

Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
The Ringer
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 19, 2025 • 2h 22min
Memphis Bleek and Van Lathan (Not Jones), Plus Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension
Van addresses Memphis Bleek calling him out on Club Shay Shay, before he and Rachel react to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' being taken off the air and the media’s coverage of Charlie Kirk following his death.
(00:00) Intro
(00:12) A Memphis Bleek/Van Lathan explainer
(25:02) Kushner, Trump and the Carters
(49:29) Jimmy Kimmel Suspended
(1:22:52) The sanitizing of Charlie Kirk
(1:57:13) Hangings in Mississippi
(2:03:58) LeBron & Drake Update
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 16, 2025 • 2h 8min
Empathy, Sympathy, and Charlie Kirk. Plus, Erika Alexander and the Legacy of ‘Living Single.’
Erika Alexander, an acclaimed actress known for her roles in 'Living Single' and 'Invasion,' joins the conversation. The hosts dive deep into the legal and cultural repercussions following a recent tragic event involving Charlie Kirk. They dissect the critical differences between empathy and sympathy, especially in political contexts. Erika shares insights about her work in media representation through her company, Color Farm Media, emphasizing the importance of authentic narratives and the evolution of Black culture in entertainment. A vibrant discussion on the power of storytelling follows!

Sep 12, 2025 • 2h 17min
Kamala’s Disappointment and the Killing of Charlie Kirk. Plus, Melvin Gregg Talks ‘The Paper’! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show off by talking about the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, the many reactions to it, and what may come from his killing. Then, they react to an excerpt from Kamala Harris’s upcoming book mentioning Joe Biden’s “reckless” decision to run again in the last election. Later, actor, model, and comedian Melvin Gregg joins to talk about his latest show, ‘The Paper,’ before he, Van, and Rachel all share memories of their biggest heartbreak.
00:00 - Welcome!
00:26 - The killing of Charlie Kirk
56:00 - Kamala’s book and her disappointment with Biden's reelection bid
1:14:50 - Israel bombed Hamas negotiators
1:16:24 - The new Bachelorette
1:20:20 - Melvin Gregg joins us!
2:11:59 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Melvin Gregg
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 9, 2025 • 2h 31min
Vaccines, Who Needs 'Em? Plus, Nina Westbrook and the Wellness App, Nebbi
Van and Rachel dig into the Texas senate race, vaccine mandates (or lack thereof) in Florida, and Young Thug’s leaked jail calls, before welcoming marriage and family therapist Nina Westbrook to discuss her new mental wellness app, Nebbi.
(0:00) Intro
(0:39) Left-wing influencers
(13:29) The Phillies Karen
(27:15) Rep. James Talarico running for senate
(48:52) Vand & the realities of aging
(55:23) Nina Westbrook joins the show
(1:37:49) Florida’s vaccine overhaul
(1:55:34) Glaze of the Week
(2:03:08) Young Thug leaks
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Nina Westbrook
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 5, 2025 • 2h 13min
Generational Talent With Quincy Avery! Plus, Trump’s Health Rumors and Young Americans' High Standards. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including their theories on a study revealing that the number of Americans having sex has dropped to a record low. Then, they react to Trump’s address of his health rumors and the internet’s desire for his health to decline. Then, NFL quarterback whisperer Quincy Avery joins to discuss generational talent and his new movie, 'The Quincy Avery Effect.'
00:00 - Welcome!
08:04 - Americans are having less sex
19:43 - Trump addresses health rumors
42:18 - A leak reports ICE will be getting military assistance
57:53 - Is Tom Brady a generational talent?
1:06:27 - Brittany Renner’s video arguing about her son
1:25:36 - Drake and interviews with traditional hip-hop media
1:44:43 - Quincy Avery joins us!
2:05:20 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Quincy Avery
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 2, 2025 • 37min
The Epstein Files, AIPAC and Gerrymandering with Rep. Ro Khanna
Rep. Ro Khanna returns to talk AIPAC’s role in politics, the release of the Epstein files and what he thinks of the gerrymandering debate.
(0:00) Intro
(0:46) AIPAC’s influence
(6:07) Releasing the Epstein files
(15:14) The gerrymandering fight
(25:29) Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 31min
Addressing the Corruption Allegations With Mayor Eric Adams. Plus, Is Dark Money Funding Democratic Influencers? | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including the return of Cracker Barrel’s old logo and Taylor Swift’s engagement. Then, they react to the developing story of an alleged dark money group secretly funding high-profile Democratic influencers. Later, they are joined by NYC Mayor Eric Adams as he addresses corruption allegations, his non-relationship with Trump, and how he feels about his competition, Zohran Mamdani.
00:00 - Welcome!
1:32 - Cracker Barrel scrapped the new logo
07:37 - Taylor is finally engaged (to Travis Kelce)
24:15 - The Nina Turner response
25:19 - Dark money is allegedly secretly funding Democratic influencers
43:51 - The raw milk story and a quick vaccine debate
51:26 - A quick message from Van before the interview
52:42 - Mayor Eric Adams joins us!
1:25:19 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Mayor Eric Adams
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 26, 2025 • 2h 2min
Nina Turner and the Democratic Playbook
Van and Rachel welcome former Ohio senator Nina Turner to hear her thoughts on the Democratic strategy to fight gerrymandering.
(0:00) Intro
(1:32) Snoop & Pixar’s LGBTQ character
(8:54) Bill Maher changes tone on Trump
(22:02) Dean Cain’s ICE training
(30:21) Serena Williams weight loss journey
(43:04) Jussie Smollett doc review
(58:08) Nina Turner joins the show
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Nina Turner
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 22, 2025 • 2h 1min
Hitting the Target on Target, Cracker Barrel’s Rebrand, and the Reality of Texas’s GOP Congressional Map | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the predicted increased prices for Sony’s PlayStation 5 and the Cracker Barrel rebranding. Later, they discuss the Texas House of Representatives’ approval of a GOP-centered congressional map and the disturbing release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting a minor in Nevada. They end with the Glaze of the Week and Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal (thank you, Megan Thee Stallion).
00:00 - Welcome!
10:08 - Jury finds Hernandez Govan not guilty of the Young Dolph killing
30:02 - PlayStation 5 prices will increase
36:06 - Cracker Barrel’s rebrand
52:07 - Amateur football leagues
1:01:50 - Target’s CEO steps down
1:09:58 - Texas House approves GOP congressional map
1:26:40 - The Israeli official Nevada sex crime case
1:40:58 - Glaze of the Week
1:53:06 - Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal
1:57:25 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 19, 2025 • 2h 2min
The LAST Biracial Conversation With Molly Daniel, Plus the Gaza Ceasefire
Van and Rachel react to the news of a new ceasefire proposal being accepted by Hamas before welcoming Molly Daniel to the podcast to provide some perspective on the ongoing biracial discussions.
(0:00) Intro
(3:57) Tyla on the ‘coloured’ controversy
(18:43) Jamie Lee Curtis’ boobs
(25:18) Trump names Kennedy Honorees
(34:49) Gaza ceasefire proposal
(39:22) Gavin Newsom’s trolling
(50:33) Kaepernick & Spike Lee ESPN doc
(53:17) Whitney Houston’s receipts
(58:37) Molly Daniel joins the show
(1:46:14) KKK shirt offends racist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices