Info

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.
RSS Feed
Past Present
2024
April


2023
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2022
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2021
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2020
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: September, 2023
Sep 26, 2023

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the apparent crisis at scholar Ibram X. Kendi’s Center for Antiracist Research. 

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

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

 

·      After amassing tens of millions of dollars in funding, Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research abruptly laid off a third of its staff last week. Natalia referred to historian Holly Brewer’s scholarly critique of Kendi’s work in this Liberties essay, and Niki referred to extensive right-wing coverage of the issue, like this Fox News piece.

 

 

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

·      Natalia recommended Aymann Ismail’s Slate essay, “Closed Book.”

·      Neil shared about historian Benjamin E. Park’s Slate essay, “Sound of Freedom’s Tim Ballard Is a Star on the Right. Why Would His Church Denounce Him?

·      Niki discussed her column for CNN Opinion, “Maren Morris’ Powerful Farewell to Country Music.”

Sep 19, 2023

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the latest “crisis of masculinity.” 

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

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

 

·      Men, according to a recent New York Times report, benefit from a “thumb on the scale” when it comes to college admissions. The report belongs to a larger debate over a “crisis of masculinity” today. Niki referred to this New York magazine article about Andrew Tate, and Natalia cited right-wing documentaries The End of Men and What is a Woman? Natalia and Niki both cited Christine Emba’s interview in Vox, and Neil referred to this New Yorker article.

 

 

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

·      Natalia discussed the ProPublica investigative report, “How Columbia Ignored Women, Undermined Prosecutors and Protected a Predator for More Than 20 Years.”

·      Neil shared about Remy Tumin’s New York Times article, “The Battle to Save Marilyn Monroe’s Last Home.”

·      Niki recommended Mark Joseph Stern’s Slate article, “The Volunteer Moms Poring Over Archives to Prove Clarence Thomas Wrong.”

Sep 12, 2023

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

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

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

 

·      The new HBO docuseries Telemarketers is bringing attention to a decades-old industry. Niki drew on this Atlantic article about scams in the industry and this history of the “Do Not Call” registry, and Natalia drew on this Slate piece.

 

 

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

·      Natalia discussed her latest MSNBC column, “Ramaswamy Amplifies A Strange, Outdated Myth to Back a Genuinely Good Idea.”

·      Neil shared about his most recent CNN piece, “Strays is a Raunchy, Hilarious Reminder of a Real Problem.”

·      Niki recommended Jonathan Chait’s New York magazine review, “Samuel Moyn Can’t Stop Blaming Trumpism on Liberals.”

Sep 5, 2023

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

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

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

 

·      The release of former President Donald Trump’s mugshot was met with enthusiasm across the political spectrum. We discussed the long history of the mugshot. Niki drew on this NPR piece, and Natalia referred to this Hyperallergic post. Neil and Natalia referenced this Marshall Project report.

 

 

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

·      Natalia discussed the Independent Women’s Forum report, “Oberlin College Administrators Caught on Secret Recording Reprimanding Head Lacrosse Coach for Defending Women’s Sports.”

·      Neil recommended the podcast series, America After Roe.

·      Niki shared about her latest CNN column, “How the GOP Used Joe the Plumber to Sell a Myth.”

1