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

Multi Media

Trump University, Pence and Hamilton, and Turkeys Gone Wild

Past Present: Episode 61

December 2, 2016 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate the Trump University fraud settlement, Mike Pence's reception at Hamilton, and the wild turkey's distaste for the wild.

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Trump University, Pence and Hamilton, and Turkeys Gone Wild

Multi Media

International Adoption, Steve Bannon, and Safety-Pin Politics

Past Present: Episode 60

November 28, 2016 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the role of citizenship in international adoption, Steve Bannon's appointment as Trump's chief strategist, and the place of safety pins in sartorial politics.

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International Adoption, Steve Bannon, and Safety-Pin Politics

Multi Media

Second Redemption, Glass Ceilings, and Global Populism

Past Present Episode 59

November 21, 2016 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Neil J. Young and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's special election episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate the onset of the Second Redemption, the highest and hardest glass ceiling, and the place of Donald Trump in global populism. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: We debated Jamelle Bouie’s argument that the 2016 ...

Second Redemption, Glass Ceilings, and Global Populism

Multi Media

Standing Rock, the FBI, and Political Pundits

Past Present Episode 58

November 13, 2016 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Neil J. Young and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil debate the standoff at Standing Rock, the political role of the FBI, and the role of political pundits. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The Standing Rock Sioux and activists are protesting the possible construction of the Dakota ...

Standing Rock, the FBI, and Political Pundits

Multi Media

Rigged Elections, Wikileaks, and Self-Care

Past Present Episode 56

October 28, 2016 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate the history of rigged elections, Wikileaks, and the importance of self-care. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Donald Trump has already declared the 2016 presidential race a rigged election. We discussed the history of claiming rigged elections. ...

Rigged Elections, Wikileaks, and Self-Care

Multi Media

Sexual Harassment, Scary Clowns, and Pit Bull Bans

Past Present Episode 55

October 21, 2016 • by Nicole Hemmer, Neil J. Young and Natalia Mehlman Petrzela

In this week's episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate Donald Trump and sexual harassment and assault, the great clown scare of 2016, and pit bull bans. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: A growing list of women have accused Donald Trump of sexual harassment. Natalia commented ...

Sexual Harassment, Scary Clowns, and Pit Bull Bans

Feature

Transparent, Wells Fargo, and Cable News

Past Present Episode 54

October 13, 2016 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia debate the place of Transparent in the history of LGBTQ representation on television, fraud at Wells Fargo, and the 20th anniversary of Fox News. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The third season of the hit show Transparent recently ...

Transparent, Wells Fargo, and Cable News

Multi Media

Presidential Debates, Stop and Frisk, and Fat Shaming

Past Present Episode 53

October 6, 2016 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the presidential debates, the constitutionality of stop and frisk, and obesity and medical care. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Do presidential debates change election results? Natalia pointed to research that showed debates had only small electoral ...

Presidential Debates, Stop and Frisk, and Fat Shaming

Multi Media

Mother Teresa, the Alt-Right, and Taco Trucks

Past Present Episode 50

September 29, 2016 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia debate the canonization of Mother Teresa, the rise of the alt-right, and the menace of taco trucks. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Mother Teresa has been declared St. Teresa by Pope Francis. Natalia noted the controversy that has ...

Mother Teresa, the Alt-Right, and Taco Trucks

Multi Media

Presidential Health, Free Pre-K, and Star Trek

Past Present Episode 51

September 22, 2016 • by Neil J. Young, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Nicole Hemmer

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Hillary Clinton’s team announced she has pneumonia after she fell ill at the 9/11 commemoration. Neil argued anxiety over Clinton’s health was really partisan politics, fueled by internet conspiracies like the “Hillary Clinton Parkinson’s” videos. Natalia responded the Hillary ...

Presidential Health, Free Pre-K, and Star Trek

Multi Media

Colin Kaepernick, Burkinis, and Crime at Walmart

Episode 49

September 7, 2016 • by Neil J. Young, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate Colin Kaepernick's protest against the national anthem, France's burkini ban, and Walmart's high crime rate. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick remained seated during a recent pre-game national anthem in protest ...

Colin Kaepernick, Burkinis, and Crime at Walmart

Multi Media

Baton Rouge, Christian Intellectuals, and Teaching Trump

Past Present Episode 48

August 30, 2016 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate flood relief in Louisiana, the disappearance of Christian intellectuals, and teaching Trump in the classroom. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: More than two feet of rain brought death and destruction to southern Louisiana recently. Natalia addressed ...