

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

Oct 25, 2022 • 1h 39min
The Legendary Billy Porter, and Discussing a Hyperpartisan Supreme Court
Van and Rachel react to the Supreme Court becoming more partisan (18:46). Then, the award-winning and iconic Billy Porter joins the show to discuss support for LGBTQ media (40:35), and the intracommunity divide between straight and gay Black men (54:30). Plus, the McRib is back for the last time (1:28:29).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Billy PorterProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 21, 2022 • 1h 22min
Florida’s Voter Fraud Arrests, and Cheri Beasley’s Race for Senate
Van and Rachel discuss the confusion following arrests for alleged voter fraud in Florida (11:59), and an Arizona GOP candidate arrested for masturbating near a preschool (23:53). Plus, senate candidate for North Carolina, Cheri Beasley, joins to discuss her plan to represent the state (31:58), and a Massachusetts woman resists arrest with the help of hundreds of bees (1:05:43).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Cheri BeasleyProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 18, 2022 • 1h 32min
Free Speech and ‘Drink Champs,’ Plus Student Loan Forgiveness is Here
Van and Rachel react to the latest Kanye West appearance on ‘Drink Champs’ and N.O.R.E.’s ensuing apology (13:13), Jamaica banning the glorification of drugs and crime (42:35), and student loan forgiveness going into effect (55:48). Also, a conversation on the widespread increase in police budgets (1:03:34), and Van reveals he’s an animal secret agent (1:17:34).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 14, 2022 • 1h 46min
Alex Jones Pays, and a Conversation With a Thought Warrior
Van and Rachel react to Alex Jones being ordered to pay nearly $1 billion in Sandy Hook defamation damages (23:15). Plus, multimedia journalist and Thought Warrior Nicki Mayo joins to discuss the discourse coming out of the “All Lives Matter” conversation on the previous episode (34:03), Rachel does a peak ‘Legal Eagle’ breakdown (58:30), and a Mailbag centered on ‘literate culture’ (1:27:08). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Nicki MayoProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 11, 2022 • 2h 13min
Once Again…Kanye West, Plus Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins on ‘Trials to Triumphs’
Van and Rachel discuss Kanye West’s antisemitic tweets and how these aren’t the first anti-Jewish comments Van has heard from him (16:22), plus Killer Mike is critical of Stacey Abrams's campaign governor (26:45). Then Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins joins to talk about her podcast ‘Trials to Triumphs’ (40:44), and former pro-basketball player Jack McClinton discusses his now-viral question, “Do white lives not matter?” (1:19:22).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuests: Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins and Jack McClintonProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 7, 2022 • 1h 27min
Biden’s Marijuana Pardons, and Herschel Walker Plays Defense
Van and Rachel react to the news of President Biden pardoning federal offenses involving marijuana possession (17:10), before digging into Herschel Walker’s alleged abortion hypocrisy (26:16). Plus, "Fat Joe" likes saying the n-word (51:14 ) and, in other news, we’ve got a mountain lion update (1:04:33).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 4, 2022 • 1h 33min
Ye and White Lives Matter, Plus Soledad O’Brien on ‘The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks’
Van and Rachel react to Kanye West wearing a White Lives Matter shirt (17:38), and Tory Lanez is unapologetic but back (36:31). Plus, Emmy and Peabody award-winning broadcast journalist Soledad O’Brien joins to discuss her documentary, ‘The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks’ (52:05), and the current state of journalism (1:06:00).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Soledad O’BrienProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 30, 2022 • 1h 43min
Jemele Hill on the Malika Andrews Discourse. Plus, Rachel Dolezal’s OnlyFans Leak
Van and Rachel welcome Jemele Hill, journalist and host of ‘Jemele Hill Is Unbothered,’ to discuss the online backlash aimed at Malika Andrews amid the Ime Udoka news (9:31). Plus, a discussion of Hurricane Ian’s impact on Florida (35:56), the life and career of Coolio (42:07), and Rachel Dolezal’s OnlyFans leak (1:12:33).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Jemele HillProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 27, 2022 • 1h 44min
Anna Wolfe on Brett Favre’s Impact on the Most Vulnerable
Van and Rachel welcome investigative journalist Anna Wolfe to discuss her reporting of the Brett Favre welfare funding scandal (21:05), before discussing the latest news regarding Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka’s suspension (1:00:09). Plus, a Tennessee principal says the “N-word” (1:23:09) and Rihanna’s performing at the Super Bowl (1:30:01)Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Anna WolfeProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 23, 2022 • 1h 27min
Ime Udoka’s Troubles and Adam Levine’s Peak White Mess
Van and Rachel discuss the pending suspension of Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka for having a relationship with a woman on staff (17:11), and NBA and WNBA team owner Robert Server selling his teams (37:46). Plus, a Black Memphis woman sues police for failing to investigate her rape after the suspect has been charged with the murder of a White woman (45:25), and Adam Levine’s infidelity gets the social media treatment (56:48).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayProducer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices