

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

Aug 20, 2021 • 1h 23min
American Royalty: Olympian Dominique Dawes on Happy and Healthy Gymnasts
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome four-time Olympic medalist Dominique Dawes to discuss everything from mental health in gymnastics to the time Prince made her hot cocoa before a music video shoot (8:00). Plus, OnlyFans changes its policies (35:33), Jeopardy!’s got a new and problematic host (43:12), and Amber Rose vents her relationship frustrations (56:40). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 17, 2021 • 1h 19min
The Crisis in Afghanistan, and Lizzo Responds to the Trolls
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the developing situation in Afghanistan and the impact the rise of the Taliban is having on citizens (5:59). Then they move to Lizzo's recent social media message about the toll that online trolls have taken on her (20:44) and continuing Future “baby mama drama”—but who’s really to blame (55:27)? Also, prayers to those impacted by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 12, 2021 • 1h 28min
Kmele Foster Reports on the Central Park Bird-watching Incident, Plus Skip Bayless Is Put in His Place
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are joined by cohost of 'The Fifth Column' podcast, Kmele Foster, to discuss what he’s learned a year later through his reporting on Amy Cooper and the Central Park bird-watching incident (7:04). Van and Rachel also discuss Governor Andrew Cuomo resigning (2:44), Jenny Taft putting Skip Bayless in his place (52:37), PJ Washington and Brittany Renner's situation (57:48), and Governor Ron DeSantis’s words about masks mandates (01:09:47). Then, they close out the episode with a Thought Warrior mailbag and and Unexpected Ally of the Week (01:14:56).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Kmele FosterProducers: Trudy Joseph and Richie Bozek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 10, 2021 • 1h 36min
Sherri Shepherd on Black Motherhood and Finding a New Cohost for ‘The View’
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss DaBaby deleting his apology to the LGBTQ+ community (16:12), the recent discussion about Alfonso Ribeiro on Twitter (21:30), and the latest inquiries into accounts of sexual harassment by Governor Andrew Cuomo (32:40). They talk about Jake Gyllenhaal being the latest white celebrity to discuss his bathing habits (42:06). Then, Sherri Shepherd joins the show to talk about being a Black mother and the search for a new 'The View' cohost (51:55).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Sherri ShepherdProducers: Trudy Joseph and Richie Bozek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 6, 2021 • 2h 47min
Continuing the Fight for Voting Rights With Martin Luther King III and Talkin’ Hip Hop With Peter Rosenberg
In honor of the anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome human rights activist Martin Luther King III to discuss his father's legacy and the current assault on voting rights (15:42). Then we talk all things hip-hop with radio personality Peter Rosenberg (59:44), before discussing Andrew Cuomo's awkward attempts to defend himself (1:58:24), plus we try to figure out What the Whites Were Thinking (2:17:04).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Martin Luther King III and Peter RosenbergProducers: Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 3, 2021 • 1h 22min
Obama’s Birthday Bash and Dee-1 on Celebrity Responsibility
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay address resurfaced tweets from Nick Bosa’s girlfriend and ask the question “Does age excuse insensitivity?” (3:12) Plus Barack Obama’s partying like it’s 2019 (18:07) and Matt Damon doesn’t use the F-word as of a few months ago (31:48). Then Emmy-nominated rapper Dee-1 joins the show to discuss his recent tweet regarding DaBaby and Lil Nas X and the “responsibility of celebrity expression” (36:30).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 30, 2021 • 1h 24min
The Heroism of Simone Biles and Disappointment in Boosie
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay weigh in on the Simone Biles’s Olympic decision and the importance of self-care (9:44), plus Cole Beasley promotes his rap album (22:17) and Boosie adds his 2 cents to DaBaby’s situation (41:13). Then it’s time for your favorite new segment, "What Were the Whites Thinking?" (58:54), followed by Mailbag Time (1:06:04). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 27, 2021 • 1h 19min
Da Baby Wants to Be Da Bad Guy, Plus Olympic Patriotism
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Da Baby’s recent comments during his Rolling Loud performance (13:46) before discussing the most recent news about R. Kelly (30:04). Fortunately it’s not all gloom and doom—Van and Rachel follow up the darkness with some Olympic talk (38:14) and LeVar Burton’s ‘Jeopardy!’ hosting this week (47:47).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 23, 2021 • 1h 32min
The NFL vs. Unvaccinated Players and Problematic Astronauts
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay kick things off with a fun fact about Forrest Gump (23:32) before diving into the circumstances behind Maria Taylor’s exit from ESPN (36:31) and breaking down the NFL’s new policy regarding unvaccinated players (59:11). Plus, we introduce a new segment titled: “What Were the Whites Thinking?” (1:09:35) before digging into the Thought Warrior mailbag (1:20:37). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 20, 2021 • 1h 48min
Van Returns and Reflects, Plus: Are We Still Mad at Kanye?
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are back and take a much-needed moment to eulogize the life of Van Lathan Sr. (4:36) before switching gears with a 'Space Jam: A New Legacy' review (35:15) and some Kanye album drop speculation (47:11). Also, the NFL’s playing the Black national anthem before games (1:11:20) and Popeye’s thinks Black people sing when they eat chicken (1:37:23).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices