Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

10,795

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.

Recent Episodes
  • ‘Sinners’ Box Office, ’The Quincy Avery Effect’, & How to Talk About Sex With Kamil Lewis
    Apr 22, 2025 – 02:47:11
  • The Horror, Joy, and Roots of 'Sinners' With Omar Miller
    Apr 18, 2025 – 01:16:14
  • Kyren Lacy and the Mental Wellness of Black Men With Jason Wilson
    Apr 15, 2025 – 02:46:29
  • David Oyelowo on ‘Government Cheese,’ Plus Keri Hilson’s Regret
    Apr 11, 2025 – 01:38:03
  • Kamala’s “I Told You So” and a Student's Self-Defense Claim in a Track Meet Stabbing
    Apr 8, 2025 – 01:49:38
  • Donald Trump and the Last-Ditch Effort of a Dying Empire With Michael Harriot
    Apr 4, 2025 – 01:44:51
  • Therapy and the History of Child Support With TK Kirkland
    Apr 1, 2025 – 01:48:58
  • The LeBron–Stephen A. Feud, “Governor Hot Wheels,” and the Trump Administration’s Big Oopsie
    Mar 28, 2025 – 01:32:02
  • Jonathan Majors, ‘Snow White’ and Box Office Controversy
    Mar 25, 2025 – 01:52:34
  • Jess Hilarious, 'The Breakfast Club,' and Erasing Jackie Robinson
    Mar 21, 2025 – 01:40:20
  • Kanye, Kim and Celebrity Parenthood. Plus, Van Learns About Neo-Soul
    Mar 18, 2025 – 01:40:19
  • A Doechii Discussion and What Exactly Is an Industry Plant?
    Mar 14, 2025 – 01:29:53
  • Five Things the Democrats Can Do, Plus Doechii Pisses Off Straight Men
    Mar 11, 2025 – 01:56:52
  • Trump’s Tariff War and Democrats Sing on the Floor
    Mar 7, 2025 – 01:52:36
  • An Oscars Recap, and Talking ‘Opus’ With Mark Anthony Green
    Mar 4, 2025 – 01:40:52
  • The End of Medicaid? Plus, the Me Too Movement in 2025
    Feb 28, 2025 – 01:36:54
  • Van at Super Bowl Radio Row Pt. 2
    Feb 21, 2025 – 58:36
  • Van at Super Bowl Radio Row Pt. 1
    Feb 18, 2025 – 53:16
  • President Elon, and Healthy Arrogance With Will Packer
    Feb 14, 2025 – 01:57:03
  • Kendrick Lamar’s Televised Revolution and Ben Watkins Talks Alex Cross
    Feb 11, 2025 – 01:25:56
  • Marc Lamont Hill on Trump’s Vision for Gaza, and DEI in the NFL
    Feb 7, 2025 – 01:29:01
  • The Historic 67th Grammys, the Luka Trade, and a Tariff War
    Feb 4, 2025 – 01:33:25
  • DEI Did It, Plus ‘How to Sell Out’ and the Future of AI
    Jan 31, 2025 – 01:31:33
  • Boycotts, Target and Tabitha Brown, Plus Snoop Speaks
    Jan 28, 2025 – 01:51:45
  • Trump, Nazis, and Leonardo DiCaprio’s N-Word Count
    Jan 25, 2025 – 01:28:19
  • Hip-Hop, MLK, and Trump’s Second Inauguration
    Jan 21, 2025 – 01:58:29
  • Drake’s Certified Legal Action and a Potential Ceasefire in Gaza
    Jan 17, 2025 – 01:45:18
  • The Political Firestorm and Recovery in L.A.
    Jan 14, 2025 – 01:57:42
  • Processing the Los Angeles Wildfires With William Gude
    Jan 10, 2025 – 01:41:23
  • The Fox Sports Lawsuit, and Drake’s Break Up With LeBron
    Jan 7, 2025 – 01:37:36
  • A Higher Learning Rewind: Animal Welfare and the Return of Animal Games
    Dec 27, 2024 – 56:15
  • Shameik Moore, Fat Joe, and Higher Learning’s Person of the Year
    Dec 24, 2024 – 01:34:28
  • ‘Growing Up Urkel’ With Jaleel White
    Dec 20, 2024 – 01:49:16
  • Remy Ma and Papoose Drama, Plus Talking 100 Men in One Day With Ana Foxxx
    Dec 13, 2024 – 01:32:30
  • Unpacking the Jay-Z Allegations with Meghann Cuniff
    Dec 10, 2024 – 01:43:08
  • Kendrick and the "White Comedian," Plus CEO Fatally Shot
    Dec 6, 2024 – 01:31:10
  • Joe Biden Pardons, Kendrick Drops, and Drake Takes Legal Action
    Dec 3, 2024 – 01:40:22
  • A Higher Learning Rewind: Parents Day
    Nov 29, 2024 – 01:15:21
  • A Higher Learning Rewind: The Very First Episode
    Nov 26, 2024 – 01:37:38
  • The Nomination of RFK Jr., and Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson
    Nov 19, 2024 – 01:41:35
  • The Danger of Trump’s Nominations With Paul Rieckhoff
    Nov 15, 2024 – 01:34:14
  • A ‘Higher Learning’ Autopsy of the Democratic Party
    Nov 12, 2024 – 01:37:30
  • Donald Trump’s Second Term and the Expectations of Change
    Nov 8, 2024 – 01:34:21
  • Higher Learning/Bakari Sellers Election Night Livestream
    Nov 6, 2024 – 58:43
  • Election Day Is Here. What’s Going to Happen?
    Nov 5, 2024 – 01:36:45
  • MAGA Jokes and Mega Outrage With Roy Wood Jr.
    Oct 29, 2024 – 01:32:00
  • The Trump Rumor Mill and LeBron and Bronny’s Big Moment
    Oct 25, 2024 – 01:15:19
  • Disrespecting Kamala and Annemarie Wiley on ‘RHOBH’ and Politics
    Oct 22, 2024 – 02:08:53
  • Obama Talks to the Brothas, Plus Chris Spencer and Lynnette Grey Bull Join the Show
    Oct 18, 2024 – 01:48:45
  • Trump’s Russian Relationship and What’s a Black Dandy?
    Oct 11, 2024 – 01:29:31
Recent Reviews
  • NtaboKwambo.
    Higher Learning
    Love love Higher Learning Podcast. I listen to most of the episodes and always look forward to it. It’s informative, enlightening and entertaining. Well done to Van and Rachel.
  • DhallRUs
    So grateful for this show
    I’ve been a fan of higher leaning since 2020 and I am so so proud of Rachel and Van. The podcast has grown so much and it is SO good. I leave episodes feeling joyous because of the laughter, challenged because of their takes, and just overall great like I hung out with some cousins. Just listened to the latest episode with Jason Wilson. Thank you so much Van and Rachel for expressing your emotions, what a safe space y’all have made. 10/10 recommend!!! Also why have they not won an NAACP award??
  • V916
    OG Intro music is back!!
    Never stop learning!!
  • DocLouIowa
    Jason spittin truth.
    Huge fan of the show. 63 year old white guy in Iowa who listened to every episode of your Wire show since I grew up in Baltimore. Jason was awesome.
  • MegP89
    I hope y'all do better
    Y'all are really on a roll with the problematic, misogynistic guests. Woman beaters are not just flawed people and minimizing them as such contributes to how unsafe women are.
  • 👁💁🏽‍♂️👏🏽
    Boo
    Van is sexist and just likes the sound of his own voice. Telling Kamala, who was not hired what her responsibility is. How she should comport herself?I hope Rachel finds someone to work with who values what she has to say, and doesn’t just “sorry I’m interrupting you” (every 4 seconds)🙄🤔🙄
  • DRALDFEFEFE
    ε
    ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΥΥSADGBRAL
  • SnappyDani
    Eh. Not sure of the direction they’re going in anymore…
    Majority of the takes are great. But when Van gets on his rant bus and just goes for 20 minutes with no air it becomes flat. I like the idea of the podcast but I think Van needs to refine himself a bit more. Rachel, i’d love to hear you lead some of these takes as well. Very Van heavy and i think we need some balance.
  • Jr1372
    Amazing Podcast
    I stopped listening because I’m triggered by adults talking about Children’s Movies but it’s really an amazing, hilarious show. 10/10
  • The5thofNov
    Love this!
    I love this podcast. It feels as if I’m hanging out with my group of friends when I can’t spend time with my actual friends. I love the conversation, the intellectual exchanges, and the jokes.
  • Shihan-D
    We can’t get d’Angelo on that list 🤦🏽‍♂️
    How can we have a conversation about Neo soul without having the king of Neo soul D’Angelo on that list? I know you just for got right ? Love the show , keep up the great work
  • j.hamm
    Same
    Same views , never opened minded . Haters
  • applecidarvinefar
    Van stop talking over Rachel!!!
    Please
  • qqqwaqww
    Cover the other side!
    I listened to the podcast from Marc Hill on Israel, Gaza. You guys don’t even comment on the atrocities of October 7th. Despicable and hurtful
  • Bronx ok
    Passion
    Love the passion on this pod.
  • Abd1712
    Love you guys!
    Get so much out of every ep. Thank u!
  • Mel C5
    No more Marc Lamont Hill
    No more Marc Lamont Hill on the podcast, he’s the reason we’re in this predicament. Marc, Eddie Cornell, let them go, their pseudo intellectualism is detriment vs good.
  • Pyrple_Braynz
    Rachel you can find someone better to work with
    Van to me is super sexist and just likes the sound of his own voice. I tried to give this a shot and it’s a no go for me. I think Rachel can find someone better to work with who actually values what she has to say especially as a black woman.
  • shereenlynn
    Please take this into consideration
    Only thing I’d strongly suggest is posting the video and audio at the same time. You’re telling me to go watch the video, but then you don’t have it posted as early as you have the podcast posted. It’s a little frustrating to wait for you to post the video when I could just listen to this. I want to support both ways, but that makes it a little hard.
  • newton4
    Error about Mexico ?concession
    Mexico was already planning to put the 10K troops on the border so there was no concession. Trump just backed off when he realized he could not gain anything further. So no victory!!
  • whycantiusemynameonthisthing
    Clarification on the Trump tariff war
    Just wanted to say that Van saying that Mexico’s folded is actually false. The Mexican president actually just agreed to the terms of an already in place trade agreement between the countries. The only difference is that there were 15k soldiers going to the boarder vs now where it’s only 10k. Again Trump and his media machine once again spinning the truth. Love the pod, I just can’t let that narrative go.
  • MandyMakes
    Easily my fav podcast
    Grateful this duo keeps me informed and keeps me laughing with the perfect mix of wit and humor. Van and Rach’s relationship has been a joy to follow and I look forward to listening to them every week. The delusional part of me patiently awaits my invitation to be a member of the BBI. Love you guys! 💚
  • Portia Apple
    Growth & Insight
    This is a show of Black excellence: wisdom, humor, progressiveness, and compassion. They both provide insightfulness to everyday issues, as well as political issues. My only concern was addressed by Van on the Jan 24, 2025 episode (19:35 to 20:00); he has acknowledged his lack of communication skills towards Rachel, but trying to improve them. Van does listen to Rachel, but comes off dismissive by not acknowledging her statements. His growth continues each episode, so kudos! Highly recommend this show that lets you know what’s going in the world, while also providing resources and educated advice!
  • Max RF
    Love this pod - The political tali is BRUTAL
    Love this show and look forward to it every time i see it in my feed. I would say some of the political discourse is incredibly fear mongering and slightly delusional. Those segments are tough to listen to but everything else is 10/10. Mostly Lindsay just doesn’t seem to understand enough rudimentary info about how the government works. I just heard her ask what checks and balances are…? I am talking about the actual gov’t talk not the politics of culture which is some of my favorite content.
  • Rhyno1993
    Thank you!
    If I could give this podcast a million stars I would!! I look forward every week to a new episode! You both are filled with so much wisdom and give me hope during these uncertain times in our country. I leave each episode feeling empowered with the knowledge you have supplied me. So thank you both for being authentic and always showing up ⭐️
  • Tatie_peace24
    Let Rachel and Van Lead
    One of the reasons this is my favorite podcast is the chemistry between Van and Rachel. I love Donny but I don’t like the change of him introducing the topics. I like when Van and Rachel just tap him in periodically. The change has thrown off the flow and I’m someone who has listened to every single episode.
  • Bridgeann
    One of your Best
    This was one of your best. The variety of topics. Relevant and a good discourse on the Drake ‘pre lawsuit’. Especially Rachel showing her legal expertise. Loved Van’s vulnerability in telling his ‘hair’ journey. I feel a bit wiser listening today
  • kapolly
    Best podcast by far
    I love this podcast so much. Van and Rachel are both so brilliant and their banter and very clear friendship make this my favorite podcast. Van’s gift of story telling is really like nothing I have ever heard in the past. Rachel and I seem to be very likeminded and I have always admired her so much- she’s incredible. Can’t wait for the episodes to land twice weekly. THANK YOU for being a light on some dark days in our history recently.
  • LaSandraR
    You Filled Me Up
    So much resonated from your episode after the election. Your work is important, and I thank you for the energy you sacrifice to make the world a better place. You said exactly what I needed to hear.
  • Anna_mar_mar
    Election
    I’ve been waiting to hear your take on the election. As a Hispanic women I am also disappointed and disgusted with the results. Thank you for the laughing through the crying. That’s how I am getting through these hard days.
  • Connie E. O.
    I look forward to every episode!
