In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the new weight loss drug, Ozempic.

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

• Ozempic, an injectable used for diabetes treatment, is also hailed for its use as a diet drug and hated for its intense side effects. Neil referenced this Wall Street Journal article about the ritzy circles in which Ozempic has become popular. Niki drew on this Reuters piece about the history of weight loss drugs.

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

• Natalia recommended historian Kathryn J. McGarr’s new book, City of Newsmen: Public Lies and Professional Secrets in Cold War Washington.
• Neil discussed Ruth Graham’s New York Times article, “Old Latin Mass Finds New American Audience, Despite Pope’s Disapproval.”
• Niki shared about historian Beverly Gage’s new book, G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century.

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the results of the 2022 midterm elections.

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

• The much-anticipated “red wave” of Republican victories never materialized in the midterm elections. Natalia referred to this Intelligener piece about the role of crime in New York-area elections, and Niki drew on this article about what these results indicate regarding Trump’s presidential prospects. Natalia spoke to NBC about the GOP’s performance in Florida.

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

• Natalia discussed Lagos and Brooklyn-based fashion brand Busayo NYC.
• Neil recommended Eley Williams’ novel, The Liar’s Dictionary, and this companion article from The New Yorker.
• Niki discussed Malcolm Harris’ Intelligencer article, “The Rise of Influencer Capital.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the past and uncertain future of affirmative action in higher education.

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

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

• Affirmative action is the next progressive policy under threat by the current Supreme Court. Niki cited this Slate piece by historian Ellen D. Wu. Natalia referenced historian David C. Cecelski’s book, Along Freedom Road. We all drew on this helpful history of the term in the New York Times.

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

• Natalia discussed this episode of the New York Times “First Person” podcast.
• Neil discussed restaurant critic Gael Greene’s New York Times obituary.
• Niki recommended Rachel Monroe’s New Yorker article, “The Disturbing Rise of Amateur Predator-Hunting Stings.”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the recent scourge of rats in New York City and elsewhere.

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

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

• New York City is experiencing a surge in the rat population. Natalia referenced this New York magazine article about now omnipresent dining sheds and the rats they attract. Niki referred to Robert Sullivan’s research on rats and the rat-free idyll that is Alberta, Canada. Neil discussed this article about 19th-century British practice of rat catching and breeding. Niki discussed rat-catching in the 1970s on this episode of her This Day in Esoteric Political History

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

• Natalia discussed CBS LA’s report, “Holocaust Museum of LA Flooded With Antisemitic Messages After Offering Kanye West A Private Tour.”
• Neil commented on David Masciotra’s New Republic article, “The Growing Religious Alliance to Ban LGBTQ Books.”
• Niki talked about Pat Buchanan and the resurgent embrace of Christian nationalism, as she explores in Partisans.