In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the significance of major cutbacks at West Virginia University.

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

·      The announcement of major cutbacks to academic programs at West Virginia University has drawn ire from students and alumni. Natalia cited this Atlantic article by Tom Nichols and this Nation essay by Lisa M. Corrigan. Niki drew on this PBS article.

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

·      Natalia discussed the edited collection, Who Would Believe a Prisoner?: Indiana Women’s Carceral Institutions, 1848-1920.

·      Neil recommended the Netflix film, “Red, White, and Royal Blue” and this BBC article about hate-watching.

·      Niki shared about Kathryn Cramer Brownell’s new book, 24/7 Politics, and her Los Angeles Review of Books essay, “Propaganda, Outrage, and Entertainment.”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the current strike in Hollywood.

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

·      Hollywood actors and writers have been on strike for more than one hundred days. Niki drew on this Hollywood Reporter article about Ronald Reagan’s tenure as a union leader. Natalia referred to this New Yorker story about Orange Is The New Black, and we all drew on this NPR retrospective on the history of Hollywood strikes.

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

·      Natalia discussed her essay “We’re All Preppy Now” for The New Republic.

·      Neil recommended historian Lauren Lassabe Shepherd’s new book, Resistance From the Right.

·      Niki shared about Ben Strauss and Molly Hensley-Clancy’s Washington Post article, “Hollywood Cashed in on ‘Blind Side’ Success.”

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss “trigger warnings.”

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

·      An essay in The Atlantic by Jill Filipovic is the latest salvo in the debate over “trigger warnings.” Niki cited Filipovic’s 2014 Guardian piece on the topic as well as this New Republic essay on the salient history of PTSD. Neil drew on this New Yorker article about how well the trigger warnings actually work. Natalia referred to this New York magazine story about trauma.

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

·      Natalia recommended the new podcast, Classy.

·      Neil discussed Joel Mathis’ article for The Week, “Is Conference Realignment Ruining College Football?”

·       Niki shared about Katherine Stewart’s New Republic article, “The Claremont Institute: The Anti-Democracy Think Tank” and referred to Christopher Mathias’Huff Post investigation, “Richard Hanania, Rising Right-Wing Star, Wrote for White Supremacist Sites Under Pseudonym.”

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of comedian Paul Reubens. 

You can support Past Present here: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast

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

·      Paul Reubens, best known for  his recurring role as Pee-wee Herman, has died. Natalia referred to this Daily Beast retrospective and Niki drew on this New York Times magazine piece.

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

·      Natalia discussed Rebecca Jennings’ Vulture article, “Where Is Britney Spears?”

·      Neil recommended the BBC podcast, A Very British Cult.

·      Niki shared about this episode of the Strict Scrutiny podcast.          

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the new megahit film, Barbie. 

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

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

·      Barbie, directed by filmmaker Greta Gerwig, is a box-office blockbuster. Natalia drew on this MSNBC piece she wrote about the doll’s complicated legacy, and Niki reflected on this New York Times article about the film’s salience in a post-Roe era. We all drew on Anne-Helen Petersen’s Culture Study newsletter on the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon.

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

·      Natalia recommended Marisa Meltzer’s forthcoming book, Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Glossier’s Emily Weiss.

·      Neil discussed Charlie Mahtesian and Madi Alexander’s POLITICO story, “‘This Is a Really Big Deal’: How College Towns Are Decimating the GOP.”

·       Niki shared about the latest season of FX’s series The Bear.