Colin Kaepernick, Burkinis, and Crime at Walmart

Episode 49

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 ...
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Colin Kaepernick, Burkinis, and Crime at Walmart

Baton Rouge, Christian Intellectuals, and Teaching Trump

Past Present Episode 48

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 ...
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Baton Rouge, Christian Intellectuals, and Teaching Trump

Khizr & Ghazala Khan, Roger Ailes, and Juicing

Past Present Episode 46

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Khizr and Ghazala Khan’s appearance at the Democratic National Convention was only one among many speeches at both political conventions by parents who had lost their children. Neil argued that these speeches were effective because people felt sympathetic towards ...
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Khizr & Ghazala Khan, Roger Ailes, and Juicing

Veeps, Beach-Going, and the Olympic Doping Scandal

Past Present Episode 45

On this week's episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the changing role of the vice presidency, the history of beach-going, and the Russian doping scandal overshadowing the Rio Olympics. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have picked Tim Kaine and Mike ...
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Veeps, Beach-Going, and the Olympic Doping Scandal

Pat Summitt, Hellerstedt, and the Democratic Sit-In

Past Present Episode 41

On this week's episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate the legacy of basketball coach Pat Summitt, the place of Women's Whole Health v. Hellerstedt in America's abortion debate, and the House Democrats' sit-in over gun control. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The winningest college basketball ...
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Pat Summitt, Hellerstedt, and the Democratic Sit-In

Orlando – The City Beautiful, Histories of Violence, and Presidential Empathy

Past Present Episode 39

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The world is focused on Orlando after the horrific shooting at the Pulse Nightclub. Neil talked about what it meant for this tragedy to take place in his hometown, something he wrote about for Public Seminar this week. Natalia ...
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Orlando – The City Beautiful, Histories of Violence, and Presidential Empathy

The Oregon Standoff, Executive Orders, and Downton Abbey

Past Present Episode 16

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss the Oregon standoff, President Obama and executive orders, and Downton Abbey.  Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The grievances listed by armed militants in the Oregon standoff include the federal government’s ownership and ...
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The Oregon Standoff, Executive Orders, and Downton Abbey