Past Present
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss controversies over Christmas “classics.” Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Beloved and movies, like so many cultural products, have recently. Neil’s informed our whole conversation. We drew on that began the backlash against the film Love Actually, and Natalia referenced with its director. Niki referred to about “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · , , and ...
info_outline Episode 404: George SantosPast Present
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the strange career of now ex-Republican Congressman George Santos. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · are so numerous, it is . Niki referred to about how Santos got elected, and Neil and Natalia referred by Adam Serwer. We all drew on of expelled Congress members. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · declared her ambition to compete in the . · recommended the Slate...
info_outline Episode 403: Nikki HaleyPast Present
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Nikki Haley recently , bringing more attention to . Natalia referred to this on Haley’s career. Neil drew on , and Niki on from The Intercept. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · shared about her most recent MSNBC column, “.” · recommended Sopan...
info_outline Episode 402: Home Ownership and the History of MortgagesPast Present
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Americans’ attachment to the thirty-year mortgage. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · A is an – if you can lock one in at a low interest rate. Niki cited about the unfavorable market for millennial homebuyers, and Natalia referenced about the pitfalls of mortgages. We all drew on about the resilience of the “ownership society” ideal. Natalia referred to about a landlord harassed by her tenant. In our regular...
info_outline Episode 401: The History of Drive-Thru DiningPast Present
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of drive-thru dining. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · is since the pandemic. Neil drew on history, and we all referred to . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · recommended Eboo Patel’s essay for Inside Higher Ed, “.” · discussed Natasha Singer’s New York Times article, “” · ...
info_outline Episode 400: The History of U.S. Divorce LawsPast Present
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of divorce law in the United States. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is a ,” an institutional arrangement that makes it much more difficult to get divorced. Natalia referred to about the history of no-fault divorce. Niki drew on on how women advocated for these changes and on as well. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · ...
info_outline Episode 399: Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican ChaosPast Present
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the drama around the election of the new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Until this week, the was little known beyond Louisiana and . Natalia referenced about Johnson’s homophobic comments, and historian Matthew Dallek’s article for . Neil referred to Niki’s . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed Ksenia Svetlova’s...
info_outline Episode 398: The History of Restaurant ReservationsPast Present
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of restaurant reservations. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · , like so much else, . Neil referred to . We all drew on this and . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · shared about Britney Spears’ new memoir, . · recommended historian Daniel Immerwahr’s New Yorker article, “” and Steven Conn’s book . ...
info_outline Episode 397: The Beyoncé and Taylor Swift ToursPast Present
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of musical megatours and the concert movies they inspired. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · and made concert history this summer, and are now offering feature film versions of their concerts for the masses. Niki referenced , and Natalia cited Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · shared about her upcoming events in the Center for...
info_outline Episode 396: The History of Historic PreservationPast Present
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of historic preservation. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · is . Natalia drew on article, and Niki discussed . Neil referenced . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed Matthew Schmitz’ Compact article, “.” · shared Paige Williams’ New Yorker essay, “.” ...
info_outlineIn this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss a proposed “sex strike,” historian David McCullough’s new book, and the life and legacy of Doris Day.
Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:
- Actor and activist Alyssa Milano this week suggested that women withhold sex from men until women achieve “bodily autonomy.” Natalia referred to Christian writer Laura Turner’s tweets about the role of paternalistic religion in shaping an anti-abortion worldview.
- Historian David McCullough has written a new bestselling book that has historians frustrated for its dated views about westward expansion. Natalia recommended Rebecca Onion’s review of The Pioneers at Slate, while Niki highlighted the shortcomings of another at NPR. Natalia suggested @ProfWehrman’s tweets contextualizing McCullough’s work, and Niki recommended an alternative text, Anna-Lisa Cox’s The Bone and Sinew of the Land.
- Film star and songstress Doris Day has died. Natalia referred to Anthony Lane’s reflections on her legacy at the New Yorker and to the series on “Dead Blondes” by the Hollywood podcast You Must Remember This.
In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:
- Natalia shared Lyz Lenz’ Columbia Journalism Review article, “The Heavy Crown of Gretchen Carlson.”
- Neil discussed the death of iconic architect I.M. Pei.
- Niki reflected on the influence of “Grumpy Cat” on meme culture in the wake of the cat’s recent death.