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

Past Present Episode 153

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

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

Past Present Episode 152

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

Tempest Tossed

Is the US a ‘safe country’ for asylum-seekers?: A conversation with Professor Sean Rehaag on new challenges to the US-Canada

Under an agreement signed in 2002, Canada can return asylum-seekers to the US if they have traveled through the US or lived there prior to arriving in Canada. Recent policies north and south of the US-Canadian border pose new challenges to the agreement, as Sean Rehaag, professor at Osgoode Hall ...
Read More

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

Past Present Episode 151

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

Tempest Tossed

‘Zombie ideas’ on US Immigration: A conversation with Professor Rubén Rumbaut on false ideas that will not die

Immigrants commit more crimes? Don't learn English? Hurt the U.S. economy?  These are "zombie ideas"—false claims that refuse to die.  Professor Rubén Rumbaut sets the record straight.
Read More

Tempest Tossed

Resignation with honor: A conversation with David Martin, former member of the Department of Homeland Security Advisory Council

Alex Aleinikoff speaks with David Martin on why he resigned from the Department of Homeland Security's Advisory Council, what he objects to in Trump Administration immigration policies, and what balanced and responsible immigration policy could look like.
Read More

George Soros, “Grievance Studies,” and Bavarian Hipsterism

Episode 150 LIVE!

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 ...
Read More
George Soros, “Grievance Studies,” and Bavarian Hipsterism

Kavanaugh Protests Continue to the End

‘Sexual Predators on the Court, Hell no, We Don’t Support’

Protests against the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to become a Justice of the Supreme Court resumed on Thursday, October 4, and continued through Saturday, October 6 when he was officially sworn in. While the protesters were still mostly women, more younger women came than in September, dropping the average age of the protesters ...
Read More
Kavanaugh Protests Continue to the End

Binge Drinking, McCarthyism, and Women’s Rage

Past Present Episode 149

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 ...
Read More
Binge Drinking, McCarthyism, and Women’s Rage

Protesting Kavanaugh

Hundreds of women, plus a few men, arrested protesting Kavanaugh confirmation

The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court stretched out for the month of September as the Hart Senate Office Building was repeatedly occupied by protesters. Led by the Center for Popular Democracy but mobilized by several different groups, the protesters were overwhelmingly female, ...
Read More
Protesting Kavanaugh

High School Yearbooks, Trump and Immigrants, and Barstool Sports

Past Present Episode 148

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 ...
Read More
High School Yearbooks, Trump and Immigrants, and Barstool Sports

Brett Kavanaugh, Fraternity Hazing, and the Natural Beauty Industry

Past Present Episode 147

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 ...
Read More
Brett Kavanaugh, Fraternity Hazing, and the Natural Beauty Industry