Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Connecticut senator Chris Murphy joins to discuss multiculturalism, the withdrawal of Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy, and his new book, ‘Crisis of the Common Good.’

(0:00) Intro

(1:36) Responding to the symptom of Trump

(5:07) Common good capitalism

(7:21) The country’s most harmful cults

(10:07) Building cultural connections

(21:38) Getting personal

(24:20) The male loneliness epidemic

(27:14) Governing in 2026

(31:51) A ‘Star Wars’ analogy

(37:59) The Divine Nine

(39:30) Too much focus on the executive branch?

(43:28) The Democratic plan for Black women and men

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guest: Senator Chris Murphy

Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producers: Bernard Moore and Jon Roemer

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett
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Van and Rachel welcome U.S. Representative from Minnesota Ilhan Omar for a wide-ranging discussion of governing in 2026.

(0:00) Intro

(1:09) Governing in 2019 vs. 2026

(5:07) What’s holding Democrats back?

(7:07) AIPAC-sponsored candidates

(15:47) 2024 election post-mortem

(21:52) MAGA vs. Rep. Omar

(24:28) Minnesota stands up to ICE

(29:22) Nancy Mace pushes ban on naturalized citizens

(36:32) Embracing MAGA expats

(39:12) Message to Black voters

(47:00) L.A. mayoral race

(51:30) Minnesota Mt. Rushmore

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Rep. Ilhan Omar

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett

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Van and Rachel check in on the California primary races, and discuss Tyler, the Creator's disdain for top-five lists before senior politics reporter at Axios, Marc Caputo, joins to break down the congressional vote on Iran. Plus, comedian and rapper Jay Pharoah sheds light on fame, faith, and impressions.

(0:00) Intro

(12:18) Spencer Pratt and the L.A. mayoral race

(37:03) Tyler, the Creator on top fives

(50:46) Marc Caputo on the war powers resolution

(1:16:43) Sloane Stephens gets an awkward introduction

(1:32:37) Jay Pharoah joins the show

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Guests: Jay Pharoah and Marc Caputo

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr.

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett
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Van and Rachel react to Jay-Z’s freestyle at the Roots Picnic, and Donald Trump taking two public L's in the lead-up to his Freedom 250 festival. Plus a check-in on the L.A. mayoral race, and an Atlanta judge and police deputy chief’s noisy sexual encounters get exposed.

(0:00) Intro

(19:12) Jay-Z freestyle

(42:57) Trump cancelling concert

(52:27) Removal of Trump’s name from Kennedy Center

(1:00:06) Spencer Pratt’s appeal

(1:24:47) Courtroom sex affair

(1:34:52) The return of Mountain Lion

(1:39:30) Give up your section for Lil Baby?

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett
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Van and Rachel are back from the holiday break to react to Kevin Hart's response to problematic jokes at his roast, updates in the fight against redistricting, and Spencer Pratt’s appeal to L.A. voters. Plus Jaxson Dart’s MAGA moves, and Ray J gets KO'd.

(0:00) Intro

(15:54) Kevin Hart responds to roast critics

(41:20) Iran conflict update

(56:40) The redistricting battle

(1:12:37) White wine spritzers

(1:21:13) Spencer Pratt on homelessness

(1:38:31) Jaxson Dart, Abdul Carter, and MAGA

(1:49:03) Ray J’s knockout

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas and Jacob Cornett
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices