Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van and Rachel react to the Dodgers winning the World Series (12:47) before digging into the ‘garbage’ talk coming out of the presidential election’s home stretch (17:45). Plus, a guest is banned from CNN’s 'NewsNight with Abby Phillip' after a racist remark (25:26), and Ryan Clark gets accused of appearing in whiteface for Halloween (41:00). Finally, Rachel breaks down some preferences when it comes to dating (1:01:13). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to Donald Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally (6:28) before comedian Roy Wood Jr. joins to dig into controversial jokes by Tony Hinchcliffe and the art of political comedy (19:42). Then, a breakdown of Lil Durk’s arrest on a murder-for-hire charge (49:43), and Shaq gives advice to Angel Reese on making the WNBA sexier (1:11:16). Plus, Dwyane Wade’s statue has a face that’s not his (1:23:22). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Roy Wood Jr. Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel discuss Kamala Harris’s CNN town hall (10:45) before digging into reports of a damaging story for Donald Trump that could "end his campaign" (20:53). Then, a reaction to Busta Rhymes’s comments on Diddy’s alleged crimes (31:55), the WNBA players union opts out of its current bargaining agreement (43:47), Van blames Rachel for killing the ‘Blade’ reboot (58:04), and LeBron and Bronny James spark a nepotism discussion (1:03:22). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to Trump’s comments about Arnold Palmer’s meat size and the overall state of the race (6:14) before digging into ex-Steeler Le’Veon Bell’s “Trump and the Tramp” T-shirt (12:07). Then Game 5 of the WNBA Finals ends in controversy (19:30), and should we care that fans cheered when Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles (29:43)? Then, TV personality Annemarie Wiley joins to talk the labeling of women (48:47), her time on ‘Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,’ (1:05:41), and where she stands on the 2024 election (1:28:03) Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Annemarie Wiley Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel discuss Liam Payne’s death and graphic photos posted by TMZ (5:25), react to Barack Obama addressing Black male voters’ lack of support for Kamala Harris (25:58 ), then discuss Harris’s contentious interview on Fox News (46:52). Later, actor, writer, producer Chris Spencer joins to discuss the Vice TV series ‘Black Comedy in America’ (54:26). Plus, Lynette Grey Bull, founder of Not Our Native Daughters, joins to talk about her mixed emotions concerning Indigenous Peoples’ Day (1:26:04). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Chris Spencer and Lynnette Grey Bull Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel discuss the impact Hurricane Milton has had on Florida and the political storm surrounding it (18:48), react to revelations from Bob Woodward’s upcoming book ‘War’ (30:44), and J. Cole addressing his decision to bow out of the Kendrick Lamar-Drake beef (45:53). Then a breakdown of Kamala Harris's and Donald Trump’s recent interviews (54:31), as well as a quick debate on the theme of the upcoming Met Gala. Plus, what is Black dandyism (1:09:28)? Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to Kamala Harris’s media blitz this week (25:30), before discussing the annual Blackface problem that comes with Halloween (34:27) and locker room privacy in the NFL (43:20). Then, author and political strategist James Carville joins to talk his new documentary, the state of politics, and LSU football (53:54). And finally, Drake talks friendship (1:25:14) before Van reveals his top 10 Black horror films in the latest VanLaTEN (1:35:43). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: James Carville Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel remember the life of John Amos and discuss the family drama around his death (14:49), then break down the vice presidential debate (25:02) and dig into the unsealed evidence from the January 6 election interference case against Trump with Politico senior legal affairs reporter Kyle Cheney (42:18). Later, reactions to an upcoming Chris Brown documentary (57:46) and the tense exchange Ta-Nehisi Coates had on ‘CBS Mornings’ (1:13:22). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Kyle Cheney Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel remember the lives of Dikembe Mutombo and Kris Kristofferson (:15) and debate the appropriateness of a sexy TD Jakes R&B album (13:58), before discussing Boosie’s most recent comments on his daughter’s sexuality while on Yung Miami’s podcast (28:34) and Caresha’s involvement in the latest Diddy lawsuit (59:53). Then they dive into the latest and weirdest news out of the GOP (1:06:09) before Representative Maxwell Frost joins to talk about being the first Gen Z member of Congress (1:14:44). Plus, Chappell Roan’s position on the 2024 election has the internet abuzz (1:44:59). