Niki, Neil, and Natalia

Past Present

History EN ↓ 416 episodes

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.

Author

Niki, Neil, and Natalia

Episodes

Episode 182: The 1994 Crime Bill, Mount Everest, and the Grand Canyon 04.06.2019 49:29

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the 1994 Crime Bill, a surge in deaths among Mount Everest climbers, and controversy over a plan to build a luxury complex at the Grand Canyon. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: The 1994 Crime Bill is once again in the news, dogging Joe...

Episode 181: Student Loans, Fur Bans, and TWA 28.05.2019 44:37

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss billionaire Robert F. Smith's historic gift to the Morehouse College class of 2019, a proposed fur ban in New York City, and the opening of a chic new hotel in the TWA terminal. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Private equity billionair...

Episode 180: Sex Strike, David McCullough, and Doris Day 21.05.2019 48:09

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss a proposed "sex strike," historian David McCullough's new book, and the life and legacy of Doris Day. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Actor and activist Alyssa Milano this week suggested that women withhold sex from men until women ach...

Episode 179: Electability, Caster Semenya, and Rachel Held Evans 14.05.2019 55:29

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the concept of "electability," the gender policing of South African runner Caster Semenya, and the legacy of Christian writer Rachel Held Evans. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: With over 20 Democratic candidates in the running, " elect...

Episode 178: John Singleton, Anti-Semitism in the New York Times, and TikTok 07.05.2019 49:35

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the legacy of filmmaker John Singleton, an anti-Semitic cartoon in the New York Times, and the latest social media sensation, TikTok. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Filmmaker John Singleton has died . Natalia discussed this article by...

Episode 177: Ancestry.com, Vigilante Border Patrol Groups, and Cargo Shorts 30.04.2019 46:51

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss outrage over an Ancestry.com ad, vigilante groups policing the U.S.-Mexico border, and the controversy over cargo shorts. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Ancestry.com released – and quickly pulled – an advertisement depicting a romantic re...

Episode 176: Notre Dame Cathedral, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and the Center for American Progress 23.04.2019 51:23

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the fire at Paris' Notre Dame cathedral, President Trump's attacks against Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and the history of liberal think tanks. Support Past Present on Patreon: http://www.pastpresentpodcast.com/episodes Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: The world watched as Paris' iconic Notre Dame Cathedra...

Episode 175: Stephen Miller and DHS, Measles and the Anti-Vaccination Movement, and Adjunct Professors 16.04.2019 54:01

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the influence of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, the resurgence of measles in the United States and the anti-vaccination movement, and the plight of adjunct professors. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: A spate of departures at the Departm...

Episode 174: Reparations, Leggings, and Nipsey Hussle 09.04.2019 49:54

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the case for reparations, why leggings are so controversial, and the legacy of rapper Nipsey Hussle. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Reparations for slavery have gained renewed currency among policymakers. Neil referred to Ta-Nehisi Co...

Episode 173: The Mueller Report, the Electoral College, and Arugula Lettuce 02.04.2019 47:54

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the Mueller Report, the movement to end the Electoral College, and why not many Americans eat arugula lettuce. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Special Counsel Robert Mueller's long-awaited report has been released , though the public h...

Episode 172: "Operation Varsity Blues," the White Supremacy Terrorist Attack in New Zealand, and Beto O'Rourke 26.03.2019 52:33

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the college admissions scandal, the white supremacy terrorist attack in New Zealand, Beto O'Rourke's bid for the presidency. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: College admissions has long legally favored the wealthy, but " Operation Varsi...

Episode 171: "Cancel Culture," Hobbies, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 19.03.2019 52:26

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss "cancel culture," the lost art of hobbies, and the tragic Ethiopian Airlines crash. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast On this week's Past Present episode, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil J. Young discuss "cancel culture," the lost art of hobbies, and the tragic Ethiopian Air crash. Here ar...

