In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss Greta Gerwig’s film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.

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

• Greta Gerwig’s Little Women has received enthusiastic critical praise. Natalia referred to this New York Times article about the nearly all-white cast, and Niki recommended this New Yorker article about Laura Dern’s portrayal of Marmee. Natalia also cited this American Conservative article about the absence of faith in the latest adaptation.

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

• Natalia discussed the rumored closing of Fairway supermarkets, and historian Dylan Gottlieb’s tweets on the topic.
• Neil recommended Rhonda Kaysen’s New York Times article, “Could the Avocado-Green Kitchen Make a Comeback?”
• Niki shared A.J. Willingham’s CNN article, “ Peanut is Dead for Some Reason.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the longevity of the game show Jeopardy!

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

• Jeopardy! is in the news thanks to its GOAT tournament. Natalia referred to this Smithsonian article about the show’s origin story.

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

• Natalia recommended Sarah Schrank’s new book, Free and Natural: Nudity and the Cult of the American Body.
• Neil discussed Katie Reilly’s Time article, “Donald Trump is Promising ‘Big Action’ on School Prayer to Rally Evangelical Voters.”
• Niki shared Timothy Williams’ New York Times article, “Virginia Approves the E.R.A., Becoming the 38th State to Back It,” and Ben Hitchcock’s C-Ville Weekly article, “A Change is Gonna Come: New Democratic Government has Big Plans, Big Challenges Ahead.”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the devastating bushfires in Australia.

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

• Fire is ravaging Australia. Natalia referred to this Washington Post piece about the politicization of the fires. Niki discussed the long history of bushfires in Australia.

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

• Natalia recommended Ashley Fetters’ Atlantic article, “The Boys Who Wear Shorts All Winter.”
• Neil discussed Campbell Robinson and Elizabeth Dias’ New York Times article, “United Methodist Church Announces Plan to Split Over Same-Sex Marriage.”
• Niki shared Afua Hirsch’s New York Times article, “Black Britons Know Why Meghan Wants Out.”

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the recent attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

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

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

• Iraqi militants stormed the American embassy in Baghdad last week. Neil referenced the recently leaked cable communications between Iran and Iraq. Natalia referred to this Middle East Eye essay on the historical significance of attacks on American embassies and to this Guardian piece on the history of U.S. embassies.

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

• Natalia recommended Margaret Atwood’s new novel, The Testaments, and referred to this Atlantic review of the book.
• Neil discussed Jason Horowitz’s New York Times article, “Pope Francis Apologizes After Slapping Away a Clinging Pilgrim.”
• Niki shared Sarah Holder’s Citylab article, “What Have We Done to Lunch?”