Rephonic
Artwork for Higher Learning

Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

The Ringer
Donald Trump
Democratic Party
Black Culture
Mental Health
Trump Administration
Kamala Harris
California
Diddy
Charlie Kirk
Tariffs
Kanye West
Jeffrey Epstein
Drake
Black Community
Artificial Intelligence
Jay-Z
Sinners
Kendrick Lamar
Black Lives Matter
Gaza

Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay dissect the biggest topics in Black culture, politics, and sports. Two times per week, they will wade into the most important and timely conversations, frequently inviting guests on the podcast and occasionally debating each other.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes592Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Higher Learning

Latest Episodes

Today on Higher Learning, Van and Rachel talk about the passing of Gloria Steinem, Stephen A. Smith’s continued feud with Colin Kaepernick, and Raven-Symoné’s recent comments about the Blackness of 'That’s So Raven.' Plus, 20-year-old Pierre Damas Be... more

On today’s episode, Messi retires from team Argentina, and Druski has a new hilarious skit about a very serious disease. Plus, scammers come in every color (even 49ers red and gold), ICE is still out there grabbing folks, underdog Angie Nixon’s win i... more

On today’s show, Van and Lindsay discuss the loss of Dolly Parton and her impact on the Black community. They react to the Supreme Court handing Trump a “YUGE” win with mail-in ballots and Abdul El-Sayed’s devastating takedown of Jesse Watters. Plus,... more

We got BEEF! Today Van and Rachel talk about Trump’s beef with American cattle ranchers. Then they get into the latest developments in the Karmelo Anthony trial, and Target is under fire for a racist costume. Plus, right-winger Jake Lang becomes Spid... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Abdul El-Sayed
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee discussed on the episode
Political candidate
Episode: Rest in Peace, Dolly Parton; Supreme Court Rules on Trump Mail-In Voting; and Abdul El-Sayed vs. Jesse Watters on Fox News
King Willonius
Creator of BBL Drizzy, AI artist
BBL Drizzy / AI creator
Episode: Beef Tariffs, Target Halloween Backlash, Hakeem Jeffries Meets With Jared Kushner, and an AI Conversation With King Willonius
Diarra Kilpatrick
Actor and showrunner, star of Diarra From Detroit
Paramount Plus / Diarra From Detroit
Episode: Governor Wes Moore and "Across-the-Aisle" Politics. Plus, Diarra Kilpatrick, a.k.a. "Diarra From Detroit."
Kerry Washington
Actor and producer
Simpson Street
Episode: Kerry Washington and 'The Whoopi Monologues,' a New Black Panther, and an Argument for Term Limits
David Roberts
ESPN executive vice president and executive editor of Sports, News and Entertainment
ESPN
Episode: Van’s ‘Obsession’ Obsession, ‘The Odyssey’ Wins, and the Life and Career of David Roberts
India Arie
Singer-songwriter invited to discuss Spend Dat and related cultural issues
Episode: The Yung Miami and India.Arie “Spend Dat” Debate, Plus U.S.-FIFA Controversy
Maureen Edobor
Constitutional law professor; guest on the episode
Brennan Center for Justice; Washington and Lee University School of Law
Episode: LeBron and the Mighty White Lakers. Plus, Are You Proud to Be an American?
Chris Murphy
Senator from Connecticut
U.S. Senate
Episode: Senator Chris Murphy and ‘Crisis of the Common Good’
Ilhan Omar
U.S. Congresswoman
Episode: A Conversation With Rep. Ilhan Omar: AIPAC, MAGA Expats, and Standing Up to ICE

Hosts

Van Lathan Jr.
Host of Higher Learning Podcast (co-host); experienced media commentator and cultural critic.
Rachel Lindsay
Co-host; commentator on race, media, and culture with a legal background.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 16.6k ratings
  • Van, stop rambling and get to the point.

    Get to the bloody point. You’re rambling.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jack Louis VII
    United States12 days ago
  • Love this show.

    This last episode is the first episode that I just HAD to watch on Youtube too. The cuts were great and I wanted to see what I was hearing to be drawn into the conversation even more.

    Aside from that, I appreciate a show that challenges some of my thinking or just introduces new perspectives to consider.

    Sidebar: small business, actual mom and pop shop. Without “community” and a community first mindset, capitalism doesn’t even work for the hardest working businesses among us. We wouldn’t sti... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ISureAmListening
    United States13 days ago
  • OG

    I enjoy the show and I know you need to feel at home on the show, but the comfort of ninja this ninja that should be beneath you. The show 🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Less ninja
    United States19 days ago
  • Very disappointing episode

    That AI, Wiley, and code switching episode was horrible. The AI comments/debate really missed the mark; Van’s commentary about the Wiley case(s) as really (really) bad and tone deaf. I think the same could be said about his comments about code switching.

    Very awful and disappointing episode (especially from Van).

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    SPfan20
    United States25 days ago
  • Pineapple koolaid

    Shame

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jellyntoasy
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A minority of reviews criticize perceived bias or conflict between hosts, but overall sentiment skews engaged and loyal.
Listeners praise sharp, insightful takes on culture and politics.
Some reviews note strong host chemistry and bold opinions, with debates that feel urgent and timely.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Kerry Washington and 'The Whoopi Monologues,' a New Black Panther, and an Argument for Term Limits
Q: How did Kerry envision The Whoopi Monologues reimagined with five actresses, and what does that mean for the audience?
She framed it as a collective, celebratory reimagining that preserves the material while expanding the storyteller network, allowing each performer to carry an entire monologue from start to finish and highlighting women's collaboration.
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s Relationship, Plus Stacey Abrams on Protecting the Vote
Q: What concrete steps can everyday listeners take to defend democracy beyond showing up on Election Day?
She details the Ten Steps Campaign, emphasizes organizing at the local level (school boards, city councils), mobilizing communities, and building coalitions to ensure elected officials are accountable and that voting rights protections are strengthened and defended.
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna’s Relationship, Plus Stacey Abrams on Protecting the Vote
Q: So let's say that I'm somewhere and I'm disillusioned, and I'm hearing Stacey Abrams say that the only way to beat back structural changes is to overwhelm the polls—how did we get here and what should be done next?
Abrams explains that the arc of voting rights has been hard-won through decades of legal and political organizing, and the path forward is through sustained turnout, coalition-building, and making voting rights a central, ongoing priority rather than a one-off push.
Governor Wes Moore and "Across-the-Aisle" Politics. Plus, Diarra Kilpatrick, a.k.a. "Diarra From Detroit."
Q: Why do you think Wes Moore's moment with Mark Wayne Mullin sparked such a reaction?
Because it spotlighted how personal rapport with powerful figures can clash with urgency around civil rights and immigration enforcement, raising questions about accountability and the broader responsibilities of leadership.
Spencer Pratt’s Obama Comparisons, Plus Life and ’The Odyssey’ With Jay Pharoah
Q: What did you think about the comparison between Spencer Pratt and Barack Obama?
I found it offensive and reductive because it co-opts Obama's historical significance to boost a contemporary political narrative, which ignores Obama's documented public service and achievements. It also highlights how some people use the idea of 'hope' to rally support without substance behind it.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Higher Learning

What is Higher Learning about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show blends deep analysis of Black culture with sharp political and sports commentary, often anchored by in-studio guests who illuminate voting rights, media representation, and contemporary social issues. Episodes frequently center on current events, celebrity culture, and policy debates, pairing candid conversations with calls to action and practical takes on civic engagement. A standout trait is the dynamic duo format: probing questions and provocative takes, balanced by guest insights from politics, entertainment, and journalism.

Noteworthy elements include high-profile guests on voting rights and Black storytelling, a willingness to tackle controversial topics head-on, and a consistent throughline of examining power, representati... more

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How many listeners does Higher Learning get?

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What are the audience demographics for Higher Learning?

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How many subscribers and views does Higher Learning have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Higher Learning has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Higher Learning?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Higher Learning:

1. The Ringer-Verse
2. Native Land Pod
3. Ratchet & Respectable
4. The Read
5. Here's The Thing

How many episodes of Higher Learning are there?

Higher Learning launched 6 years ago and published 592 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Higher Learning?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Higher Learning?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Higher Learning from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Higher Learning?

Recent guests on Higher Learning include:

1. Abdul El-Sayed
2. King Willonius
3. Diarra Kilpatrick
4. Kerry Washington
5. David Roberts
6. India Arie
7. Maureen Edobor
8. Chris Murphy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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