In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of ROTC.

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

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

• The presence of required Junior ROTC courses in American public schools made news last week. Neil referenced this Army history of ROTC. Natalia referred to this PBS segment about the debates over reinstating ROTC, and Niki drew on this Washington Times article about bridging the military recruitment gap.

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

• Natalia shared Alex Vadukul’s New York Times article, “Luddite Teens Don’t Want Your Likes.”
• Neil discussed Michelle Debczak’s Mental Floss article, “The Tumultuous History of Tinsel.”
• Niki recommended the podcast “If Books Could Kill.”

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of prisoner exchanges.

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

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

• WNBA player Brittney Griner has returned home from Russian detainment. Neil referenced this New Yorker article about Trump’s aberrant approach to hostage policy. Niki referred to this NPR piece about the case of Bowe Bergdahl.

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

• Natalia talked about the labor dispute at The New School.
• Neil discussed the death of former Rep. Jim Kolbe, and his most recent piece for the Washington Post, “Activism Convinced Just Enough Republicans to Support Same-Sex Marriage.”
• Niki shared about Michael M. Grynbaum’s New York Times article, “Elon Musk, Matt Taibbi, and a Very Modern Media Maelstrom.”

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the resurgence of antisemitism in the United States.

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

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

• Former president Donald Trump dined at Mar-a-Lago with noted antisemites Kanye West and Nick Fuentes. Niki referred to this Arizona Mirror piece about the Kari Lake’s endorsement of an antisemite in Arizona. Natalia referenced this Washington Post article about the resurgence of an antisemitism many thought a relic of the past.

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

• Natalia shared about the jewelry designer Rachie Shnay.
• Neil recommended the podcast Bone Valley.
• Niki discussed Rossi Anastopoulo’s Slate article, “The Extremely American History of Pecan Pie.”