Past Present

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the enduring popularity of Dolly Parton. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Dolly Parton has just added public health benefactor to her long list of career accomplishments. Natalia referred to Sarah Smarsh's writing about Parton , and Nik...

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss this year's "Covid Thanksgiving." Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   For many families, Thanksgiving will look very different this year. Niki wrote about the myth that the "Greatest Generation" was naturally self-sacrificing. Neil referre...

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the announcement of a new coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced a promising new coronavirus vaccine . Niki referred to historian Joanna Radin's Washington Post piece...

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is the President-Elect of the United States. Natalia mentioned this New York Times interview with Rep. Alexandria O...

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's new Borat movie. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's latest sendup of American political culture. Niki and Neil commented on Sam Thielm...

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris . Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Emily in Paris is a hit on Netflix , perhaps due in equal parts to escapism and hate-watching. Natalia referenced her Well + Good roundup of Parisian fitness, and...

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the debate over "court packing." Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   The Senate confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett have raised questions about the ethics of "court packing ." Neil recommended this Politico piece about the historic...

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss how the White House became a coronavirus hot spot. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, and much of his inner circle quickly reported positive diagnoses as well . Natalia referred...

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the far-right, neo-fascist group, the Proud Boys. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   At last week's presidential debate, President Trump drew attention to the all-male street gang, the Proud Boys, when he told them to " stand back and sta...

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   At age 87, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died earlier this month. Natalia referred to historian Jeffrey Melnick's Twitter thread on the appropriati...

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the controversial new Netflix film, Cuties. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Cuties , a French independent film released in the United States has inspired opposition . Niki referred to the connection between the critics' fear of perver...

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the racial dissembling of historian Jessica Krug. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   George Washington University historian Jessica Krug has been posing as a Black woman for years, and recently outed herself online. Neil referred to Marth...

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss new charges of sexual assault against porn actor Ron Jeremy. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   More than a dozen women have come forward to accuse porn actor Ron Jeremy of sexual assault. Natalia referred to historian Estelle B. Freedman...

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the new HBO series, Lovecraft Country. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Lovecraft Country is attracting attention for its blend of historical drama and horror . Niki discussed this hybrid genre, as explained at Vox . She also mentioned...

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   This week, the Democratic Party is holding its national convention – entirely online. Neil referred to Ed Kilgore's New York magazine article about the role of te...

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss presidential hopeful Joe Biden's selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Kamala Harris is the 2020 Democratic vice-presidential candidate . Niki wrote about the significance of her candidacy for...

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the conspiracy theory known as QAnon. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Spread online, QAnon is a conspiracy theory that claims "deep state" traitors, connected to a cabal of pedophiles, are plotting to undermine President Trump and the...

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the continued unrest in Portland and the deployment of federal forces to quell it. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Protests continue in Portland , where President Trump has deployed federal forces. Niki discussed this episode of This D...

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the decision by the Planned Parenthood Federation of New York to disavow Margaret Sanger for her ties to eugenics. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Planned Parenthood of Greater New York announced it will remove the name of founder Marg...

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the "Karen" meme. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   The "Karen" meme, referring to a white woman weaponizing that privilege against people of color, has exploded on social media . Niki referred to this column at The Root and Natalia cite...

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss student visas and the most recent immigration restrictions put forth by the Trump administration. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   President Donald Trump has threatened that international students attending American universities that ar...

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the deplatforming of extremists by social media sites from Reddit to YouTube. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Social media platforms like Reddit are taking a harder line on regulating extremist content. Natalia referred to this article...

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the movement to defund the police. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Calls to defund or abolish the police have become a rallying cry among protestors of racial violence. Niki discussed Derek Thompson's call to " unbundle the police ." N...

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss Bostock v. Clayton County, the recent Supreme Court decision protecting gay and transgender people from workplace discrimination. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   In an unexpected victory for LGBTQ activists, the Supreme Court decided l...

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of playwright and AIDS activist Larry Kramer. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   Pioneering AIDS activist Larry Kramer died this month . Natalia referred to this Vulture interview about Kramer's legacy. Neil commented...