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
California
Diddy
Charlie Kirk
Tariffs
Kanye West
Kamala Harris
Jeffrey Epstein
Drake
Black Community
Artificial Intelligence
Jasmine Crockett
Jay-Z
Gaza
Sinners
Kendrick Lamar

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 weeklyEpisodes598Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Higher Learning

Latest Episodes

Surprise, surprise, Thought Warriors!!! You thought you were done with us this week, but we said “nah!” Van and Rachel have a surprise episode for you straight from the plane in Sweden. They’ll discuss Nikole Hannah-Jones's decision to put her daught... more

Thought Warriors, mount up! On today’s show, Rachel and Van discuss Ed Sheeran’s apology and almost immediate take-back, and Trump's ban on leftist media platforms from the White House. Speaking of which, Hasan Piker takes on some leftist media criti... more

On today’s show, we have the über-talented Janine Nabers in studio, but first, Van has some thoughts on social media, and Rachel gives a quick take on Chris Brown rejecting a Texas legislative honor. Plus, our hosts recap the ever-growing fallout of ... more

Surprise, Thought Warriors! Higher Learning is here with a pop-up episode featuring none other than Colin Kaepernick in the studio! Kaepernick drops by not just to promote his new book, 'The Perilous Fight,' but to have a real conversation with Van a... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Hasan Piker
Progressive Twitch streamer and political commentator, guest on Clock It show referenced in discussion
MSNow Clock It
Episode: Ed Sheeran's Apology, Trump's Journalist Ban, and Shaquille O'Neal Named Honorary FBI Special Agent
Janine Nabers
Creator, showrunner, head writer, executive producer and guest on episode
The Peterson Show, Swarm, Watchmen
Episode: Janine Nabers in the house! More Macklemore drama, Kash Patel chewed out and JD Vance begs.
Colin Kaepernick
Professional athlete and activist; author of The Perilous Fight
Author, Activist
Episode: Colin Kaepernick Joins Higher Learning
Walter Thompson-Hernández
Director of If I Go Will They Miss Me
Film
Episode: Fat Joe is Apparently Black, Stephen A. Smith is Upset and Danielle Brooks & Walter Thompson-Hernandez Join the Show
Danielle Brooks
Actress, star of If I Go Will They Miss Me
Film cast
Episode: Fat Joe is Apparently Black, Stephen A. Smith is Upset and Danielle Brooks & Walter Thompson-Hernandez Join the Show
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

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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month ago
  • Pineapple koolaid

    Shame

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jellyntoasy
    United States2 months 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.

Janine Nabers in the house! More Macklemore drama, Kash Patel chewed out and JD Vance begs.
Q: What inspired the focus on Nabers and the environment for Black creatives today?
Janine Nabers talks about confronting the realities of representation, creative control, and the challenges of balancing fame with authentic storytelling, including her own experiences coming up in theater and TV.
Lil Durk Acquitted, Jasmine Crockett Presents Congressional Award to Chris Brown, and Trump on Reparations
Q: Why is Jasmine Crockett's appearance with Chris Brown and Usher controversial?
They argue the optics matter for a politician, especially one who advocates for Black women and voting; meeting Chris Brown on stage is seen as sending mixed signals given his history, and critics worry it undermines the message of down-balloting and civic engagement.
Lil Durk Acquitted, Jasmine Crockett Presents Congressional Award to Chris Brown, and Trump on Reparations
Q: What are your initial thoughts on Lil Durk's acquittal?
The hosts reflect on the burden of proof, the credibility of witnesses, and the role of online coverage versus courtroom testimony, suggesting that the government failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt and highlighting the complexity of relying on cooperating witnesses.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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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?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Higher Learning, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. The Right Time with Bomani Jones
3. Native Land Pod
4. Ratchet & Respectable
5. Flagrant and Funny with Cari Champion and Jemele Hill

How many episodes of Higher Learning are there?

Higher Learning launched 6 years ago and published 598 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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Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Higher Learning. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Higher Learning?

Recent guests on Higher Learning include:

1. Hasan Piker
2. Janine Nabers
3. Colin Kaepernick
4. Walter Thompson-Hernández
5. Danielle Brooks
6. Abdul El-Sayed
7. King Willonius
8. Diarra Kilpatrick

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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