I used to love this podcast but lately it seems like all Van wants to do is be contrary to anything that Rachel says. He will then argue her down about nothing just to get his point across and then when she tries to speak, he talks over her or be like next topic. Not even allowing her to speak. Super garbage. I’m so disappointed in how this podcast is going.

After that disturbing “freak-off/train” episode where Van said his friends were engaging in non-consensual activities, I can’t listen anymore. Rachel, best of luck to you.

Maybe you’re spending too much time in the CNN orbit. The way you present information about Dems as facts. The country is being destroyed by Trump and team and yet focus your messaging on being hypercritical of democrats. If we’ve lost Van and Rachel it’s real bad in these streets. But hey everyone’s looking to fill their pockets and no one is exempt.

Outrageously insightful/and entertaining podcast. The cousins that cut up at the cook out playing spades. One is ready to risk it all and the other is trying be reasonable and make them books! The commentary is always good and even if option differ the use of analytical skills and insightful guest make the show a stand out!

Great podcast this was my first time listening but I will be listening from now on 💯🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

Love love Higher Learning Podcast. I listen to most of the episodes and always look forward to it. It’s informative, enlightening and entertaining. Well done to Van and Rachel.

I’ve been a fan of higher leaning since 2020 and I am so so proud of Rachel and Van. The podcast has grown so much and it is SO good. I leave episodes feeling joyous because of the laughter, challenged because of their takes, and just overall great like I hung out with some cousins. Just listened to the latest episode with Jason Wilson. Thank you so much Van and Rachel for expressing your emotions, what a safe space y’all have made. 10/10 recommend!!! Also why have they not won an NAACP award??

Never stop learning!!

Huge fan of the show. 63 year old white guy in Iowa who listened to every episode of your Wire show since I grew up in Baltimore. Jason was awesome.

Y'all are really on a roll with the problematic, misogynistic guests. Woman beaters are not just flawed people and minimizing them as such contributes to how unsafe women are.

Van is sexist and just likes the sound of his own voice. Telling Kamala, who was not hired what her responsibility is. How she should comport herself?I hope Rachel finds someone to work with who values what she has to say, and doesn’t just “sorry I’m interrupting you” (every 4 seconds)🙄🤔🙄

ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΥΥSADGBRAL

Majority of the takes are great. But when Van gets on his rant bus and just goes for 20 minutes with no air it becomes flat. I like the idea of the podcast but I think Van needs to refine himself a bit more. Rachel, i’d love to hear you lead some of these takes as well. Very Van heavy and i think we need some balance.

I stopped listening because I’m triggered by adults talking about Children’s Movies but it’s really an amazing, hilarious show. 10/10

I love this podcast. It feels as if I’m hanging out with my group of friends when I can’t spend time with my actual friends. I love the conversation, the intellectual exchanges, and the jokes.

How can we have a conversation about Neo soul without having the king of Neo soul D’Angelo on that list? I know you just for got right ? Love the show , keep up the great work

Same views , never opened minded . Haters

Please

I listened to the podcast from Marc Hill on Israel, Gaza. You guys don’t even comment on the atrocities of October 7th. Despicable and hurtful

Love the passion on this pod.

Get so much out of every ep. Thank u!

No more Marc Lamont Hill on the podcast, he’s the reason we’re in this predicament. Marc, Eddie Cornell, let them go, their pseudo intellectualism is detriment vs good.

Van to me is super sexist and just likes the sound of his own voice. I tried to give this a shot and it’s a no go for me. I think Rachel can find someone better to work with who actually values what she has to say especially as a black woman.

Only thing I’d strongly suggest is posting the video and audio at the same time. You’re telling me to go watch the video, but then you don’t have it posted as early as you have the podcast posted. It’s a little frustrating to wait for you to post the video when I could just listen to this. I want to support both ways, but that makes it a little hard.

Mexico was already planning to put the 10K troops on the border so there was no concession. Trump just backed off when he realized he could not gain anything further. So no victory!!

Just wanted to say that Van saying that Mexico’s folded is actually false. The Mexican president actually just agreed to the terms of an already in place trade agreement between the countries. The only difference is that there were 15k soldiers going to the boarder vs now where it’s only 10k. Again Trump and his media machine once again spinning the truth. Love the pod, I just can’t let that narrative go.

Grateful this duo keeps me informed and keeps me laughing with the perfect mix of wit and humor. Van and Rach’s relationship has been a joy to follow and I look forward to listening to them every week. The delusional part of me patiently awaits my invitation to be a member of the BBI. Love you guys! 💚

This is a show of Black excellence: wisdom, humor, progressiveness, and compassion. They both provide insightfulness to everyday issues, as well as political issues. My only concern was addressed by Van on the Jan 24, 2025 episode (19:35 to 20:00); he has acknowledged his lack of communication skills towards Rachel, but trying to improve them. Van does listen to Rachel, but comes off dismissive by not acknowledging her statements. His growth continues each episode, so kudos! Highly recommend this show that lets you know what’s going in the world, while also providing resources and educated advice!

Love this show and look forward to it every time i see it in my feed. I would say some of the political discourse is incredibly fear mongering and slightly delusional. Those segments are tough to listen to but everything else is 10/10. Mostly Lindsay just doesn’t seem to understand enough rudimentary info about how the government works. I just heard her ask what checks and balances are…? I am talking about the actual gov’t talk not the politics of culture which is some of my favorite content.

If I could give this podcast a million stars I would!! I look forward every week to a new episode! You both are filled with so much wisdom and give me hope during these uncertain times in our country. I leave each episode feeling empowered with the knowledge you have supplied me. So thank you both for being authentic and always showing up ⭐️

One of the reasons this is my favorite podcast is the chemistry between Van and Rachel. I love Donny but I don’t like the change of him introducing the topics. I like when Van and Rachel just tap him in periodically. The change has thrown off the flow and I’m someone who has listened to every single episode.

This was one of your best. The variety of topics. Relevant and a good discourse on the Drake ‘pre lawsuit’. Especially Rachel showing her legal expertise. Loved Van’s vulnerability in telling his ‘hair’ journey. I feel a bit wiser listening today

I love this podcast so much. Van and Rachel are both so brilliant and their banter and very clear friendship make this my favorite podcast. Van’s gift of story telling is really like nothing I have ever heard in the past. Rachel and I seem to be very likeminded and I have always admired her so much- she’s incredible. Can’t wait for the episodes to land twice weekly. THANK YOU for being a light on some dark days in our history recently.

So much resonated from your episode after the election. Your work is important, and I thank you for the energy you sacrifice to make the world a better place. You said exactly what I needed to hear.

I’ve been waiting to hear your take on the election. As a Hispanic women I am also disappointed and disgusted with the results. Thank you for the laughing through the crying. That’s how I am getting through these hard days.

I enjoy Higher Learning so much!! I appreciate being able to listen to every topic and conversation. Thank you for sharing so much and providing very insightful and important perspectives and experiences. Van, Rachel, Donnie and Ashley…y’all are great!!! I miss Animal Games. I love Hootenanny!

I admire you Rachel! Love your podcast 💜

I was starting to get into this show, but Van is so disrespectful to Rachel. Also Vick as a guest? Seriously? That’s a dealbreaker for me.

I was thinking the same thing the other day! Halle should be farther along. I think she should be pop. She needs pop writers and producers!!!

Better than all the rest.

Very compelling issue that others could have talked about. This is such a disappointment. You just lost a dog-loving, pitbull-owning subscriber.

I found this podcast after hearing Van’s brilliant takes on The Prestige TV podcast. I was excited to see that he was hosting a podcast with Rachel Lindsay as I’ve appreciated her input in the media over the years. However, this podcast is often hard to listen to. Van constantly interrupts Rachel, and perpetually plays Devil’s Advocate/ Prove Me Wrong. It’s disappointing to go from civil and nuanced conversations amongst peers on the Prestige podcast to somewhat patronizing exchanges on this one. Rachel often sounds too exhausted to force her way in, and I sympathize. It’s uncomfortable. Perhaps they should experiment and have different guest hosts sub in so he can hear the difference of how he interacts them versus Rachel. That said, I hope the feedback hear helps and the show improves. It has the potential to be great.

How the $*@! was Lisa Bonet left off of the Van LaTen? An absolute travesty and I demand a recount. :) Love this show so much and I look forward to every single episode. Sending love and light to Rachel and forever a Van fan. Keep doing your thing and thank you for taking us higher!

No Sade?!?

Celebrities need to keep the public out of their business because people do get invested. Why is it so hard to just keep family business with family?!? They’re people too and will make the best decisions for themselves. I 100% agree with van, please control what people know ESPECIALLY celebrities.

I really enjoy the topics and conversation. Van brings a lot to the table while taking a bunch off too. Please work on NOT constantly interrupting your co-host, (especially by laughing at her as she’s making a serious point); repeating yourself more than four times in a row (it was funny or not already, or it’s a tic that can be overcome). Otherwise 5 stars

I wrote a review a few years ago now when Van and Rachel first started the pod. Always been a favorite podcast, but I commented their coverage on LGBTQ issues needed a lot of work (this was around the time of Lil Nas X’s Montera video for context). Thank you for doing that work and continuing to approach everyone with the love and respect they deserve. I’m very impressed that criticism/feedback was taken in stride. Van in particular has just hit me over and over again with his growth and the care he displays when challenged for the right reasons.

I know it’s been mentioned, but if Van could work on conciseness and Rachel would defend her opinions and stances a bit more, it would be even better. I really do appreciate you guys for all you do, just my opinion!❤️

Enjoy this podcast, but it feels time for a break. Van is so long winded and repetitive. I’d like to hear more from Rachel. Appreciate the work y’all do. Van, remember, we all have two ears and ONE mouth for a reason.

PROTECT VAN LATHAN AT ALL COSTS. WE NEED HIM