Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Let’s “celebrate” the Fourth with a two-topic episode: the Diddy trial and Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” For today’s episode we bring in Yodit Tewolde to talk about the results from the Diddy trial, and Stephen Neukam to talk about how the country will be affected by Trump’s new bill. 00:00 - Welcome! 00:24 - Reaction to the Diddy Trial Results 37:08 - Celeb Reactions 39:30 - Yodit Tewolde Joins Us! 1:40:42- Stephen Neukam Joins Us! 1:56:46 - Breakdown of the Bill 2:05:00 - It’s OK to Admit That You’re Wrong Thanks for Watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Stephen Neukam and Yodit Tewolde Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel are joined by Columbia Law School professor Jamal Greene to help break down the recent rulings from the SCOTUS. (0:00)  Intro (00:27)  The morality of stealing  (24:47)  Jury deliberates in Diddy trial (31:34)  Knicks considering Dawn Staley? (36:11)  Zohran Mamdani update (53:21)  The Big Beautiful Bill (1:11:05)  Jamal Greene joins the show (1:33:21)  Glaze of the Week (1:39:08) Drake and the ‘abs’ debate (1:50:59)  Bachelorette fight breakdown Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Professor Jamal Greene Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices