In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the past and present of U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan.

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

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

• After nearly two decades, President Biden announced that all American troops were leaving Afghanistan, which quickly fell to the Taliban. Natalia referred to Jeremy Varon’s Washington Post piece about the antiwar movement, and to this conversation at Public Seminar between historians Claire Bond Potter and Amanda Demmer.

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

• Natalia recommended the Netflix series The Chair.
• Neil discussed James Poniewozik’s New York Times article, “How TV Went From David Brent to Ted Lasso.”
• Niki talked about the political significance of the gubernatorial recall election underway in California.

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the rise – and fate – of the “ethnic food aisle” at the American grocery store.

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

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

• The New York Times published an article about the debate over the ethnic food aisle, which is both undeniably ethnocentric and an important sales channel for purveyors of such products. Natalia referenced chef David Chang’s opposition to the phenomenon and this debacle over a “clean Chinese” restaurant in New York City.

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

• Natalia discussed sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom’s new gig at the New York Times.
• Neil shared about the new podcast, “No Place Like Home.”
• Niki recommended Claire Lampen’s The Cut article, “Wondering What To Do With that Cuomosexual Cashmere?”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the pandemic.

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

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

• The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed for a year, are in full swing despite the ongoing pandemic. Natalia mentioned this NPR piece about the unfair treatment of Paralympics competitor Becca Meyers, and Neil referred to the ambiguity over whether breastfeeding mothers could bring their babies into the Olympic Village. Natalia discussed this New York Times piece about past gymnasts who have been injured in competition. Neil mentioned his column for The Week on conservative media’s attack on Team USA.

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

• Natalia discussed the Netflix series, “Never Have I Ever.”
• Neil commented on the HBO documentary, The Weight of Gold.
• Niki talked about Mary Robinette Kowal’s New York Times essay, “Wally Funk is Defying Gravity and 60 Years of Exclusion From Space.”