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Past Present

Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Cynthia Greenlee, Neil J. Young, and Nicole Hemmer, editors.

Created in 2015 by historians Natalia Mehlman Petrzela. Neil J. Young and Nicole Hemmer, Past Present is a weekly conversational podcast that turns hindsight into foresight. Going beyond Twitter hot takes and cable news sound bites, we think that every headline has a history – and every listener is a historian.

Multi Media

The AHCA, Children’s Sleep, and Planets

Past Present Episode 77

April 7, 2017 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Neil J. Young and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate the fate of the American Health Care Act, the constructed nature of children's sleep, and Pluto's place among the planets.

...

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The AHCA, Children’s Sleep, and Planets
Multi Media

Intersectionality, Beauty & the Beast, and Defunding the NEH & NEA

Past Present Episode 76

March 31, 2017 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Neil J. Young and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate whether intersectionality is a religion, the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, and Trump's plan to defund the NEA and NEH.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

...

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Intersectionality, Beauty & the Beast, and Defunding the NEH & NEA
Multi Media

The LSAT, George W. Bush, and Corporal Punishment

Past Present Episode 75

March 24, 2017 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Neil J. Young and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil debate Harvard's decision to drop the LSAT, George W. Bush's newfound popularity, and corporal punishment.

 
...

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The LSAT, George W. Bush, and Corporal Punishment
Multi Media

Wiretapping, Wellness Real Estate, and Late-Night TV

Past Present Episode 74

March 16, 2017 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Neil J. Young and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate Trump’s wiretapping allegations, “wellness real estate,” and late-night TV.

...

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Wiretapping, Wellness Real Estate, and Late-Night TV
Multi Media

The Women’s Strike, Anti-Semitism, and Robots

Past Present Episode 73

March 9, 2017 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the complicated politics of the women's strike, the rise of anti-Semitism in America, and humanity's relationship to robots.

...

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The Women’s Strike, Anti-Semitism, and Robots
Multi Media

Milo & CPAC, Professor Politics, and Momastery

Past Present: Episode 72

March 3, 2017 • by Nicole Hemmer, Neil J. Young and Natalia Mehlman Petrzela

In this week's episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate CPAC’s decision to disinvite Milo Yiannopoulos, legislation to require political balance in university faculties, and Christian blogger Momastery’s announcement of her lesbian engagement.

...

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Milo & CPAC, Professor Politics, and Momastery
Multi Media

Paid Protestors, Secondhand Smoke, and Ivanka Trump

Past Present Episode 71

February 28, 2017 • by Nicole Hemmer, Neil J. Young and Natalia Mehlman Petrzela

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of “paid protestors,” the science of secondhand smoke, and the failing fortunes of Ivanka Trump’s clothing line.

...

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Paid Protestors, Secondhand Smoke, and Ivanka Trump
Multi Media

Valentine’s Day, Obama & Black History, and Andrew Jackson

Past Present: Episode 70

February 16, 2017 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

In this week's episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the bawdy history of Valentine's Day, Obama's role in elevating black history, and the parallels between Andrew Jackson and Donald Trump.

 

 

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Valentine’s Day, Obama & Black History, and Andrew Jackson
Education

Betsy DeVos, Executive Orders, and Playgrounds

Past Present: Episode 68

February 2, 2017 • by Neil J. Young, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate Betsy DeVos and school privatization, the uses of executive orders, and the growing call for more dangerous playgrounds.

 
...

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Betsy DeVos, Executive Orders, and Playgrounds
Multi Media

Plagiarism, Ringling Bros., and Sugar & SNAP

Past Present: Episode 67

January 27, 2017 • by Nicole Hemmer, Neil J. Young and Natalia Mehlman Petrzela

In this week's episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the dangers of plagiarism, the fate of the cirucs, and whether sugary drinks should be restricted for SNAP recipients.

...

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Plagiarism, Ringling Bros., and Sugar & SNAP
Multi Media

The Women’s March, Russia, and Obama’s Farewell

Past Present: Episode 66

January 19, 2017 • by Neil J. Young, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Nicole Hemmer

In this week's episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate the women's march on Washington, US-Russian relations, and Obama's final speech to the nation.

...

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The Women’s March, Russia, and Obama’s Farewell
Multi Media

North Carolina, Pot Legalization, and Alabama Football

Past Present: Episode 65

January 12, 2017 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

On this week's show, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the decline of democracy in North Carolina, the trend toward legalization of marijuana, and the dominance of Alabama football.

 
...

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North Carolina, Pot Legalization, and Alabama Football
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