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to the indictment of New York Mayor Eric Adams (8:07) and give a quick update on the state of Mark Robinson’s political career after his Nude Africa posts (16:30). Then cohost of MSNBC’s ‘The Weekend’ Symone Sanders-Townsend joins to discuss the role Black women will play in the 2024 election (24:08). Finally, they talk Brett Favre’s Parkinson’s diagnosis (50:07) and react to Cardi B and Offset’s online fight (57:55). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Symone Sanders-Townsend Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel discuss Beyoncé’s exclusion from the CMAs (5:47) before reacting to the fallout from Janet Jackson’s questioning of Kamala Harris’s Blackness (25:28) and Chingy backing out of performing at a GOP event (36:19). Then NFL legend Michael Vick joins to talk about the new docuseries ‘Evolution of the Black Quarterback’ (46:07) before discussing the way Jerry Jones talks about his players and what’s between their legs (1:16:28). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Michael Vick Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Of Mess and Men: Mark Robinson, Michael Eric Dyson and ShxtsNGigs Van and Rachel react to Lt. Governor and Gubernatorial candidate for North Carolina Mark Robinson’s comments on a porn forum (6:26), Michael Eric Dyson’s flirty messages to Rep. Nancy Mace (32:51), and the hosts of the ShxtsNGigs and Andrew Schulz get backlash after jokes at the expense of Black women (49:28). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel address the breaking news of Sean Combs’s arrest and indictment on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel remember the life of Tito Jackson (10:39) before reacting to the second apparent assassination attempt on Donald Trump in two months (16:09) and Laura Loomer’s relationship with the former president (25:58). Then they have a discussion on Shannon Sharpe’s viral Instagram Live and the best way to release a sex tape (33:37) before the much-anticipated return of the Van LaTEN (47:58). Finally Terrell Owens joins to discuss his hall of fame career and the NFL’s race problem (1:05:28). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Terrell Owens Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay open the show remembering the lives of James Earl Jones, Frankie Beverly, and Rich Homie Quan (:43), before reacting to the first and possibly last debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump (8:10), and Taylor Swift announcing her endorsement of Harris (44:08). Then, a discussion of the detainment of the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill (52:50), and the announcement of Kendrick Lamar headlining the Super Bowl in Lil Wayne’s hometown (1:06:05). Plus, Tiffany Haddish does a thing. And it’s cringey (1:16:58). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay react to the death of Fatman Scoop (8:10), before digging into conversations surrounding Kamala Harris’s accent (15:10). Then, Lee Daniels stirs up controversy for his new horror film (29:30), and an NFL executive gets recorded insulting the league (40:46). Finally, the chair of the California Reparations Task Force, Kamilah Moore, joins to discuss the blocking of a pair of bills by the Black Caucus (49:24). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Kamilah Moore Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Labor Day, Van and Rachel are bringing you a brand-new segment called the Van LaTEN! This time, they count down the top 10 Black beauties of the ’90s. Let us know if your pick makes the cut! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode with updates on Donald Trump’s indictment (05:22) and the release of a letter from Mark Zuckerberg detailing the censorship pushed by the Biden administration (12:26). Then, they talk about Lil Duval’s tweet and the pandering (or lack thereof) toward Black men in politics (23:41). Finally, they recap the recent Keith Lee drama (36:52), Tyrese’s latest comments on the Black community (49:51), and the strange pattern in white influencers’ social media pasts (1:01:08). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the show by talking about RFK Jr.'s drop out of the presidential race and his subsequent endorsement of Donald Trump (11:38). Then they talk about Cam Newton and the responsibility of creating a family (24:34) before getting into their upcoming NFL season predictions (53:57), Drake’s possible second round with Kendrick Lamar (1:24:03), and an apology rating (1:29:48). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode with their reactions to the Democratic National Convention, including their thoughts on Kamala Harris’s speech, the ideology of freedom, and the impact of the different appearances and speeches (01:43). Then, they give their thoughts on TMZ’s Beyoncé mis-announcement (44:39) and the report that Jennifer Lopez has filed for divorce from Ben Affleck (1:0045). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices