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In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the debate over school reopening. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  When – and how – public schools should reopen has become a topic of intense controversy. Neil cited this Los Angeles Times piece about the “intractable learning loss” suffered by English Language Learners this year. Natalia referred to this New York Times article about whether “learning loss” should be assessed and to this Politico article about the demand by United Teachers of Los Angeles for free childcare as a condition of their return to the classroom. She also drew on this History Channel article about the trust in public schools that existed during the 1918 influenza pandemic. Niki cited historian Daniel Rodgers’ Age of Fracture, and each of our books: Classroom Wars, We Gather Together, and Messengers of the Right.    In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed the latest policing of Dr. Jill Biden’s self-presentation: her stockings. Neil discussed the HBO documentary Tina. Niki shared Gina Kolata’s New York Times article, “Kati Kariko Helped Shield the World From the Coronavirus.”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of the late children’s author Beverly Cleary. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  At the age of 104, children’s author Beverly Cleary has died. Natalia drew on this Bulwark article about Cleary’s apolitical appeal, and Niki referred to this Atlantic essay and this Vulture piece about her grasp of children’s emotional landscape. Neil and Natalia referred to this New York Times article about her books’ appeal to boys and girls.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended the podcast Stolen: the Search for Jermain. Neil discussed Phil Hoad’s Atavist article, “Cat and Mouse.” Niki shared Rebecca Onion’s Slate essay, “A Modern Feminist Classic Changed My Life. Was it Actually Garbage?”

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the recent mass shootings in Atlanta, Georgia and Boulder, Colorado. Listen to our new limited series, WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, for free only on Spotify. Click here to subscribe.  Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  As public spaces reopen, so too have mass shootings returned. Neil referred to this Slate piece about the coverage of the Atlanta shootings, and Natalia cited Melissa Jeltsen’s article in The Cut, her own essay about massage in Nursing Clio, and Nicholas Kristof’s New York Times article, “How to Reduce Shootings.”   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Joy Nicholson’s novel, The Tribes of Palos Verdes. Neil discussed Zoe Pickburn’s The Week article, “The Orphan Who Invented the Cupcake.” Niki shared David French’s Twitter thread about Sidney Powell.

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the calls for Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York to resign. Listen to our new limited series, WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, for free only on Spotify. Click here to subscribe.  Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  Amid charges that he covered up Covid-related deaths among nursing home residents and sexually harassed multiple women, New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo is being asked to resign. Natalia referred to Rebecca Traister’s article at The Cut and Zephyr Teachout’s essay in The Nation. Niki discussed this Washington Post article about Cuomo’s popular interviews with his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, this past summer.    In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed the Sally Jesse Raphael Show episode about “women who love calendar men” as featured on the Welcome To Your Fantasy Instagram account. Neil recommended the new Netflix documentary series Murder Among the Mormons and historian Benjamin Park’s Religion Dispatches essays about the show. Niki shared the Twitter accounts of two historians writing about the Atlanta spa shootings: Melissa May Borja and Erika Lee.

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss Oprah Winfrey’s interview of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Listen to our new limited series, WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, for free only on Spotify. Click here to subscribe. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  Perhaps the official beginning of Meghan and Harry’s life in America was their interview with Oprah Winfrey. Niki referenced her CNN piece on Piers Morgan’s reaction to the interview, and Natalia mentioned Trysh Travis and Timothy Aubry’s book on therapeutic culture and this Smithsonian magazine piece about the exhibit on Oprah’s legacy.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed Marisa Meltzer’s book This Is Big: How the Founder of Weight Watchers Changed the World--And Me. Neil shared Ruth Graham and Elizabeth Dias’ New York Times article, “Beth Moore, a Prominent Evangelical, Splits with Southern Baptists.” Niki recommended the 30 for 30 podcast episode, “March 11, 2020.”  

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the controversy over the decision to stop publishing six Dr. Seuss books. Listen to our new limited podcast series, WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, for free only on Spotify. Click here to subscribe.  Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  Theodore Geisel’s estate has removed six of his Dr. Seuss books from circulation, causing ire among conservatives citing it as an example of “cancel culture.” Natalia referred to writer Michael Harriot’s Twitter thread, this 1945 Frank Sinatra short film, “The House I Live In,” and Sophie Gilbert’s Atlantic article about Seuss’ embrace by progressive activists. Niki drew on this BBC piece about Seuss’ radicalism.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed Jack Harris’ Los Angeles Times article, “Jeff Grosso: The Life and Death of Skateboarding’s Soul.” Neil recommended Elon Green’s book, Last Call: A True Story of Love, Lust, and Murder in Queer New York. Niki shared Soraya Nadia McDonald’s article at The Undefeated, “Billie Holliday Deserves Better.”

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the fight to raise the federal minimum wage. Listen to our new limited podcast series, WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, for free only on Spotify. Click here to subscribe.  Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  House Democrats have proposed a federally guaranteed fifteen-dollar an hour minimum wage as part of their coronavirus relief bill. Niki drew on this New York Times piece about the effective minimum wage, and Neil referenced this New Yorker article about fast food workers in Orlando. Natalia and Niki referred to the stickiness of the “Fight for 15” slogan, as described in this Atlantic article.    In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed the Leo Baeck Institute’s Shared History Project. Neil shared Olivia Rutigliano’s Truly Adventurous story, “The Dognapping of the Century.” Niki recommended Lillian Stone’s article at The Takeout, “The Spudly History of Mister Potato Head.”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the #FreeBritney movement for Britney Spears and the conservatorship that inspired it. Listen to our new limited podcast series, WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, for free only on Spotify. Click here to subscribe.  Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  A New York Times documentary about pop star Britney Spears and the conservatorship under which she has lived since 2008 has sparked renewed concern about her wellbeing. Natalia recommended this New Republic article about disability and conservatorships and Anne-Helen Petersen’s Substack newsletter about the Britney phenomenon. Niki drew on this Vox explainer about the conservatorship.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed Cecile Castranova’s article for The Hill, “CA School District’s Board Resigns After Unknowingly Talking About Parents in A Virtual Meeting.” Neil shared Daniel Silliman’s Christianity Today obituary, “Died: Carman, Christian Showman Who Topped Charts With Triumphant Fate.” Niki commented on Eric Schmitt and Helene Cooper’s New York Times article, “Promotions for Female Generals Were Delayed Over Fears of Trump’s Reaction.”  

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of pornographer and free speech champion Larry Flynt. Listen to our new limited podcast series, WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, for free only on Spotify. Click here to subscribe.  Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  Larry Flynt, founder of the Hustler empire, died this month. Niki recommended historian Carolyn Bronstein’s book Battling Pornography: The American Feminist Anti-Pornography Movement, 1976-1986 and referred to this Politico article about the GOP abandoning the war on pornography. Natalia mentioned the documentary Hot Girls Wanted and Nicholas Kristof’s reporting on Pornhub. Neil mentioned our own episode on the life and legacy of Hugh Hefner.    In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia shared the latest episode of BBC Radio 4’s show “Front Row,” featuring filmmaker Adam Curtis and Welcome to Your Fantasy. Neil recommended Leslie Brody’s book, Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Renegade Author, Harriet the Spy. Niki discussed Gabby Birenbaum’s Vox article, “ Raskin Makes an Impeachment Case at Trump’s Trial,” and the impeachment trial videos.

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the controversial tenure of freshman Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast   Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has been stripped of her committee assignments due to her outspoken support of outlandish theories, from QAnon to school shootings to “space lasers” causing forest fires. Niki referred to Michelle Goldberg’s New York Times opinion piece about Greene, and Natalia referenced the Atlantic documentary, “White Noise” and this New York Times article. We all recommend you subscribe and follow our new podcast, Welcome to Your Fantasy, premiering February 10, only on Spotify!   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia commented on her own New York Times opinion piece, “Goodbye to the Cult of SoulCycle.” Neil talked about the documentary Assassins. Niki discussed MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s appearance on Newsmax.

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the life and legacy of television and radio legend, Larry King. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  TV and radio legend, Larry King, died last week at the age of 87. We discussed some of the retrospective pieces King’s sixty-year career produced, like this 2010 feature in the New York Times, and this 1988 article in the Los Angeles Times. Neil commented on a favorite Larry King interview of the country music star, K.T. Oslin, from 1996. Natalia mentioned a ProPublica piece on how King became unwittingly used in a Chinese disinformation campaign.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia commented on Brendan Dunne’s Complex article, “Nikolas Ajagu, the Here Who Wore Dior Jordan 1s to the Inauguration, Speaks.” Neil discussed Luke Mogelson’s long-form New Yorker piece, “Among the Insurrectionists.” Niki talked about Alex Kirshner’s Slate article, “What the Hell Is Going On With GameStop’s Stock?”    

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss “The 1776 Report” issued by the outgoing Trump administration. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  A day before President Trump left office, his administration issued “The 1776 Report” on American history, which President Biden promptly repudiated upon taking office. Natalia referred to her piece at NBC Think on the report and to her book, Classroom Wars: Language, Sex, and the Making of Contemporary Political Culture; Niki referred to her column at CNN and to Kevin Kruse’s column at MSNBC. Neil recommended Rebecca Onion’s analysis at Slate.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Sarah Carr’s Boston Globe article, “For Schoolchildren Struggling to Read, Covid-19 Has Been a Wrecking Ball.” Neil discussed Richard Goldstein’s New York Times obituary, “Hank Aaron, Home Run King Who Defied Racism, Dies at 86.” Niki shared Jim Tankersley and Michael D. Shear’s New York Times article, “Biden Seeks to Define His Presidency by an Early Emphasis on Equity.”

