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In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the life and legacy of rock star Tina Turner.  Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·      Tina Turner, at age 83, died last week. Neil drew on this Guardian article about Turner’s genre-crossing body of work and this New Yorker essay, while Natalia referenced this Buzzfeed list that discussed her influence on generations of artists. Neil also recommended the documentary, Tina.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·      Natalia discussed the experimental Jewish community LAB/SHUL. ·      Neil recommended the Daily podcast episode, “When the Culture Wars Came for NASA.” ·      Niki shared about her most recent column for CNN, “Don’t Misread the Failed Effort to Put the Ten Commandments in Every Classroom.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Martha Stewart’s appearance on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·      Martha Stewart, at age 82, is the oldest model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Neil discussed the first swimsuit issue, in 1964, and Niki referred to this Washington Post article about different “firsts” on the publication’s cover. We all drew on this Slate history of the swimsuit issue.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·      Natalia discussed historian Dan Royles’ book, To Make the Wounded Whole: The African American Struggle Against HIV/AIDS. ·      Neil recommended the new Hulu series, Grand Nighthawk: Infiltrating the KKK. ·      Niki shared about James Risen’s new book, The Last Honest Man: The CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedys.

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of camping in the United States. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·      Camping has a long history as a form of recreation – and more. Natalia drew on this New Yorker review of historian Phoebe Young’s book on camping, as well as historian Rachel Gross’ forthcoming book on the history of outdoor gear. Neil recommended the podcasts Lost Hills and Park Predators, and Niki referred to this history about the exclusion of women from camping.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·      Natalia recommended historian Estelle B. Freedman’s Oral History Review article, “’Not A Word Was Ever Said Again’: Silence and Speech in Women’s Oral History Accounts of Sexual Harassment.” ·      Neil discussed Lauren McCarthy’s New York Times article, “Why Americans Are Smuggling Fruit Roll-Ups Into Israel.” ·      Niki shared about Jonathan Eig’s new book, King: A Life.

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the continued cutbacks and collapses of digital media companies. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·      Buzzfeed is the most recent company to announce massive layoffs. Natalia cited Derek Thompson’s Atlantic newsletter, and Niki referred to media columnist Ben Smith’s new book, Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral. We all drew on this New York Times article about the future of media.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·      Natalia shared Joshua Travis Brown’s Chronicle of Higher Education essay, “The Ethical Poverty of Dorms for the Rich.” ·      Neil recommended this episode of the Slate Culture podcast and Aaliyah Wright’s Capital B article, “Once An ‘All-Black Utopia,’ Eatonville Residents Say New Development Could Erase History.” ·      Niki discussed Claire McNear’s Ringer article, “The Search for the Lost Jeopardy Tapes is Over. The Mystery Behind Them Endures.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Tucker Carlson’s dismissal from Fox News. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         Fox News personality Tucker Carlson was summarily fired earlier this week, intensifying turmoil at the conservative news network. Niki covered this in her most recent CNN column. Natalia drew on this POLITICO piece about the future of streaming news and this Atlantic essay about Carlson’s early career.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia discussed Ashley Southall’s New York Times article, “Harlem Businesses Sue to Stop Cannabis Dispensary Planned for 125th Street.” ·         Neil recommended the new Netflix series Queen Charlotte. ·         Niki shared about Josh Moody’s Inside Higher Ed article, “New College Board Denies Tenure for 5 Professors.”

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the push to rollback child labor laws in the United States. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         Republican legislatures have begun to chip away at protective child labor laws across the country. The New York Times has also reported on how the Biden administration has refused to address child labor abuses. Natalia referenced this Guardian article about Iowa’s rollback of protective labor legislation, and Niki referred to this NPR report. Neil drew on the this New York Times opinion piece.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia discussed her own reaction to a change in Twitter’s “blue check” marker. ·         Neil recommended Kathryn Schulz’ New Yorker essay “How One Mother’s Love for Her Gay Son Started a Revolution.” ·         Niki shared about the Washington Post piece, “Mistaken Address Shootings Echo Killing of Japanese Teen 30 Years Ago,” and Andrew McKevitt’s forthcoming book, Gun Country: Gun Capitalism, Culture, and Control in Cold War America.  

