In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the recent passing of two major figures: political historian Alan Brinkley and socialite fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt, and the historical significance of a viral Buzzfeed essay about attending a lesbian cruise.

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

• Columbia political historian Alan Brinkley – a Ph.D. advisor to Neil and Niki and favorite undergraduate professor of Natalia – has died. Niki recommended Alan Brinkley: A Life in History, a collection of essays by some of his students, including Niki. Neil discussed Brinkley’s influential 1994 article in the American Historical Review, “The Problem of American Conservatism.” Natalia recommended David Greenberg’s reflection in TIME on Brinkley’s legacy.
• Heiress and fashion trailblazer Gloria Vanderbilt has died. Niki referred to this Washington Post article about the custody trial that defined Vanderbilt as a “poor little rich girl.” Natalia noted how trailblazing the commercials for her jeans
• Shannon Keating’s Buzzfeed essay about her experience on a lesbian cruise operated by Olivia Travel has gone viral. Natalia cited David K. Johnson’s book Buying Gay.

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

• Natalia recommended a new documentary, The Lavender Scare.
• Neil discussed the Orlando Sentinel’s editorial, “Our Orlando Sentinel Endorsement for 2020: Not Donald Trump.”
• Niki shared P.R. Lockhart’s Vox article, “Writer Ta-Nehisi Coates Gives Mitch McConnell a Thorough History Lesson on Reparations.”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss YouTube’s role in political radicalization, the history of tariffs, and the presidential candidacy of Senator Elizabeth Warren.

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

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

• YouTube’s algorithm, the New York Times reported, serves up increasingly extreme content to viewers. Niki recommended media studies scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan’s book Antisocial Media. Natalia recommended Niki’s book Messengers of the Right.
• Tariffs have become a central part of President Trump’s foreign policy. Niki cited historian Marc W. Palen’s book, The Conspiracy of Free Trade, and Natalia referred to historian Lizabeth Cohen’s book A Consumer’s Republic.
• Senator Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 candidacy is inspiring passionate support from many on the left. Natalia recommended this Politico article about Warren’s conservative past.

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

• Natalia recommended historian Joshua Specht’s new book, Red Meat Republic: A Hoof-to-Table History of How Beef Changed America.
• Neil discussed Jia Tolentino’s New Yorker article, “Why Humans Treat Their Dogs Like People.”
• Niki shared Lindsay Parks Pieper’s Washington Post article, “The Biggest Challenge Facing the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Isn’t on the Field.”

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the significance of the Stonewall Uprising, the legacy of Jazzercise, and the fortieth anniversary of C-SPAN.

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

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

• Fifty years ago this month, the Stonewall Uprising took place. Neil discussed the issues historians have raised with the treatment of Stonewall in popular culture.
• Jazzercise turns 50 this year.
• C-SPAN is 40, and beloved by many. Natalia cited Niki’s article at NBC about the virtues of the channel, while Neil referred to David Graham’s Atlantic article about its mixed legacy.

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

• Natalia discussed the criticism New York City mayor Bill De Blasio endures for his exercise habits.
• Neil recommended the new HBO show, “Chernobyl.”
• Niki reflected on historian Lauren MacIvor Thompson’s viral tweetstorm in response to Cokie Roberts’ misinformed comments about abortion in the nineteenth century.

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the 1994 Crime Bill, a surge in deaths among Mount Everest climbers, and controversy over a plan to build a luxury complex at the Grand Canyon.

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

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

• The 1994 Crime Bill is once again in the news, dogging Joe Biden’s candidacy. Niki referred to Michelle Alexander’s book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. Niki also recommended a New York Times op-ed by Elizabeth Hinton, Julilly Kohler-Hausmann, and Vesla Weaver about African-American responses to the 1994 Crime Bill.
• Deaths among those attempting to reach the peak of Mount Everest have spiked. Neil referred to this National Geographic article about improvements in climbing gear. Natalia cited this detailed description in The New York Times of the crowded scene at the peak. Niki referred to this New Yorker article – from 1954 – about the Sherpa who first ascended Everest, and this Bitch Media article about “manless climbing.”
• A viral Twitter thread was the first many heard of an intense controversy over a plan to construct a luxury hotel and water park at the Grand Canyon. Natalia and Neil commented on former Reagan Administration official Steve Hanke’s Forbes article advocating the privatization of public lands.

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

• Natalia discussed the mostly-forgotten “50-Mile Kennedy March.”
• Neil recommended Jeffrey Bloomer’s Slate article, “Why Everyone Thought Aladdin Had a Secret Sex Message.”
• Niki shared Ryan Grim and Kelly Eleveld’s HuffPost article, “Barack Obama, Harry Reid, and the Secret of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal.”