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  On January 20, President-Elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated to the office of the President. Niki referred to the book Before the Oath. Neil and Natalia referred to Rebecca Onion’s Slate piece on transitions.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed Biden’s appointment of Alondra Nelson to Deputy Director of Science and Society. Neil recommended Becky Cooper’s book, We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half-Century of Silence. Niki commented on Paul Musgrave’s Washington Post piece, “Trump’s Presidential Library Will Be a Shrine to His Ego.”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  On January 6, armed rioters interrupted the joint session of Congress convened to certify the vote count of the Electoral College. Natalia referred to this Axios article rounding up conservative media response to the insurrection. Niki mentioned David Blight’s book, Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory. Neil discussed Eric Foner’s piece in The Nation and Karen L. Cox’s New York Times piece, both about the Civil War antecedents for the armed insurrection. Natalia drew on this Washington Post article about Ashli Babbitt, and Niki referenced her own writing on this topic at Vox and at CNN. Natalia also commented on Caitlin Flanagan’s Atlantic article. And Neil mentioned his piece for The Week about the Congressional Republicans’ inaction regarding the president. Historian Megan Kate Nelson is assembling essays about the Capitol riot by historians here.   Here are a list of Twitter handles of disinformation experts: Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam) Cristina López G. (@crislopezg) Julia Carrie Wong (@juliacarriew) Tess Owen (@misstessowen) Jane Lytvynenko (@JaneLytv) Joan Donovan (@BostonJoan) Brandy Zadrozny (@BrandyZadrozny)   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed a funny social media gaffe at a popular home decor Instagram account. Neil recommended the new Netflix documentary series, Challenger: The Final Flight. Niki discussed the Netflix comedy series Derry Girls, and Patrick Radden Keefe’s book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland.

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the attempt by Republicans to undermine the final certification of President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  On January 6, Congress will meet in a joint session to formally count the votes of the Electoral College. Natalia referred to Trevor Potter’s Washington Post piece underlining that this meeting should be purely ceremonial, not an opportunity for a referendum on the settled election. Niki elaborated on the useful historical context of John F. Kennedy’s election in 1960. Natalia and Niki drew on this Mother Jones article about the Compromise of 1877.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s NBC THINK piece, “Trump’s Call to Georgia Election Officials Highlights White House Bunker Mentality.” Neil discussed the new podcast, Smokescreen: Fake Priest. Niki recommended Tressie McMillan Cottom’s Medium article, “The Black Ton: From Bridgerton to Love & Hip Hop.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the popularity of Hallmark Christmas movies. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  The Hallmark Christmas movie is a bona fide super-genre. Niki referred to this New Yorker article about how the form took over cable television, and Natalia drew on this piece at The Lily about the tradition of hate-watching the films.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Noreen Malone’s Slate article, “How the School Reopening Debate is Tearing One Elite Community Apart.” Neil discussed the Netflix series, Casa de Flores. Niki shared Kat Eschner’s Smithsonian Magazine article, “The Un-Christmassy Origin of Gingerbread Houses.”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the popularity of the global evangelical megachurch Hillsong. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  Hillsong celebrity pastor Carl Lentz has come under fire for inappropriate behavior, including adultery. Natalia and Neil referred to Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s GQ profile of Lentz, and Neil discussed the history of the seeker-sensitive movement. Natalia referred to David French’s post about hypocrisy among evangelical leaders.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Stella Bugbee’s article at The Cut, “Our Shared Unsharing.” Neil shared Robert Moss’ Serious Eats article, “How Ambrosia Became a Southern Christmas Tradition.” Niki commented on her CNN article, “The Christmas Spirit Powerful, Even in 2020.”

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the Netflix series "The Queen’s Gambit." Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:  The Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit has become the pandemic’s latest must-see TV. Niki referred to the role of African-American character Jolene, discussed in this Bitch article, and to her own piece on female leads for CNN. Neil cited this piece on Russian prowess at chess from Slate.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia shared New York City mayoral candidate Dianne Morales’ Twitter thread about her portrayal in a New York Times roundup. Neil discussed Caitlin Flanagan’s Atlantic article, “Don’t Subject Your Kids to Rudolph.” Niki recommended Marianna Cerini’s CNN article, “A Cozy History of the Ugly Christmas Sweater.”

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the enduring popularity of Dolly Parton. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast 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.”  

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.”