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the expulsion of two representatives from the Tennessee state legislature. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         When two Democratic lawmakers were expelled from the Tennessee legislature, discussion turned to the state of democracy there – and in the nation. Niki referred to this Vox article about Tennessee’s dubious distinction as the least democratic state. Natalia drew on this Memphis Flyer piece about how the state turned red, and Neil referenced this Jacobin essay about the insufficiency of federalism to ensure democracy.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia discussed this PBS News Hour podcast, “Study Shows Parents Overestimate Their Student’s Academic Progress.” ·         Neil recommended Allyson P. Brantley’s Slate piece, “Queer Beer.” ·         Niki shared Lauren MacIvor Thompson’s Washington Post article, “The Original Comstock Act Doesn’t Support the New Antiabortion Decision.”

In this rerun episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of spring break and other topics.  Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of children’s story hour.  Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast On this week’s Past Present episode, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil J. Young discuss the history of children’s story hour.   Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         “Drag queen story hours” have become the latest arena in the culture wars. Niki drew on this Slate piece about children’s librarian Anne Carroll Moore. Neil referenced this New York Times piece on the history of drag queen story hours. Natalia referred to historian Julia Mickenberg’s book Learning from the Left: Children’s Literature, the Cold War, and Radical Politics in the United States.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia discussed historian Ava Purkiss’ new book, Fit Citizens: A History of Black Women’s Exercise from Post Reconstruction to Postwar America. ·         Neil recommended Gina Kolata’s New York Times article, “DNA From Beethoven’s Hair Unlocks Medical and Family Secrets.” ·         Niki shared Maham Javaid’s Washington Post article, “After a 1935 Tragedy, a Priest Vowed to Teach Kids About Menstruation.”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the politics and political future of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         Speculation about a 2024 presidential run by Governor Ron DeSantis is filling media across the political spectrum. Natalia referred to this POLITICO piece about Trump losing hold on the grass roots and to this New York essay by Jonathan Chait on DeSantis’ relationship to Trumpism. Niki referenced this Reuters report on DeSantis’ foreign policy perspectives. Neil reflected on DeSantis’ popularity in Florida, discussed in this Washington Post essay.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia discussed Ben Weingarten’s Real Clear Investigations report, “The Problematic Rise of Media Literacy Education.” ·         Neil recommended Jennifer Schuessler’s New York Times article, “For Rare Books Librarians, It’s Gloves Off. Seriously.” ·         Niki shared about her CNN column, “Trump’s Visit to Waco is a Provocation of Historic Significance.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         Fueled by social media panic, depositors ran to withdraw from Silicon Valley Bank this month. Neil drew on this institutional history of the bank at Medium. Niki recommended historian Margaret O’Mara’s book The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America, and Natalia referenced this POLITICO piece in which she is quoted. Natalia drew on this Derek Thompson Atlantic article and referenced this Wall Street Journal opinion piece.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia recommended Chavie Lieber’s Wall Street Journal article, “How Young Women Fight Loneliness –Walking Together in the Park by the Hundreds.” ·         Neil shared about Maria Clara Cabo’s New York Times article, “’Phantom’ Ends. For Musicians, So Does the Gig of a Lifetime.” ·         Niki discussed Susan Salai’s Washington Times piece, “War on Government: ‘Sovereign Citizens’ Bring Surge of Violence.”

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of disability rights activist Judith Heumann. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         Disability rights activist Judith Heumann died earlier this month. Natalia recommended the documentary Crip Camp and this JSTOR Daily collection of sources in disability studies, as well as the blog Nursing Clio.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia recommended Alexis Grenell’s Nation column, “Why Do Republicans Keep Pretending to Be Jewish?” ·         Neil shared about a blog post on Daily Kos, “Tap Water Makes People Gay—Why Yes, Says DeSantis Appointee.” ·         Niki discussed George Packer’s Atlantic article, “A View of American History That Leads to One Conclusion.”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the Supreme Court’s deliberation over the cancellation of student loan debt. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         The Supreme Court seems poised to strike down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness policy. Natalia referred to this CNBC timeline of the recent history of the student-loan cancellation movement and drew on this Washington Post essay about the devaluation of education as a public good. Neil drew on this Slate history about the culture of debt in the United States, and Niki used this explainer to elaborate the “major questions doctrine.”     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia recommended Matt Yglesias’ post, “Why Are Young Liberals So Depressed?” on his Substack, Slow Boring. ·         Neil shared about a new podcast, Recollecting Carter. ·         Niki discussed Maura Judkis’ Washington Post article, “American Girl says the ‘90s are Ancient History. American Girls Agree.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy.  Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         President Jimmy Carter recently announced that he is entering hospice care. Natalia referenced this New York Times essay by Carter biographer Kai Bird, and Niki drew on this article in The Nation. We also drew on the late Leo Ribuffo’s posthumously, recently published The Limits of Moderation: Jimmy Carter and the Limits of American Liberalism.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia shared about Sandra Fox’s new book, The Jews of Summer: Summer Camp and Jewish Culture in Postwar America. ·         Neil discussed Seth Abramovitch’s Hollywood Reporter article, “Super Bowl Flashback: Michael Jackson Turned the Halftime Show into an Extravaganza in 1993.” ·         Niki recommended journalist Jessica Valenti’s Substack Abortion, Every Day.

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss ChatGPT. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         The suddenly ubiquitous artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT is making many people nervous. Niki referred to this New Yorker article and this City Journal essay. Neil and Natalia drew on this New York Times article by technology columnist Kevin Roose. We all referenced this Discourse magazine essay about science fiction dystopianism.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia recommended Dani Blum’s New York Times article, “How the Language of Therapy Took Over Dating.” ·         Neil discussed Jake Traylor’s NBC News article, “A Nonstop Kentucky Prayer ‘Revival’ is Going Viral on TikTok, and People are Traveling Thousands of Miles to Take Part.” ·         Niki shared journalist Erik Wemple’s Twitter thread on the disconnect between the reporting of supposed election fraud and the beliefs of Fox News anchors involved.

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the history of menopause.  Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   ·         A New York Times magazine article about menopause recently went viral. Natalia drew from this Next Avenue review of Gail Collins’ book. Neil referenced Menopause: The Musical, and Niki drew on this Public Books essay about women’s ways of aging.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: ·         Natalia recommended the Netflix series Killer Sally. ·         Neil discussed Thomas Fuller’s New York Times article, “Never Mind Your Wallet. Armed Robbers Want Your French Bulldog”. ·         Niki shared historian Rick Perlstein’s Forum essay, “They Want Your Child!”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of the Advanced Placement program. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   Florida governor Ron DeSantis has denounced the Advanced Placement African American Studies course as being too “woke.” We drew on Annie Abrams’ forthcoming book, Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheats Students. Natalia referred to this Washington Post interview with AP director Trevor Packer and Niki discussed this Atlantic article on previous AP controversies. Neil referenced this Vox article on the specific controversies around AP history courses.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia discussed Alaina Demopoulos’ Guardian article, “’Watch this Creep’: The Women Exposing Gym Harassment on TikTok.” Neil shared Michael Schulman’s New Yorker article, “What Became of the Oscar Streaker?” Niki recommended historian Matt Delmont’s new book, Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II At Home and Abroad.

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of the sleepover – and why they have become so complicated for parents today. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   Parents have strong feelings about sleepovers. Niki referred to this Glamour roundup of sleepovers in pop culture, and Natalia drew on this Atlantic article. We all drew on this history of slumber parties and folklore from JSTOR Daily.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended Annie Abrams’ forthcoming book, Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheats Students. Neil shared Elizabeth Hinton’s American Historical Review essay, “The Last Great Battle of the West.” Niki discussed Ronan Farrow’s book Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators.

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the “nepo baby” phenomenon. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Everyone seems to be talking about “nepo babies.” Niki referred to Adam Bellow’s Atlantic article about the promise of an updated nepotism. Natalia cited this New York Times essay about political nepotism, and Neil drew on this National Constitution Center article about the founders.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended the Bloomberg podcast, “The School Board Queen.” Neil shared Suzanna Krivulskaya’s Religion Dispatches article, “Bad Preachers’ Wives.” Niki discussed Erin Byers Murray’s Nashville Lifestyles piece, “Nashville Public Library Introduces New Exhibit: Votes for Women.”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the political controversy over regulating gas stoves. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:   The Biden administration raised the possibility of a ban on gas stoves in new construction. Niki referred to this VICE article about the culture-wars issue this became. Natalia cited this Mother Jones article on the affective appeal of gas stoves. Niki also drew on this National Review essay about the racialized impact of the measure.     In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: Natalia recommended the latest episode of Claire Bond Potter’s podcast, Why Now, in which she interviews Ryan James Girdusky. Neil shared about the podcast, The Trojan Horse Affair. Niki discussed the Chicago Public Library’s collection of Harold Washington’s speeches.