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

Multi Media

High School Yearbooks, Trump and Immigrants, and Barstool Sports

Past Present Episode 148

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

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of high school yearbooks, how the Trump administration is defining immigrants as “public charges,” and the awful misogyny of Barstool Sports. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: High school yearbooks have been in the spotlight during ...

High School Yearbooks, Trump and Immigrants, and Barstool Sports

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Brett Kavanaugh, Fraternity Hazing, and the Natural Beauty Industry

Past Present Episode 147

September 25, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the drama surrounding Brett Kavanaugh’s upcoming Supreme Court confirmation, fraternity hazing, and the booming natural beauty industry. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Conservative Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s candidacy is being marred by sexual assault allegations. Natalia ...

Brett Kavanaugh, Fraternity Hazing, and the Natural Beauty Industry

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Crafting, the 2008 Financial Crisis, and the Marshmallow Test

Past Present Episode 146

September 18, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the new reality show Making It, the 2008 financial collapse ten years later, and the death of Walter Mischel, the social psychologist who created the “marshmallow test.” Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Making It, a crafting competition show hosted ...

Crafting, the 2008 Financial Crisis, and the Marshmallow Test

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Nike’s Colin Kaepernick Ad, the Anonymous New York Times Op-Ed, and Robin Leach

Past Present Episode 145

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

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss Nike’s controversial signing of Colin Kaepernick as the face of their Just Do It campaign, the anonymous New York Times op-ed written by a senior Trump administration official, and the recent death of Robin Leach. Here are some links and references mentioned during ...

Nike’s Colin Kaepernick Ad, the Anonymous New York Times Op-Ed, and Robin Leach

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John McCain, The Catholic Church, and The Latest Panic Over Loneliness

Past Present Bonus Episode 144

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

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the life and legacy of Senator John McCain, the recent scandals in the Catholic Church, and the latest panic over loneliness. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Senator John McCain, a leading light of the Republican Party, died last ...

John McCain, The Catholic Church, and The Latest Panic Over Loneliness

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Omarosa

Past Present Bonus Episode 6

August 21, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the release of Unhinged: An Insider’s Account of the White House, a new book by former White House staffer Omarosa Manigault Newman. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Former White House Staffer Omarosa Manigault Newman has released a book about her time ...

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LIVE! Latinos in the Hamptons, Grift, and Rosé Wine

Past Present Episode 143

August 14, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of Latinos in the Hamptons, the problem of grift in Washington, and the sudden popularity of rosé wine. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Latino immigration has transformed Eastern Long Island. Natalia referenced this New York Times article on the political ...

LIVE! Latinos in the Hamptons, Grift, and Rosé Wine

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Institutionalizing Children, Referees, and Charlottesville

Past Present Episode 142

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

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia debate the history of the institutionalization of children, the thankless job of refereeing youth sports, and the legacy of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, one year after the Unite the Right rally. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: ...

Institutionalizing Children, Referees, and Charlottesville

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Sacha Baron Cohen, the Yoga Vote, and Middle Children

Past Present Episode 141

July 31, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate Sacha Baron Cohen’s new show, the viability of a “yoga vote,” and the demographic shift bringing about the disappearance of the middle child. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: British prankster and social critic Sacha Baron Cohen ...

Sacha Baron Cohen, the Yoga Vote, and Middle Children

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Treason, Accents, and Outdoor Play

Past Present Episode 140

July 24, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the definition of treason, the significance of linguistic accents, and a new practice of prescribing outdoor play. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: President Trump’s behavior at his joint press conference with Vladimir Putin has earned him the epithet of ...

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Thai Cave Rescue, Breastfeeding, and Fleece Vests

Past Present Episode 139

July 17, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the children rescued from a Thai cave, the Trump administration’s approach to breastfeeding policy, and the fleece vests that have become a staple uniform of the finance industry. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: A Thai boys’ soccer team ...

Thai Cave Rescue, Breastfeeding, and Fleece Vests

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Democratic Socialists, Court Packing, and Audiobooks

Past Present Episode 138

July 10, 2018 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate the rise of Democratic Socialists, plans for packing the Supreme Court, and the increasing popularity of audiobooks. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Thanks to the recent upset victory of Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez in a New York Democratic primary, socialism appears to ...