Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van and Rachel discuss Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime performance and other happenings around the big game (15:47). Then, Dr. Peniel Joseph is back to discuss the role of Black women throughout the fight for civil rights (42:33) and give a book recommendation (1:23:28). Plus, the government gets cagey about the shooting down of UFOs (1:26:37). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Dr. Pen...

Van and Rachel discuss Joe Biden’s third State of the Union Address (18:58), as well as Stephen A. Smith’s relationship to Kyrie Irving (45:01). Then activist Hawk Newsome joins to give insight on the case of a Black Colorado rancher facing domestic terrorism from neighbors (57:44). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Hawk Newsome Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Van and Rachel react to Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ not winning the Grammy for Album of the Year (16:01) and discuss the 50th anniversary of hip-hop performances (28:17). Plus, Black History Month brings out the racists (41:16). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Van and Rachel are joined by Jason Lee: host of ‘The Jason Lee Show’ and CEO of Hollywood Unlocked. They discuss breaking celebrity news (21:50), working with Kanye West (37:00), and sitting down with figures from Chrisean Rock to Kamala Harris (48:11). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Jason Lee Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Finally! In the podcast's first live event, Van and Rachel host a screening of Netflix’s ‘You People,’ followed by a Q&A with listeners about the film (:46), the Emmanuel Acho situation (11:32), and watching the NFL after the blackballing of Colin Kaepernick (31:41). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Van and Rachel react to the release of body-cam footage in the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of the Memphis PD (17:46), the danger of strategies like the SCORPION unit (38:14), and responses from the likes of Jason Whitlock (52:23). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Van and Rachel discuss the latest out of Bethune-Cookman regarding Ed Reed and the football program (23:09). Then, Stephen A. Smith joins to discuss his book ‘Straight Shooter’ (42:15), his relationship with Skip Bayless (57:45), and the black-balling of Colin Kaepernick (1:06:50). Plus, Van digs into his love of the ‘No Jumper’ drama (1:35:11). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Step...

Van and Rachel react to Ron DeSantis and Florida claiming AP African American Studies “lacks educational value” (10:02), before welcoming the host of ‘Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man,’ Emmanuel Acho, to discuss uncomfortable conversations (27:45). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Emmanuel Acho Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Van and Rachel welcome scholar and author Dr. Peniel Joseph to discuss Dr. King’s evolution and the watering down of his legacy (6:21). Plus, Ed Reed goes off on Bethune-Cookman and HBCUs (40:48), and the LAPD faces scrutiny for the death of an unarmed Black man (1:04:14). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Peniel E. Joseph Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Van and Rachel react to the discovery of Joe Biden’s classified documents (7:59), and Chris Harrison’s first time addressing his exit from ‘The Bachelor’ (24:23). Then, director Calmatic joins to discuss his feature film debut, 'House Party' (35:19), plus a TikTok chef’s old tweets come back to haunt him (58:01). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Calmatic Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr...

Van and Rachel discuss Kevin McCarthy finally being named speaker of the House (27:55), and the swearing in of embattled U.S. Representative George Santos (48:54). Then, Damar Hamlin heads back to Buffalo to continue his recovery (56:47), and Meek Mill shoots a video at the presidential residence in Ghana, controversy ensues (1:00:42). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Bea...

Van and Rachel welcome cardiologist Dr. Joshua Cooper to discuss the injury and recovery of Bills safety Damar Hamlin (26:54) before digging into Skip Bayless’s reaction (1:05:23). Plus, journalist Aaron Rupar returns to break down the humiliation of Kevin McCarthy (1:37:45). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Dr. Joshua Cooper and Aaron Rupar Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashlei...

