

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

Jul 25, 2023 • 2h 23min
Ron DeSantis and the "Benefits” of Slavery, Plus JasonMartin With the Hot Takes
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Florida’s Black history curriculum and Ron DeSantis’s comments on the benefits of the institution of slavery (41:56), before addressing comments from Jess Hilarious on womanhood (58:11). Plus, rapper JasonMartin joins to discuss Compton; his new album, ‘I Owe Myself’; and whom he voted for in 2020 (1:16:09).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: JasonMartinProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 22, 2023 • 36min
Errol Spence Jr. on Boxing's Tribalism and Taking On Terence Crawford
Van Lathan is joined by welterweight unified champion Errol Spence Jr. to discuss the upcoming boxing match with Terence Crawford (1:49), the racial dynamics of the sport (7:33), and the concept of protecting wins with selective fights (16:08). Plus, a look at the best and worst potential boxers in rap (24:22).Host: Van LathanGuest: Errol Spence Jr.Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 21, 2023 • 1h 53min
Carlee Russell’s Disappearance and Adam Cohen Talks SCOTUS
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the investigation into Carlee Russell's disappearance and the epidemic of missing Black women in the U.S. (23:43) before reacting to country music artist Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town,” and its ties to a painful history (54:12). Then, author and journalist Adam Cohen joins to discuss his new book, ‘Supreme Inequality: The Supreme Court's Fifty-Year Battle for a More Unjust America’ (1:02:10), and Sexyy Red causes controversy (1:32:16).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Adam CohenProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 19, 2023 • 1h 30min
Higher Learning Presents: The Summit of the Sexes
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are live at the Reparations Club in L.A. with friends Nina Parker, Shannon Stokes, Ian Spooner, and Walter “Geno” McGlaughlin to discuss the concept of "want" vs. "need" in relationships (6:35), personal stances on financial dynamics (28:26), and dating outside of your race (46:08). Then, the Thought Warriors hop on the mic for a quick Q&A (1:09:30).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Nina Parker, Shannon Stokes, Ian Spooner and Walter “Geno” McGlaughlinProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 35min
SAG Strikes and Tommy Tuberville Defines "White Nationalist"
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the Screen Actors Guild’s decision to strike (16:48) before discussing Senator Tommy Tuberville’s definition of "white nationalist" (44:55). Plus, Neil deGrasse Tyson speaks on “ghettofied” interactions (1:00:26), and a sea otter accosts surfers (1:16:15).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11, 2023 • 1h 40min
Jonah Hill’s Boundaries, and the Injustices of the Tulsa Massacre
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Jonah Hill's ex-girlfriend Sarah Brady releasing text messages between the two (20:03), before debating the tough-love parenting shown by Dwight Howard in an Instagram post (55:37). Plus, reparations are denied to the remaining survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riots (1:10:26), and Van Lathan: Animal Agent laments the death of a Canadian black bear (1:26:43).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 47min
Keke Palmer’s Night Out, and the White Horse at the White House
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the online reaction of Keke Palmer’s boyfriend to her outfit choice at an Usher concert (18:52), before reacting to cocaine being found at the White House (55:03). Then, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s removal from the House Freedom Caucus (55:03), and India.Arie has thoughts on etiquette at Essence Fest (1:16:38).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 30, 2023 • 1h 34min
Michael Harriot and the End of Affirmative Action
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are joined by journalist, author, and cultural critic Michael Harriot to react to the Supreme Court's ruling that strikes down affirmative action (4:11) before they switch gears and address a relationship story out of the world of ‘No Jumper’ (1:10:07).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Michael HarriotProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 27, 2023 • 2h 6min
Russia’s Almost-Coup, and Melvin Gregg on ‘The Blackening’
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome Murtaza Hussain, journalist for The Intercept, to help break down the Wagner Group’s coup attempt in Russia (6:10), before discussing the arrest of a 14-year-old and his mother after the shooting death of a man who had assaulted the mom (38:15). Plus, an update in the Jonathan Majors assault case (1:07:29), and actor Melvin Gregg joins to discuss ‘The Blackening’ and what place ‘Snowfall’ has in the culture (1:14:55).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Murtaza Hussain and Melvin GreggProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 23, 2023 • 1h 53min
The Sinking of the Titanic Sub, AI, and “God Save the Queen”
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the details on and public reaction to the missing Titan submersible (12:24) and the numerous bills that Governor Greg Abbott signed that affects trans, DEI, and labor rights (35:21). Then they talk about the fears surrounding AI with Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge (54:46) before talking about Bill Simmons’s thoughts on Prince Harry and Meghan (1:36:32).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Nilay PatelProducers: Ashleigh Smith and Aleya Zenieris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices