In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the life and legacy of Karl Lagerfeld, controversies over the Pledge of Allegiance, and the death of Lee Radziwill.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Karl Lagerfeld, one of the most prolific designers of our era, has died. Natalia referred to this article on the rise of the “heritage brand.”
• After an 11-year-old Florida student refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance, he was arrested. Natalia referred to historian Christopher Petrella’s Washington Post piece on the nativist sentiment that inspired the Pledge. Neil recommended historian Kevin Kruse’s book One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America on how “under God” was added to the Pledge during the Cold War.
• Socialite and style icon Lee Radziwill has died. Neil recommended Vanessa Friedman’s New York Times article on her legacy as an “influencer,” and Natalia suggested this piece at The Cut about “the Cinderella trap.” Natalia and Neil recommend Grey Gardens, the 1975 documentary and Broadway show.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared her Well+Good article, “Yoga Pants Made Lululemon Founder a Billionaire – Why Isn’t He More Grateful to the Women Who Wear Them?”
• Neil discussed Jasmine Sanders’ New York Times article, “A Black Legacy, Wrapped Up in Fur.”
• Niki recommended Geraldo Cadava’s Washington Post article, “How the Border Wall Divided the GOP.”

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the celebrity of Cardi B, Jeff Bezos’ “below-the-belt selfie,” and the death of Lyndon LaRouche.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Cardi B became the first woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Hip-Hop Album, and she’s been a vocal critic of President Trump. Natalia referred to comments by her history teacher that Cardi B had been an excellent history student, while Niki referred to a GQ interview in which she discussed her passion for political science and history. Niki also recommended historian Katie Cramer Brownell’s book Showbiz Politics.
• Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has gone on the attack against the National Enquirer, which, he says, has been attempting to extort him. Niki recommended David Greenberg’s Politico piece on political taboos.
• Lyndon LaRouche, founder of a bizarre political movement that spanned four decades, has died. Natalia recommended this Washington Monthly piece that compared the LaRouche movement to a vanity press.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Carmen Maria Machado’s Vogue article, “A New Generation is Taking on Latinx L.A.’s Beauty Rituals.”
• Neil discussed Avery Anapol’s The Hill article, “Longtime Sportscaster Charged with Felony After Removing the Word ‘Plantation’ from Sign at His Gate.”
• Niki shared Jeremy Barr’s Hollywood Reporter article, “Fox News Rejects National Ad for Oscar-Nominated Anti-Nazi Documentary.”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of blackface, political upheaval in Venezuela, and the demise of Valentine’s Day conversation hearts.

Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Two top Virginia Democrats have admitted to wearing blackface. Natalia pointed to a recent Gucci turtleneck that many have called sartorial blackface. Niki referred to Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times op-ed about the bar for unacceptable racism in the United States and historian Rhae Lynn Barnes’ Washington Post piece on the history of blackface among American politicians.
• Venezuela is in extreme turmoil. Niki cited this Washington Post piece on Trump’s dangerous tactics vis-à-vis Venezuela by historians Federico Finchelstein and Pablo Piccato. Natalia recommended this primer on the “petrostate” from the Council on Foreign Relations.
• The conversation hearts that have for so long been a Valentine’s Day staple will not be widely available this February 14. Natalia recommended this Smithsonian Magazine article on the history of chocolate as a more sensual Valentine’s Day gift.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the Netflix documentary, “Abducted in Plain Sight.”
• Neil shared the Atlantic article, “Sears Once Sold Heroin.”
• Niki commented on Victoria Saker Woeste’s Washington Post article, “Why Ford Needs to Grapple With Its Founder’s Anti-Semitism.”

In this podcast, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss Howard Schultz’ presidential bid, gay men in the priesthood, and the enduring fascination with serial killer Ted Bundy.

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 Howard Schultz’ presidential bid, gay men in the priesthood, and the enduring fascination with serial killer Ted Bundy. 

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Starbucks founder Howard Schultz has announced he is running for the presidency in 2020. Natalia referred to Michelle Goldberg’s New York Times piece pleading Schultz not to run.
• Gay men, by even the most conservative metrics, are represented in the priesthood in greater proportion than in the general population. Neil referred to Andrew Sullivan’s New York article on why this might be.
• Serial killer Ted Bundy was executed thirty years ago, and ongoing fascination with his story has inspired two new accounts of his violent career. Conversations with a Killer is a Netflix docuseries, and a feature film starring Zac Efron debuted at the Sundance Film Festival. Natalia recommended historian Paul M. Renfro’s forthcoming book, Stranger Danger: Family Values, Childhood, and the American Carceral State.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia commented on Thomas Simonetti’s Washington Post article, “A Photographer Documents the Heart-Wrenching Final Moments of Pet Owners with Their Dying Pets” and Bethan Bell’s BBC News article, “Taken From Life: The Unsettling Art of Death Photography.”
• Neil discussed Amy Chozick’s New York Times article, “You Know the Lorena Bobbitt Story. But Not All of It.”
• Niki shared Kimberly Ross and Andrea Ruth’s Bulwark article, “Why We Are Quitting RedState.”