

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

Oct 12, 2021 • 35min
Lynnette Grey Bull on Busting Myths and the Silence Around Missing Natives
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome activist and founder of Not Our Native Daughters Lynnette Grey Bull to discuss the lack of attention given to missing Indigenous people, and what she’s doing to make a change. Plus, myths get dispelled and she tells us the dopest thing about being a Native American. Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Lynnette Grey BullProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 8, 2021 • 1h 31min
Dave Chappelle’s ‘Closer’ and the United States v. Texas
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay dig into the divided reactions to Dave Chappelle’s latest Netflix special 'The Closer' (9:05), before welcoming back law professor Caroline Mala Corbin to discuss the most recent developments in the Texas abortion law (41:59). Plus, HBCU funding takes a big cut (1:10:23), then it’s Mailbag Time (1:22:41). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Caroline Mala CorbinProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 5, 2021 • 1h 41min
Urban Meyer’s Acts of Indiscretion, and White Women’s War With Denzel
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss a recent poll that suggests we might be at the beginning of the end of the American union (8:49). Seriously. But on a lighter note, there’s drama coming out of ESPN (33:53), Urban Meyer likes to party (1:01:45), and another famous white lady comes for Denzel Washington (1:24:00).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 1, 2021 • 1h 49min
A Conversation With Frederick Joseph on the Repercussions of Racism
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome bestselling author Frederick Joseph to discuss his recent run-in at a dog park that went viral and the social media frenzy that followed (5:48). Plus, Black Twitter comes for Ellen Pompeo (1:00:56), the #FreeBritney movement succeeds (1:09:57), and a casting decision for the upcoming film ‘The Harder They Fall’ comes under scrutiny (1:18:08).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Frederick JosephProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 28, 2021 • 1h 35min
R. Kelly Found Guilty, and Unvaccinated in the NBA
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the guilty verdict in the R. Kelly trial and that age-old question of separating the artist from the art (23:10). Plus, national police reform talks fail (42:46), the NBA faces vaccination troubles (1:08:37), and Will Smith opens up about his open marriage with Jada Pinkett Smith (1:19:08).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 24, 2021 • 1h 38min
Missing White Woman Syndrome and Eboni K. Williams on Her Dream Job
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay discuss the disparities in media coverage for missing people of color amid the sad news of the Gabby Petito case (2:28). They then welcome lawyer, TV host, and Real Housewife of New York Eboni K. Williams to discuss breaking reality-TV barriers and what is next for the broadcaster (29:55). Plus, could James Bond be a woman (1:02:18), and is Drake bigger than Beyoncé (1:14:50)?Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Eboni K. Williams Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 21, 2021 • 1h 29min
Gentrifying Inglewood and the Crisis at the Border
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay break down the overwhelming whiteness of the 2021 Emmys (18:48), despite the diverse nominee lineups. Plus, the U.S. begins the removal of Haitian migrants as the border crisis worsens (32:46), the Clippers gentrify Inglewood (42:28) and the Karen Civil–Joyner Lucas drama provided some top-tier, Saturday afternoon mess (50:30). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 17, 2021 • 1h 42min
Nicki Minaj vs the CDC and Wellness with Devi Brown
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay lament the end of days as Nicki Minaj and the barbs take on the Center for Disease Control (4:02), then balance things out with some positivity as author and host of the Dropping Gems podcast Devi Brown stopped by to give some steps towards true healing (18:25). Oh yeah, and Diddy owes Jermaine Dupri an apology (51:11). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Devi BrownProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 14, 2021 • 1h 51min
Biden’s Vaccine Mandate and Caroline Mala Corbin on the Texas Abortion Law
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay welcome law professor Caroline Mala Corbin to help break down the Justice Department's lawsuit against the state of Texas after the passage of its restrictive abortion law (18:38). Then, Biden’s new vaccine mandate faces the inevitable GOP backlash (41:18), and irresponsible policing causes yet another unnecessary tragedy (1:00:38).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Caroline Mala CorbinProducers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 10, 2021 • 1h 40min
The California Recall and Remembering Michael K. Williams
Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay pay their respects to the ultra-talented Michael K. Williams, who’s missed but remembered fondly (23:14). Then, Election Day in California quickly approaches, so we break down Larry Elder’s ridiculousness (47:19), plus the 20th anniversary of 9/11 has us reflecting on that fateful day (56:50).Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Trudy Joseph and Donnie Beacham Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


