Opinion writer at The Week and co-host of the history podcast Past Present

Feature

The Weekly Standard, Sheryl Sandberg, and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Past Present Episode 160

January 6, 2019 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

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.” Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: After twenty-three years, the ...

The Weekly Standard, Sheryl Sandberg, and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

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Classical Statues, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and Oklahoma Land Rights

Past Present Episode 159

December 19, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

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. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: A small cadre of archaeologists and art historians are ...

Classical Statues, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and Oklahoma Land Rights

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George H.W. Bush, Exorcisms, and the Squatty Potty

Past Present Episode 158

December 11, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

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. 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 mentioned ...

George H.W. Bush, Exorcisms, and the Squatty Potty

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Inmate Firefighters, China’s Social Credit System, and Chanukah

Past Present Episode 157

December 4, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss convict firefighters, China’s new social credit system, and the history of Chanukah. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: California’s latest wave of forest fires is being battled in part by inmates in the state’s prisons through a ...

Inmate Firefighters, China’s Social Credit System, and Chanukah

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Segregation Academies, the Death of an American Missionary, and Victoria’s Secret

Past Present Episode 156

November 28, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss segregation academies, the death of an American missionary, and the declining market share of lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Mississippi Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, who is in a runoff contest to hold on ...

Segregation Academies, the Death of an American Missionary, and Victoria’s Secret

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The 2018 Recounts, Jim Acosta, and Bedtime Stories

Past Present Episode 155

November 20, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the aftermath of the midterm elections with special guest, Slate senior political correspondent Jamelle Bouie, the revocation of CNN journalist Jim Acosta’s “hard pass” to the White House, and the supposed radicalization of children’s literature. Here are some links and references mentioned ...

The 2018 Recounts, Jim Acosta, and Bedtime Stories

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The 2018 Midterm Elections, Gab, and Movember

Past Present Episode 154

November 13, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the midterm elections, the alt-right social media platform Gab, and Movember. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: We discussed whether the midterm elections resulted in the “blue wave” Democrats anticipated. Gab, launched as a “free-speech Twitter,” has ...

The 2018 Midterm Elections, Gab, and Movember

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The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, the Closing of Rural Hospitals, and the Political Mobilization of Orange County Women

Past Present Episode 153

November 7, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the massacre of Jews at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, the closing of rural hospitals, and the political reawakening of women in Orange County, California. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The largest murder of Jews in the ...

The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting, the Closing of Rural Hospitals, and the Political Mobilization of Orange County Women

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U.S.-Saudi Relations, Trans Americans, and Horror Movies

Past Present Episode 152

November 2, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of U.S.-Saudi relations in light of the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Trump administration’s policies toward transgender people, and the continued popularity of horror movies. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The brutal death of ...

U.S.-Saudi Relations, Trans Americans, and Horror Movies

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Black Women’s Political Power, the End of Sears, and Corporate Art Patronage

Past Present Episode 151

October 23, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, Niki, and guest historian Leah Wright Rigueur discuss black women and electoral politics, the closing of Sears, and corporate art patronage. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Black women voters are a crucial electoral contingent, especially in the upcoming midterm elections. ...

Black Women’s Political Power, the End of Sears, and Corporate Art Patronage

Feature

George Soros, “Grievance Studies,” and Bavarian Hipsterism

Episode 150 LIVE!

October 16, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the right’s obsession with George Soros conspiracy theories, the recent “grievance studies” hoax, and the rise of Bavarian folk dress as a form of hipsterism. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Financier and philanthropist George Soros is increasingly ...

George Soros, “Grievance Studies,” and Bavarian Hipsterism

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Binge Drinking, McCarthyism, and Women’s Rage

Past Present Episode 149

October 9, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the history of binge drinking, why McCarthyism is back in the news, and the political power of women’s rage. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination hearing has brought attention to the prevalence of binge drinking ...