Episode 170: "Finding Neverland," Luke Perry, and the United Methodist Church and LGBTQ Christians 12.03.2019 55:42

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss "Leaving Neverland," a new documentary about Michael Jackson's alleged child abuse, the legacy of late "Beverly Hills, 90210" star Luke Perry, and the United Methodist Church's decision to tighten its restrictions on same-sex marriage and gay clergy. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and...

Episode 169: Jussie Smollett, Christopher Hasson, and Debunking Psychics 05.03.2019 53:59

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the scandal over Jussie Smollett's alleged attack, Christopher Hasson's terrorist plot, and how the internet is helping debunk mediums and psychics. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Actor Jussie Smollett is at the center of the nation's...

Episode 168: Karl Lagerfeld, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Lee Radziwill 26.02.2019 48:13

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the life and legacy of Karl Lagerfeld, controversies over the Pledge of Allegiance, and the death of Lee Radziwill. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Karl Lagerfeld, one of the most prolific designers of our era, has died. Natalia referr...

Episode 167: Cardi B, Jeff Bezos, and Lyndon LaRouche 19.02.2019 44:03

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the celebrity of Cardi B, Jeff Bezos' "below-the-belt selfie," and the death of Lyndon LaRouche. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Cardi B became the first woman to win the Grammy Award for Best Hip-Hop Album, and she's been a vocal crit...

Episode 166: Blackface, Venezuela, and Conversation Hearts 12.02.2019 45:03

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of blackface, political upheaval in Venezuela, and the demise of Valentine's Day conversation hearts. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Two top Virginia Democrats have admitted to wearing blackface . Natalia pointed to a rece...

Episode 165: Howard Schultz, Gay Priests, and Ted Bundy 05.02.2019 49:50

In this podcast, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss Howard Schultz' presidential bid, gay men in the priesthood, and the enduring fascination with serial killer Ted Bundy. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast On this week's Past Present episode, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil J. Young discuss Howard Schultz' presidential bid, gay men in the p...

Episode 164: Marching on Washington, the LA Teachers' Strike, and Cities and Economic Inequality 29.01.2019 50:27

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss marching on Washington as a form of political protest, the Los Angeles teachers' strike, and how American cities reflect economic inequality. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Native American and pro-life activists both marched in Washin...

Episode 163: Gillette's New Ad, Rep. Steve King, and Cursive's Decline 22.01.2019 50:13

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the new Gillette commercial "We Believe," Rep. Steve King's controversial comments, and the decline of cursive in American schools. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Gillette released a new ad taking aim at "toxic masculinity." Natalia r...

Episode 162: The Green New Deal, Marie Kondo, and National Emergencies 15.01.2019 46:35

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the Green New Deal, the KonMari craze, and the history of national emergencies. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Twitter has been abuzz with talk of a "Green New Deal ." Neil referred to Thomas Friedman's first use of the term . Niki and...

Episode 161: "Fault Lines," Dry January, and the Sex Recession 08.01.2019 49:37

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia welcome Princeton historians Kevin M. Kruse and Julian Zelizer to discuss their new book, Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974 , followed by a discussion of "Dry January," and new findings that young people are having less sex. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references m...

Episode 160: The Weekly Standard, Sheryl Sandberg, and "Baby, It's Cold Outside" 25.12.2018 43:37

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the closing of the conservative magazine The Weekly Standard, changing public perceptions of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and the controversy over the 1944 Christmas classic "Baby, It's Cold Outside." Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: A...

Episode 159: Classical Statues, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Oklahoma Land Rights 18.12.2018 46:59

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the disputed whiteness of classical statues, the Emmy Award-winning show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel , and Native American claims to land rights in Oklahoma. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: A small cadre of archaeologists and art histori...

Episode 158: George H.W. Bush, Exorcisms, and the Squatty Potty 11.12.2018 44:17

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the death of President George Herbert Walker Bush, the resurgence of exorcisms, and the viral popularity of the Squatty Potty. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show: Forty-first president George H.W. Bush died recently at age 94. Niki mention...