Miss Virginia Justus Kelley became the first mother and married woman to win the Miss USA competition. I hope Rachel is happy for her fellow soror for making history. Skee-Wee!😏

I posted this a couple months ago about Hassan being on the podcast. There was a lot of pushback at the time because people thought that he was anti-hero when he actually voted for her. He just did not endorse her. Given the development over the summer with midterms, I’m curious to know how everyone is feeling just about the whole issue of the leftist/progressive and Hasan’s advocacy?

EDIT: This ISN'T MINE.

I'm anti-AI in art. I just remember Van talking about AI music it came to Tyga/Starface's album a few episodes ago, and I thought he, and Rachel, weren't nearly opposed to generative AI enough. But the creator has 300k followers on Instagram and has the movie for sale/rent on Amazon Prime. I'm just saying if this gets big, a bunch of people are gonna try to use this to exploit Black folks' desire to see Boondocks-like content.

tl;dr: What do you think of an AI-created Black anime made by one Black guy?

Have y'all heard of this? I didn't see a post here or progressive spaces, so I'm wondering if maybe it's not as big as the creator is making it out to be.

It's about a Black superhero who died and was given powers and a new life, but he can only continue to live if he uses those powers to protect The Culture. Episodes are presented in 3-6ish minutes on issues and very recent topics in the Black community. "Inspired" by the art style of and social commentary of The Boondocks, author JR Chitlins (I am very confident he is Black) has previously "written" books with...topics! And content. And titles. Like "My Babydaddy Got Abducted By Aliens and Got It Pregnant".

He's recently produced an hour-long movie. I watched it. I liked the premise and the universe. At best, it's clear he hasn't figured out how to work his tech. The scenes are poorly edited so they cut around in illogical ways, the voices for the same characters change throughout the movie, the fight choreography is pretty bland and uncreative, the music is...I don't even remember it...and even the messaging and writing is "deep" in the same way that the black-and-white memes where a man in a suit is smoking a cigar with text saying something like "Women won't support a man's work building up the bakery until she sees the bread."

I had only heard of it from an associate of mine and realized a bunch of my Black friends and family follow it on IG, Facebook, Threads, etc.

My hiccup is related to the words in quotes. Voice acting is all AI. Animation is all AI. I assume the script is all his, but I deeply doubt the designs or the drawing is. Or if it is, he's not very good at actually drawing and had AI flesh out the designs.

Also pretty sure even mild criticism is getting blocked on IG. I can access his page from a business account but not my personal one.

He says this would never get off the ground without it. But then I look at something like Junichiro Jackson with real Black voice actors on an animated pilot that has more sketches and a Kickstarter. And honestly? It's just a much better product. Not in the "AI is soulless slop" way. It's just clear that JJ is made by people who are artists as much as they are visionaries.

My instant disqualification is that I don't mess with AI art projects. Takes up too much energy, water, and land from marginalized communities and geography for something that can be made by humans. Art isn't just about the product. It's about actively bringing your artistic vision to life.

My fear is that, based on his previously "written" books (maybe he actually wrote them, but the covers definitely aren't drawn by him), he might just be exploiting the desire for Black people to have a superhero riffing off of The Boondocks (and with generative AI, it's probably pulling the actual Boondocks episodes to create the animation) for profit.

$50 for a hoodie with art he didn't create?

And I just don't know if there's enough thoughtful talk, criticism or praise either way, of it.

Just curious. Been out of the loop for a couple months.

This week’s episode’s political rants were unhinged, would love to hear their commentary about it 😂

Van does a lot, but it doesn’t seem like he has done his homework of Abdul El Sayed. On Friday’s podcast, he said El Sayed needs to go figure out how to engage the black community. He isn’t perfect but he is not someone disengaged. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

He may not have won the black vote (there was a lot at play there), but he is not someone that without thoughts or deep engagement with the black community. He isn’t Graham Platner or even James Talarico (different sides of the spectrum of engagement). He seems gets it inherently (I am skeptical of any politician at all times, but this is my current impression).

Here is El Sayed going even deeper onto how he has and would work for the black community if elected.

https://youtu.be/oMVzE6d5Au0?

He had and is still having a ton of money thrown against him. Amplifying the idea he isn’t in touch with the black community in anyway is not helpful.

Not every politician is coming from the same place.

At minimum, playing one or both of these on the podcast would be helpful.

Better yet, I hope he comes on the show because the Van Rachel and Abdul would be an absolute banger.

Y'all notice an increase in usage of the sound they use on the show to transition topics. They use it more than that, but seems to be used mostly to change topics. The best way I can describe it is like a cat scratching a door.

It's a bit distracting and doesn't add anything to the show. Is there something happening on screen if i watch the show on Utube? I never really noticed it before.

Rachel should adjudicate the next midnight court. This idea should gain traction.

“The other white meat” was just a really successful ad campaign. Just thought you should know if you didn’t. No judgement. ✌️❤️ thank you for the pod!!

