Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van and Rachel are joined by actor Aldis Hodge to discuss latest season of ‘City on a Hill', the importance of being a Black man cast as Carter Hall in the upcoming DC film ‘Black Adam’, and much more (29:26). Van and Rachel also react to the resignation of Oklahoma football assistant coach Cale Gundy (0:50), the latest in the Alex Jones trials (01:14:53), and debate a love story published in...

Van and Rachel analyze the reasoning behind Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension (12:04), react to Brittney Griner’s sentencing in Russian court (42:31), and discuss the federal charges against Breonna Taylor’s killers (54:04). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel remember the lives of Bill Russell and Nichelle Nichols (10:42) before reacting to Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension for sexual misconduct (25:50). Plus, monkeypox continues to be a public health crisis (52:48). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel break down President Biden’s Safer America Plan to fight violent crime (10:39), the latest news regarding Brittney Griner and a potential prisoner exchange (25:42), and Kyler Murray’s contractually obligated study (50:38). Plus, Marc Goldwein, Senior Policy Director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act (56:53). Hosts: Van L...

Van and Rachel discuss 'Nope' and the colorism debate and career comparisons of Keke Palmer and Zendaya (16:20), DaBaby’s support of Donald Trump (43:07) and the robbery of a church caught on Instagram Live (56:36). Plus, reactions to the much anticipated ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ trailer (1:18:32). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel react to the breaking news of President Joe Biden’s positive COVID test (10:41), Ne-Yo’s comments regarding R. Kelly and separating art from artist (39:47), and Dave Chappelle’s canceled First Avenue show (58:50). Plus, Herschel Walker won’t debate Raphael Warnock (1:06:04). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

At the 2022 Essence Festival, Rachel hosted a panel at Spotify’s ‘House of Are & Be’ activation called, “The Power of Audio Storytelling”. Featured panelists included Danyel Smith, host of Black Girl Songbook, Lovelyti, host of Tea Time UNFILTERED with Lovelyti, along with Dr. Titi Shodiya and Dr. Zakiya Whatley, hosts of Dope Labs. ENJOY! Host: Rachel Lindsay Guests: Danyel Smith, Lovelyti, D...

Van and Rachel discuss the Sesame Place backlash following a video of a character ignoring Black children (22:30) before welcoming model, author, and musician Amber Rose to discuss the arc of her career (38:23). Plus, a pair of prominent members of the church come under fire for questionable comments (1:42:06). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Amber Rose Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel discuss a new viral trend and whether it’s traumatic, funny, or both (19:15). Plus, Jill Biden compares Latinos to breakfast tacos (30:46), concern grows for Orlando Brown following his Bow Wow comments (55:06), and LeBron questions Brittney Griner wanting to return to the U.S. (1:00:56). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel discuss white fans rapping along to lyrics that contain the n-word (6:51), before digging into Pres. Biden’s executive order on abortion access (26:02). Plus, Doja Cat’s ‘Stranger Things’ DM’s become public (41:01) and Herschel Walker says some things (59:16). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel are joined by Rhode Island state Senator Tiara Mack to address "respectability politics" after going viral for twerking (8:49). Then, comedian and podcaster Marlon Palmer joins to discuss a recent tweet about the African diaspora (41:02). Plus, an update on the Brittney Griner situation (1:03:40). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Sen. Tiara Mack and Marlon Palmer Producer...

Van and Rachel react to the latest police shooting that saw an unarmed man shot 60 times in Akron, OH (22:25), before discussing a July 4th weekend of tragedy (38:09). Plus, Brittney Griner pens a letter to President Biden from a Russian prison (1:02:40) and dynamics of the Black diaspora are discussed (1:16:41). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel react to R. Kelly’s 30-year sentence and the "normalization" of his crimes (17:02), plus Ketanji Brown Jackson is officially sworn in (24:26) to the Supreme Court. They are then joined by Marc Goldwein, senior policy director for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, to break down the current state of the U.S. economy (41:07). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Mar...

Van and Rachel react to the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and discuss how people will be immediately affected (13:42), talk about the political and actionable plan going forward (23:26), and compare the Democratic Party to fake Jordans (40:59). Plus, constitutional law professor Caroline Mala Corbin joins to help make some sense of the landmark decision (43:39). Hosts: Van Lathan and...

Van and Rachel react to the Texas GOP’s new platform suggesting secession (8:51), before discussing the mixed reaction to Drake’s new album in the new segment, "This Week in D**k-Riding" (25:19). Plus, Amazon's Alexa could be reaching beyond the grave (53:23). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel dig into the resurfaced DJ Akademiks comments about sex, age, and college (16:34), before discussing the U.S. providing more aid to Ukraine (37:11) and Herschel Walker’s “secrets” coming to light (46:15). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van and Rachel react to Matt James revealing his frustrations surrounding his ‘Bachelor’ experience (15:05), before welcoming model, author and actress Garcelle Beauvais to discuss a career spanning almost 40 years (30:05). Plus, journalist and co-host of the ‘FANTI’ podcast Jarrett Hill joins to revisit the conversation around Isimemen Etute’s acquittal (1:15:25). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lin...

Van and Rachel discuss the New York Times’ report on Deshaun Watson allegations (13:31), and Jack Del Rio’s comments and the epidemic of ‘white-nesia’ (28:44) before comedian Michael Che joins to discuss comedy and the 2nd season of HBO’s That Damn Michael Che’ (44:41). Plus FCF Commissioner Ray Austin joins to talk the future of football (1:20:22). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Mic...

Van and Rachel are joined by James Turk, the defense attorney representing Isimemen Etute, who was found not guilty in the beating death of a man he initially believed to be a woman (8:23). Plus, Michael B. Jordan and Lori Harvey breakup (1:07:47), Herschel Walker does press (1:31:39), and an update on ‘Mountain Lion Watch’ (1:36:51). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: James Turk Producer...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas (:14), before being joined by Guns Down America director Igor Volsky (30:15) to discuss pushing the Biden administration to live up to promises made (34:19), and attempting to find hope amidst the circumstances (48:11). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Igor Volsky Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacha...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are back in studio to debate whether or not a Yankees vs. White Sox dustup was sparked by racism (16:11). Plus, concerns around monkeypox grow (39:32), Gunna is denied bond (48:56) and Trump shares post calling for ‘civil war’ (1:11:23). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr.

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Nick Saban’s recent NCAA name, image, and likeness grumbles (11:59), plus the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team’s successful fight for equal pay (35:43), and Dr. Umar has RG3 talking about his favorite subject (43:28). Also, a Black Lives Matter update (57:03). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Jr. DM ‘Animal Game...

Higher Learning is IN STUDIO this week and launching its own YouTube channel! With Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay recording face-to-face, the two discuss Rachel’s “celebrity beef” (1:37), before breaking down the circumstances around the mass shooting in Buffalo (19:40). Plus, Raquel Willis returns to react to Kendrick Lamar’s approach to trans-allyship (47:02). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the indictment of Young Thug and Gunna (15:14) before welcoming Bruce Rivers, attorney and host of ‘Criminal Lawyer Reacts,’ to discuss potential legal woes (28:17). Plus, the Democratic attempt to protect abortion rights fails (53:47), and Jack Harlow discovers a familial connection (1:06:54). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Bruce Rivers Producers...

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the death of controversial YouTuber Kevin Samuels and the ensuing social media reaction (19:06), before digging into Kendrick Lamar’s ‘The Heart Part 5’ (37:11). Plus, is ‘Black Republican’ an oxymoron (1:06:40)? And the news of Young Thug and Gunna being charged breaks (1:18:22). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham