Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

The Ringer

  • 1 hour 58 minutes
    Hip-Hop, MLK, and Trump’s Second Inauguration

    Van and Rachel open the show with Coach Prime, a.k.a. impressionist Sam Croker (8:38), before welcoming the chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Ben Wikler, to discuss plans should he become chair of the DNC (27:43), and re-energizing the Democratic Party (33:12). Then, in-the-moment reactions to Donald Trump’s inauguration (1:02:10), and digging into Nelly, Snoop, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy’s participation (1:14:55). Plus, Byron Donalds calls Trump ‘daddy’ (1:42:30).


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guests: Sam Croker and Ben Wikler

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    21 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 45 minutes
    Drake’s Certified Legal Action and a Potential Ceasefire in Gaza

    Van and Rachel discuss what looks to be a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas (7:44). Then, they welcome Toronto radio personality Marlon Palmer to break down the cultural impact of Drake’s lawsuit (15:24). Plus, Donnell Rawlings compares white and Black comedy culture (44:51), and SZA gets backlash for her praise of Drew Barrymore (1:03:14). Then, executive director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition Sam Lewis joins to give insight on the firefighter inmate program in California (1:12:49). 


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guests: Marlon Palmer and Sam Lewis

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    17 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 57 minutes
    The Political Firestorm and Recovery in L.A.

    Van and Rachel discuss the looming insurance crisis for Los Angeles homeowners (14:42), the price gouging of rental properties (21:14), and the use of prisoners to help fight the fires (29:41). Plus, Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism for her handling of the crisis (46:21). Then, Stephen A. Smith reflects on the election (1:13:57), Jimmy Butler is in a child support battle (1:27:20), and a former WNBA star makes a career shift to OnlyFans (1:37:16).


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    14 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 41 minutes
    Processing the Los Angeles Wildfires With William Gude

    Van and Rachel react to the devastation from the Los Angeles wildfires (0:00) before being joined by activist William Gude to provide insight on the fallout and impact of the disaster (16:01). Then, Stephen 'tWitch’ Boss’s widow, Allison Holker, has received criticism for the promotion of her memoir (47:40), Rachel speaks on her divorce being finalized (1:05:31) and Presidents Obama and Trump share a moment at Jimmy Carter’s funeral (1:12:50).


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guest: William Gude

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    10 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 37 minutes
    The Fox Sports Lawsuit, and Drake’s Break Up With LeBron

    Van and Rachel discuss the Fox Sports lawsuit and social media’s reaction to the allegations (15:12), before breaking down Drake’s, ‘Fighting Irish’ freestyle in the context of his relationship with LeBron James (51:48). Plus, Notre Dame’s Black head coach Marcus Freeman speaks on how “color shouldn’t matter” (1:14:51).

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    7 January 2025, 11:00 am
  • 56 minutes 15 seconds
    A Higher Learning Rewind: Animal Welfare and the Return of Animal Games

    Van and Rachel are joined by Chris Draper of the Performing Animal Welfare Society to discuss providing sanctuary and care for former performance animals (0:00), before welcoming Dr. Lauren Howard to talk about her role as director of veterinary services for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (23:34). Then, Animal Games makes it’s long anticipated return to the podcast (49:05).


    Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay

    Guests: Dr. Chris Draper and Dr. Lauren Howard

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    27 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    Shameik Moore, Fat Joe, and Higher Learning’s Person of the Year

    Van and Rachel kick off the last show of 2024 discussing the Matt Gaetz House Ethics report (5:19), reacting to ‘Into the Spider-Verse’ actor Shameik Moore’s questionable behavior with Spider-Man love interests (15:23), and Fat Joe’s comments on Foundational Black Americans (26:19). Then, a quick (and final) update on the Travis Hunter fiancĂ© saga (41:18), Blake Lively’s legal action against Justin Baldoni (51:44), and NYPD corruption is brought to light (1:08:28). And finally, Van and Rachel reveal their Person of the Year (1:18:50).


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    24 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 49 minutes
    ‘Growing Up Urkel’ With Jaleel White

    Van and Rachel welcome actor Jaleel White to address backlash he received for comments on "hood" TV shows (12:10), where he ranks ‘Family Matters’ amongst Black sitcoms (22:22), stories of growing up and dating as a child star in ’90s L.A. (32:37), and the responsibility of parents to protect young actors from predators in the industry (1:22:07)


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guest: Jaleel White

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    20 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 26 minutes
    Hero Worship and Inconsistencies in the Jay-Z Lawsuit

    Van and Rachel discuss Daniel Penny and Luigi Mangione being celebrated as heroes (8:09), before reacting to the latest from the Jay-Z rape lawsuit (25:52). Then, Travis Hunter wins the Heisman, but it’s his fiancĂ© that’s got the internet abuzz (50:15), Jason Whitlock rage baits (1:04:36), and the Hawk Tuah girl says she wouldn’t thank the interviewers of her viral video (1:11:41).


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    17 December 2024, 11:00 am
  • 1 hour 32 minutes
    Remy Ma and Papoose Drama, Plus Talking 100 Men in One Day With Ana Foxxx

    Van and Rachel kick it off by reacting to Remy Ma and Papoose airing out cheating allegations via the internet (5:56) before discussing Jamie Foxx’s Netflix special (20:57) and the conservative backlash to Caitlin Clark’s TIME interview (28:44). Then adult film actress Ana Foxxx joins to give her perspective on OnlyFans model Lily Phillips having sex with 100 guys in 24 hours (37:47), and finally Jaleel White has a controversial take on Black audiences' acceptance of ‘Family Matters’ (1:11:06) 


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guest: Ana Foxxx

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    13 December 2024, 1:07 pm
  • 1 hour 43 minutes
    Unpacking the Jay-Z Allegations with Meghann Cuniff

    Van and Rachel welcome reporter Meghann Cuniff to discuss the legal aspects of the Jay-Z rape lawsuit (5:58), before breaking down the cultural impact of the news (26:39). Then reactions to the arrest of a suspect in the UnitedHealth CEO’s murder (1:04:04), Lil Duval says women owe Jonathan Majors an apology (1:10:28), and the phrase ‘built like a Mexican’ sparks racial tensions online (1:25:21).


    Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

    Guest: Meghann Cuniff

    Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith

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    10 December 2024, 11:00 am
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