

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

Dec 21, 2021 • 1h 31min
Joe Manchin Says “No,” and COVID-19 Surges | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss a relationship scenario with producer Trudy Joseph (4:54), before reacting to the rise in U.S. COVID cases and debate the need for another massive shutdown (20:51). Plus, journalist Judd Legum joins the podcast to shed light on Senator Joe Manchin’s decision to pull support from the Build Back Better bill (36:52), and the hip-hop community mourns the death of Drakeo the Ruler (1:06:11). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Judd LegumProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 17, 2021 • 1h 29min
The Return of the Student Loans and Deion Sanders Gets Top Recruit | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Joe Biden’s decision not to extend student loan relief (5:51), and a Louisiana judge blames a slur on a sedative (19:07). Plus, the no. 1 recruit flips to Jackson State (37:08) and Breonna Taylor’s killer searches for sympathy (1:06:21). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 14, 2021 • 1h 27min
The Realities of Climate Change and the Future of Roe v. Wade | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the devastation left behind by tornadoes in several states and discuss the climate change divide within politics (20:20), Governor Gavin Newsom plans to use Texas's restrictive abortion law as a model for an assault weapon ban (38:59), and the recent crime wave in L.A. has folks moving differently (49:39). Plus, merch sales from Kanye and Drake’s Free Larry Hoover concert won’t go to charity (58:07), and Elon Musk wants to put a chip in you (1:16:36). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 10, 2021 • 1h 40min
Jussie Smollett Found Guilty and Travis Scott Speaks on Astroworld Tragedy | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the news of Jussie Smollett being found guilty for falsely reporting a hate crime (13:56) and the Department of Justice suing the state of Texas (27:23). Plus, discussing Travis Scott's conversation with Charlamagne tha God about the recent tragedy at his Astroworld Festival (39:29) and breaking down the production woes for 'Black Panther 2' (1:03:18). Also, a question: Is math racist? (1:16:33). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 7, 2021 • 2h 7min
Verzuz Reactions and Michael Arceneaux on Intracultural Conflict | Higher Learning | The Ringer
On a special episode of 'Higher Learning,' Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay are in the studio, recording in person for the first time! They discuss everything from Chris Cuomo losing his job (16:48) to an eventful Verzuz between Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia (24:11). Then bestselling author Michael Arceneaux joins to break down a controversial scene in Amazon Prime’s new show 'Harlem' (1:12:50). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 3, 2021 • 1h 40min
Stacey Abrams for Governor, and Yet Another School Shooting | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss Stacey Abrams’s second gubernatorial bid (15:50), Chris Cuomo’s suspension from CNN (25:52), and Kyle Rittenhouse’s status at Arizona State (40:55). Also, the problem of gun violence continues in light of the Oxford High School tragedy in Michigan (58:59), and Thought Warriors get their mailbag questions answered (1:25:38). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 30, 2021 • 1h 29min
Remembering Virgil Abloh, and Omicron Reactions | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay reflect on the untimely passing of designer Virgil Abloh and discuss the ensuing Twitter debate over privacy in the face of an illness (11:13). Also, Jussie Smollett’s trial begins (21:42), the AMAs spark confusion after giving Doja Cat a pair of R&B awards (47:11), and a new COVID-19 variant emerges (53:44).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 23, 2021 • 1h 40min
BLM's Newest Supporter: Kyle Rittenhouse. Plus: Michael Tubbs on Democratic Messaging | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to Kyle Rittenhouse’s recent comments to Tucker Carlson (11:25), claims of sexism lobbied at the film ‘King Richard’ (26:42), and Idris Elba playing a Bond villain and not the man himself (38:14). Plus, Michael Tubbs, author and former mayor of Stockton, CA, joins the show to discuss his book ‘The Deeper the Roots’ and why Democrats are losing the messaging battle (48:36). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 19, 2021 • 1h 22min
RIP Young Dolph, and Domestic Violence in the NFL | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the commutation of Julius Jones’s death sentence (0:35), the exoneration of two men convicted of killing Malcolm X (9:29), and the tragic death of rapper Young Dolph (17:59). Then Antonio Brown is accused of obtaining a fake vaccine card (55:10), and domestic violence is discussed in light of the Zac Stacy incident (59:36). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 16, 2021 • 1h 31min
DaBaby’s Baby Mama Drama and Biden’s Bill Becomes Law | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss DaBaby’s most recent controversy after the rapper called the cops on his child’s mother DaniLeigh (16:04). Then the Kyle Rittenhouse trial nears a conclusion (27:59), President Biden signs the infrastructure bill into law (49:52), and Beto is running for governor of Texas (1:07:11). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


