Past Present

Apr 02 2024 416 ep. 47 mins 4.2k
Past Present Podcast artwork

Past Present brings together three historians to discuss what's happening in American politics and culture today. Natalia, Neil, and Niki bring historical insights to the news of the day, offering listeners an alternative to the reflexive and polarized world of punditry. Interested in the world around you but exhausted by rote reactions and partisan talking points? You've come to the right place.

  History
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Episode 406: Neil J. Young's "Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right"

Apr 02 2024 59 mins  
In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss – and celebrate! – Neil’s new book, Coming Out Republican: A History of the Gay Right. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Coming Out Republican is now available for order. You can buy Neil’s book here. In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History: · Natalia shared abo

Episode 405: Controversies over Christmas “Classics”

Dec 19 2023 40 mins  
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss controversies over Christmas “classics.” Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Beloved Christmas songs and movies, like so many cultural products, have come under new scrutiny recently. Neil’s Atlantic essay about Christmas controversies informed our whole conversation. We drew on t

Episode 404: George Santos

Dec 12 2023 40 mins  
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the strange career of now ex-Republican Congressman George Santos. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · George Santos’ lies are so numerous, it is difficult to keep track of them. Niki referred to this Atlantic article about how Santos got elected, and Neil and Natalia referred to this

Episode 403: Nikki Haley

Dec 05 2023 43 mins  
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Nikki Haley recently secured the backing of the wealthy Koch Brothers, bringing more attention to her presidential run. Natalia ref

Episode 402: Home Ownership and the History of Mortgages

Nov 28 2023 40 mins  
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Americans’ attachment to the thirty-year mortgage. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · A thirty-year mortgage is an enticement to home ownership – if you can lock one in at a low interest rate. Niki cited thi

Episode 401: The History of Drive-Thru Dining

Nov 21 2023 39 mins  
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of drive-thru dining. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Drive-through dining is more popular than ever since the pandemic. Neil drew on this Serious Eats history, and we all referred to this photo co

Episode 400: The History of U.S. Divorce Laws

Nov 14 2023 42 mins  
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of divorce law in the United States. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is a proponent of “covenant marriage,” an institutional arrangement that makes it much more

Episode 399: Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican Chaos

Nov 07 2023 44 mins  
In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the drama around the election of the new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Until this week, the new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was little known beyond Louisiana and ultr

Episode 398: The History of Restaurant Reservations

Oct 31 2023 37 mins  
In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of restaurant reservations. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Restaurant reservations, like so much else, are getting gamified. Neil referred to this New York Times article. We all drew on this over

Episode 397: The Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Tours

Oct 24 2023 43 mins  
In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of musical megatours and the concert movies they inspired. Support Past Present on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: · Beyoncé and Taylor Swift made concert history this summer, and are now offering feature film versions of th