Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Let’s “celebrate” the Fourth with a two-topic episode: the Diddy trial and Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” For today’s episode we bring in Yodit Tewolde to talk about the results from the Diddy trial, and Stephen Neukam to talk about how the country will be affected by Trump’s new bill. 00:00 - Welcome! 00:24 - Reaction to the Diddy Trial Results 37:08 - Celeb Reactions 39:30 - Yodit Tewolde Joins Us! 1:40:42- Stephen Neukam Joins Us! 1:56:46 - Breakdown of the Bill 2:05:00 - It’s OK to Admit That You’re Wrong 00:00- Thanks for Watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Stephen Neukam and Yodit Tewolde Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel are joined by Columbia Law School professor Jamal Greene to help break down the recent rulings from the SCOTUS. (0:00) Intro (00:27) The morality of stealing (24:47) Jury deliberates in Diddy trial (31:34) Knicks considering Dawn Staley? (36:11) Zohran Mamdani update (53:21) The Big Beautiful Bill (1:11:05) Jamal Greene joins the show (1:33:21) Glaze of the Week (1:39:08) Drake and the ‘abs’ debate (1:50:59) Bachelorette fight breakdown Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Professor Jamal Greene Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s Rachel’s last day in Paris, and Van’s dropping loaves (gross)! They talk about the closing statements from the Diddy trial with Yodit Tewolde before getting into quick hitters, Zohran Mamdani’s victory, and the use of the n-word by That Mexican OT. 00:00 - Welcome! 03:47 - Rachel’s Paris call 14:37 - Yodit Tewolde joins us! 43:06 - The NBA draft 51:22 - Chuck Schumer is Hospitalized During the Heat Wave 57:05 - Trump is called "daddy" by NATO’s secretary-general 1:11:50 - Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York primary 1:24:02 - Draymond Green and the punch 1:33:25 - That Mexican OT Saying the N-word 1:44:31 - Thanks for watching! Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Yodit Tewolde Producers: Donnie Beacham and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rachel’s back! And the U.S. is on the brink of war! Rep. Ro Khanna joins to bring congressional perspective to our involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, before HuffPost’s Akbar Shahid Ahmed returns to help dig into Iran’s retaliation on a U.S. military base. (0:00) Intro (17:24) Rep. Ro Khanna joins the show (29:54) Authorizing strikes without Congress (34:08) Andrew Cuomo vs. Zohran Mamdani (49:32) Akbar Shahid Ahmed (52:25) Trump’s response (1:23:04) NBA Finals (1:29:17) Kevin Durant traded (1:32:31) McGrady compares career to Kobe’s (1:38:44) Face of the Ringer (1:54:09) Glaze of the Week Host: Van Lathan Jr. and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Rep. Ro Khanna and Akbar Shahid Ahmed Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s Juneteenth, so we brought Dr. Peniel Joseph back to discuss his book, ‘Freedom Season,’ and the activist Robert F. Williams before podcaster Demetria Lucas joins to help break down the Tyler Perry lawsuit. And finally, The Ringer’s Chris Ryan joins to weigh in on the "face of The Ringer" debate. (0:00) Intro (08:52) Tucker Carlson & Ted Cruz (30:34) Dr. Peniel Joseph joins the show (32:39) ‘Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights Revolution (36:32) The assault on history (47:26) The life of Robert F. Williams (58:14) Demetria Lucas joins the show (59:29) The Tyler Perry lawsuit (1:17:16) The Diddy trial (1:21:17) Chris Ryan & the face of the Ringer (1:35:35) Thoughts on Juneteenth (1:45:38) Pusha T disses Travis Scott Host: Van Lathan Jr. Guests: Peniel Joseph, Demetria Lucas, and Chris Ryan Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Rachel in Europe, Van’s flying solo to address the evolving conflict in the Middle East with HuffPost’s Akbar Shahid Ahmed. (0:00) Intro (3:14) Father’s Day (23:35) Israel-Iran attacks (28:48) Akbar Shahid Ahmed joins the show (1:03:09) GOP Rep calls for ‘nuking’ Gaza (1:08:04) Minnesota lawmaker shooting (1:21:08) Van hates Caitlin Clark (1:28:56) Stephen A. Smith loves solitaire (1:40:39) Will Smith’s new song (1:53:00) Glaze of the Week (1:59:56) N-----ism Host: Van Lathan Jr. Guest: Akbar Shahid Ahmed Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel give an update on the fallout from Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, before filmmaker Kayla Johnson and Pastor Tim Johnson join to discuss their documentary, ‘Fatherless No More’. (0:00) Intro (:31) Age guidelines in dating (7:00) Rachel’s skunk story (18:35) Remembering Sly Stone (20:53) Remembering Ananda Lewis (29:09) BET Awards (33:26) The Me Too Movement (50:01) Claressa Shields snubbed? (51:31) Update on the anti-ICE protests (1:14:42) Reactions to Sen. Alex Padilla removal (1:18:12) Kayla and Tim Johnson join the show (1:44:55) A review of Tyler Perry’s ’Straw’ Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Kayla Johnson and Pastor Tim Johnson Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Van and Rachel are joined by Seema Mehta of the Los Angeles Times to address the unrest in L.A. (0:00) Intro (3:11) Cardi B and the Target boycott (8:40) Why Keith Sweat is single at 63 (18:01) Swedish gospel (24:06) Coco Gauff vs. Aryna Sabalenka (30:28) Anti-ICE protests in L.A. (48:16) Seema Mehta joins the show (1:01:02) Should Black people care? (1:26:7) 'Tha Carter VI' Review (1:34:21) Glaze of the Week Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guest: Seema Mehta Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Ashleigh Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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