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Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

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Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
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585 episodes

  • Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s Relationship, Plus Stacey Abrams on Protecting the Vote

    2026-08-07 | 2h
    Van and Rachel react to results from the August primary races, Sophie Cunningham weighing in on trans athletes, A$AP Rocky opening up to Jason Lee. Then, author and political leader Stacey Abrams returns to weigh in on the ongoing fight for voting rights.

    (0:00) Intro

    (5:39) Primary race results

    (19:26) Sophie Cunningham on trans athletes

    (30:01) A$AP Rocky on his relationship with Rihanna

    (42:25) Stacey Abrams joins the show

    (1:40:10) Did Van see this?

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guest: Stacey Abrams

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

    Social Producer: Bernard Moore

    Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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  • Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Governor Wes Moore and "Across-the-Aisle" Politics. Plus, Diarra Kilpatrick, a.k.a. "Diarra From Detroit."

    2026-08-04 | 2h 10 mins.
    Van and Rachel react to Spider-Man’s big box office weekend before switching gears to talk about RFK Jr.’s on-air meltdown and Governor Wes Moore’s chummy exchange with a Trump official. Then actor, writer, and producer Diarra Kilpatrick joins to talk about Season 2 of the hit show 'Diarra From Detroit.'

    (0:00) Intro

    (0:15) ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ box office

    (8:42) RFK Jr.’s on-air meltdown

    (23:51) Governor Wes Moore and "across-the-aisle" politics

    (1:00:42) Diarra Kilpatrick joins the show

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guest: Diarra Kilpatrick

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

    Social Producer: Bernard Moore
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    The Troubled ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ Adaptation, and Usher’s Rejection

    2026-07-31 | 2h 7 mins.
    Van and Rachel discuss tragedy and personas in rap, and updates in the Nolan Wells case before diving into President Trump’s attempts at voter suppression. Then Jonathan Majors speaks, the author of ’Children of Blood and Bone’ distances herself from the film, and Usher’s interaction with a fan sparks debate.

    (0:00) Intro

    (7:46) The Madden curse

    (27:48) Gun violence and 21 Savage

    (40:37) Update on the Nolan Wells case

    (54:07) Mail-in voting restrictions

    (1:07:21) The punishing of Jonathan Majors

    (1:20:46) The ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ controversy

    (1:39:01) Usher kicks fan off stage

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

    Social Producer: Bernard Moore

    Video Supervision: Jacob Cornett
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Kerry Washington and 'The Whoopi Monologues,' a New Black Panther, and an Argument for Term Limits

    2026-07-28 | 2h 18 mins.
    Van and Rachel react to the recasting of Black Panther, a cheating scandal in the WNBA, and the White House Correspondents' Dinner before welcoming actor Kerry Washington to discuss the revival of ‘The Whoopi Monologues’ and the importance of theater. Plus, Representative James Clyburn says Black voters let Kamala down, and a respectability politics discussion about Tuskegee University.

    (0:00) Intro

    (20:08) David Jonsson is Black Panther

    (29:36) WNBA cheating scandal

    (39:17) White House Correspondents Dinner

    (52:26) Kerry Washington joins the show

    (1:28:09) Representative James Clyburn and the argument for term limits

    (1:48:40) Tuskegee University’s dress code

    (2:02:40) Has Rachel seen this?

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guest: Kerry Washington

    Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

    Social Producer: Bernard Moore

    Video Supervision: Jacob Cornett
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Why Would ESPN Lay Off Ryan Clark? Plus, Mayor Mamdani’s Netanyahu Strategy.

    2026-07-24 | 2h 26 mins.
    Van and Rachel react to both ESPN’s decision to lay off Ryan Clark and LeBron’s decision to drag out free agency. Then, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he can’t arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Trump administration freezes Medicaid funding for CA and MN. And finally, a debate about the placement of a controversially titled book on a former NBA head coach's desk.

    (0:00) Intro

    (27:42) Ryan Clark and the ESPN layoffs

    (1:00:07) Mamdani’s message to Netanyahu

    (1:21:25) Medicaid funds frozen

    (1:46:21) House GOP advances plan to fund SAVE America Act

    (1:56:14) George Karl and displaying the book 'N-----'

    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

    Social Producer: Bernard Moore

    Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More Society & Culture podcasts
About Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. Two times per week, they will wade into the most important and timely conversations, frequently inviting guests on the podcast and occasionally debating each other.
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