In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

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

• At age 87, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died earlier this month. Natalia referred to historian Jeffrey Melnick’s Twitter thread on the appropriative nature of the term “Notorious RBG” and to the book by the same title. Niki recommended reporter Danielle Kurtzleben’s coverage of Ginsburg’s legacy and endorsed Howard Fineman’s characterization, in the Washington Post, of Mitch McConnell as the “apex predator” of American politics. Neil commented on Michelle Goldberg’s analysis in the New York Times. Natalia recommended Rebecca Traister’s article about the significance of RBG’s cult status.

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

• Natalia discussed Stephanie Winston Wolkoff’s book, Melania and Me.
• Neil recommended the new podcast, Racket: Inside the Gold Club.
• Niki talked about the importance of registering to vote and recommended two books: Carol Anderson’s One Person, No Vote and Ari Berman’s Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America.

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the controversial new Netflix film, Cuties.

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

• Cuties, a French independent film released in the United States has inspired opposition. Niki referred to the connection between the critics’ fear of perversion and the current furor over pedophilia among some on the Right, discussed in Rolling Stone.

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

• Natalia discussed Matthew Remski’s Medium GEN article, “Inside Kelly Brogan’s Covid-Denying, Vax-Resistant Conspiracy Machine.”
• Neil shared Doug Mack’s Lonely Planet article, “From Neon Shovels to Crystal Skulls – the Wild History of the Memphis Pyramid.”
• Niki recommended Amanda Mull’s Atlantic article, “Why Everything is Sold Out.”

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the racial dissembling of historian Jessica Krug.

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

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

• George Washington University historian Jessica Krug has been posing as a Black woman for years, and recently outed herself online. Neil referred to Martha Sandweiss’ book, Passing Strange: A Gilded Tale of Love and Deception Across the Color Line. Natalia referenced this interview with Rachel Dolezal.

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

• Natalia discussed the controversy over enforcing “video-on” while teaching remotely.
• Neil shared about Matthew Gilbert’s Boston Globe article, “The Brits do crime shows really, really well.”
• Niki recommended John Hodgman’s book, Vacationland, as well as his podcast, Judge John Hodgman.

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss new charges of sexual assault against porn actor Ron Jeremy.

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

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

• More than a dozen women have come forward to accuse porn actor Ron Jeremy of sexual assault. Natalia referred to historian Estelle B. Freedman’s book, Redefining Rape: Sexual Violence in the Era of Suffrage and Segregation and to Lorelei Lee’s personal essay about sex work in n+1.

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

• Natalia discussed this petition put forth by the New York City dance community.
• Neil shared about the HBO documentary, Welcome to Chechnya.
• Niki recommended Nellie Bowles’ New York Times article, “God Is Dead. So is the Office. These People Want to Save Both.”

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the new HBO series, Lovecraft Country.

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

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

• Lovecraft Country is attracting attention for its blend of historical drama and horror. Niki discussed this hybrid genre, as explained at Vox. She also mentioned the documentary, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. Neil compared Lovecraft Country to Colson Whitehead’s recent novel, The Underground Railroad. Natalia referred to this history of the “sundown town” at Slate and to historian Allyson Hobbs’ work on The Negro Motorist Green Book.

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

• Natalia recommended the Netflix series, Selling Sunset.
• Neil reflected on Jerry Falwell Jr.’s resignation as president of Liberty University amid an alleged sex scandal.
• Niki discussed Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman’s new book, Big Friendship.