

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

Mar 1, 2022 • 1h 40min
The Treatment of Africans in Ukraine and Steelo Brim on the Longevity of ‘Ridiculousness’
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss images of Africans experiencing racism while fleeing Ukrainian war zones (11:27), and react to President Biden’s Supreme Court nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson (40:39). Plus, ‘Ridiculousness’ cohost Steelo Brim joins to discuss the long-running MTV show and his ‘Wine & Weed’ podcast (53:34).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Steelo BrimProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 25, 2022 • 1h 38min
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine and DJ Akademiks on Misinformation
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (2:19), before welcoming Terrell Jermaine Starr, host of the ‘Black Diplomats’ podcast, to discuss what he’s seeing in Kyiv (19:50). Plus, the disparity between the WNBA and NBA is broken down (40:58), and DJ Akademiks joins to discuss his reporting of the Megan Thee Stallion/Tory Lanez case (52:12).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Terrell Jermaine Starr and DJ AkademiksProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 22, 2022 • 1h 31min
Reacting to the Verdict in the Ahmaud Arbery Trial and Trying to Define Justice
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay first discuss their childhood churches (2:00) and then react to the guilty verdict in the federal hate crimes trial of Ahmaud Arbery’s killers (17:00). Next, they talk about Juwan Howard’s altercation after Sunday’s Wisconsin-Michigan game and what type of punishment that merited (36:00), before closing with a conversation about how we talk to our parents about sex (1:11:00). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Mike Wargon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 18, 2022 • 1h 37min
Talking ‘Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy’ With Directors Coodie and Chike
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Kanye West's troublesome social media activity (7:28) before welcoming ‘Jeen-Yuhs’ directors Coodie and Chike to discuss the evolution of Kanye in their new Netflix documentary (26:23). Plus, the NFL hires Loretta Lynch (18:18), and Eric Adams meets with drill rap artists (1:12:44). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Coodie and ChikeProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 15, 2022 • 1h 28min
The Super Bowl Halftime Recap and a Talk With Timothy Ware-Hill
With Super Bowl Sunday behind us, Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay vent their distaste for the current state of big game commercials (8:05) before discussing the concern around drill music and a related rise in violence (12:25). Plus, the memorable halftime performance gets a recap (30:19), and Timothy Ware-Hill joins to discuss a problematic situation (43:02).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Timothy Ware-HillProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 11, 2022 • 1h 40min
Analyzing the Biden–Crack Pipe Headlines and Anna Malaika Tubbs on Black Motherhood
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay break down the Biden administration’s harm reduction plan and conversations around the crack pipe headlines (19:08), before discussing new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel’s response to questions about racial identity (48:34). Plus advocate and NYT bestselling author Anna Malaika Tubbs joins to discuss her new book, ‘The Three Mothers’ (1:01:37). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Anna Malaika TubbsProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2022 • 1h 35min
Is Joe Rogan Racist? And the Consequences of “No-Knock” Warrants
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay introduce a new segment, The Big Deal, just in time to discuss the controversy surrounding Joe Rogan and his ensuing apology (5:10). Also, Awkwafina issues a statement via Twitter (50:23), and a reaction to Amir Locke’s unnecessary death and the concept of “no-knock warrants” (1:15:43). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 4, 2022 • 1h 37min
Brian Flores Sues the NFL and Peter Rosenberg Talks Whoopi
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay bring in Black History Month with reactions to former head coach Brian Flores’s decision to sue the NFL for racial discrimination (17:09), before welcoming Peter Rosenberg back for a layered discussion on the Whoopi Goldberg controversy (42:04).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Peter RosenbergProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 1, 2022 • 1h 29min
Rihanna’s Baby Bump and MacG on That Ari Lennox Question
Van Lathan & Rachel Lindsay react to the news of Cheslie Kryst’s unexpected passing (:11), before celebrating the big Rihanna and A$AP Rocky news (13:04). Plus a talk about ‘We Need to Talk About Cosby’ (32:12), then podcaster MacG joins from South Africa to discuss the fallout from his problematic question to Ari Lennox (39:47).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: MacGProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 28, 2022 • 1h 34min
A Conversation Across the Aisle With Tamika Hamilton, and Joe Biden’s Pledge
Van Lathan & Rachel Lindsay react to Joe Biden’s pledge to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court (9:37), before Republican candidate Tamika Hamilton joins to discuss her congressional bid as a Black woman in the GOP (24:38). Then, a breakdown of Joe Rogan’s problematic conversation on blackness (1:09:56). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Tamika HamiltonProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


