Critical Race Theory

Past Present Podcast, Episode 281

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: A series of legislative bills seek to ban the teaching of critical race theory in K-12 public institutions. At CNN, Niki looked at how the controversy over journalist Nikole Hannah-Smith’s appointment at the University of North Carolina is part of ...
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Gas Panics and the Colonial Pipeline Cybersecurity Breach

Past Present Podcast, Episode 280

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: A cybersecurity breach at Colonial Pipeline caused panic, prompting motorists to line up atservice stations up and down the East Coast. Natalia, Niki, and Neil all drew on historian Meg Jacobs’ work, and Natalia referred to Dan Taberski’s podcast Surviving ...
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Peloton and the History of Product Recalls

Past Present Podcast, Episode 279

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Peloton, the digital fitness company made famous by its internet-connected stationary bike, is complying with a federal voluntary recall of its Tread+, which has killed one child and injured many other children and pets. Natalia referred to historian Richard Bushman’s ...
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The Past and Future of the Office

Past Present Podcast, Episode 278

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: New York magazine published a sprawling collection of essays about experiences of office life. Natalia referred to this Atlantic article about the persistence of deep cleaning protocols despite evidence that the coronavirus does not spread on surfaces. Niki cited historian ...
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A Roaring Twenties Redux?

Past Present Podcast, Episode 276

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: As “post-pandemic life” becomes imaginable, predictions of a second “Roaring Twenties” are ubiquitous. Niki referred to her article about the promise and limits of such comparisons for CNN. Natalia drew on historian Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz’ Campus Life: Undergraduate Cultures from ...
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Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Controversies

Past Present Podcast, Episode 272

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Amid charges that he covered up Covid-related deaths among nursing home residents and sexually harassed multiple women, New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo is being asked to resign. Natalia referred to Rebecca Traister’s article at The Cut and Zephyr Teachout’s essay ...
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The Interview: Oprah, Meghan, and Harry

Past Present Podcast, Episode 271

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Perhaps the official beginning of Meghan and Harry’s life in America was their interview with Oprah Winfrey. Niki referenced her CNN piece on Piers Morgan’s reaction to the interview, and Natalia mentioned Trysh Travis and Timothy Aubry’s book on therapeutic ...
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The Controversy over Dr. Seuss

Past Present Podcast, Episode 270

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Theodore Geisel’s estate has removed six of his Dr. Seuss books from circulation, causing ire among conservatives citing it as an example of “cancel culture.” Natalia referred to writer Michael Harriot’s Twitter thread, this 1945 Frank Sinatra short film, “The ...
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Minimum Wage and the Fight for $15

Past Present Podcast, Episode 269

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: House Democrats have proposed a federally guaranteed fifteen-dollar an hour minimum wage as part of their coronavirus relief bill. Niki drew on this New York Times piece about the effective minimum wage, and Neil referenced this New Yorker article about ...
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