Van and Rachel react to the guilty verdict of Tory Lanez (7:07), before welcoming senior reporter for Law & Crime News Meghann Cuniff to break down the trial (35:28). Plus, Akon says Africans are better performers than African Americans (1:16:22). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Meghann Cuniff Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Van and Rachel welcome lifestyle editor of The Grio and host of the ‘Writing Black’ podcast to discuss her list of must-read books. Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Maiysha Kai Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

Van and Rachel react to the release of Donald Trump’s tax returns (12:48) before welcoming journalist Aaron Rupar to discuss having his Twitter account suspended and the future of the platform (38:20). Then it’s time for a TikTok talk (1:04:53). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Aaron Rupar Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

The House January 6 committee approves criminal referrals for Donald Trump. What happens next (18:35)? Then, with the passing of the world’s most famous mountain lion, Beth Pratt is back to remember P-22 (36:04). Plus, a discussion about the differences between Gunna’s and Megan Thee Stallion’s legal situations (1:02:35). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Beth Pratt Producers: Donnie...

Van and Rachel discuss the latest in the Tory Lanez trial (16:14), before welcoming rapper and podcaster Glasses Malone to react to Gunna’s plea deal in the RICO case (1:00:16). Plus, with the health of the world’s most famous mountain lion in question, conservationist Beth Pratt joins to discuss P-22 (1:15:04). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Glasses Malone and Beth Pratt Producer...

Van and Rachel react to the Dave Chappelle’s crowd booing Elon Musk in San Francisco (16:11), and R. Kelly’s got brand new music (42:05). Then, plus-size model and fashion blogger Kelvin Davis joins to discuss body positivity and style (51:32), before a discussion about Skip Bayless (1:19:05). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Kelvin Davis Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh S...

Van and Rachel are joined by ESPN investigative reporter T.J. Quinn to discuss Brittney Griner and the Russian prisoner swap (16:59), and react to Van (no relation) Jones’s apology on behalf of the Black community (46:02). Plus, the internet’s claiming Kenya Barris has an obsession (1:14:13). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: T.J. Quinn Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smit...

Van and Rachel discuss the reaction to Deion Sanders’s decision to leave Jackson State for Colorado (27:43), and Ron DeSantis aids being pressed to define the word “woke” (1:05:04). Plus, Natalie Nunn of ‘Baddies West’ calls in for a quick chat about exploitation (1:09:59), then a discussion of the collection of slave memorabilia in light of a recent red carpet appearance (1:24:19). Hosts: Van Lat...

After welcoming Ashleigh Smith, the newest member of the pod, Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss LeBron James’s comments about the non-coverage of the Jerry Jones controversy (20:16), and Kanye West's praise for the author of 'Mein Kampf' (37:09). Plus, writer and producer Diallo Riddle joins to discuss his underground hit shows 'South Side' and 'Sherman’s Showcase' (54:04). Hosts: Van Lathan J...

Van and Rachel kick the show off by remembering the lives of friend and music executive Hovain Hylton, and actress and pop star Irene Cara (12:46), before digging into a photo of a teenage Jerry Jones at a desegregation protest in 1957 Arkansas (28:09). Plus, an analysis of a 1968 video of James Earl Jones discussing Black women being “uptight” (53:45). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Pro...

Van and Rachel welcome actor and fellow Texan Jonathan Majors to the podcast to discuss growing up in Rachel’s hometown (2:04), his new film, ‘Devotion,’ and the true story behind it (17:51), plus why he doesn’t watch any of his own movies (27:32). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Jonathan Majors Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel discuss Kyrie Irving’s return to the Brooklyn Nets and Black Hebrew Israelites showing up in support (22:34), before reacting to the tragedy at an LGBTQ club in Colorado Springs (35:24). Then, Gabrielle Union joins the show to discuss her new film ‘The Inspection’ and motherhood in the face of public scrutiny (46:46). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Gabrielle Union P...

Van and Rachel react to the fear and confusion surrounding the Poland missile strike (13:22), before discussing the mysterious death of Shanquella Robinson in Mexico (23:49). Plus, TV legend Malcolm-Jamal Warner joins to discuss his journey from child actor on ‘The Cosby Show’ to Grammy-winning musician/poet (36:27). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Malcolm-Jamal Warner Producer: Do...