Rephonic
Artwork for Higher Learning

Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

The Ringer
Jonathan Majors
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Black Representation
Reproductive Justice
UC Berkeley School Of Law
American Civil Rights Act Of 1964
California
Black Maternal Mortality
Obstetric Racism
San Francisco
Abundant Birth Project
Maternal Health Crisis
Cultural Identity
Family Dynamics
Bass Reeves
Cultural Appropriation
Donald Trump
Murder In Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning
Claudine Gay
College Football

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 weeklyEpisodes515Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Higher Learning

Latest Episodes

Van and Rachel welcome rapper Nana to talk hip-hop culture in Los Angeles before they react to Sydney Sweeney’s comments on her infamous jean ad campaign. Then a boxing-style scoring of the best back-and-forths between Stephen A. Smith and Max Keller... more

Rachel and Van start the show by talking about podcasters like Joe Rogan and his possible intentions with those he interviews. Then, they discuss Governor Josh Shapiro’s opinions on Kamala Harris’s book and react to both the new four-part Netflix doc... more

Van and Rachel are back from break to weigh in on the investigation of boat strikes, a TikTok relationship scam, and financial literacy in the NFL. Plus, Stephen A. Smith’s talking politics, tech bros are freestyling, and inmates are dancing with the... more

Van and Rachel check in on the state of politics and culture before taking a quick Thanksgiving break!

(0:00) Intro

(12:58) Mamdani’s meeting with Trump

(42:10) No primary challenge for Representative Hakeem Jeffries

(59:53) The erotic poetry of ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Angel McCoughtry
Five-time WNBA All-Star and advocate for women's sports
WNBA
Episode: Senator Brian Schatz On Trying to Comprehend MAGA. Plus, Men’s Views on the WNBA With Angel McCoughtry! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Brian Schatz
Senator from Hawaii
U.S. Senate
Episode: Senator Brian Schatz On Trying to Comprehend MAGA. Plus, Men’s Views on the WNBA With Angel McCoughtry! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Emma Vigeland
Political commentator and host at Majority Report
Majority Report
Episode: Is the Shutdown Really Over? Plus, More Epstein Files Leak, and the State of the GOP With Emma Vigeland! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Summer Lee
U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District
U.S. Congress
Episode: The End of the Shutdown With Representative Summer Lee. Plus, Reactions to the ‘Michael’ Trailer
Jesse Blake
Toronto sports broadcaster and host of SDPN
SDPN (Sports Data Programming Network)
Episode: The New Blue Wave, a Great Value Economy, and the Act of Centering Men. Plus, Talking the World Series With Jesse Blake! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Karine Jean-Pierre
White House Press Secretary and author
Biden Administration
Episode: A Broken White House, With Karine Jean-Pierre. Plus, the End of SNAP?
Abby Phillip
CNN anchor and political correspondent, author of "A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power"
CNN
Episode: Black Political Power and Jesse Jackson, With Abby Phillip! Plus, Elections Galore and a Red Alert for Hip-Hop. | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Roy Wood Jr.
Comedian, author, television host
Episode: Fatherhood and Forgiveness With Roy Wood Jr., Plus Ed Zitron Breaks Down the “AI Bubble”
Ed Zitron
Technology writer and podcaster
CEO of EZPR
Episode: Fatherhood and Forgiveness With Roy Wood Jr., Plus Ed Zitron Breaks Down the “AI Bubble”

Hosts

Van Lathan
Co-host known for insightful and often provocative commentary on cultural and political matters, focusing on social justice and identity within contemporary discussions.
Rachel Lindsay
Co-host with a focus on cultural commentary, especially regarding gender issues and representation in media and politics, she brings relatable insights into discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 16.2k ratings
  • Naur

    Why am I being mansplained the matrix rn…….

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lola gab12765
    Canada16 days ago
  • Mr. Know it All

    I’m starting to think that there’s been a producer intervention and a change in format because van almost seems to go out of his way to disagree with Rachel even when they’re in alignment just to come across as a know at all and to always seem to have to have the last word it’s exhausting. I love this podcast, but sometimes I want Van to simply say yep you made a great point Rachel you’re right and move on. You don’t have to manplain l,you don’t have to always have the last word on every single... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LawsonOneLove
    United States21 days ago
  • I wish Van would just agree to disagree with Rachel, sometimes...you're not a studio A&R exec....

    Great show but sometimes Van does this thing where he discounts Rachel's argument or claims it's not "consistent"- next time, name 5 Black female artists we should be listening to or platforming. Like, instead of centering the Black women artists he's taking about, he'll just debate that Black community doesn't accept it......gendered debates, that don't consider variability in perspective. And Rachel just gives in so they can move on- it's very irritating.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bbmpin991
    United States23 days ago
  • Is Van obsessed with using the hard R?

    I enjoy this podcast and usually listen to it weekly.

    VAN, do you need to use the hard R n-word every single episode? I imagine your producers and co-host are uncomfortable with your flagrant use of the word. As a Black man and an active listener of the podcast, please consider choosing your words and the frequency of hurtful and derogatory terms more wisely. You are old enough to know better, and you’re experienced enough to not rely on shock value.

    Rachel, thank you for the balance and deco... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    gcaesar1
    United Statesa month ago
  • It’s okay

    Van does the most. The show would be so much better if he toned it down. He can come across rude and seems to think nobody can be right but him. Sometimes he thinks he’s said a word but has said nothing at all. It’s a hit or mess with Rachel. And why do they say their whole names? Is there another Van and Rachel in the show?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Christina1908!
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Reviews highlight a desire for balance in host interactions, particularly around gender dynamics.
Overall, the podcast is seen as a refreshing take on cultural and political discussions, resonating strongly with fans of social critique and representation.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and entertaining format, contributing to thoughtful discussions on complex issues.
There is a recurring praise for the variety of guests featured and the depth of topics explored, though some criticism focuses on perceived dominance in dialogue by one host.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the Shutdown Really Over? Plus, More Epstein Files Leak, and the State of the GOP With Emma Vigeland! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Q: Emma, in your estimation, how different is the entire Epstein situation now than it was, say, three or four months ago?
Emma discusses how the economic situation magnifies the political implications of the Epstein scandal, revealing significant impacts on the credibility of leaders like Donald Trump.
Senator Brian Schatz On Trying to Comprehend MAGA. Plus, Men’s Views on the WNBA With Angel McCoughtry! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Q: Is there ever an example where a dunking culture could ever be OK?
It's fun sometimes, but I'm not sure it ever actually gets us more votes than it loses us.
Senator Brian Schatz On Trying to Comprehend MAGA. Plus, Men’s Views on the WNBA With Angel McCoughtry! | Higher Learning | The Ringer
Q: What do you mean when you say don't ask too many questions?
We should move them in our direction, but we should also smooth the way for them when they indicate they may have been duped.
The End of the Shutdown With Representative Summer Lee. Plus, Reactions to the ‘Michael’ Trailer
Q: What are your thoughts on Chuck Schumer?
I don't believe that there are such a thing as rogue actors to a good leader.
The End of the Shutdown With Representative Summer Lee. Plus, Reactions to the ‘Michael’ Trailer
Q: Do you look at this as the Senate Democrats caving?
From my point, like you said it, people are going to be impacted. The healthcare was always a real fight.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Higher Learning

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

This podcast offers insightful commentary on pressing issues in Black culture, politics, and sports, blending humor with serious discussions. Episodes often feature guests, balancing diverse perspectives while engaging in lively debate between the hosts. The topics vary widely but consistently explore the intersections of identity, societal norms, and contemporary challenges faced by marginalized communities, while maintaining a cultural and political lens. Listeners can expect to be both informed and entertained, as the hosts tackle complex themes with a relatable approach.

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?

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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. Native Land Pod
2. Ratchet & Respectable
3. The Ringer-Verse
4. Around The Way Curls
5. Here's The Thing

How many episodes of Higher Learning are there?

Higher Learning launched 6 years ago and published 515 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. Angel McCoughtry
2. Brian Schatz
3. Emma Vigeland
4. Summer Lee
5. Jesse Blake
6. Karine Jean-Pierre
7. Abby Phillip
8. Roy Wood Jr.

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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