

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

Nov 30, 2021 • 1h 29min
Remembering Virgil Abloh, and Omicron Reactions | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay reflect on the untimely passing of designer Virgil Abloh and discuss the ensuing Twitter debate over privacy in the face of an illness (11:13). Also, Jussie Smollett’s trial begins (21:42), the AMAs spark confusion after giving Doja Cat a pair of R&B awards (47:11), and a new COVID-19 variant emerges (53:44).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 23, 2021 • 1h 40min
BLM's Newest Supporter: Kyle Rittenhouse. Plus: Michael Tubbs on Democratic Messaging | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Kyle Rittenhouse’s recent comments to Tucker Carlson (11:25), claims of sexism lobbied at the film ‘King Richard’ (26:42), and Idris Elba playing a Bond villain and not the man himself (38:14). Plus, Michael Tubbs, author and former mayor of Stockton, CA, joins the show to discuss his book ‘The Deeper the Roots’ and why Democrats are losing the messaging battle (48:36). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19, 2021 • 1h 22min
RIP Young Dolph, and Domestic Violence in the NFL | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the commutation of Julius Jones’s death sentence (0:35), the exoneration of two men convicted of killing Malcolm X (9:29), and the tragic death of rapper Young Dolph (17:59). Then Antonio Brown is accused of obtaining a fake vaccine card (55:10), and domestic violence is discussed in light of the Zac Stacy incident (59:36). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 16, 2021 • 1h 31min
DaBaby’s Baby Mama Drama and Biden’s Bill Becomes Law | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss DaBaby’s most recent controversy after the rapper called the cops on his child’s mother DaniLeigh (16:04). Then the Kyle Rittenhouse trial nears a conclusion (27:59), President Biden signs the infrastructure bill into law (49:52), and Beto is running for governor of Texas (1:07:11). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 12, 2021 • 1h 30min
The Trial of Kyle Rittenhouse and Delaying ‘Black Panther 2’
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the start of the Kyle Rittenhouse trial and his testimony, which had the internet abuzz (17:41). Plus, Letitia Wright’s vaccination stance has the ‘Black Panther 2’ production on hold (33:27), Jay-Z and Hillary Clinton have a problem in common (40:06), and Scottie Pippen’s mad at Michael Jordan (1:00:36). And of course, it’s Mailbag Time (1:19:15).Hosts: Van Lathan & Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph & Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 9, 2021 • 1h 33min
Kanye West Does Drink Champs, and Farting Is Such Sweet Sorrow | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the Astroworld Festival tragedy (5:55) before digging into Kanye West's latest stream of consciousness (21:34) and the right getting big mad at Big Bird (38:49). Plus, National Hip-Hop Month is now a thing (49:19) and President Biden farts in front of royalty (54:36). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 5, 2021 • 1h 34min
Aaron Rodgers Lied and Had Help Doing It, Plus the CRT Bogeyman
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Aaron Rodgers testing positive for COVID-19, and the difference between vaccination and immunization (16:40). Then, fear of critical race theory fuels Republican victory in Virginia (42:52), the NFL combine gets compared to slavery (56:18), and the jury selection in the Ahmaud Arbery case has people scratching their heads (1:07:47). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 2, 2021 • 1h 31min
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Cultural Misunderstanding, Plus a “Let’s Go, Brandon” Discussion
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Jay-Z’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Tina Turner and LL Cool J (9:13), a Southwest Airlines pilot who got investigated for signing off with an anti-Biden rallying cry (29:11), J.Lo's “horrible” early-career experience (49:22), and lastly Florida students who were suspended for confronting racism (1:09:33). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 29, 2021 • 1h 35min
Feeling Bad for Will Smith and the War on Black Intellectualism
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Jada Pinkett Smith’s latest 'Red Table Talk' and why "relationship goals" is a myth (17:05), Kyle Rittenhouse’s victims can’t be called such in the upcoming trial (29:53), and the political right declares war on Black intellectual thought (37:12). Plus, Facebook gets a name change (1:01:34) and it’s Mailbag Time (1:21:06)!Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 26, 2021 • 1h 20min
Kyrie’s Coalition and Modern-Day Redlining
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the U.S. Department of Justice cracking down on modern-day redlining (7:25). Plus: Kyrie Irving’s vaccine stance seemingly has MAGA and BLM protestors on the same side for once (23:30). Then, Issa Rae and Amanda Seales have some Black Greeks upset (41:41), and Boosie’s homophobia is showing again (47:58).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices