Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

On today’s show, we are joined by 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.

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(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

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(9:32) Stephen A. Smith responds to Higher Learning

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(1:11:11) Hasan Piker sues Scott Jennings

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(1:26:23) Sister wives

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(1:47:13) Charles Booker joins the show

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(2:27:40) Shark attack

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Charles Booker
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Higher Learning is back!! On today’s show, Van and Rachel talk about gaming, Soul Food, and Jay-Z closing out his 30th anniversary tour in L.A. Plus, they break down the key senate races in the 2026 midterm elections, Vivek Ramaswamy’s horrendous ad, and Van gets deep into Greek mythology.

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(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

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(41:00) Jay-Z’s star-studded L.A. finale

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(56:35) 2026 midterm elections

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(1:26:40) Greek freaks

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(1:42:38) Ramaswamy is just the worst

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Oscar De La Luz

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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.
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(1:35) Jay-Z to headline Super Bowl LXI

(16:12) F.D. Signifier in studio
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: F.D. Signifier
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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On today’s show, Rachel and Van discuss who’s a better dancer: MC Hammer or Chris Brown. Plus, a DHL manager may be in trouble after refusing to ship some anti-KKK merch; Trump has dinner with Bill Maher, Stephen A. Smith, and Kid Rock; NBA superstar Jaylen Brown harps on about his favorite instrument; Todrick Hall has a new musical; and Abdul El-Sayed claps back at a voter. And speaking of cooking, Van asks who Rachel’s inviting to the cookout.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(1:58) Who’s the better dancer?

(12:38) Pleasantries

(22:26) DHL manager refuses to ship anti-KKK gear

(38:00) Trump’s HUGE dinner

(01:22:01) Jaylen Brown loves the harp

(1:29:45) Todrick Hall’s new musical faces backlash

(1:47:11) Abdul El-Sayed cooks heckler

(1:57:56) Who’s coming to the cookout?

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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. Plus, the gang talks about Representative Ilhan Omar being targeted by the Trump administration and the rumors that Druski will host 'SNL.' And in college news, a tennis team out of the University of Maryland is in trouble, while the AKAs claim their colors. All that and more.

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(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

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(2:25) How was your weekend?

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(10:16) RIP Peacemaker Van

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(20:00) Bernard has a new whip

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(25:31) Disastrous first day for Katie Zacharia

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(42:41) Mike Tyson on the campaign trail

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(58:37) AKA sorority purse debacle

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(1:16:43) Rumor has it… Druski to host ‘SNL’

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(1:23:43) Man mauled to death by tiger in U.K.

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(1:31:45) Ilhan Omar’s house raided

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(1:47:38) Tennis club sends racist images in email

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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.

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(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

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(3:47) Van likes to hang out

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(21:27) R&B legend Freddie Jackson dies at 70 years old

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(30:50) The wrong views from those seven

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(50:24) Terrell Owens gets sued

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(1:08:27) Jamie Foxx holds back

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(1:14:33) Angie Nixon joins the show

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(1:45:25) Van’s rants

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Angie Nixon

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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.

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(00:00) Special announcement

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(1:25)Welcome to Higher Learning

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(9:58) Da’Vinchi stirs up some controversy

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(49:51) Chris Rock’s biggest regret

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(1:10:30) Chris Harrison back in a familiar role

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(1:24:26) Permission granted

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(1:42:24) Honest studs

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(16:57) More updates in the Cornell 7 case

(53:49) Schmitt hits the fan

(1:04:44) Sampson wants kids from his homegirls

(1:11:29) ‘Hotel Lobby’ AI going viral

(1:24:49) Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins us in-studio

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Dr. Abdul El-Sayed

Producer: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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. But first, Van and Rachel discuss their trip to Sweden and the new cast of 'A Different World.' Plus, they break down what a Mississippi grand jury had to say about the death of Nolan Wells, seven men in a Cornell University fraternity being sued in a sexual abuse case, and Lori Harvey having some detractors when it comes to her business acumen and privilege.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(3:32) 'A Different World' reboot

(15:55) Sweden Recap

(24:16) Grand jury finds no evidence of crime in Nolan Wells's death

(37:05) Cornell University under fire amid sexual abuse lawsuit

(48:04) Lori Harvey sparks debate over Create & Cultivate Festival appearance

(1:03:01) Nithya Raman joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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.
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(00:51) Nikole’s experiment, 10 years later

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producer: Jade Whaley and Marco Escalante

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Jade Whaley

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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.

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(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

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(7:46) Ed Sheeran’s ... apology?

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(26:28) Trump escalates his war with the media

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(47:39) Hasan Piker vs. the world

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(1:10:17) Shaqtin’ with fools

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(1:29:25) Boebert's alleged sexcapades

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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.
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(4:31) Van has some thoughts
(10:45) Chris Brown responds to criticism
(14:10) More fallout from Macklemore’s dismissal
(26:08) 2026 Emmys award no people of color
(33:16) FBI Director Kash Patel roughed up
(42:02) JD Vance begs voters for “another chance”
(50:36) Janine Nabers joins us in studio
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Janine Nabers
Producer: Marco Escalante
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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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 and Rachel about everything. From civil rights to NFL blackballing to racial identity to protesting against police brutality to Target, no topic is off-limits.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(2:59) Colin Kaepernick joins us in the studio; 'The Perilous Fight' out September 15
(15:52) Racial identity
(26:48) NFL career
(45:52) The settlement
(58:02) Muddled message?
(1:08:08) Growth through adversity
(1:19:07) Fighting the good fight

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: Colin Kaepernick
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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On today’s show, Rachel and Van chat about Rachel’s newest gig at the U.S. Open, and Lil Durk gets acquitted in his murder-for-hire trial. Speaking of trials, Lindsay Clancy’s trial ends with a hung jury that has sparked a racial debate, plus Rep. Jasmine Crockett gets backlash for awarding Chris Brown and Usher with congressional recognition for their contributions to music and culture. Ed Sheeran gives Macklemore his walking papers, and Trump says yes to $5K checks for voting Republican, but no to reparations. Rachel and Van break it all down.

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• (00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
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• (16:20) Lil Durk acquitted in murder-for-hire trial
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• (27:18) Lindsay Clancy trial ends with a hung jury
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• (1:01:25) Jasmine Crockett getting too cozy
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• (1:34:21) Macklemore handed his walking papers
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• (1:47:30) Trump on checks for reparations: It’s “un-American”
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• (1:57:03) Van meets Rachel’s biggest fan

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

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Today on Higher Learning, Van and Rachel discuss Fat Joe defending his use of the N-word, Tim Scott’s fiery GOP convention speech, and Stephen A. Smith’s sit-down with Cari Champion and Jemele Hill. Plus, Danielle Brooks and Walter Thompson-Hernández join the show to talk If I Go Will They Miss Me, Hakeem Jeffries faces a racist attack from journalist Rula Jebreal, and a woman goes viral for tracking down the man she says scammed her out of a cruise.
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(6:57) Fat Joe defends his use of the N-Word
(42:41) Tim Scott speaks at the GOP convention
(51:15) Stephen A. Smith stops by Flagrant and Funny
(01:02:04) Danielle Brooks & Walter Thompson-Hernandez Join the Show
(0122) Hakeem Jeffries called a monkey by Rula Jebreal
(01:39:28) Woman Tracks Down Alleged Cruise Scammer
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Today on Higher Learning, Van and Rachel talk about the passing of Gloria Steinem, Stephen A. Smith’s continued feud with Colin Kaepernick, and Raven-Symoné’s recent comments about the Blackness of 'That’s So Raven.' Plus, 20-year-old Pierre Damas Bel dies by suicide, reportedly out of fears of deportation, eight Democrats vote alongside Republicans to condemn socialism, and friend of the show Geno Smith makes a surprise phone appearance and spills the tea on Van’s fraternity life. Then, they talk trials and the guilty verdict in Tupac’s murder, and Lil Durk gets snitched on.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(06:01) Gloria Steinem Passes Away at 92 Years Old

(19:22) Raven-Symoné back in the news cycle

(40:29) Stephen A. Smith on Kaepernick vs. Jay-Z

(59:20) 20-year-old Haitian dies by suicide, reportedly because of fears of deportation

(1:12:20) Battle of the Bands (with Geno Smith)

(1:29:19) Keffe D found guilty of Tupac’s murder

(1:44:07) Murder for hire (Lil Durk trial)

(1:54:18) Eight Democrats vote to condemn socialism

(1:59:00:) Let’s Get Sensual

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Jeff Shearin

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On today’s episode, Messi retires from team Argentina, and Druski has a new hilarious skit about a very serious disease. Plus, scammers come in every color (even 49ers red and gold), ICE is still out there grabbing folks, underdog Angie Nixon’s win in Florida ruffles some feathers, and Louisiana's own Master P deals with some backlash of his own doing. Van and Rachel discuss all this and more. (00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning (06:07) Messi has retired from Argentina’s national team (14:35) Druski’s newest skit makes headlines (36:02) Fool’s gold (57:52) Milo Yiannopoulos detained and deported by ICE (1:09:38) Republican House introduces resolution to condemn socialism (1:25:58) The gloves are off: Angie Nixon vs. Laura Loomer (1:38:35) Master P makes ‘em say “HUH?” Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley Social Producer: Bernard Moore Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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On today’s show, Van and Lindsay discuss the loss of Dolly Parton and her impact on the Black community. They react to the Supreme Court handing Trump a “YUGE” win with mail-in ballots and Abdul El-Sayed’s devastating takedown of Jesse Watters. Plus, they dig into Meta’s ginormous payout, Darth Vader’s defense of Flock cameras, and Jelly Roll getting political while hosting 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(00:36) Colin Kaepernick pulls his books from Target shelves
(18:49) Dolly Parton passes away at 80 years old
(29:50) New ownership duo in San Diego
(40:54) SCOTUS hands Trump a huge victory
(58:52) Abdul El-Sayed takes down Jesse Watters
(120:44) Meta to shell out billions and add protections for kids
(1:36:23) Darth Vader stands up for Flock cameras
(1:49:06) Jelly Roll hosts 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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We got BEEF! Today Van and Rachel talk about Trump’s beef with American cattle ranchers. Then they get into the latest developments in the Karmelo Anthony trial, and Target is under fire for a racist costume. Plus, right-winger Jake Lang becomes Spider-Man’s latest target, and Van and Rachel talk about the not-so-secret (anymore) meeting between potential House majority leader Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner. Plus, AI royalty King Willonius joins us in studio to chat about AI and "BBL Drizzy."
(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning
(01:05) Kanter kicked out
(04:56) Where’s the beef?
(20:39) The latest in the Karmelo Anthony case
(45:26) Target in hot water … again
(52:54) Spider-Man fights for the people
(01:04:16) Hakeem Jeffries secretly meets with Jared Kushner
(01:125:07) King Willonius in studio
(02:07:35) Van is for law and order
Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Guest: King Willonius
Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley
Social Producer: Bernard Moore
Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

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Van and Rachel chat about the NABJ’s website and its ongoing feud with Stephen A. Smith before catching up on Indiana’s harrowing storms that have left tens of thousands without power. Then they dig into the alleged cocaine ring at one of Penn State’s fraternities and then welcome California Congressman Ro Khanna live in studio. Plus, our hosts give us their thoughts on Young Thug’s interesting comments on fame vs. riches.

(00:00) Welcome to Higher Learning

(01:05) Stephen A. Smith and NABJ's beef continues

(12:37) Indiana left powerless by brutal storm

(25:09) 14 charged in alleged drug ring at Penn State

(33:13) Ro Khanna joins us in studio

(01:41:57) Young Thug has some interesting thoughts

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Jacob Cornett

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