In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the convoy of truckers that has occupied Ottawa, Canada.

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

• A convoy of truckers and their allies, totaling about 8,000 people, has gathered in the center of Ottawa, Canada, in protest of what they consider excessive COVID prevention policy. Natalia referred to Michelle Goldberg’s New York Times column about the protest, and Niki referred to Dahlia Lithwick’s Slate article on its narrow appeal.

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

• Natalia discussed Elizabeth Williams’ New York Times article, “A Child’s TikTok Stardom Opens Doors. Then A Gunman Arrives.”
• Neil recommended Alex Marzano-Lesnevich’s book, The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir.
• Niki reflected on the long life of the phrase “well behaved women seldom make history,” coined by historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss a controversial new Adidas ad for sports bras.

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

• Adidas went viral earlier this month for tweeting twenty-five sets of bare breasts in order to promote a new line of sports bras. Niki discussed this Time cover about breastfeeding. Neil referred to this Atlantic article about using breasts to sell products, and Natalia drew on historian Martha Verbrugge’s book Active Bodies and this Elle feature about changing activewear trends. Natalia also referred to holdings in the Smithsonian’s Jogbra collection.

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

• Natalia reflected on the life and legacy of the late fitness pioneer Patricia Moreno.
• Neil discussed the Netflix reality show Selling Tampa.
• Niki recommended Seth Stevenson’s Slate piece, “The Moment Sarah Palin’s Testimony Fell Apart.”

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the cultural significance of emoji, in light of the release of new forms.

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

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

• The Unicode Consortium has released dozens of new emoji, including a pregnant man, a melting face, and multiple new family configurations. Natalia referred to this Atlantic essay and to this BBC piece, and Niki to this essay on Science Friday.

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

• Natalia discussed the range of causes currently motivating student protests, including this walkout in Poway, California.
• Neil shared Dr. Amanda Joy Calhoun’s Stat News article, “How Black Hair Racism Affects Mental Health.”
• Niki recommended Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times piece, “We Still Can’t See American Slavery For What It Was.”

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s decision to retire.

Support Past Present on Patreon: http://www.pastpresentpodcast.com/episodes

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

• Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has announced he will retire at the end of his term, a move many say is reflective of his pragmatism. Natalia referred to this New York Times piece about Breyer’s effort to eschew ideology and to this Teen Vogue article about the need for him to retire during a Democratic presidency. Niki drew on this Atlantic essay on the illusion of impartiality.

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

• Natalia shared Michael Powell’s New York Times article, “How It Feels to Be an Asian Student in An Elite Public School.”
• Neil commented on Emily Baker-White’s Buzzfeed article, “Nothing Sacred: These Apps Reserve the Right to Sell Your Prayers.”
• Niki discussed right-wing radio host Dan Bongino’s relish for deplatforming.