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
Feb 14, 2023 • 1h 57min
Super Bowl LVII and Dr. Peniel Joseph on Chauvinism in the Civil Rights Movement
Van and Rachel discuss Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime performance and other happenings around the big game (15:47). Then, Dr. Peniel Joseph is back to discuss the role of Black women throughout the fight for civil rights (42:33) and give a book recommendation (1:23:28). Plus, the government gets cagey about the shooting down of UFOs (1:26:37).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Dr. Peniel E. JosephProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 10, 2023 • 1h 46min
The State of the Union and Confronting Domestic Terrorism With Hawk Newsome
Van and Rachel discuss Joe Biden’s third State of the Union Address (18:58), as well as Stephen A. Smith’s relationship to Kyrie Irving (45:01). Then activist Hawk Newsome joins to give insight on the case of a Black Colorado rancher facing domestic terrorism from neighbors (57:44).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Hawk NewsomeProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 7, 2023 • 1h 4min
Beyoncé and Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary
Van and Rachel react to Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ not winning the Grammy for Album of the Year (16:01) and discuss the 50th anniversary of hip-hop performances (28:17). Plus, Black History Month brings out the racists (41:16).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 3, 2023 • 1h 19min
Hollywood Unlocked With Jason Lee
Van and Rachel are joined by Jason Lee: host of ‘The Jason Lee Show’ and CEO of Hollywood Unlocked. They discuss breaking celebrity news (21:50), working with Kanye West (37:00), and sitting down with figures from Chrisean Rock to Kamala Harris (48:11).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Jason LeeProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 1, 2023 • 54min
Higher Learning: Live With Thought Warriors
Finally! In the podcast's first live event, Van and Rachel host a screening of Netflix’s ‘You People,’ followed by a Q&A with listeners about the film (:46), the Emmanuel Acho situation (11:32), and watching the NFL after the blackballing of Colin Kaepernick (31:41).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 31, 2023 • 1h 29min
The Killing of Tyre Nichols
Van and Rachel react to the release of body-cam footage in the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of the Memphis PD (17:46), the danger of strategies like the SCORPION unit (38:14), and responses from the likes of Jason Whitlock (52:23).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 24, 2023 • 1h 58min
Ed Reed’s Exit, Plus Stephen A. Smith on Skip and Kaepernick
Van and Rachel discuss the latest out of Bethune-Cookman regarding Ed Reed and the football program (23:09). Then, Stephen A. Smith joins to discuss his book ‘Straight Shooter’ (42:15), his relationship with Skip Bayless (57:45), and the black-balling of Colin Kaepernick (1:06:50). Plus, Van digs into his love of the ‘No Jumper’ drama (1:35:11).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Stephen A. SmithProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 20, 2023 • 1h 28min
Uncomfortably Conversing With Emmanuel Acho
Van and Rachel react to Ron DeSantis and Florida claiming AP African American Studies “lacks educational value” (10:02), before welcoming the host of ‘Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man,’ Emmanuel Acho, to discuss uncomfortable conversations (27:45).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Emmanuel AchoProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 17, 2023 • 1h 35min
Martin Luther King Jr., the Revolutionary With Dr. Peniel Joseph
Van and Rachel welcome scholar and author Dr. Peniel Joseph to discuss Dr. King’s evolution and the watering down of his legacy (6:21). Plus, Ed Reed goes off on Bethune-Cookman and HBCUs (40:48), and the LAPD faces scrutiny for the death of an unarmed Black man (1:04:14).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: Peniel E. JosephProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 13, 2023 • 1h 39min
Calmatic Remixes House Party, Plus Biden’s Classified Docs
Van and Rachel react to the discovery of Joe Biden’s classified documents (7:59), and Chris Harrison’s first time addressing his exit from ‘The Bachelor’ (24:23). Then, director Calmatic joins to discuss his feature film debut, 'House Party' (35:19), plus a TikTok chef’s old tweets come back to haunt him (58:01).Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel LindsayGuest: CalmaticProducers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
