Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

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 Watkins on Season 2 of ‘Cross’

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Aldis Hodge and Ben Watkins

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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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) Lakers drama

(49:34) Taylor Swift calls Justin Baldoni a “bitch”

(59:35) Keith Edwards on Jasmine Crockett vs. James Talarico

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Keith Edwards

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Van and Rachel react to a weekend of sports before discussing Stephen A. Smith and frat life, the Black Panther Party in 2026, and military aid in Israel. Plus, Gavin Newsom caves to Ben Shapiro, and Candace Owens has a theory … a conspiracy theory.

(0:00) Intro

(0:58) Sisqo or Ne-Yo

(9:01) Feeling for Josh Allen

(24:21) Stephen A. Smith misspeaks

(44:20) A Divine 9 discussion

(57:50) The Black Panther Party in 2026

(1:11:20) AIPAC and congressional funding

(1:36:07) Gavin Newsom sits with Ben Shapiro

(1:53:33) The Charlie Kirk conspiracy

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas
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Van and Rachel discuss Teyana Taylor’s comments on Ye, Kai Cenat’s career shift, and Druski’s megachurch skit. Then an update on the conflicts with ICE agents before associate professor Hussein Banai joins to help shed light on the conflict in Iran.

(0:00) Intro

(15:44) Teyana Taylor and Kanye West

(31:17) Kai Cenat’s new path

(42:39) Druski’s megachurch skit

(1:00:14) J. Cole’s upcoming album

(1:02:17) The war with ICE

(1:19:00) Hussein “Huss” Banai on the Iranian conflict

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Hussein “Huss” Banai

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: www.naacpimageawards.net
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Van and Rachel kick the show off with some awards season reactions, check in on the situation in Minnesota, and react to some criticism of Representative Jasmine Crockett.

(0:00) NAACP Image Awards nominations

(5:47) Awards season reactions

(38:28) Kristy and Desmond Scott’s divorce

(53:13) Minneapolis update

(1:10:08) The Black Panthers and knowing your rights

(1:24:04) Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers, and criticisms of Representative Crockett

(2:08:23) Steve Nash and capitalism

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

Vote here for the NAACP Image Awards: www.naacpimageawards.net
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices