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.
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Episode 406: Neil J. Young's "Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right"
04/02/2024
Episode 406: Neil J. Young's "Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right"
In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss – and celebrate! – Neil’s new book, Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Coming Out Republican is now available for order. You can buy Neil’s book . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · shared about the Gothamist article, “.” · commented on his forthcoming piece at The Revealer, “Reaching the Heartland: Gay Republicans’ Message to Religious Americans.” · recommended Heather Radke’s book, .
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Episode 405: Controversies over Christmas “Classics”
12/19/2023
Episode 405: Controversies over Christmas “Classics”
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 reflected on eight years of making the show together and announced both Niki’s departure and Past Present’s first hiatus. Thank you, Niki. And listeners, see you in the spring!
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Episode 404: George Santos
12/12/2023
Episode 404: George Santos
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 podcast and historian Julie Golia’s book, . · discussed Rivka Galchen’s New Yorker article, “.”
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Episode 403: Nikki Haley
12/05/2023
Episode 403: Nikki Haley
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 Deb’s New York Times article, “” · discussed the National Security Archive’s “.”
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Episode 402: Home Ownership and the History of Mortgages
11/28/2023
Episode 402: Home Ownership and the History of Mortgages
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 closing feature, What’s Making History: · shared about the paperback release of and a of Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession. · recommended visiting in Glendale, California. · discussed the latest episode of the What Next podcast, “.”
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Episode 401: The History of Drive-Thru Dining
11/21/2023
Episode 401: The History of Drive-Thru Dining
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, “” · shared about the latest episode of , on which she appears.
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Episode 400: The History of U.S. Divorce Laws
11/14/2023
Episode 400: The History of U.S. Divorce Laws
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: · recommended the “Dog Eat Dog” episode of of the History Channel’s Food That Built America program. · discussed Bruce Weber’s New York Times obituary, “.” · shared about a new edited collection, .
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Episode 399: Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican Chaos
11/07/2023
Episode 399: Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican Chaos
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 New Republic piece, “.” · recommended historian Lauren Lassabe Shepherd’s Daily Beast article, “” · shared about the Radiotopia podcast, “.”
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Episode 398: The History of Restaurant Reservations
10/31/2023
Episode 398: The History of Restaurant Reservations
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 . · discussed Elizabeth Williamson’s New York Times article, “.”
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Episode 397: The Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Tours
10/24/2023
Episode 397: The Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Tours
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 Jewish History’s “. · recommended the podcast series, . · discussed the new film, .
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Episode 396: The History of Historic Preservation
10/17/2023
Episode 396: The History of Historic Preservation
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, “.” · recommended Matthew Dallek’s new book, .
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Episode 395: TED Talks and the History of Public Speaking
10/10/2023
Episode 395: TED Talks and the History of Public Speaking
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the rise – and fall? – of the TED Talk. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · The writer Coleman Hughes gave a on race earlier this year, and when he advocated for “colorblindness” – and then accused TED of depressing the online circulation of his talk. Natalia cited , as well as . Niki and Neil both drew on of TED, while Niki also referenced of Chris Anderson, the head of TED. Neil commented on likening TED Talks to a religious event. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · invited scholars and writers to submit pitches for the that she is guest-editing for Nursing Clio. · shared about John Riley’s Metro Weekly article, “.” · recommended the of the Journal of African American History, on the “Black 1980s.”
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Episode 394: Sen. John Fetterman and the Senate Dress Code
10/03/2023
Episode 394: Sen. John Fetterman and the Senate Dress Code
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of political dress codes. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · In the wake of a debate over , the Senate voted to . Neil drew on this , and Natalia referenced Rhonda Garelick’s . Niki cited and . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · recommended Jessica Bennett’s New York Times package, “.” · shared about the Deseret News poll, “” · discussed the 1921 New York Times article, “”
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Episode 393: Ibram X. Kendi and the Controversy over the Center for Antiracist Research
09/26/2023
Episode 393: Ibram X. Kendi and the Controversy over the Center for Antiracist Research
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the apparent crisis at scholar Ibram X. Kendi’s Center for Antiracist Research. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · After amassing tens of millions of dollars in funding, abruptly laid off . Natalia referred to historian Holly Brewer’s scholarly critique of Kendi’s work in , and Niki referred to extensive right-wing coverage of the issue, like . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · recommended Aymann Ismail’s Slate essay, “.” · shared about historian Benjamin E. Park’s Slate essay, “” · discussed her column for CNN Opinion, “.”
