

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

Jun 13, 2025 • 2h 15min
Are Americans Cool With Chaos? Plus, Kayla and Pastor Tim Johnson on ‘Fatherless No More’
Van and Rachel give an update on the fallout from Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, before filmmaker Kayla Johnson and Pastor Tim Johnson join to discuss their documentary, ‘Fatherless No More’.
(0:00) Intro
(:31) Age guidelines in dating
(7:00) Rachel’s skunk story
(18:35) Remembering Sly Stone
(20:53) Remembering Ananda Lewis
(29:09) BET Awards
(33:26) The Me Too Movement
(50:01) Claressa Shields snubbed?
(51:31) Update on the anti-ICE protests
(1:14:42) Reactions to Sen. Alex Padilla removal
(1:18:12) Kayla and Tim Johnson join the show
(1:44:55) A review of Tyler Perry’s ’Straw’
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Kayla Johnson and Pastor Tim Johnson
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 42min
Anti-ICE Protests and a “Should Black People Care?” Discussion
Van and Rachel are joined by Seema Mehta of the Los Angeles Times to address the unrest in L.A.
(0:00) Intro
(3:11) Cardi B and the Target boycott
(8:40) Why Keith Sweat is single at 63
(18:01) Swedish gospel
(24:06) Coco Gauff vs. Aryna Sabalenka
(30:28) Anti-ICE protests in L.A.
(48:16) Seema Mehta joins the show
(1:01:02) Should Black people care?
(1:26:7) 'Tha Carter VI' Review
(1:34:21) Glaze of the Week
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Seema Mehta
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 6, 2025 • 1h 41min
Metta Sandiford-Artest Wants the Knicks Job, and the White Black Panther
Van and Rachel are joined by NBA great Metta Sandiford-Artest, who thinks he’s the right man to lead the Knicks.
(:39) Debating the phrase "freak-off"
(12:53) Offset threatens violence
(22:09) Linda McMahon and DEI
(34:32) Metta Sandiford-Artest joins the show
(56:08) Karine Jean-Pierre leaving the Dem. Party
(1:09:47) Dez Bryant, homophobia, and the NFL
(1:18:12) The White Black Panther
(1:27:59) Transactional relationships
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Metta Sandiford-Artest
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 54min
Dawn Staley’s ‘Uncommon Favor,’ Plus Cardi B and Offset Spousal Support
Van and Rachel react to racists attempting to claim the sentiment “Black fatigue” (0:00), before legendary basketball player and coach Dawn Staley joins the show to talk about life lessons from her memoir, ‘Uncommon Favor’ (15:15). Then, reactions to Offset’s request for spousal support from Cardi B (46:31), an Atlanta family deals with squatters throwing pool parties (1:01:59), a debate on how many mechanical bull rides are too many for a guy on the first date (1:19:43). Then, a dating preference discussion (1:30:42) Glaze of the Week (1:36:00), and an Angel Reese-Shedeur Sanders comparison (1:42:26).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Dawn Staley
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 30, 2025 • 1h 58min
Trump’s Latest Pardons. Plus, Ethical Nonmonogamy With Mandii B and WeezyWTF
Van and Rachel are back from the Memorial Day break to talk Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" (:48), Elon Musk's decision to officially leave the administration (2:40), the latest out of the Diddy trial (8:15) and Trump’s recent pardons (17:37). Then they give their reactions to Druski’s skit in whiteface (24:46) and have a conversation about conversations with RGIII (32:53), before they give some updates on the alpha dog King Charles (45:46). Finally, Mandii B and WeezyWTF of Decisions Decisions join to talk about the name change from Whoreible Decisions (58:32) and takeaways from their upcoming book, ‘No Holes Barred: A Dual Manifesto of Sexual Exploration and Power’ (1:07:37)
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guests: Mandii B and WeezyWTF
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 27, 2025 • 58min
Progressivism and Poetry With Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
Van sits down with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to discuss entering the gubernatorial race (:34), whether it’s important or possible for Black people to have positive relationships with police (16:15), Democrats shying away from more progressive politics (27:23), and criticism of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s White House appearance (38:40). Plus, a peek into his career in music (40:04).
Host: Van Lathan
Guest: Mayor Ras Baraka
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 23, 2025 • 2h
Kid Cudi Takes the Stand, and the Fight for Reparations With Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor
Van and Rachel discuss a wholesome TikTok trend (10:50) before reacting to the death of a member of Congress (14:15), and giving an update on the RGIII vs. Ryan Clark drama (20:06). Then reparationist Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor joins to dig into Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s veto of a reparations bill (29:40). Plus, Kid Cudi takes the witness stand in the Diddy trial (57:22), humanitarian efforts are stalled in Gaza (1:11:21), and director David O. Russell gets accused of using the n-word on set (1:27:19).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 20, 2025 • 1h 45min
Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis, and RGIII’s Got Thoughts on Caitlin vs. Angel
Van and Rachel discuss Dan Bongino and Kash Patel’s comments on Jeffrey Epstein’s death (8:10), and whether Atlanta is still the Black Mecca (14:02). Then, reactions to Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis (20:49), before Robert Griffin III earns Glaze of the Week (36:31), and Snoop Dogg addresses the Trump inauguration backlash (53:59). Then, writer Anna Malaika Tubbs joins to talk about her new book, ‘Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us’ (1:07:53).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Anna Malaika Tubbs
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 16, 2025 • 1h 47min
A Dive Into the Diddy Trial, Meghan Trainor’s New Bass, and Bringing Redheads to the Community
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode by discussing the TikTok trend of including redheaded Americans in the Black community (07:20). Then, they go through a few “quick hitters,” including the restraining order sought by Halle Bailey (18:52), the backlash about Meghan Trainor’s new look (33:28), and their reactions to the introductions to the federal bill redefining what qualifies as “obscene” (58:14). Then, they bring on Yodit Tewolde to give a look at the details of the Diddy trial (1:12:09) before ending the show with an important message of change from the hosts (1:38:02).
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Yodit Tewolde
Producers: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 14, 2025 • 1h 37min
Live from New York, It’s Higher Learning!
Van and Rachel took to New York’s Gramercy Theater in front of a lively audience to discuss the old guard of the Democratic Party, after David Hogg’s “get over yourself” comment (12:57). Then Van debuts a new spinoff, “Glaze of the Decade” (29:37), before thought warriors join the show for Animal Games (54:38) and a Rachel Apology Contest (1:12:07).
Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith
Additional Production Support: Chelsea Stark-Jones
Live Events Coordination: Elizabeth Fierman, Helen Eichner, Tessa Herrick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


