

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

May 31, 2024 • 1h 24min
More Trump Misses, Drake’s New Defender, and Understanding the Airstrikes With Akbar Shahid Ahmed
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay give a quick recap on a few headlines that have captured their attention (08:24), before they are joined by Akbar Shahid Ahmed to talk about the recent airstrikes on Rafah and give more insight on America’s involvement in the Israel/Gaza conflict (19:33). Then, they discuss Drake’s latest defender (53:25) and ask an important question to our Thought Warriors: Can a man tell another man that he looks good? (1:04:42)Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Akbar Shahid AhmedProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 28, 2024 • 32min
Spending Memorial Day With Prentice Penny and Black Twitter
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay spend Memorial Day with Prentice Penny, creator of ‘Black Twitter: A People's History.’ They talk about his latest project and the internet’s reaction to Black Twitter events. Then, they go over the influence and cultural importance that Black Twitter has had in America.Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Prentice PennyProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 24, 2024 • 1h 48min
Amber Loves Trumps, Caitlin Clark vs. Rachel, and Apple Music’s Top Albums With Bryan-Michael Cox
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay kick off the podcast celebrating four years with the Thought Warriors before Van brings us a surprise topic (05:44). Then, they talk about the contradictory stance Amber Rose has for Donald Trump (15:17). Later, Bryan-Michael Cox joins the show to talk about the revelations and disappointments coming out of Apple Music’s 100 Best Albums ranking (40:43).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Bryan-Michael CoxProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 21, 2024 • 2h 30min
Diddy’s Apology, Davis’ Side, and the Lack of Urgency to Help Black America With Rep. Jamaal Bowman
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the podcast with a discussion about their thoughts behind the emergency podcast and the lessons they learned from it (00:29) before giving their reactions to the apology posted by Diddy (28:09). Then, they are joined by New York Representative Jamaal Bowman to talk about his campaign and his frustrations with Congress (50:19). After, Glen “Big Baby” Davis joins to talk about his side of the story regarding his sentencing (1:25:29).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Glen DavisProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 17, 2024 • 1h 26min
Butker’s Speech, Presidential Debates, and The Power and Service of Art with Rhymefest
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the show talking about the controversial speech Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker gave to Benedictine College’s 2024 graduate class and the NFL’s response (05:18) and the early showdown between Biden and Trump (23:03). Then, they are joined by Rhymefest to talk about the reason why he is running for the school board in Chicago, the problems within the school system after the pandemic, and the fracture of the infrastructure within the black community (50:26).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: RhymefestProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 15, 2024 • 1h 27min
Mother’s Day, Graduation Protests, and Trump’s Hannibal Lecter Love
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the show by talking about how they celebrated Mother’s Day and how it was a huge day for the BBI (09:29). Then, they discuss the sizable student walk out during Jerry Seinfeld’s Duke University commencement speech (15:01), before Van addresses the sentencing of his cousin and former basketball player, Glen Davis (50:27).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 7, 2024 • 2h 11min
New Legislation, a Shift in the Rap Beef, and a Visit From Mayor Sharon Weston Broome
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode by taking a moment to say goodbye to friend Darius Morris (24:04). Then, they get into the latest with Drake versus Kendrick Lamar and how this could be the end for the beef in total (27:20). Later, the Honorable Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome of Baton Rouge comes on the show to talk about the new, predominantly white town of St. George and what it means for the state (1:45:15).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Mayor Sharon Weston BroomeProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 30, 2024 • 1h 34min
Kristi the Dog Slayer, a Playbook Review, and WNBA Talks With Legendary Tamika Catchings
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay express their disgust toward the news of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem taking pride in slaying dogs (14:46) before talking a bit about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (26:11). Then, they are joined by the legendary Tamika Catchings to discuss the retirement of Candace Parker, the new age of women’s basketball, and the pay disparities within the WNBA (1:04:54).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Tamika CatchingsProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 23, 2024 • 1h 52min
Confederacy Month, the New Drake Diss, and Stephen A.’s Apology
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the show by addressing the new theme song and reaction from our Thought Warriors (00:15). Then, they give their impressions of the bizarre new Drake-produced AI track (20:56), and the internet’s reaction to Stephen A. Smith’s comments on Donald Trump’s relatability (38:36). Later, they expand the surprise that their birthday month falls during Confederate Heritage Month in Mississippi, and the reason behind its existence (1:18:34).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 19, 2024 • 1h 24min
Self-Healing, WNBA Salaries, and What Jerrod Really Meant
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay bring in the new episode with a new theme, a different location, and a talk about self-healing. Then, they discuss Jerrod Carmichael’s clarification of his “race-play” joke (21:10) and the pay gap between players in the WNBA compared to those in the NBA (54:36). Lastly, they give their props to the Gayle King–Charles Barkley show (1:11:39) and talk about their impressions of the Jontay Porter situation (1:13:50 ).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


