Rephonic
Artwork for Higher Learning

Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

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

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 weeklyEpisodes558Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Higher Learning

Latest Episodes

Van and Rachel look back on the legacy of 'Love & Hip-Hop' before reacting to the pausing of Post Malone and Jelly Roll’s stadium tour. Plus, Scott Jennings gets flustered on CNN and Fernando Mendoza skips the White House visit, before a conversation... more

Van and Rachel react to the news of Druski hosting the BET Awards before discussing the Supreme Court’s latest blow against the Voting Rights Act. Then L.A. Mayor Karen Bass joins to answer questions about her plan for the city in a second term.

(0:... more

Van and Rachel discuss distrust around the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, before reacting to cheating allegations from Megan Thee Stallion about Klay Thompson. Then, Grammy Award-winning artist Durand Bernarr stops by to shed light on b... more

‘Michael’ Review, ‘Iceman’ Preview, and Kendrick Sampson on Quincy Jones and Black Creativity

Van and Rachel give a review of the Michael Jackson biopic before digging into theories about Drake’s upcoming album. Plus, they give a recap of the Califo... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Kendrick Sampson
Actor, activist
Episode: ‘Michael’ Review, ‘Iceman’ Preview, and Kendrick Sampson on Quincy Jones and Black Creativity
Lorenzo Tate
Actor (mentioned as involved)
Episode: ‘Michael’ Review, ‘Iceman’ Preview, and Kendrick Sampson on Quincy Jones and Black Creativity
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Emmy Award winner, star of Man on Fire
Netflix/Man on Fire
Episode: Netflix’s ‘Man on Fire’ With Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Steven Caple Jr.
Steven Caple Jr.
Director and showrunner collaborator on Man on Fire
Netflix/Man on Fire
Episode: Netflix’s ‘Man on Fire’ With Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Steven Caple Jr.
Jamilah Lemieux
Writer, cultural critic, author of Black Single Mother
Author, Black Single Mother
Episode: Roland Martin’s Deleted Post and Jamilah Lemieux on Black Relationships
Michael Tubbs
Former mayor of Stockton, running for lieutenant governor
Episode: Decency and Dave Chappelle. Plus, Should Former Trump Allies Be Embraced?
Mark Kassen
Filmmaker and actor, discusses PH1 and independent film funding
PH1 film
Episode: Offset and the State of Hip-Hop in ATL. Plus, Trump’s Ceasefire in Iran
Trick Daddy
Musician/performer invited for a regional conference appearance
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority event (Regional Conference)
Episode: LeBron James vs. Memphis. Plus, Joe Rogan and Theo Von on the War in Iran
Butch Ware
California gubernatorial candidate and professor
University of California, Santa Barbara; Green Party candidate for California governor
Episode: Black Republican Celebrities, Plus Butch Ware: the Black Muslim Revolutionary Candidate

Hosts

Van Lathan Jr.
Co-host known for his engaging commentary on culture and politics, often weaving personal narratives into discussions.
Rachel Lindsay
Co-host and attorney, she brings legal insights and a strong voice for social justice to the podcast.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 16.5k ratings
  • Predictably Irrational

    Van!!!!! You met Dan Ariely?! I’m just going to confidently assume that’s who you meant, because if it is, I’m officially fangirling over here.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jknagie
    United States17 days ago
  • Van is unbearable

    Van is constantly misogynistic and race baiting. His toxic masculinity is constantly missing the moment and naively ignorant. He regularly pesters and perverts himself into his co host Rachel’s love life talking about her as a piece of entertainment meat, all while keeping his life private.

    Van often centers himself and men as victims of society. I was a listener of this pod until Van became beyond unbearable to listen to. He’s insufferable to a point when he doesn’t grow and doesn’t seem to be... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sevenmm7
    United Statesa month ago
  • Target

    So the Target boycott was the same as the BudLight? Show or SHOW

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GopherGolfer609
    United States2 months ago
  • Great Show!

    Informative, funny, interesting, honest! What more can you ask of a podcast? I always enjoy them and I never miss a podcast! 💯✊🏿đŸ’Ș🏿

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bishop Tutu
    United States2 months ago
  • Always worth it

    Van continues to have the most incisive cultural, political and societal commentary that I hear or read.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doesn't work/disappointed
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, many find the blend of serious and humorous discussions engaging, fostering a sense of community among listeners.
Listeners appreciate the insightful commentary and cultural critiques, often feeling a connection to the hosts' perspectives.
Some reviews indicate a desire for more balanced dialogue between the hosts, with suggestions for improved communication dynamics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Roland Martin’s Deleted Post and Jamilah Lemieux on Black Relationships
Q: What takeaway do you want non-mothers or men to get from your book and this conversation?
She emphasizes empathy for Black single mothers, validates diverse family structures, and encourages men to engage in meaningful dialogue and responsibility without centering the male perspective alone.
Roland Martin’s Deleted Post and Jamilah Lemieux on Black Relationships
Q: What would your society look like if you could design it from scratch?
Lemieux describes a society that expands the definition of family beyond the nuclear model, centers Black women's lived experiences, and ensures support, equity, and empathy for single mothers and their communities.
Netflix’s ‘Man on Fire’ With Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Steven Caple Jr.
Q: What responsibility do you feel storytellers have when it comes to portraying trauma or even mental health struggles?
The responsibility is to treat trauma with care, showing its triggers and layered impacts rather than offering simplistic cures, and to use the portrayal to foster understanding and compassion rather than sensationalize the pain.
‘Sinners,’ Awards Season, and Pearline’s Husband With Jayme Lawson
Q: Regarding the young Black actresses entering Hollywood, do you think the industry knows how to utilize them effectively today?
The guest suggests the industry is not fully prepared to cultivate and present young Black actresses and emphasizes the need to create experiences that allow Black women to feel seen and valued in diverse roles.
‘Sinners,’ Awards Season, and Pearline’s Husband With Jayme Lawson
Q: What are your thoughts on the role of awards in an artist's career and the need for representation beyond trophy moments?
The guest argues that awards can elevate careers but should not be the sole measure of success; true impact comes from continued work and access to opportunities, while ensuring diverse and nuanced portrayals are valued in the industry.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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?

Focused on critical discussions about Black culture, politics, and sports, this podcast presents a platform for in-depth conversations on pressing topics, often intertwining personal narratives and broader societal critiques. The hosts bring a unique dynamic, addressing contemporary issues with a blend of humor and seriousness, while featuring a variety of guests who contribute diverse perspectives. These discussions are particularly relevant for listeners interested in the intersections of race, identity, and current events.

Where can I find podcast stats for Higher Learning?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Higher Learning. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Higher Learning and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Higher Learning get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Higher Learning, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

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. Native Land Pod
3. Ratchet & Respectable
4. The Read
5. Bachelor Party

How many episodes of Higher Learning are there?

Higher Learning launched 6 years ago and published 558 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Higher Learning?

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. Kendrick Sampson
2. Lorenzo Tate
3. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
4. Steven Caple Jr.
5. Jamilah Lemieux
6. Michael Tubbs
7. Mark Kassen
8. Trick Daddy

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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