

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

Apr 16, 2024 • 1h 41min
A Serious Talk About Israel and a Not-So-Serious Talk About Rap Beef
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start today’s episode by giving their impressions on the progression of the beef happening in the hip-hop world (01:32). Then they are joined by Alaa Elassar and Yahya Abou-Ghazala, CNN reporters and collaborators on “Voice Notes From Gaza,” to weigh in on the Israel-Hamas situation as it continues to escalate (41:41). Lastly, they are joined by Bomani Jones, host of ‘The Right Time’ presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment (1:14:18). Together, they dig into the rap beef of today and share interesting media experiences.Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Alaa Elassar, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, and Bomani JonesProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 12, 2024 • 1h 28min
Young Voters, Blackface, and O.J.’s Past and Passing
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay bring in the show talking about the past, passing, and impact of O.J. Simpson and the complexity he holds within the black community (05:09). Then, they touch on the trepidations young voters have towards Biden (16:59) and Trump’s latest reach towards black voters (35:51). Later, they are joined by Conscious Lee and Franchesca Ramsey from the podcast ‘Black History, For Real’ (58:12).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Conscious Lee and Franchesca Ramsey Producer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 9, 2024 • 1h 36min
The Rock’s Division, J. Cole’s Regrets, and a Red High School Visit
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start today’s episode on WrestleMania and its history-making outcome (01:03). Then, they discuss J. Cole’s thoughts on his latest project (11:51), Sexyy Red’s high school visit (36:41), and the interesting reveal from Jerrod Carmichael’s series (44:22). Lastly, they dive into the South Carolina vs. Iowa game (1:03:19), and The Rock’s non-endorsement of Joe Biden (1:18:38).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 5, 2024 • 1h 28min
The Future of the WNBA and Another Interesting Acho Take
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the Iowa vs. LSU game and the possible future for the WNBA (17:12). Then, they react to Emmanuel Acho’s take on Angel Reese (38:41). Finally, they discuss the Israeli airstrike that killed World Central Kitchen aid workers (1:08:19).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 2, 2024 • 1h 28min
The Mastery of ‘Cowboy Carter’ and the Complexity of the Black Experience
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay give their impression of Beyoncé’s new album, ‘Cowboy Carter’ (08:54), the first episode of Jerrod Carmichael’s reality show, and the awkward scene with Tyler the Creator (25:51). Then, they discuss the internet’s reaction to our conversation with Justin Sylvester last week (35:14) and dive into the complexities and different cultures of the Black experience (1:00:47).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 25min
The Diddy Saga, Trump’s Bible, and Black Representation in Media
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the Diddy situation including the raid on his house, the lawsuit, and the internet’s reaction to the many revelations of his lawsuit (07:27). Then, they chat about Trump’s new “holy” product (47:58) and the backlash from the new Good Times reboot (1:01:03).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 26, 2024 • 1h 54min
Daily Wire’s Diversity Hire, Rap Beef, and Freaking Out Over Freaknik
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode with a playbook update (09:49) and discuss Candace Owens and her online presence (11:37). Then, Justin Sylvester comes by to give insight on interracial relationships within the Black and LGBTQ communities (). They are then joined by P. Frank Williams to talk about his documentary ‘Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told’ and the internet’s reactions to revelations of the project (57:55) before they end the show with a talk about rap’s “newest” beef (1:46:03).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: P. Frank Williams and Justin SylvesterProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 22, 2024 • 1h 40min
Biden’s Budget, Pretty Privilege, and the Horrors of ‘Quiet on Set’
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the show off with some "gender wars" banter (02:21) and a quick shout-out (04:37) before diving into Biden's proposed budget (18:42). Then, they talk about the Nickelodeon atrocities highlighted by the documentary ‘Quiet on Set’ (50:13) and the internet’s reaction to Beyoncé’s latest drop (1:22:07).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 19, 2024 • 1h 35min
Reckless “Behavior,” Mental Health, and the Kate Middleton Conspiracy
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay recap and give their impressions on the Kate Middleton conspiracy (06:07) before discussing former president Donald Trump’s comments on the possibility of losing the upcoming election (18:18). Then, they talk about mental health and Bill Maher’s segment discussing mental health in America (43:36). Lastly, they talk about the latest ruling in Texas that made sites like Pornhub react with a ban (1:11:02 ).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 15, 2024 • 1h 33min
Banning TikTok, Actively Black, and Controversial Feet Pics
Today, Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are joined by Ashley Gold, a tech and policy reporter at Axios, to talk about the TikTok ban (05:26). Then, the two bring back the “Is Van Wrong?” segment (25:03) and discuss the internet’s response to Karrueche Tran’s OnlyFans announcement on Instagram (49:09). Later, they are joined by the CEO of the fashion sports brand Actively Black, Lanny Smith, to talk about the creation of the brand and his recent apology video (47:49).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Ashley Gold and Lanny SmithProducer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


