Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Rachel and Van start the show with a conversation on the Virginia election and intercommunity politics concerning Black Republicans. Then they are joined by Abby Phillip, anchor of 'NewsNight' on CNN, to talk about her latest book, 'A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power.' They end the show by giving their thoughts on the Billboard Hot 100's top 40 not having any rap songs for the first time since 1990. 00:00 - Welcome! 01:27 - Virginia Election Day approaches 16:12 - NYC mayoral race 38:50 - California’s Prop 50 51:58 - Abby Phillip joins us! 1:53:31 - The attack on SNAP benefits and resources 1:56:09 - Billboard Hot 100’s top 40: no rap songs 2:13:31 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Abby Phillip Producer: Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas RESOURCES : Detroit Farmers Giving Away Food https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQa5L7jDRa3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== LA County Mobilizes Food Assistance as Federal Government Shutdown Continues https://lacounty.gov/2025/10/28/la-county-mobilizes-food-assistance-as-federal-government-shutdown-continues/ SNAP benefits ending: Here's where you can get emergency assistance in Southern California https://www.foxla.com/news/snap-benefits-ending-november-government-shutdown SNAP runs out of money Nov. 1. Here's what that means in your state https://www.npr.org/2025/10/28/g-s1-95189/snap-food-stamps-government-shutdown-november Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel talk Kamala Harris’s political future, New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries endorsing Zohran Mamdani, and the Cash Money vs. No Limit ‘Verzuz’ battle before Roy Wood Jr. joins to discuss his new memoir, 'The Man of Many Fathers.' Then technology writer Ed Zitron joins to break down the economic impact of AI. (0:00) Intro (1:00) Kamala Harris running again? (9:53) Hakeem Jeffries endorses Mamdani (18:57) Roy Wood Jr. joins the show (1:12:51) Ed Zitron on AI (1:45:29) ‘Verzuz’: Cash Money vs. No Limit (1:50:30) Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear on "inclusion and exclusion" Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Roy Wood Jr. and Ed Zitron Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show by rating Stephen A. Smith’s apology to Jasmine Crockett before getting into Emmanuel Acho’s latest comments and perspective on our past intense interview with him. Then, Logan Murdock from The Ringer’s Real Ones joins to talk about the NBA gambling scandal, celeb culture, and masculinity. Last, they talk about the backlash against Keke Palmer’s new fish-out-of-water show, ‘Southern Fried Rice.’ 00:00 - Welcome! 00:53 - Sneak peek of next week’s show: The AI problem 07:29 - Stephen A.’s apology 29:34 - Revisiting Emmanuel Acho 53:11 - Logan Murdock joins us! 1:40:51 - Keke Palmer’s new show 1:59:14 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Logan Murdock Producer: Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show by talking about the “No Kings” protest, the goals of the protest, and the “blatant hypocrisy” from the reaction of the far right. Then, they talk about two controversies concerning offensive past social media posts, one from Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner and the other from Grammy winner Tyler, the Creator. Last, they go over the Gaza ceasefire deal with Huffington Post senior diplomatic correspondent Akbar Ahmed and the violations that followed it. 00:00 - Welcome! 09:12 - The “No Kings” protest 44:16 - Joe Rogan declines to debate Gov. Gavin Newsom 49:36 - Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner apologizes for past social media posts 1:03:49 - Tyler, the Creator’s social media past brings current backlash 1:23:21 - Akbar joins the show! 1:41:23 - What do we do about the Stephen A. thing? 1:52:39 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Akbar Ahmed Producers: Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show by remembering the late legend D’Angelo and the issue concerning the health of black men in America. Then, they are joined by Isaac Bryan, member of the California State Assembly, to talk about assaults on reparations and restorative justice and his relationship with Governor Gavin Newsom. Later, they take a peek into the latest Stephen A. Smith drama and the reactions to his comments on Representative Jasmine Crockett. 00:00 - Welcome! 03:23 - Thoughts about the Gavin Newsom interview 14:42 - Remembering D’Angelo 36:51 - The Supreme Court and the Voting Rights Act 50:46 - Young Republicans' secret Telegram chat leaked 57:56 - Isaac Bryan joins us! 1:28:24 - Stephen A. and his comments on Rep. Jasmine Crockett 1:46:27 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Isaac Bryan Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show by giving their reactions to the return of ‘Verzuz’ and their opinion of Cash Money versus No Limit Records. Then, they are joined by California Governor Gavin Newsom to talk about the current Democratic Party, Trump, and who could be in the running to lead the Democratic Party. Later, Ryan Grim stops by to talk about the Gaza ceasefire and what it actually means. 