

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

Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 47min
The WNBA Conspiracy, One-Sided Beefs, and Our Voting Rights Under Attack | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the news of the cancellation of The Howard Stern Show before getting into some one-sided beefs: Donald Trump against Gayle King and Megyn Kelly against Beyoncé. Then, they talk about Diddy’s possible presidential pardon and the threats against the Voting Rights Act before Van gets into the conspiracy happening in the WNBA.
00:00 - Welcome!
08:44 - The Howard Stern Show is done
18:57 - Gayle King vs. Trump?
24:17 - BET Hip-Hop and Soul Train Awards suspended indefinitely
45:22 - Megyn Kelly tries to rip Beyoncé
1:00:48 - Diddy’s possible presidential pardon
1:14:22 - Voting Rights Act under threat
1:26:57 - The WNBA dildo-tossing conspiracy
1:37:42 - Van's lovely sister joins us!
1:41:26 - 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 5, 2025 • 1h 32min
Rep. James Talarico and the Democratic Fight in Texas, Plus Stephen A. Vs. Michelle Obama
Van and Rachel welcome Texas Rep. James Talarico to shed light on the state’s Democrats fleeing to prevent a vote over efforts to add Republican seats.
(0:00) Intro
(8:01) Top 5 White Singing Ladies *since 2010
(9:27) Stephen A. Smith vs. Michelle Obama
(28:42) Rep. James Talarico joins the show
(34:57) The fight against gerrymandering
(41:18) Toughening the Democrats
(1:02:35) Glaze of the Week
(1:15:15) Palantir update
(1:16:15) FEMA to deny grants over Israel boycotts
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Rep. James Talarico
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 1, 2025 • 2h 13min
Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans, Kamala’s '107 Days,' and the Aging of ‘Martin’ Jokes | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by running through some quick-hitters, including the internet’s reaction to Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle commercial, Ari Lennox’s thoughts on Martin’s treatment of Pam, and Kamala Harris’s new book. Then, they talk about new updates to the Israel-Hamas conflict and some reactions to their Hulk Hogan segment last week.
00:00 - Welcome!
00:59 - Sydney Sweeney’s good “jeans”
29:57 - Ari Lennox’s thoughts on Martin and Pam
44:59 - Kamala Harris’s '107 Days'
1:12:28 - The Gaza-Israel Conflict
1:35:14 - Shannon Sharpe and Gilbert Arenas
1:45:32 - Reactions to our Hulk Hogan segment
2:08:38 - 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

Jul 29, 2025 • 2h 26min
The Hunger Crisis in Gaza and Solution-Focused Therapy With Elliott Connie
Van and Rachel discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, talk about Dr. Umar’s plea for help, and give N3on an apology rating before Elliott Connie joins to discuss his methods for mental wellness.
(0:00) Intro
(0:45) The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
(46:06) Dr. Umar’s Plea for Help
(59:46) N3ON Apology Rating
(1:25:20) Tyler Perry on Ownership & ‘Sinners’
(1:32:30) Elliott Connie Joins the Show
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Elliott Connie
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 25, 2025 • 2h 23min
Gendered Problems and Decentering Men With Joy Taylor! Plus, Thoughts on Hulk Hogan. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the passing of the infamous Hulk Hogan and the complexity of his legacy. Then, the host of Two Personal, Joy Taylor, joins us to talk about processing the surprise cancellation of her show, how she was treated in comparison to her male counterparts, and her opinion of men.
00:00 - Welcome!
00:37 - Hulk Hogan’s passing
03:56 - Joy Taylor joins us
38:57 - Feelings toward Fox
48:58 - Will the dam break?
57:48 - Vulnerably in certain spaces
1:02:18 - Opinion on men
1:56:41 - What does Joy want to build?
2:18:39 - Thanks for watching!
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Joy Taylor
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 22, 2025 • 2h 7min
The Life of Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and What Just Happened to Black Farmers?
In a heartfelt discussion, Jeremy Peaches, a Houston-based second-generation farmer and advocate for Black agriculture, sheds light on the systemic challenges faced by Black farmers, particularly under the Trump administration. He emphasizes the importance of supporting local farms and the deep connection to agricultural heritage. The conversation also touches on the significant reductions in USDA support that have further marginalized these farmers. Alongside these serious topics, they reflect on broader societal issues and the role of politics in affecting communities.

Jul 18, 2025 • 29min
How Scary Is AI? Let’s Ask Calvin Abbasi! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van are joined by Calvin Abbasi, strategic advisor to the OpenAI Nonprofit Commission, to talk about perceptions of AI, the dangers of it, and real questions that need to be asked about this developing technology.
00:00 - Welcome!
02:11 - AI and Self-Preservation
07:40 - Is AI Dangerous?
09:10 - The Grok Situation
14:18 - The Architect Determines the AI
17:14 - Thoughts on Sam Altman
19:53 - DeepSeek’s Effect on the AI Industry
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Calvin Abbasi
Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 15, 2025 • 33min
Malcolm D. Lee and Expanding Story of ‘The Best Man’
Van and Rachel are joined by Director Malcolm D. Lee to discuss his new book, ‘The Best Man: Unfinished Business’, what inspired the writing of the original movie, and if we can expect a ‘Girls Trip 2’ anytime soon?
(0:00) Intro
(1:35) Adapting the story for the page
(7:33) Addressing criticism
(11:29) Adapting the story for the screen
(14:47) Prequels?
(17:46) One of the sexiest casts of all-time
(22:35) Sable bourbon
(22:41) Girls Trip 2
(24:17) Essence Fest
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Malcolm D. Lee
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11, 2025 • 1h 29min
Is Nicki Lying? Plus, Tucker’s Epstein Theory and the Miami Mess. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Rachel and Van discuss Nicki Minaj’s X rants about the discrimination lawsuit against Megan Thee Stallion and Jay-Z’s possible debt. Then, they dissect Tucker Carlson’s Epstein cover-up theory before getting Rachel’s opinion of “the Miami mess” on X.
00:00 - Welcome!
24:13 - Nicki Minaj’s X posts
44:24 - Megan’s lawsuit moving forward
57:39 - Tucker Carlson’s Epstein theory
1:09:18 - The Miami mess
1:24:50 - 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

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 41min
Tragic Flooding in Texas and the Essence Fest Diaspora Wars
Van and Rachel react to the tragic Texas floods, before switching gears to discuss the conversations coming out of this year’s Essence Festival.
(0:00) Intro
(0:25) Texas Floods
(34:29) Essence Fest 2025
(43:40) Diaspora War
(1:02:07) Epstein Files Update
(1:07:27) Zohran Mamdani, African American
(1:23:43) 4Extra’s 4th of July Accident
(1:33:04) Skip Bayless
Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices