

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

Jul 19, 2023 • 1h 30min
Higher Learning Presents: The Summit of the Sexes
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are live at the Reparations Club in L.A. with friends Nina Parker, Shannon Stokes, Ian Spooner, and Walter “Geno” McGlaughlin to discuss the concept of "want" vs. "need" in relationships (6:35), personal stances on financial dynamics (28:26), and dating outside of your race (46:08). Then, the Thought Warriors hop on the mic for a quick Q&A (1:09:30).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Nina Parker, Shannon Stokes, Ian Spooner and Walter “Geno” McGlaughlinProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 35min
SAG Strikes and Tommy Tuberville Defines "White Nationalist"
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the Screen Actors Guild’s decision to strike (16:48) before discussing Senator Tommy Tuberville’s definition of "white nationalist" (44:55). Plus, Neil deGrasse Tyson speaks on “ghettofied” interactions (1:00:26), and a sea otter accosts surfers (1:16:15).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 11, 2023 • 1h 40min
Jonah Hill’s Boundaries, and the Injustices of the Tulsa Massacre
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Jonah Hill's ex-girlfriend Sarah Brady releasing text messages between the two (20:03), before debating the tough-love parenting shown by Dwight Howard in an Instagram post (55:37). Plus, reparations are denied to the remaining survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riots (1:10:26), and Van Lathan: Animal Agent laments the death of a Canadian black bear (1:26:43).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 47min
Keke Palmer’s Night Out, and the White Horse at the White House
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the online reaction of Keke Palmer’s boyfriend to her outfit choice at an Usher concert (18:52), before reacting to cocaine being found at the White House (55:03). Then, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s removal from the House Freedom Caucus (55:03), and India.Arie has thoughts on etiquette at Essence Fest (1:16:38).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 30, 2023 • 1h 34min
Michael Harriot and the End of Affirmative Action
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are joined by journalist, author, and cultural critic Michael Harriot to react to the Supreme Court's ruling that strikes down affirmative action (4:11) before they switch gears and address a relationship story out of the world of ‘No Jumper’ (1:10:07).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Michael HarriotProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 27, 2023 • 2h 6min
Russia’s Almost-Coup, and Melvin Gregg on ‘The Blackening’
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome Murtaza Hussain, journalist for The Intercept, to help break down the Wagner Group’s coup attempt in Russia (6:10), before discussing the arrest of a 14-year-old and his mother after the shooting death of a man who had assaulted the mom (38:15). Plus, an update in the Jonathan Majors assault case (1:07:29), and actor Melvin Gregg joins to discuss ‘The Blackening’ and what place ‘Snowfall’ has in the culture (1:14:55).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuests: Murtaza Hussain and Melvin GreggProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 23, 2023 • 1h 53min
The Sinking of the Titanic Sub, AI, and “God Save the Queen”
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the details on and public reaction to the missing Titan submersible (12:24) and the numerous bills that Governor Greg Abbott signed that affects trans, DEI, and labor rights (35:21). Then they talk about the fears surrounding AI with Nilay Patel, editor-in-chief of The Verge (54:46) before talking about Bill Simmons’s thoughts on Prince Harry and Meghan (1:36:32).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Nilay PatelProducers: Ashleigh Smith and Aleya Zenieris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 20, 2023 • 33min
Kemp Powers: Storytelling and ‘Across the Spider-Verse’
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are joined by writer and codirector of ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Kemp Powers to discuss the massive success of the film (1:22), being the first Black codirector of a Disney feature with ‘Soul’ (8:48), and scripting the stage play and film versions of ‘One Night in Miami’ (18:00).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Kemp PowersProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 16, 2023 • 1h 18min
The Defense of an Unwanted Kiss, and the Black Maternal Health Crisis
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to singer YK Osiris forcibly kissing rapper Sukihana and the online defense of the act (11:50), plus racist emails between Donald Trump Jr. and friend Gentry Beach being exposed in court (32:39). Then they discuss Black maternal health following the death of Olympian Tori Bowie (37:08), and the Supreme Court's latest ruling, which respects tribal sovereignty (47:32).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 13, 2023 • 1h 35min
Digging Into Trump’s Indictment, and Melina Abdullah on "Cop City" in Atlanta
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay break down Donald Trump’s federal indictment for the mishandling of classified documents (18:27), before codirector of Black Lives Matter Grassroots Melina Abdullah joins the show to break down the "Stop Cop City" movement in Atlanta, G.A. (1:01:10). Plus, an incident at an airport calls the WNBA’s mode of transportation into question (1:15:43), and quick thoughts on the "Home Depot Girl" (1:28:36).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Melina AbdullahProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


