Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Oct 16, 2026 · 2h 5m

After a little break, we are back, Thought Warriors!!! On today’s show, Rachel and Van say goodbye to Peacemaker Van, Bernard gets a car, and Mike Tyson shows support for Trump while Trump's new press secretary has a rough first day on the job. Plus, the gang talks about Representative Ilhan Omar being targeted by the Trump administration and the rumors that Druski will host 'SNL.' And in college news, a tennis team out of the University of Maryland is in trouble, while the AKAs claim their colors. All that and more. (00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning (2:25) How was your weekend? (10:16) RIP Peacemaker Van (20:00) Bernard has a new whip (25:31) Disastrous first day for Katie Zacharia (42:41) Mike Tyson on the campaign trail (58:37) AKA sorority purse debacle (1:16:43) Rumor has it… Druski to host ‘SNL’ (1:23:43) Man mauled to death by tiger in U.K. (1:31:45) Ilhan Omar’s house raided (1:47:38) Tennis club sends racist images in email Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 9, 2026 · 1h 53m

Your favorite hosts are back! This time from New York City. Today, Rachel and Van discuss the death of legendary R&B singer Freddie Jackson. Plus, the Views From the 7 podcast makes waves for the wrong reasons, NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens gets sued by Nolan Wells’s friends for defamation, Jamie Foxx has a new special out, and Florida Representative Angie Nixon joins us to discuss her run for Senate. (00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning (3:47) Van likes to hang out (21:27) R&B legend Freddie Jackson dies at 70 years old (30:50) The wrong views from those seven (50:24) Terrell Owens gets sued (1:08:27) Jamie Foxx holds back (1:14:33) Angie Nixon joins the show (1:45:25) Van’s rants  Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Angie Nixon Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 6, 2026 · 2h 2m

Thought Warriors! Hope your thinking caps are on for this one. On today’s show, Rachel and Van opine on Da’Vinchi’s controversial comments while on Cam Newton’s podcast, Chris Rock’s biggest regret of his life, and the cease-and-desist warning Chris Harrison received. Plus, Bobby Shmurda grants permission to a group of people he probably shouldn’t have, and the gals of the ‘Whole Lotta Gay Show’ talk some D, and we don’t mean defense. (00:00) Special announcement (1:25)Welcome to Higher Learning (9:58) Da’Vinchi stirs up some controversy (49:51) Chris Rock’s biggest regret (1:10:30) Chris Harrison back in a familiar role (1:24:26) Permission granted (1:42:24) Honest studs Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 2, 2026 · 2h 23m

Thought Warriors! We have a good one for you today! Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us in-studio to discuss his run for U.S. Senate and then some. But first, Rachel and Van discuss the latest in the Cornell 7 case, Senator Eric Schmitt tries to set a trap for former special counsel Jack Smith (and fails miserably), plus the hottest AI trend out there right now: Quavo and Takeoff's 'Hotel Lobby' video. (00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning (16:57) More updates in the Cornell 7 case (53:49) Schmitt hits the fan (1:04:44) Sampson wants kids from his homegirls (1:11:29) ‘Hotel Lobby’ AI going viral (1:24:49) Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us in-studio Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed Producer: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 29, 2026 · 2h 5m

It's a guest fest this week on Higher Learning!! Leading off the week, L.A. mayoral candidate Nithya Raman joins us, just a few weeks away from the biggest election of her life. But first, Van and Rachel discuss their trip to Sweden and the new cast of 'A Different World.' Plus, they break down what a Mississippi grand jury had to say about the death of Nolan Wells, seven men in a Cornell University fraternity being sued in a sexual abuse case, and Lori Harvey having some detractors when it comes to her business acumen and privilege. (00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning (3:32) 'A Different World' reboot (15:55) Sweden Recap (24:16) Grand jury finds no evidence of crime in Nolan Wells's death (37:05) Cornell University under fire amid sexual abuse lawsuit (48:04) Lori Harvey sparks debate over Create & Cultivate Festival appearance (1:03:01) Nithya Raman joins the show Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 23, 2026 · 1h 8m

Surprise, surprise, Thought Warriors!!! You thought you were done with us this week, but we said “nah!” Van and Rachel have a surprise episode for you straight from the plane in Sweden. They’ll discuss Nikole Hannah-Jones's decision to put her daughter through public, low-income school 10 years ago. How it’s going, the impact on her child, the community, and what the awareness has done.(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning(00:51) Nikole’s experiment, 10 years later Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Jade Whaley and Marco Escalante Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Jade Whaley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 22, 2026 · 1h 45m

Thought Warriors, mount up! On today’s show, Rachel and Van discuss Ed Sheeran’s apology and almost immediate take-back, and Trump's ban on leftist media platforms from the White House. Speaking of which, Hasan Piker takes on some leftist media critiques on MSNow’s 'Clock That.' NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is “Shaqtin’ a Fool” with Kash Patel, plus Rep. Lauren Boebert’s freaky side comes out again, allegedly. Van and Rachel talk all that and more. (00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning (7:46) Ed Sheeran’s ... apology? (26:28) Trump escalates his war with the media (47:39) Hasan Piker vs. the world (1:10:17) Shaqtin’ with fools (1:29:25) Boebert's alleged sexcapades Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 18, 2026 · 1h 47m

On today’s show, we have the über-talented Janine Nabers in studio, but first, Van has some thoughts on social media, and Rachel gives a quick take on Chris Brown rejecting a Texas legislative honor. Plus, our hosts recap the ever-growing fallout of Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour and the 2026 Emmys diss of actors of color. Finally, Van UNLEASHES on Kash Patel, and the crew discusses JD Vance’s plea to the American people.(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning(4:31) Van has some thoughts(10:45) Chris Brown responds to criticism(14:10) More fallout from Macklemore’s dismissal(26:08) 2026 Emmys award no people of color(33:16) FBI Director Kash Patel roughed up(42:02) JD Vance begs voters for “another chance”(50:36) Janine Nabers joins us in studioHosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Janine NabersProducer: Marco EscalanteSocial Producer: Bernard MooreVideo Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 16, 2026 · 1h 31m

Surprise, Thought Warriors! Higher Learning is here with a pop-up episode featuring none other than Colin Kaepernick in the studio! Kaepernick drops by not just to promote his new book, 'The Perilous Fight,' but to have a real conversation with Van and Rachel about everything. From civil rights to NFL blackballing to racial identity to protesting against police brutality to Target, no topic is off-limits. (00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning(2:59) Colin Kaepernick joins us in the studio; 'The Perilous Fight' out September 15(15:52) Racial identity(26:48) NFL career(45:52) The settlement(58:02) Muddled message?(1:08:08) Growth through adversity(1:19:07) Fighting the good fight Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel LindsayGuest: Colin KaepernickProducers: Marco Escalante and Jade WhaleySocial Producer: Bernard MooreVideo Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices