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.

Episode 406: Neil J. Young's "Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right" 04/02/2024

Episode 405: Controversies over Christmas “Classics” 12/19/2023

Episode 404: George Santos 12/12/2023

Episode 403: Nikki Haley 12/05/2023

Episode 402: Home Ownership and the History of Mortgages 11/28/2023

Episode 401: The History of Drive-Thru Dining 11/21/2023

Episode 400: The History of U.S. Divorce Laws 11/14/2023

Episode 399: Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican Chaos 11/07/2023

Episode 398: The History of Restaurant Reservations 10/31/2023

Episode 397: The Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Tours 10/24/2023

Episode 396: The History of Historic Preservation 10/17/2023

Episode 395: TED Talks and the History of Public Speaking 10/10/2023

Episode 394: Sen. John Fetterman and the Senate Dress Code 10/03/2023

Episode 393: Ibram X. Kendi and the Controversy over the Center for Antiracist Research 09/26/2023

Episode 392: The New Crisis of Masculinity 09/19/2023

Episode 391: The History of Telemarketing 09/12/2023

Episode 390: A History of the Mugshot 09/05/2023

Episode 389: West Virginia University and the Attack on American Universities 08/29/2023

Episode 388: The Hollywood Strike 08/22/2023

Episode 387: Trigger Warnings 08/15/2023

Episode 386: Pee-wee Herman 08/08/2023

Episode 385: Barbie 08/01/2023

Episode 384: The History of Summer Break 07/25/2023

Episode 383: The History of Tipping 07/18/2023

Episode 382: Male Enhancement Surgery 07/11/2023

Episode 381: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 07/04/2023

Episode 380: The Ocean Gate Submersible and the History of Extreme Travel 06/27/2023

Episode 379: The Trump Indictment 06/20/2023

Episode 378: The Duggar Family and "Shiny Happy People" 06/13/2023

Episode 377: Car Buying and the History of Car Dealers 06/06/2023