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Past Present

Past Present brings together three historians to discuss what's happening in American politics and culture today. Natalia, Neil, and Niki bring historical insights to the news of the day, offering listeners an alternative to the reflexive and polarized world of punditry. Interested in the world around you but exhausted by rote reactions and partisan talking points? You've come to the right place.
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Now displaying: 2023
Mar 21, 2023

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

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

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

 

·         Fueled by social media panic, depositors ran to withdraw from Silicon Valley Bank this month. Neil drew on this institutional history of the bank at Medium. Niki recommended historian Margaret O’Mara’s book The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America, and Natalia referenced this POLITICO piece in which she is quoted. Natalia drew on this Derek Thompson Atlantic article and referenced this Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

 

 

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

·         Natalia recommended Chavie Lieber’s Wall Street Journal article, “How Young Women Fight Loneliness –Walking Together in the Park by the Hundreds.”

·         Neil shared about Maria Clara Cabo’s New York Times article, “’Phantom’ Ends. For Musicians, So Does the Gig of a Lifetime.”

·         Niki discussed Susan Salai’s Washington Times piece, “War on Government: ‘Sovereign Citizens’ Bring Surge of Violence.”

Mar 14, 2023

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of disability rights activist Judith Heumann.

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

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

 

·         Disability rights activist Judith Heumann died earlier this month. Natalia recommended the documentary Crip Camp and this JSTOR Daily collection of sources in disability studies, as well as the blog Nursing Clio.

 

 

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

·         Natalia recommended Alexis Grenell’s Nation column, “Why Do Republicans Keep Pretending to Be Jewish?

·         Neil shared about a blog post on Daily Kos,Tap Water Makes People Gay—Why Yes, Says DeSantis Appointee.”

·         Niki discussed George Packer’s Atlantic article, “A View of American History That Leads to One Conclusion.”

Mar 7, 2023

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the Supreme Court’s deliberation over the cancellation of student loan debt.

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

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

 

·         The Supreme Court seems poised to strike down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness policy. Natalia referred to this CNBC timeline of the recent history of the student-loan cancellation movement and drew on this Washington Post essay about the devaluation of education as a public good. Neil drew on this Slate history about the culture of debt in the United States, and Niki used this explainer to elaborate the “major questions doctrine.”

 

 

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

·         Natalia recommended Matt Yglesias’ post, “Why Are Young Liberals So Depressed?” on his Substack, Slow Boring.

·         Neil shared about a new podcast, Recollecting Carter.

·         Niki discussed Maura Judkis’ Washington Post article, “American Girl says the ‘90s are Ancient History. American Girls Agree.”

Feb 28, 2023

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy. 

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

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

 

·         President Jimmy Carter recently announced that he is entering hospice care. Natalia referenced this New York Times essay by Carter biographer Kai Bird, and Niki drew on this article in The Nation. We also drew on the late Leo Ribuffo’s posthumously, recently published The Limits of Moderation: Jimmy Carter and the Limits of American Liberalism.

 

 

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

·         Natalia shared about Sandra Fox’s new book, The Jews of Summer: Summer Camp and Jewish Culture in Postwar America.

·         Neil discussed Seth Abramovitch’s Hollywood Reporter article, “Super Bowl Flashback: Michael Jackson Turned the Halftime Show into an Extravaganza in 1993.

·         Niki recommended journalist Jessica Valenti’s Substack Abortion, Every Day.

Feb 21, 2023

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss ChatGPT.

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

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

 

·         The suddenly ubiquitous artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT is making many people nervous. Niki referred to this New Yorker article and this City Journal essay. Neil and Natalia drew on this New York Times article by technology columnist Kevin Roose. We all referenced this Discourse magazine essay about science fiction dystopianism.

 

 

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

·         Natalia recommended Dani Blum’s New York Times article, “How the Language of Therapy Took Over Dating.”

·         Neil discussed Jake Traylor’s NBC News article, “A Nonstop Kentucky Prayer ‘Revival’ is Going Viral on TikTok, and People are Traveling Thousands of Miles to Take Part.”

·         Niki shared journalist Erik Wemple’s Twitter thread on the disconnect between the reporting of supposed election fraud and the beliefs of Fox News anchors involved.

Feb 14, 2023

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

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

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

 

·         A New York Times magazine article about menopause recently went viral. Natalia drew from this Next Avenue review of Gail Collins’ book. Neil referenced Menopause: The Musical, and Niki drew on this Public Books essay about women’s ways of aging.

 

 

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

·         Natalia recommended the Netflix series Killer Sally.

·         Neil discussed Thomas Fuller’s New York Times article, “Never Mind Your Wallet. Armed Robbers Want Your French Bulldog”.

·         Niki shared historian Rick Perlstein’s Forum essay, “They Want Your Child!

Feb 7, 2023

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of the Advanced Placement program.

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

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

 

 

 

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

Jan 31, 2023

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of the sleepover – and why they have become so complicated for parents today.

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

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

 

 

 

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

Jan 24, 2023

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the “nepo baby” phenomenon.

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

 

 

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

Jan 17, 2023

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the political controversy over regulating gas stoves.

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

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

 

 

 

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

Jan 10, 2023

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the process of selecting the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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

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

 

 

 

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

Jan 3, 2023

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss – and celebrate! – Natalia’s new book Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession.

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

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

 

  • Fit Nation is now available for order. You can buy here.

 

 

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

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