

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

Apr 2, 2024 • 1h 28min
The Mastery of ‘Cowboy Carter’ and the Complexity of the Black Experience
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay give their impression of Beyoncé’s new album, ‘Cowboy Carter’ (08:54), the first episode of Jerrod Carmichael’s reality show, and the awkward scene with Tyler the Creator (25:51). Then, they discuss the internet’s reaction to our conversation with Justin Sylvester last week (35:14) and dive into the complexities and different cultures of the Black experience (1:00:47).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 25min
The Diddy Saga, Trump’s Bible, and Black Representation in Media
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the Diddy situation including the raid on his house, the lawsuit, and the internet’s reaction to the many revelations of his lawsuit (07:27). Then, they chat about Trump’s new “holy” product (47:58) and the backlash from the new Good Times reboot (1:01:03).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 26, 2024 • 1h 54min
Daily Wire’s Diversity Hire, Rap Beef, and Freaking Out Over Freaknik
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode with a playbook update (09:49) and discuss Candace Owens and her online presence (11:37). Then, Justin Sylvester comes by to give insight on interracial relationships within the Black and LGBTQ communities (). They are then joined by P. Frank Williams to talk about his documentary ‘Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told’ and the internet’s reactions to revelations of the project (57:55) before they end the show with a talk about rap’s “newest” beef (1:46:03).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: P. Frank Williams and Justin SylvesterProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 22, 2024 • 1h 40min
Biden’s Budget, Pretty Privilege, and the Horrors of ‘Quiet on Set’
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the show off with some "gender wars" banter (02:21) and a quick shout-out (04:37) before diving into Biden's proposed budget (18:42). Then, they talk about the Nickelodeon atrocities highlighted by the documentary ‘Quiet on Set’ (50:13) and the internet’s reaction to Beyoncé’s latest drop (1:22:07).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 19, 2024 • 1h 35min
Reckless “Behavior,” Mental Health, and the Kate Middleton Conspiracy
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay recap and give their impressions on the Kate Middleton conspiracy (06:07) before discussing former president Donald Trump’s comments on the possibility of losing the upcoming election (18:18). Then, they talk about mental health and Bill Maher’s segment discussing mental health in America (43:36). Lastly, they talk about the latest ruling in Texas that made sites like Pornhub react with a ban (1:11:02 ).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 15, 2024 • 1h 33min
Banning TikTok, Actively Black, and Controversial Feet Pics
Today, Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are joined by Ashley Gold, a tech and policy reporter at Axios, to talk about the TikTok ban (05:26). Then, the two bring back the “Is Van Wrong?” segment (25:03) and discuss the internet’s response to Karrueche Tran’s OnlyFans announcement on Instagram (49:09). Later, they are joined by the CEO of the fashion sports brand Actively Black, Lanny Smith, to talk about the creation of the brand and his recent apology video (47:49).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Ashley Gold and Lanny SmithProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 12, 2024 • 1h 49min
Oprah’s Ozempic Special, the Oscars, and Draya’s Pregnancy
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode off with their reactions to the 96th Academy Awards (00:13) before giving their opinions on the reactions to Draya Mitchell and Jalen Green’s relationship (21:55). Then, they discuss the State of the Union address (45:34), Oprah’s special 'Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution' (01:19:36), and their take on Jerrod Carmichael’s reality show trailer (01:32:59).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 5, 2024 • 1h 48min
Lieutenant Nasty, Charlamagne’s Apology, and the Supreme Court Trump Decision
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay give their opinions on the latest Supreme Court ruling (27:37) and reparation comments from the lieutenant governor of North Carolina, Mark Robinson (45:52), before rating the apology from Charlamagne tha God to viral TikTok creator Ressa Tessa (1:07:53).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 23, 2024 • 1h 36min
The Jim Crow Era of Reproductive Freedom. Plus Tiffany Haddish’s Israel Trip
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that’s resulted in the halting of IVF treatments (5:18) before they dig into Tiffany Haddish’s trip to Israel (20:41). Then they react to a viral TikTok account called Biracial Lounge (38:16) before welcoming the founder of the X for Boys Life Preparatory School, King Randall I, to discuss a recent post on safety during police interactions (47:33).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: King Randall IProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 2024 • 2h 11min
More Mass Shootings. Plus, Martin, Malcolm, and Coretta With Dr. Peniel Joseph
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the latest mass shooting, this time at the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade in Kansas City (10:08), before taking a look at the body-cam footage of a police officer’s shootout with an acorn (19:35). Then, a look at family dynamics after Mo'Nique’s public spat with her eldest son (29:59), and the woman formerly known as Rachel Dolezal is fired for having an OnlyFans account (48:45). Plus, a quick update on the Fani Willis hearings (1:03:17), before Dr. Peniel Joseph returns to discuss NatGeo’s adaptation of his book ’The Sword and the Shield’ (1:11:38).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Dr. Peniel JosephProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


