) Hussein Banai on the conflict in Iran (41:53) Predic...

Kevin Fredericks, aka KevOnStage, joins Van and Rachel for a discussion that touches on everything from fear of failure, jokes, the Black church, gospel, and hip-hop. (0:00) Intro (:38) Getting past fear (15:50) God’s sense of humor (26:23) Pressure to get political (32:20) Gospel, hip-hop, and R&B (52:37) Going to church (58:45) Scripture, sexuality and the church (1:29:50) Oversharing and overex...

Van and Rachel react to the conversations around racism and ableism following outbursts at the BAFTA Awards, and Teddy Riley walking back support for R. Kelly. Plus, Gavin Newsom gets criticized, (0:00) Intro (9:24) N-word at the BAFTA Awards (34:53) Teddy Riley and R. Kelly (57:31) Gavin Newsom backlash (1:15:55) Huckabee on Israel: “Fine if they took it all” (1:30:55) Trump, Susan Rice, and Netf...

Van and Rachel remember the life of Jesse Jackson before addressing Shia LaBeouf’s Mardi Gras and the latest drama in the Texas Senate race. Then, a breakdown of "Afro-pessimism" before Cori Bush joins to discuss her campaign for Congress. And last but not least, thoughts on Tyler Perry’s most vulgar film. (0:00) Intro (9:17) Tyra Banks & America’s Next Top Model  (20:28) The life of Jesse Jackson...

Van and Rachel discuss the NBA dunk contest before reacting to leaks from an alleged burner account, and LeBron’s message to his Israeli fans. Then, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove joins to discuss the Pam Bondi hearings, before Ed Zitron returns to shed light on the world of AI. (0:00) Intro (8:39) NBA dunk contest (19:32) The very alleged Kevin Durant files (39:42) LeBron James and Israel (1:05:58) Re...

Van and Rachel welcome The Ringer’s Logan Murdock to react to Ja Rule’s confrontation with Uncle Murda and Tony Yayo on a flight, before they discuss more revelations from the Epstein files, hip-hop in the Trump era, and an HGTV show’s cancellation for the host's use of the N-word. (0:00) Intro (3:19) Ja Rule vs. G-Unit in 2026 (19:15) Latest Epstein updates (1:02:15) Symone Sanders Townsend and E...

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 (3...

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 upda...

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...

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 (2:1...

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...

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) L...