Past Present

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss virginity tests, international achievement tests, and the end of the 2010s. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   The rapper T.I. caused controversy when he said he subjects his daughter to a virginity test every year. Natalia referred to hi...

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss President Trump's pardons of war criminals, controversial opinions about food, and the practice of indigenous land acknowledgments. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   President Trump recently pardoned three American servicemen convicted o...

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the political ascent of Pete Buttigieg, infighting within the far right, and the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   "Mayor Pete," once a long-shot candidate, is increasingly a serious contender for the D...

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki interviewed Emily Bazelon about her new book, Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration . Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast In our regular closing feature, What's Making History : Natalia recommended the work of New York Times editor Lindsay Crouse, particularly her lates...

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the assassination of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the scandal over Representative Katie Hill, and the booing of President Trump at a baseball game. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  ISIS leader Abu al-Baghdadi has been assassinated...

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, the rising trend of homelessness, and a new documentary about a dangerous New Jersey amusement park. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast   Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:   U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings has...

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the anxiety over automation, new treatments for male baldness, and the controversial Trump spiritual advisor Paula White. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Automation and its effect on American jobs was a core theme at this month's Democ...

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Rudy Giuliani's political career, the climate activist Greta Thunberg, and the controversy over vaping. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast   Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Rudy Giuliani is most prominent today as a Trump surrogate , but after 9/11 he was known as "Amer...

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the role of whistleblowers in American politics, the recent string of church arsons, and the trend of co-working spaces. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  An intelligence officer has filed a complaint regarding Donald Trump's interaction...

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss Ukraine's connection to the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump, the declining bird population of North America, and the high price of parking spaces in New York City. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Ukraine is at the center of th...

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss anti-Asian comments by comedian Shane Gillis, an attack in Saudi Arabia, and the not-so-lost art of the telephone call. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Saturday Night Live hired comedian Shane Gillis and then promptly fired him when vi...

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss government surveillance of American universities, the political career of John Bolton, and the technological and cultural reasons women's voices are often insulted as "shrill." Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  The FBI has urged U.S. uni...

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the legacy of late bodybuilder Franco Columbu, the candidacy of Kamala Harris, and a proposal to eliminate selective testing for New York City public high schools. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Italian bodybuilding icon Franco Columb...

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the legacy of late billionaire David Koch, the menace of bedbugs, and why so many people are choosing to remain friends after a breakup. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Billionaire libertarian and David Koch has died . Natalia referred...

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss social media "twinfluencers," a boycott of fitness brands Equinox and SoulCycle, and the controversy over the film The Hunt. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Some of the most popular social media content features identical twins. Natali...

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of anti-Latino nativism, newly discovered racist comments by Ronald Reagan, and the growing popularity of sound baths. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  The mass shooter in El Paso deliberately targeted Latinos who he believe...

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss President Trump's insults to Baltimore, the presidential candidacy of self-help guru Marianne Williamson, and a proposal for a national service requirement. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Last week, President Trump unleashed a barrage...

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the death knell of "purity culture," and new controversy over spaying and neutering dogs. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Boris Johnson is the new prime minister of Britain . Niki recommend...

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, the history of telling immigrants and minorities to "go back" to where they came from, and whether or not air conditioning is sexist. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Fifty years ago, the world...

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the Women's World Cup, the life and legacy of Ross Perot, and the case against Jeffrey Epstein. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Women's soccer is getting more attention than ever in the United States, thanks in part to star player Mega...

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the recent debate over school busing, the launch of the women's networking platform, "Girlboss," and the rapper Lil Nas X. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  After Senators Joe Biden and Kamala Harris clashed at the Democratic debate , sc...

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the recent escalation of tensions with Iran, new allegations of rape against President Trump, and controversy on the knitting social media network Ravelry. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Tensions between Iran and the United States are...

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the recent passing of two major figures: political historian Alan Brinkley and socialite fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt, and the historical significance of a viral Buzzfeed essay about attending a lesbian cruise. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this...

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss YouTube's role in political radicalization, the history of tariffs, and the presidential candidacy of Senator Elizabeth Warren. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  YouTube's algorithm, the New York Times reported , serves up increasingly e...

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the significance of the Stonewall Uprising, the legacy of Jazzercise, and the fortieth anniversary of C-SPAN. Support Past Present on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week's show:  Fifty years ago this month, the Stonewall Uprising took place . Neil discussed the issues his...