    I enjoy Higher Learning so much!! I appreciate being able to listen to every topic and conversation. Thank you for sharing so much and providing very insightful and important perspectives and experiences. Van, Rachel, Donnie and Ashley…y’all are great!!! I miss Animal Games. I love Hootenanny!
  • RealityTVLover 98
    Love you Rach !
    I admire you Rachel! Love your podcast 💜
  • brainbbbb
    :(
    I was starting to get into this show, but Van is so disrespectful to Rachel. Also Vick as a guest? Seriously? That’s a dealbreaker for me.
  • ummjalil
    Black artists
    I was thinking the same thing the other day! Halle should be farther along. I think she should be pop. She needs pop writers and producers!!!
  • MarkusAurelius1234
    Simply the best.
    Better than all the rest.
  • Accmay
    Michael Vick??? Really??
    Very compelling issue that others could have talked about. This is such a disappointment. You just lost a dog-loving, pitbull-owning subscriber.
  • C6W4
    Potentially good, needs work
    I found this podcast after hearing Van’s brilliant takes on The Prestige TV podcast. I was excited to see that he was hosting a podcast with Rachel Lindsay as I’ve appreciated her input in the media over the years. However, this podcast is often hard to listen to. Van constantly interrupts Rachel, and perpetually plays Devil’s Advocate/ Prove Me Wrong. It’s disappointing to go from civil and nuanced conversations amongst peers on the Prestige podcast to somewhat patronizing exchanges on this one. Rachel often sounds too exhausted to force her way in, and I sympathize. It’s uncomfortable. Perhaps they should experiment and have different guest hosts sub in so he can hear the difference of how he interacts them versus Rachel. That said, I hope the feedback hear helps and the show improves. It has the potential to be great.
  • K Beeeeee
    Long time listener, but this put me over the edge!
    How the $*@! was Lisa Bonet left off of the Van LaTen? An absolute travesty and I demand a recount. :) Love this show so much and I look forward to every single episode. Sending love and light to Rachel and forever a Van fan. Keep doing your thing and thank you for taking us higher!
  • Raj Fan
    Beauties
    No Sade?!?
  • rica queen
    DNC/Protestors
    DNC don’t need to cater to anyone branding them killers. That doesn’t mean J and K are not working on a cease fire in the Middle East.
  • haitian91
    What did mama say?!
    Celebrities need to keep the public out of their business because people do get invested. Why is it so hard to just keep family business with family?!? They’re people too and will make the best decisions for themselves. I 100% agree with van, please control what people know ESPECIALLY celebrities.
  • oliveoil545
    Good show
    I really enjoy the topics and conversation. Van brings a lot to the table while taking a bunch off too. Please work on NOT constantly interrupting your co-host, (especially by laughing at her as she’s making a serious point); repeating yourself more than four times in a row (it was funny or not already, or it’s a tic that can be overcome). Otherwise 5 stars
  • nickname131
    2nd review, show has continually improved!
    I wrote a review a few years ago now when Van and Rachel first started the pod. Always been a favorite podcast, but I commented their coverage on LGBTQ issues needed a lot of work (this was around the time of Lil Nas X’s Montera video for context). Thank you for doing that work and continuing to approach everyone with the love and respect they deserve. I’m very impressed that criticism/feedback was taken in stride. Van in particular has just hit me over and over again with his growth and the care he displays when challenged for the right reasons.
  • dg hi jcd
    Love AND appreciate the pod, but Van and these monologuesssss 😩
    I know it’s been mentioned, but if Van could work on conciseness and Rachel would defend her opinions and stances a bit more, it would be even better. I really do appreciate you guys for all you do, just my opinion!❤️
  • gcaesar1
    More balance please
    Enjoy this podcast, but it feels time for a break. Van is so long winded and repetitive. I’d like to hear more from Rachel. Appreciate the work y’all do. Van, remember, we all have two ears and ONE mouth for a reason.
  • Gadema515
    Van the Man
    PROTECT VAN LATHAN AT ALL COSTS. WE NEED HIM
  • BondoBanDita
    Windy
    Van can be really long winded and gets repetitive when he thinks he said something funny like a name or a word; and since they are both monotone it makes it a hard listen sometimes. Their culture takes are more interesting than their political ones, but Van has a weird distaste for Africans that gets biggotish in his rants. Other than that 3 stars is fair.
  • Heather212__
    Antisemitism
    Racism isn’t okay but antisemitism is?
  • Prisca Liliane
    A Gem!
    I truly love this podcast. I am rooting for Rachel and Van.
  • iPodLover18
    Love this
    I'm a new listener and I love the show. I love hearing the facts as well as your opinions.
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