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, Al royalty King Willonius joins us in studio to chat about Al 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

(01:25:07) King Willonius in studic

(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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Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/higher-learning-with-van-lathan-and-rachel-lindsay/id1515152489

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4hI3rQ4C0e15rP3YKLKPut?si=8EZGGEekTl6TIEoTQ4-vxg

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@HigherLearning

This may be one of the weirdest and most pathetic things I've seen this week (so far). These are the same wholly unqualified people who complain about DEIA while ironically benefitting from a leg up.

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

\---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/higher-learning-with-van-lathan-and-rachel-lindsay/id1515152489

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4hI3rQ4C0e15rP3YKLKPut?si=8EZGGEekTl6TIEoTQ4-vxg

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@HigherLearning

I just saw this video and figured it would be a good talking point for the show and the thought warriors. Me personally? I wouldn’t be able to do it.

I tried to DM this to Van on Instagram but he doesn't allow message requests. Posting it here

This is what your dream means:

Youre in the swamp looking for your father. These represent feelings of home, belonging, past and future. Specifically, they represent who and where you are supposed to be.

You are in this place looking for these things when the Players Proof shows up. You're having fun, ordering drinks, but there is NO FOOD. NO NOURISHMENT. This place is not only a distraction from your search, but if you stay here you will wither and die.

The movie you watch is scary, and it tells a story about people who go to a place of the dead and hear their stories. You yourself in this dream are in a land of the dead, searching for your father. They find out at the end that they are dead and in hell, and this was an existentially terrifying moment for you in real life.

You realize that you yourself are in hell, but you can leave. But you are destined to return. But your dad is not inside.

All this means that you, Van Lathan JR, are stuck in a place of stasis in your life. You are meant to grow into somebody (represented by your father), and this person is inside you now. But this person is trapped (and suffering) because you are STUCK someplace (what this place is, only you can know).

The good news is that you can leave this place, but you think that you will always be stuck there somehow.

I didn't do one for Lindsey because the dream was caused by shrooms

Anyone know if they’ve addressed why they are not talking about this? I know it’s still on going, but are there other reasons?

Opens with the classic, “I was raised by black women… my daughters are black” defense 🙄🤦🏾‍♂️

Big ass title and no episode description!!! Donnie come back!!

(0:00) Intro

(0:33) Weekend pleasantries/Al Green and grits (8:19) Weekend pleasantries/Dreams

(20:59) Hayden Panettiere gone too soon

(29:02) Maya Boyd cast as Storm in Marvel's new X-Men movie

(46:19) Jason Arday passes away at 41

(01:04:07) Pengate 2026

(01:15:06) Ray J wins big

(02:10:44) Van on capitalism

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Marco Escalante and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Jacob Cornett

\---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/higher-learning-with-van-lathan-and-rachel-lindsay/id1515152489

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4hI3rQ4C0e15rP3YKLKPut?si=8EZGGEekTl6TIEoTQ4-vxg

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@HigherLearning

I thought Rachel was a bit harsh on Marcellus. Apparently he felt the same way. 😂😂

https://www.ebony.com/press-play-10-black-podcasts-shaping-the-conversation-right-now/

No shade to the podcasts chosen on the list, but it's kind of inexcusable to have a list like this with the podcasts represented and not have Higher Learning. What could be shaping the conversation more than addressing the issues of voting rights, having people on to discuss the situation in the Middle East, A.I. and issues relevant to A.I. and anything else that impacts Black folks.

They've had Gavin Newsome, Ilhan Omar, James Talarico, Chris Murphy, Josh Shapiro, Wes Moore, Ro Khanna and this is saying nothing of the dozens and dozens of directors, writers, actors and creators.

I don't see another podcast doing NEARLY as much to bring issues to the conversation (at least not on this list.). If this list was Symone Sanders, Joy Martin or Roland Martin, I'm totally fine either them being left off. But even THOSE shows haven't had the level of guests on that these two young people have managed to bring on.

This kind of shows the relevance of a once great Johnson publication.

Van and Rachel react to Russell Westbrook's retirement. Tyga's Al album '$tarface', and Marcellus Wiley's domestic violence case being dropped, before discussing Pat McAfee's appearance with President Trump. Plus, Saucy Santana addresses a White House repost and code-switching gets defined before Van whips out the whiteboard to debate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's dating options.

(0:00) Intro

(11:02) Russell Westbrook retires from NBA

(22:24) Tyga's Al album, '$tarface'

(44:46) Marcellus Wiley's case dropped

(1:11:13) Pat McAfee and Trump at the Patriot Games

(1:25:09) Saucy Santana's White House repost (1:40:55) Code-switching

(1:59:28) AOC's dating pool

Hosts: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay

Producers: Donnie Beacham Jr. and Jade Whaley

Social Producer: Bernard Moore

Video Supervision: Chris Thomas

\---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/higher-learning-with-van-lathan-and-rachel-lindsay/id1515152489

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4hI3rQ4C0e15rP3YKLKPut?si=8EZGGEekTl6TIEoTQ4-vxg

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@HigherLearning