Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Van and Rachel are joined by NBA great Metta Sandiford-Artest, who thinks he’s the right man to lead the Knicks. (:39) Debating the phrase "freak-off" (12:53) Offset threatens violence (22:09) Linda McMahon and DEI (34:32) Metta Sandiford-Artest joins the show (56:08) Karine Jean-Pierre leaving the Dem. Party (1:09:47) Dez Bryant, homophobia, and the NFL (1:18:12) The White Black Panther (1:27:59) Transactional relationships Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Metta Sandiford-Artest Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to racists attempting to claim the sentiment “Black fatigue” (0:00), before legendary basketball player and coach Dawn Staley joins the show to talk about life lessons from her memoir, ‘Uncommon Favor’ (15:15). Then, reactions to Offset’s request for spousal support from Cardi B (46:31), an Atlanta family deals with squatters throwing pool parties (1:01:59), a debate on how many mechanical bull rides are too many for a guy on the first date (1:19:43). Then, a dating preference discussion (1:30:42) Glaze of the Week (1:36:00), and an Angel Reese-Shedeur Sanders comparison (1:42:26). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Dawn Staley Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel are back from the Memorial Day break to talk Trump’s "big, beautiful bill" (:48), Elon Musk's decision to officially leave the administration (2:40), the latest out of the Diddy trial (8:15) and Trump’s recent pardons (17:37). Then they give their reactions to Druski’s skit in whiteface (24:46) and have a conversation about conversations with RGIII (32:53), before they give some updates on the alpha dog King Charles (45:46). Finally, Mandii B and WeezyWTF of Decisions Decisions join to talk about the name change from Whoreible Decisions (58:32) and takeaways from their upcoming book, ‘No Holes Barred: A Dual Manifesto of Sexual Exploration and Power’ (1:07:37) Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Mandii B and WeezyWTF Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van sits down with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka to discuss entering the gubernatorial race (:34), whether it’s important or possible for Black people to have positive relationships with police (16:15), Democrats shying away from more progressive politics (27:23), and criticism of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s White House appearance (38:40). Plus, a peek into his career in music (40:04). Host: Van Lathan Guest: Mayor Ras Baraka Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel discuss a wholesome TikTok trend (10:50) before reacting to the death of a member of Congress (14:15), and giving an update on the RGIII vs. Ryan Clark drama (20:06). Then reparationist Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor joins to dig into Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s veto of a reparations bill (29:40). Plus, Kid Cudi takes the witness stand in the Diddy trial (57:22), humanitarian efforts are stalled in Gaza (1:11:21), and director David O. Russell gets accused of using the n-word on set (1:27:19). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Jessica Ann Mitchell Aiwuyor Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel discuss Dan Bongino and Kash Patel’s comments on Jeffrey Epstein’s death (8:10), and whether Atlanta is still the Black Mecca (14:02). Then, reactions to Joe Biden’s cancer diagnosis (20:49), before Robert Griffin III earns Glaze of the Week (36:31), and Snoop Dogg addresses the Trump inauguration backlash (53:59). Then, writer Anna Malaika Tubbs joins to talk about her new book, ‘Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us’ (1:07:53). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Anna Malaika Tubbs Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay start the episode by discussing the TikTok trend of including redheaded Americans in the Black community (07:20). Then, they go through a few “quick hitters,” including the restraining order sought by Halle Bailey (18:52), the backlash about Meghan Trainor’s new look (33:28), and their reactions to the introductions to the federal bill redefining what qualifies as “obscene” (58:14). Then, they bring on Yodit Tewolde to give a look at the details of the Diddy trial (1:12:09) before ending the show with an important message of change from the hosts (1:38:02). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Yodit Tewolde Producers: Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel took to New York’s Gramercy Theater in front of a lively audience to discuss the old guard of the Democratic Party, after David Hogg’s “get over yourself” comment (12:57). Then Van debuts a new spinoff, “Glaze of the Decade” (29:37), before thought warriors join the show for Animal Games (54:38) and a Rachel Apology Contest (1:12:07). Hosts: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Additional Production Support: Chelsea Stark-Jones Live Events Coordination: Elizabeth Fierman, Helen Eichner, Tessa Herrick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel discuss the buildup to the selection of the new pope (14:37) and the acquittal of the officers who killed Tyre Nichols (16:46) before shifting gears to the Met Gala and its celebration of Black style (32:43). Then, instant reactions to the announcement of Pope Leo XIV (56:08), a conversation around the lawsuit against Smokey Robinson (59:09), and the discussion on Jayden Daniels’s mom makes a comeback (1:28:30). 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 getting involved with NIL in college sports (14:02), and the Turkey Leg Hut crime saga (26:16). Then, Diddy’s trial begins (32:54), Trump appears on ‘Meet the Press’ (50:59), and thanks to a mom saying the N-word, we have a new Glaze of the Week (1:14:53). Plus, a conversation about squatters' rights (1::27:06). 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 discuss Donald Trump’s cabinet’s praise of his first 100 days in office (2:55), and Paul Pierce’s explanation of NBA players’ dating habits (14:51). Plus, Terrence Howard says what he’d do to his lips if he ever kissed a man (28:51), and Giannis Antetokounmpo gets into it with Tyrese Haliburton’s dad (35:33). Then, reactions to a video of somebody going too far at a pool party (47:35), before former secretary of education John King Jr. joins to discuss the present and future of the department (56:39), and producer Lisa Cortés joins to talk about her new docuseries, ‘Murder Has Two Faces’ (1:22:38). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: John King Jr. and Lisa Cortés Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel welcome former NFL cornerback and ESPN contributor Domonique Foxworth to react to Shedeur Sanders’s historic fall in the NFL draft (16:49) and Saquon Barkley spending quality time with President Trump (37:15). Then director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw joins to discuss how she shot arguably the most talked-about film of the decade, ‘Sinners’ (50:41). Finally, Van has a plan on how to defeat a gorilla with 100 men (50:39). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Dominique Foxworth and Autumn Durald Arkapaw Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to the latest in Shannon Sharpe's lawsuit and discuss his reaction (22:41), before breaking down Elon Musk’s decision to take a step back from politics to focus on Tesla (55:34). Then astrophysicist Dakotah Tyler (soon to be Dr. Tyler) joins to debunk Wiz Khalifa’s belief that the Earth is flat (1:07:21). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Dakotah Tyler Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to the death of Pope Francis (4:00), before discussing the opening weekend of ‘Sinners’ and the way the film's success has been covered in the trades (16:09). Plus, Shannon Sharpe gets sued (30:05), Rev. Al Sharpton meets with Target (41:43), and we crown the latest Glaze of the Week (50:55). Then, Deion Sanders justifies the retiring of jerseys (1:09:31), before QB guru Quincy Avery joins to talk the upcoming doc ‘The Quincy Avery Effect’ (1:16:08), and sex therapist Kamil Lewis helps breakdown the social discomfort around sex (1:54:01). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Quincy Avery and Kamil Lewis Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith www.kamillewis.com Instagram: @kamil.lewis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to the wrongful deportation of a Maryland man to El Salvador (7:21), before welcoming actor Omar Miller to discuss Ryan Coogler’s latest film, 'Sinners’ (27:22). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Omar Miller Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to the death of LSU football standout Kyren Lacy (15:07), before Bill Maher inspires the start of a new segment following his dinner with Donald Trump (24:00), and they discuss black businesses in light of Wallo’s recent comments (56:35) Then, Ringer social content producer and Midnight Boy Jomi Adeniran joins to give some insight on KTLA accidentally tweeting the N-word (1:07:57). Finally, Jason Wilson, author of ‘The Man the Moment Demands,’ joins for an emotional and heartfelt conversation (1:28:01). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Jason Wilson and Jomi Adeniran Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel give an update on the roller coaster that is the U.S. economy (2:10) and talk Keri Hilson’s recent comments on her 2009 Beyoncé diss (16:05) before welcoming actor and producer David Oyelowo to discuss his new Apple TV+ show, ‘Government Cheese’ (28:32), the types of roles he will and will not play (39:51), and his friendship with Jonathan Majors (1:01:02). Plus, Animal Games makes a comeback (1:11:46), Terrence Howard wants to duel (1:16:44) Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: David Oyelowo Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel react to a recent tweet of Van’s (:18) before discussing Kamala Harris’s recent “I told you so” comments (24:23) and a stabbing at a Texas track meet that left one student dead and another claiming self-defense (49:47). Then, a message to rappers regarding tariffs (1:17:09) and a celebration of Duke’s NCAA tournament loss (1:26:04). 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 have a conversation about her experience with alimony (3:37) before welcoming writer Michael Harriot to help break down Trump’s tariff war, which is looking bleak (23:32). Plus, Young Thug may be in trouble with the law again (45:38), Cory Booker breaks a record (57:47), and Andrew Schulz appeared on The Pivot (1:05:39). And finally, an Anthony Edwards rumor gets put to rest, but we still have questions (1:28:06). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Michael Harriot Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel discuss YG’s new single, "2004," and conversations about male survivors of sexual assault (1:15), and the White House Correspondents Dinner (9:07) before comedian and podcaster TK Kirkland joins to talk everything from Donald Trump’s road to the White House (24:59) to domestic violence, mental health (38:32), and touring with N.W.A in the late ’80s (1:04:44). Plus, TK’s thoughts on child support (1:11:14) and Mo’Nique’s beef with Tyler Perry (1:20:46). Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Terence TK Kirkland Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith National Sexual Assault Hotline: https://rainn.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices