Higher Learning

Charles Booker Joins the Show, Hasan Sues Scott Jennings, and Stephen A. Smith Claps Back

37K views · 2d ago · 2:34:23

Guest: Democratic U.S. Senate

On today’s show, we are joined by Democratic U.S. Senate candidate for the state of Kentucky, Charles Booker. Plus, Rachel and Van discuss Stephen A. Smith’s personal clapback, streamer Hasan Piker sues CNN’s Scott Jennings, an Ohio pastor presents his second wife to his congregation, and Van found someone who shares his opinion on animal rights.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · Stephen A. Smith responds to Higher Learning · Hasan Piker sues Scott Jennings · Sister wives · Charles Booker joins the show · Shark attack

Jay-Z Closes Out 30th Anniversary Tour in L.A., and the 2026 Midterm Elections Are Here

41K views · 5d ago · 1:56:04

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Oscar De La Luz For more from The Ringer

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · Jay-Z’s star-studded L.A. finale · 2026 midterm elections · Greek freaks · Ramaswamy is just the worst

F.D. Signifier Joins Higher Learning

205K views · 1w ago · 1:59:12

We have a special treat for you, Thought Warriors! Today we have the one and only F.D. Signifier in studio, as Van joins us from Chi-Town. Rachel, Van, and F.D. get into his humble beginnings as a teacher and small-time content creator, to his evolution into one of hottest culture creators out now. Plus, they hit on his most recent and viral beef with Killer Mike.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · Jay-Z to headline Super Bowl LXI · F.D. Signifier in studio

Trump's huge dinner. Plus, Abdul El-Sayed's Clapback & Todrick Hall's Off-Broadway Musical.

45K views · 1w ago · 2:08:28

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas For more from The Ringer

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · Who’s the better dancer? · Pleasantries · DHL manager refuses to ship anti-KKK gear · Trump’s HUGE dinner · Jaylen Brown loves the harp

Mike Tyson Joins Trump Campaign Trail, Katie Zacharia’s Rocky Presser and Druski Set to Make History

49K views · 2w ago · 2:03:12

After a little break, we are back, Thought Warriors!!! On today’s show, Rachel and Van say goodbye to Peacemaker Van, Bernard gets a car, and Mike Tyson shows support for Trump while Trump's new press secretary has a rough first day on the job.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · How was your weekend? · RIP Peacemaker Van · Bernard has a new whip · Disastrous first day for Katie Zacharia · Mike Tyson on the campaign trail

The Pretty Women of ‘Living Single,’ Terrell Owens' Defamation Lawsuit, Angie Nixon Joins the Show

41K views · 3w ago · 1:50:36

Your favorite hosts are back! This time from New York City. Today, Rachel and Van discuss the death of legendary R&B singer Freddie Jackson. Plus, the Views From the 7 podcast makes waves for the wrong reasons, NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens gets sued by Nolan Wells’s friends for defamation, Jamie Foxx has a new special out, and Florida Representative Angie Nixon joins us to discuss her run for Senate.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · Van likes to hang out · R&B legend Freddie Jackson dies at 70 years old · The wrong views from those seven · Terrell Owens gets sued · Jamie Foxx holds back

Da’Vinchi Speaks on Black Americans, Chris Rock Regrets a Decision, & Bobby Shmurda Gives Passes

74K views · 3w ago · 1:59:39

Thought Warriors! Hope your thinking caps are on for this one. On today’s show, Rachel and Van opine on Da’Vinchi’s controversial comments while on Cam Newton’s podcast, Chris Rock’s biggest regret of his life, and the cease-and-desist warning Chris Harrison received. Plus, Bobby Shmurda grants permission to a group of people he probably shouldn’t have, and the gals of the ‘Whole Lotta Gay Show’ talk some D, and we don’t mean defense.

Topics: Special announcement · Welcome to Higher Learning · Da’Vinchi stirs up some controversy · Chris Rock’s biggest regret · Chris Harrison back in a familiar role · Permission granted

The Cornell 7 Case, Eric Schmitt’s Basketball Blunder, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed Joins the Show

55K views · 1mo ago · 2:20:49

Thought Warriors! We have a good one for you today! Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us in-studio to discuss his run for U.S. Senate and then some. But first, Rachel and Van discuss the latest in the Cornell 7 case, Senator Eric Schmitt tries to set a trap for former special counsel Jack Smith (and fails miserably), plus the hottest AI trend out there right now: Quavo and Takeoff's 'Hotel Lobby' video.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · More updates in the Cornell 7 case · Schmitt hits the fan · Sampson wants kids from his homegirls · ‘Hotel Lobby’ AI going viral · Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us in-studio

Nithya Raman talks strategy for reaching the final third of undecided voters in the LA mayoral race

1.1K views · 1mo ago · 3:01

'A Different World' Reboot, Nolan Wells Updates, and Nithya Raman Joins the Show

38K views · 1mo ago · 2:03:24

It's a guest fest this week on Higher Learning!! Leading off the week, L.A. mayoral candidate Nithya Raman joins us, just a few weeks away from the biggest election of her life.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · 'A Different World' reboot · Sweden Recap · Grand jury finds no evidence of crime in Nolan Wells's death · Cornell University under fire amid sexual abuse lawsuit · Lori Harvey sparks debate over Create & Cultivate Festival appearance

Nikole Hannah-Jones Questions a Major Decision About Her Daughter’s Education

58K views · 1mo ago · 1:06:22

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 daughter through public, low-income school 10 years ago. How it’s going, the impact on her child, the community, and what the awareness has done.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · Nikole’s experiment, 10 years later

“Activist Musician” #higherlearningpodcast

5K views · 1mo ago · 3:00

Ed Sheeran's Apology, Trump's Journalist Ban, and Shaquille O'Neal Named Honorary FBI Special Agent

49K views · 1mo ago · 1:43:24

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 critiques on MSNow’s 'Clock That.' NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is “Shaqtin’ a Fool” with Kash Patel, plus Rep. Lauren Boebert’s freaky side comes out again, allegedly. Van and Rachel talk all that and more.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · Ed Sheeran’s ... apology? · Trump escalates his war with the media · Hasan Piker vs. the world · Shaqtin’ with fools · Boebert's alleged sexcapades

Janine Nabers in the house! More Macklemore drama, Kash Patel chewed out and JD Vance begs.

36K views · 1mo ago · 1:44:49

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 Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour and the 2026 Emmys diss of actors of color. Finally, Van UNLEASHES on Kash Patel, and the crew discusses JD Vance’s plea to the American people.

Topics: Welcome to Higher Learning · Van has some thoughts · Chris Brown responds to criticism · More fallout from Macklemore’s dismissal · 2026 Emmys award no people of color · FBI Director Kash Patel roughed up