00:00 - Welcome! 02:19 - Governor Gavin Newsom joins us! 1:10:34 - Ryan Grim joins us! 1:34:25 - ‘Verzuz’ returns 1:46:01 - Ubisoft cancels Civil War–era 'Assassin's Creed' game 1:48:13 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Governor Gavin Newsom and Ryan Grim Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to a strange weekend of football before discussing Van Jones’s “dead Gaza baby” joke, Diddy’s sentencing, and Ayesha Curry’s comments on motherhood and marriage. (0:00) Intro (8:21) Mark Sanchez’s stabbing & arrest (16:30) Kyren Lacy update (31:09) Van Jones apologizes for joke (48:19) Diddy sentenced (1:03:32) Ayesha Curry’s admission (1:45:58) Theo Von & Adin Ross on Trump (2:08:31) Taylor Swift’s new album (2:21:13) “Love is Blind” Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show by taking a moment to acknowledge the life of the late Assata Shakur before Rep. Maxwell Frost joins to talk about the government shutdown and the volatile housing market. After, they get into the drama surrounding the WNBA leadership comments, and Ray J getting sued by the Kardashians. Then, they end the show with a “VanLaTEN” for Bad Bunny. 00:00 - Welcome! 05:56 - Assata Shakur’s passing 08:15 - Rep. Maxwell Frost joins us! 1:04:04 - The WNBA’s leadership 1:31:33 - Ray J is getting sued 1:41:49 - The reaction to Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl 1:43:59 - Van’s 5 ideas for Bad Bunny’s performance 1:53:15 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Rep. Maxwell Frost Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel welcome former Washington Post opinion columnist Karen Attiah to discuss her firing from The Post after she made critical remarks about gun culture and violence in the U.S. in the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing. (0:00) Intro (9:30) Release of redacted Epstein files (21:29) A review of ‘107 Days’ by Kamala Harris (48:50) Bad Bunny performing at Super Bowl (55:33) Karen Attiah joins the show (1:28:06) Therapy and Young Thug (1:54:01) Looming goverment shutdown Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Karen Attiah Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show off by talking about Stephen A. Smith’s response to our comments last show before getting into the removal of ‘Fearless Debaters’ from TSU’s campus and Jimmy Kimmel’s successful return. Then, Tyriq Withers joins the show to talk about his new movie, ‘Him’; the different reactions to the film; the realism of the athleticism showcased in it; and biracial identity. 00:00 - Welcome! 07:29 - Stephen A.’s response to Higher Learning 32:32 - Pandering to Black women 37:47 - ‘Fearless Debaters’ removed from TSU's campus 48:13 - Jimmy Kimmel’s return 1:10:03 - The missing PS5 1:16:38 - Kamala Harris’s appearance on 'The Rachel Maddow Show' 1:20:52 - Tyriq Withers joins us! 1:52:25 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Tyriq Withers Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel welcome ‘Counter Points’ cohost Ryan Grim to discuss his and other platforms’ coverage of Charlie Kirk in the days since his death, before comedian Malik B joins to talk how he literally fought for a role in ‘Creed,’ and his new Hulu special, ‘LOL Live With Malik B.’ (00:00) Intro (10:21) Having uncomfortable conversations (33:27) Ryan Grim joins the show (1:27:28) OG Corner: Van Jones & Stephen A. Smith (1:54:12) Democratic leadership (2:05:33) Ghostface Killa and Infinite Coles (2:16:49) Malik B joins the show (2:56:10) ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ returns Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Ryan Grim and Malik B Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van addresses Memphis Bleek calling him out on Club Shay Shay, before he and Rachel react to 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' being taken off the air and the media’s coverage of Charlie Kirk following his death. (00:00) Intro (00:12) A Memphis Bleek/Van Lathan explainer (25:02) Kushner, Trump and the Carters (49:29) Jimmy Kimmel Suspended (1:22:52) The sanitizing of Charlie Kirk (1:57:13) Hangings in Mississippi (2:03:58) LeBron & Drake Update Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel start by discussing the legal and cultural fallout from the killing of Charlie Kirk. Then they welcome actress Erika Alexander to talk about Apple TV+’s ‘Invasion’ and look back on her role as Maxine in ‘Living Single.’ (0:00) Intro (1:02) Fallout from Charlie Kirk’s shooting (36:46) Brian Kilmeade on homeless: “Just kill ‘em” (54:05) Van’s basketball tangent (58:42) ‘The Gilded Age’ (1:01:22) Erika Alexander joins the show (1:55:21) AI influencer? Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Erika Alexander Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show off by talking about the death of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, the many reactions to it, and what may come from his killing. Then, they react to an excerpt from Kamala Harris’s upcoming book mentioning Joe Biden’s “reckless” decision to run again in the last election. Later, actor, model, and comedian Melvin Gregg joins to talk about his latest show, ‘The Paper,’ before he, Van, and Rachel all share memories of their biggest heartbreak. 00:00 - Welcome! 00:26 - The killing of Charlie Kirk 56:00 - Kamala’s book and her disappointment with Biden's reelection bid 1:14:50 - Israel bombed Hamas negotiators 1:16:24 - The new Bachelorette 1:20:20 - Melvin Gregg joins us! 2:11:59 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Melvin Gregg Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Video Supervision: Chris Thomas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel dig into the Texas senate race, vaccine mandates (or lack thereof) in Florida, and Young Thug’s leaked jail calls, before welcoming marriage and family therapist Nina Westbrook to discuss her new mental wellness app, Nebbi. (0:00) Intro (0:39) Left-wing influencers (13:29) The Phillies Karen (27:15) Rep. James Talarico running for senate (48:52) Vand & the realities of aging (55:23) Nina Westbrook joins the show (1:37:49) Florida’s vaccine overhaul (1:55:34) Glaze of the Week (2:03:08) Young Thug leaks Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Nina Westbrook Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including their theories on a study revealing that the number of Americans having sex has dropped to a record low. Then, they react to Trump’s address of his health rumors and the internet’s desire for his health to decline. Then, NFL quarterback whisperer Quincy Avery joins to discuss generational talent and his new movie, 'The Quincy Avery Effect.' 00:00 - Welcome! 08:04 - Americans are having less sex 19:43 - Trump addresses health rumors 42:18 - A leak reports ICE will be getting military assistance 57:53 - Is Tom Brady a generational talent? 1:06:27 - Brittany Renner’s video arguing about her son 1:25:36 - Drake and interviews with traditional hip-hop media 1:44:43 - Quincy Avery joins us! 2:05:20 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Quincy Avery Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rep. Ro Khanna returns to talk AIPAC’s role in politics, the release of the Epstein files and what he thinks of the gerrymandering debate. (0:00) Intro (0:46) AIPAC’s influence (6:07) Releasing the Epstein files (15:14) The gerrymandering fight (25:29) Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show off with some “quick hitters,” including the return of Cracker Barrel’s old logo and Taylor Swift’s engagement. Then, they react to the developing story of an alleged dark money group secretly funding high-profile Democratic influencers. Later, they are joined by NYC Mayor Eric Adams as he addresses corruption allegations, his non-relationship with Trump, and how he feels about his competition, Zohran Mamdani. 00:00 - Welcome! 1:32 - Cracker Barrel scrapped the new logo 07:37 - Taylor is finally engaged (to Travis Kelce) 24:15 - The Nina Turner response 25:19 - Dark money is allegedly secretly funding Democratic influencers 43:51 - The raw milk story and a quick vaccine debate 51:26 - A quick message from Van before the interview 52:42 - Mayor Eric Adams joins us! 1:25:19 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Mayor Eric Adams Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel welcome former Ohio senator Nina Turner to hear her thoughts on the Democratic strategy to fight gerrymandering. (0:00) Intro (1:32) Snoop & Pixar’s LGBTQ character (8:54) Bill Maher changes tone on Trump (22:02) Dean Cain’s ICE training (30:21) Serena Williams weight loss journey (43:04) Jussie Smollett doc review (58:08) Nina Turner joins the show Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Nina Turner Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel and Van start the show by reacting to the predicted increased prices for Sony’s PlayStation 5 and the Cracker Barrel rebranding. Later, they discuss the Texas House of Representatives’ approval of a GOP-centered congressional map and the disturbing release of an Israeli official charged with soliciting a minor in Nevada. They end with the Glaze of the Week and Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal (thank you, Megan Thee Stallion). 00:00 - Welcome! 10:08 - Jury finds Hernandez Govan not guilty of the Young Dolph killing 30:02 - PlayStation 5 prices will increase 36:06 - Cracker Barrel’s rebrand 52:07 - Amateur football leagues 1:01:50 - Target’s CEO steps down 1:09:58 - Texas House approves GOP congressional map 1:26:40 - The Israeli official Nevada sex crime case 1:40:58 - Glaze of the Week 1:53:06 - Klay Thompson’s new favorite meal 1:57:25 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices