Past Present

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**Past Present**

Past Present brings together three historians to discuss what’s happening in American politics and culture today. Natalia, Neil, and Niki bring historical insights to the news of the day, offering listeners an alternative to the reflexive and polarized world of punditry. Interested in the world around you but exhausted by rote reactions and partisan talking points? You’ve come to the right place.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 257: Dolly Parton Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the enduring popularity of Dolly Parton.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Dolly Parton has just added public health benefactor to her long list of career accomplishments. Natalia referred to Sarah Smarsh's writing about Parton, and Niki referenced the podcast Dolly Parton's America and the longstanding appeal of 9 to 5.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended the HBO series The Undoing and this Los Angeles Times profile of Hugh Grant.
Neil discussed the "The Cabbage Patch Riots" episode of the Decoder Ring
Niki shared Alissa Wilkinson's Vox article, "Advent, Explained."

Episode 256: Thanksgiving and COVID-19 Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss this year's "Covid Thanksgiving."

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

For many families, Thanksgiving will look very different this year. Niki wrote about the myth that the "Greatest Generation" was naturally self-sacrificing. Neil referred to this Takeout article about Sarah Josepha Hale's role in establishing Thanksgiving. Natalia referenced Depression-era Thanksgiving hacks like "mock duck" and conservative Charlie Kirk's rant about the left-wing war on Thanksgiving.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia shared Jackie Salo's New York Post article, "Star SoulCycle Instructors Accused of Sex with Clients, Fat-Shaming, Racism, and More."
Neil discussed New Zealand's recent election results.
Niki recommended Joe Coscarelli's New York Times article, "How Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Finally Hit No. 1."

Episode 255: A Possible Coronavirus Vaccine Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the announcement of a new coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced a promising new coronavirus vaccine. Niki referred to historian Joanna Radin's Washington Post piece on the connections between cattle breeding and vaccine distribution and political scientist Dan Drezner's article about the Trump administration's cavalier approach to the Covid-19 crisis. Natalia recommended The Daily episode on the Pfizer announcement.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended historian Emily Contois' Jezebel article, "That Shape He Can't Forget."
Neil discussed the new Showtime docuseries, The Reagans.
Niki shared this post on the New England Historical Society blog, "How the Grinch Became a Star of Stage and Screen."

Episode 254: The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is the President-Elect of the United States. Natalia mentioned this New York Times interview with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in reference to possible challenges within the Democratic coalition.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended historian Rebecca de Schweinitz' book Age in America: The Colonial Era to the Present.
Neil shared Brett White's Decider article, "Coco: The Groundbreaking Gay Character on 'The Golden Girls' Left Behind."
Niki discussed Christina Morales' New York Times article, "Biden to Restore a White House Tradition of Presidential Pets."

Episode 253: Sacha Baron Cohen and Satire in the Trump Era Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's new Borat movie.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's latest sendup of American political culture. Niki and Neil commented on Sam Thielman's NBC Think review, and Natalia cited this BBC piece from a Kazakh perspective. Niki also drew on Maureen Dowd's interview with Baron Cohen.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed her recent essay for Marker, "How Long Can Gyms Survive?"
Neil recommended Stephen Hudak's Orlando Sentinel article, "Story of Ocoee Massacre Finally Being Told."
Niki shared her recent episode, "Election Night Sunday," of This Day in Esoteric Political History podcast.

Episode 252: "Emily in Paris" and American Francophilia Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

Emily in Paris is a hit on Netflix, perhaps due in equal parts to escapism and hate-watching. Natalia referenced her Well + Good roundup of Parisian fitness, and the show Younger. Niki discussed the novel The Ugly American. Neil referred to this article in the New York Times about young Parisians' reactions to Emily in Paris.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia recommended the Netflix series, I Am a Killer.
Neil discussed his recent column for The Week, "The double-edged sword of Pope Francis' same-sex union comments."
Niki shared Cindy Ott's Environmental History article, "Object Analysis of the Great Pumpkin."

Episode 251: Court Packing Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the debate over "court packing."

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

The Senate confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett have raised questions about the ethics of "court packing." Neil recommended this Politico piece about the historical significance of FDR's court packing. Natalia referenced Jamelle Bouie's column defending the act, and Niki wrote about the nineteenth century history of the term for CNN. Natalia and Neil also referred back to our Past Present episode about originalism.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia shared Rose Thomas Bannister's Public Seminar essay, "The Question About Religion Someone Should Have Asked Amy Coney Barrett."
Neil recommended Aaron Griffin's new book, God's Law and Order: The Politics of Punishment in Evangelical America.
Niki discussed Season 3 of the NPR podcast, Motive.

Episode 250: Trump, Coronavirus, and Presidential Health Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss how the White House became a coronavirus hot spot.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, and much of his inner circle quickly reported positive diagnoses as well. Natalia referred to this Vanity Fair article linking the slow response to the pandemic to its early prevalence in blue states, and to this Lawfare article about presidential illness and secrecy. Niki referenced this Politico piece about how the GOP is attempting to spin Trump's diagnosis.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia raged about the egregious failures of the New York City Department of Education.
Neil recommended William Finnegan's book, Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life.
Niki shared historians Gill Frank and Lauren Gutterman's Jezebel piece, "How the Girl Watching Fad of the 1960s Taught Men to Harass Women."

Episode 249: The Proud Boys Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the far-right, neo-fascist group, the Proud Boys.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

At last week's presidential debate, President Trump drew attention to the all-male street gang, the Proud Boys, when he told them to "stand back and stand by." Niki commented on the group's founder, Gavin McInnes. Natalia discussed how the example of the early 20th century psychologist Stanley Hall provided a sort of erudite analogue to the Proud Boys. Neil mentioned Niki's 2016 piece for Vox on the media's interest in the alt-right's aesthetics as a way to think about the Proud Boys' Fred Perry uniform.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed the news of Trump testing positive for coronavirus.
Neil commented on his recent Twitter thread about the history of comparing coming out as gay to coming out as Republican.
Niki talked about her recent piece for CNN, "Trump's call for freelance poll-watchers summons a dark history."

Episode 248: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:

At age 87, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died earlier this month. Natalia referred to historian Jeffrey Melnick's Twitter thread on the appropriative nature of the term "Notorious RBG" and to the book by the same title. Niki recommended reporter Danielle Kurtzleben's coverage of Ginsburg's legacy and endorsed Howard Fineman's characterization, in the Washington Post, of Mitch McConnell as the "apex predator" of American politics. Neil commented on Michelle Goldberg's analysis in the New York Times. Natalia recommended Rebecca Traister's article about the significance of RBG's cult status.

In our regular closing feature, What's Making History:

Natalia discussed Stephanie Winston Wolkoff's book, Melania and Me.
Neil recommended the new podcast, Racket: Inside the Gold Club.
Niki talked about the importance of registering to vote and recommended two books: Carol Anderson's One Person, No Vote and Ari Berman's Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America.

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