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Episode 392: The New Crisis of Masculinity
09/19/2023
Episode 392: The New Crisis of Masculinity
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the latest “crisis of masculinity.” Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Men, according to a , benefit from a “thumb on the scale” when it comes to college admissions. The report belongs to a larger debate over a “” today. Niki referred to about Andrew Tate, and Natalia cited right-wing documentaries and Natalia and Niki both cited in Vox, and Neil referred to . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed the ProPublica investigative report, “.” · shared about Remy Tumin’s New York Times article, “.” · recommended Mark Joseph Stern’s Slate article, “.”
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Episode 391: The History of Telemarketing
09/12/2023
Episode 391: The History of Telemarketing
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of telemarketing. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · The new HBO docuseries is bringing attention to a . Niki drew on about scams in the industry and , and Natalia drew on . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed her latest MSNBC column, “.” · shared about his most recent CNN piece, “.” · recommended Jonathan Chait’s New York magazine review, “.”
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Episode 390: A History of the Mugshot
09/05/2023
Episode 390: A History of the Mugshot
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of the mugshot. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · The release of was met with enthusiasm across the political spectrum. We discussed the long . Niki drew on , and Natalia referred to . Neil and Natalia referenced . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed the Independent Women’s Forum report, “.” · recommended the podcast series, . · shared about her latest CNN column, “.”
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Episode 389: West Virginia University and the Attack on American Universities
08/29/2023
Episode 389: West Virginia University and the Attack on American Universities
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the significance of major cutbacks at West Virginia University. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · The announcement of at West Virginia University has drawn . Natalia cited by Tom Nichols and by Lisa M. Corrigan. Niki drew on . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed the edited collection, . · recommended the Netflix film, “” and about hate-watching. · shared about Kathryn Cramer Brownell’s new book, , and her , “Propaganda, Outrage, and Entertainment.”
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Episode 388: The Hollywood Strike
08/22/2023
Episode 388: The Hollywood Strike
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the current strike in Hollywood. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Hollywood actors and writers for more than . Niki drew on this about Ronald Reagan’s tenure as a union leader. Natalia referred to about Orange Is The New Black, and we all drew on on the history of Hollywood strikes. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed her essay “” for The New Republic. · recommended historian Lauren Lassabe Shepherd’s new book, . · shared about Ben Strauss and Molly Hensley-Clancy’s Washington Post article, “.”
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Episode 387: Trigger Warnings
08/15/2023
Episode 387: Trigger Warnings
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss “trigger warnings.” Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · An by Jill Filipovic is the latest salvo in the debate over “.” Niki cited Filipovic’s on the topic as well as on the salient history of PTSD. Neil drew on about how well the trigger warnings actually work. Natalia referred to about trauma. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · recommended the new podcast, . · discussed Joel Mathis’ article for The Week, “” · shared about Katherine Stewart’s New Republic article, “” and referred to Christopher Mathias’Huff Post investigation, “.”
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Episode 386: Pee-wee Herman
08/08/2023
Episode 386: Pee-wee Herman
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of comedian Paul Reubens. You can support Past Present here: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · , best known for , has died. Natalia referred to this and Niki drew on this . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed Rebecca Jennings’ Vulture article, “” · recommended the BBC podcast, . · shared about of the Strict Scrutiny podcast.
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Episode 385: Barbie
08/01/2023
Episode 385: Barbie
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the new megahit film, Barbie. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · , directed by filmmaker Greta Gerwig, is a box-office . Natalia drew on she wrote about the doll’s complicated legacy, and Niki reflected on about the film’s salience in a post-Roe era. We all drew on Anne-Helen Petersen’s on the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · recommended Marisa Meltzer’s forthcoming book, . · discussed Charlie Mahtesian and Madi Alexander’s POLITICO story, “” · shared about the latest season of FX’s series .
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Episode 384: The History of Summer Break
07/25/2023
Episode 384: The History of Summer Break
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of summer break in the United States. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · The idea that a long summer vacation originated in “the agrarian calendar” . Niki referred to our , in which we discussed the history of summer camps Natalia referred to historian Kenneth Gold’s book and historian Jonathan Zimmerman’s Los Angeles Times opinion piece, “.” In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed Max Meyer’s Free Press article, “.” · and , for the first time in our history, chose the same WMH! They discussed Jason Aldean’s country music song and video, “Try That in a Small Town.” Neil recommended Chris Willman’s Variety article, “.”
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Episode 383: The History of Tipping
07/18/2023
Episode 383: The History of Tipping
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of tipping in the United States. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · is once again about service, labor, and consumerism. Neil referenced , and Natalia cited by Michele Alexander. We all drew on of Saru Jayamaran’s book . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · shared Michael Schulman’s New Yorker piece, “.” · recommended the forthcoming Broadway show, . · discussed of the podcast If Books Could Kill.
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Episode 382: Male Enhancement Surgery
07/11/2023
Episode 382: Male Enhancement Surgery
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss male enhancement surgery and the history of the penile ideal. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · A exposed the expanding, and disturbing, world of penile enlargement surgery. Neil referred to about the procedure, and Natalia discussed the comedy of . Niki drew on , and we all made use of David Friedman’s book . In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed the new Netflix documentary . · recommended the new Rock Hudson documentary from HBO, . · shared about Crooked Media podcast, , and her most recent CNN column, “.”
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Episode 381: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
07/04/2023
Episode 381: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential candidacy. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · , with some support both . Neil referred to , and Natalia referenced and about RFK Jr.’s workout videos. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · shared about the new Netflix documentary series . · discussed Raymond Zhong’s New York Times piece, “.” · recommended Rebecca Makkai’s novel .
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Episode 380: The Ocean Gate Submersible and the History of Extreme Travel
06/27/2023
Episode 380: The Ocean Gate Submersible and the History of Extreme Travel
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the failed attempt of the Ocean Gate submersible to explore the Titanic wreckage. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · The world watched as transpired and . Natalia drew on of the world’s most expensive tourist experiences. Niki referenced on how Mount Everest became a tourist attraction and about the history of mountaineering. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · recommended the latest season of the Netflix show . · discussed Jessica Grose’s New York Times piece, “”. · shared about the new podcast, .
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Episode 379: The Trump Indictment
06/20/2023
Episode 379: The Trump Indictment
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the indictment of former President Donald Trump. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Former President Donald Trump related to the mishandling of classified documents and other charges. Neil referred to about how Trump is trying to reframe the narrative around these proceedings, and Natalia drew on about the history of presidential wrongdoing. Niki referenced about the history of the Espionage Act. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · talked about Stephanie Noda’s NorthJersey.com article, “.” · discussed Jesse Walker’s Reason article, “.” · recommended Elaina Plott Calabro’s Atlantic article, “.”
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Episode 378: The Duggar Family and "Shiny Happy People"
06/13/2023
Episode 378: The Duggar Family and "Shiny Happy People"
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil the new documentary about the Duggar family, Shiny Happy People. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · The Duggar family, on their reality show 19 Kids and Counting, is back in the spotlight . Niki referred to about Christian homeschooling and parenting, and Natalia cited this about Beth Moore. We all drew on this about the fundamentalist leader, Bill Gothard. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · talked about Ruth Marcus’ Washington Post essay, “.” · recommended two books, Fintan O’Toole’s , and John Boyne’s . · shared about historian Martha Hodes’ new memoir, .
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Episode 377: Car Buying and the History of Car Dealers
06/06/2023
Episode 377: Car Buying and the History of Car Dealers
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the role of car dealers in U.S. political culture. Support Past Present on Patreon: Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · play an underappreciated role in GOP power politics, argued. Niki cited reported in The Verge, and Natalia drew on . We all drew on at CNN. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · discussed Summer Lin, Andrew J. Campa, and Howard Blume’s Los Angeles Times article, “.” · recommended Shoshi Parks’ Smithsonian story, “.” · shared about Ja’han Jones’ MSNBC article, “.”
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