Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van and Rachel react to the death of Pope Francis (4:00), before discussing the opening weekend of ‘Sinners’ and the way the film's success has been covered in the trades (16:09). Plus, Shannon Sharpe gets sued (30:05), Rev. Al Sharpton meets with Target (41:43), and we crown the latest Glaze of the Week (50:55). Then, Deion Sanders justifies the retiring of jerseys (1:09:31), before QB guru Quinc...

Van and Rachel react to the wrongful deportation of a Maryland man to El Salvador (7:21), before welcoming actor Omar Miller to discuss Ryan Coogler’s latest film, 'Sinners’ (27:22). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Omar Miller Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to the death of LSU football standout Kyren Lacy (15:07), before Bill Maher inspires the start of a new segment following his dinner with Donald Trump (24:00), and they discuss black businesses in light of Wallo’s recent comments (56:35) Then, Ringer social content producer and Midnight Boy Jomi Adeniran joins to give some insight on KTLA accidentally tweeting the N-word (1:07...

Van and Rachel give an update on the roller coaster that is the U.S. economy (2:10) and talk Keri Hilson’s recent comments on her 2009 Beyoncé diss (16:05) before welcoming actor and producer David Oyelowo to discuss his new Apple TV+ show, ‘Government Cheese’ (28:32), the types of roles he will and will not play (39:51), and his friendship with Jonathan Majors (1:01:02). Plus, Animal Games makes...

Van and Rachel react to a recent tweet of Van’s (:18) before discussing Kamala Harris’s recent “I told you so” comments (24:23) and a stabbing at a Texas track meet that left one student dead and another claiming self-defense (49:47). Then, a message to rappers regarding tariffs (1:17:09) and a celebration of Duke’s NCAA tournament loss (1:26:04). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Do...

Van and Rachel have a conversation about her experience with alimony (3:37) before welcoming writer Michael Harriot to help break down Trump’s tariff war, which is looking bleak (23:32). Plus, Young Thug may be in trouble with the law again (45:38), Cory Booker breaks a record (57:47), and Andrew Schulz appeared on The Pivot (1:05:39). And finally, an Anthony Edwards rumor gets put to rest, but we...

Van and Rachel discuss YG’s new single, "2004," and conversations about male survivors of sexual assault (1:15), and the White House Correspondents Dinner (9:07) before comedian and podcaster TK Kirkland joins to talk everything from Donald Trump’s road to the White House (24:59) to domestic violence, mental health (38:32), and touring with N.W.A in the late ’80s (1:04:44). Plus, TK’s thoughts on...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode by discussing the discourse around Van’s idea of a top BBL city, and then they change direction with a chat about the characteristics behind “BDE” (04:27). Then, they get into the simmering Stephen A. Smith and LeBron James feud (08:55) and the accidental adding of The Atlantic’s editor in chief to the Trump administration’s war plans group chat (35:...

Van and Rachel remember the life of George Foreman (19:32) before discussing Jonathan Majors’s latest film, ‘Magazine Dreams’ (29:06), and the controversy surrounding Disney’s ‘Snow White’ (48:01). Then they react to the lawsuits against Marcellus Wiley detailing accounts of rape and sexual assault (1:00:31). Then Van explains why he’ll redo his list of the top five Black cities while addressing i...

Van and Rachel recap Jess Hilarious's airing out of 'Breakfast Club' grievances online and on air (7:32), before reacting to the erasure of Jackie Robinson and other military heroes in the name of getting rid of DEI (27:41). Plus, Van has a Kanye West theory (1:11:14) and gives his top five Black cities (1:21:21). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smit...

Van and Rachel give a review of Playboi Carti’s latest album, ‘Music’ (7:19), before reacting to Kanye West and Kim Kardashian butting heads over a new song featuring Diddy and their daughter (17:22), and Anthony Mackie’s backlash for comments on masculinity (38:45). Then, Congress and Trump avoid shutting down the government (56:10), and Rachel addresses the tragedy of domestic violence (1:12:05)...

Van and Rachel react to questions about Doechii after she was invited onstage at a Lauryn Hill concert (12:35), Lil Yachty calls Black Lives Matter a "literal scam" (31:37), and Tucker Carlson touts the genetics of his people (45:10). Then a philosophical discussion on morality and religion: Can you have one without the other (57:44)? Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham...

Van and Rachel remember the life of D’Wayne Wiggins and the impact of Tony! Toni! Toné! (:37), before Van breaks down five things Democrats can do to win back voters (11:01), Gavin Newsom calls trans athletes in women’s sports unfair (45:51), and Dana White welcomes Andrew Tate with open arms (1:02:19). Plus, Doechii’s dating red flag had some men upset (1:14:10), LeBron confronts Stephen A. Smith...

Van and Rachel reflect on the life and career of Roy Ayers (1:40) and discuss Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China (7:22). Then, Washington bureau chief for The Economist Idrees Kahloon joins to break down the economic strategy of the tariffs (28:26). Plus, Democrats protest through song (52:52), Ben Shapiro calls for a pardon of Derek Chauvin (1:08:52), and a young man dies while pledging...

Van and Rachel remember the life and career of Angie Stone (00:34) before reacting to the Oscars (2:36), and Van has thoughts on a Conan hip-hop joke (4:20). Then, a discussion of the lawsuit against Jay-Z being dropped (18:25), before filmmaker Mark Anthony Green joins to talk about his directorial debut, ‘Opus’ (42:22) and Ayo Edebiri’s star power (1:01:35). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay...

Van and Rachel discuss the life and death of Gene Hackman (4:55), before reacting to the GOP budget bill that could cause major cuts to Medicaid and have ripple effects for Medicare (10:13) before welcoming CNN journalist Omar Jimenez to discuss the White House moving to pick the pool reporters who cover Trump (36:42). Plus, Me Too founder Tarana Burke discusses where the movement stands in 2025 (...

Van’s radio row adventures continue, as he welcomes Pacman Jones and Evan Rosenblum to discuss 'The Pacman Jones Show' (0:00). Then he welcomes Carolina Panthers beat writer Sheena Quick (19:13) and NFL draft prospect Tetairoa McMillan (28:58). Plus, Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (34:20) and Steelers legend Joey Porter (40:20) join the show. Host: Van Lathan Guests: Pacman Jones, Evan Rosenblum,...

While at Super Bowl LIX radio row, Van sat down with the likes of Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith (0:00), LSU great Andrew Whitworth (14:20), and a pair of legendary Saints Deuce McCallister (24:49, and Demario Davis (35:58). Host: Van Lathan Guests: Emmitt Smith, Andrew Whitworth, Deuce McCallister, Demario Davis Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr., Cory McConnell, Chia Hao Tat, and Ronak Nair  Learn more...

Van and Rachel discuss Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s plans for the federal government (19:28), and the potential end of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’s legal troubles (41:54). Then, a reaction to John Leguizamo’s Crip-walking claims (1:11:48), before film producer Will Packer joins the discuss his new book, ‘Who Better Than You?’ (1:19:50). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Will Packer P...

Van and Rachel react to the Super Bowl (0:00) before giving their reviews of Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show (14:42). Then, Kanye West is regrettably in the news again (31:35), and Trump signs an order in solidarity with white South Africans (45:10). Finally, the showrunner of Prime Video’s ‘Cross,’ Ben Watkins, joins to discuss Aldis Hodge’s star power (55:51) and his thoughts on him possibly bein...

Van and Rachel react to the death of Murder Inc. founder Irv Gotti (10:46), before discussing the NFL removing "End Racism" from the end zones at the Super Bowl (15:00), and Dennis Schröder compares NBA trades to modern slavery (32:30). Then, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is back to talk about Donald Trump’s plan to take over Gaza (38:22), and resurfaced tweets has Van guessing the N-word count of Saquon B...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start today’s episode by talking about the historic wins, controversial moments, and surprises from the 67th Grammys (05:21). Senior staff writer and fellow podcaster Justin Charity joins to give his opinion on the Grammys before discussing his Ringer podcast on the Kendrick-Drake beef culminating in Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance (27:46 ). Later, we talk with ‘Rea...

Van and Rachel discuss the midair collision that killed 67 people (1:00) before reacting to Donald Trump pointing the finger at DEI initiatives (10:05). Plus, DJ Akademiks gets banned from Twitch after inappropriate comments toward a minor (20:51), and Scott Storch’s ex gets accused of racism after saying racist things (32:49). Then writer and podcaster Chad Sanders joins to talk authenticity and...

Van and Rachel react to the death of DJ Unk (6:04), before discussing Tabitha Brown’s response to a call to boycott Target for ending DEI programs (15:40) and the Air Force’s choice to walk back a decision to end the use of a Tuskegee Airmen video from basic training (42:11). Then, Snoop Dogg responds to criticism for performing at a Trump inauguration event (57:03), Raven-Symoné speaks on racial...

Van and Rachel react to President Trump’s executive orders (11:35) before welcoming assistant professor of law at Washington and Lee Maureen Edobor to dig into their legal and moral implications (22:33). Then Elon Musk salutes in a very Third Reich-ish kinda way (49:31 ), Sexyy Red apologizes to Bernice King (1:05:12), and Jamie Foxx discusses Leonardo DiCaprio’s discomfort with the N-word (1:15:5...