Opinion writer at The Week and co-host of the history podcast Past Present

Past Present

Canada’s Freedom Convoy

Past Present Podcast, Episode 314

February 22, 2022 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: A convoy of truckers and their allies, totaling about 8,000 people, hasgathered in the center of Ottawa, Canada, in protest of what they consider excessive COVID prevention policy. Natalia referred to Michelle Goldberg’s New York Times column about the protest, ...

Past Present

Women’s Activewear and the History of Sports Bras

Past Present Podcast, Episode 313

February 15, 2022 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Adidas went viral earlier this month for tweeting twenty-five sets of bare breasts in order to promote a new line of sports bras. Niki discussed this Time cover about breastfeeding. Neil referred to this Atlantic article about using breasts to ...

Past Present

The History of Emoji

Past Present Podcast, Episode 312

February 9, 2022 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The Unicode Consortium has released dozens of new emoji, including a pregnant man, a melting face, and multiple new family configurations. Natalia referred to this Atlantic essay and to this BBC piece, and Niki to this essay on Science Friday. In ...

Past Present

Justice Breyer’s Retirement and the Future of the Supreme Court

Past Present Podcast, Episode 311

February 1, 2022 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has announced he will retire at the end of his term, a move many say is reflective of his pragmatism. Natalia referred to this New York Times piece about Breyer’s effort to eschew ideology and ...

Podcast

The Biden Administration’s First Year

Past Present Podcast, Episode 310

January 25, 2022 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Public opinion of President Biden’s first year in office is polarized. Neil and Niki referred to Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times opinion piece comparing Biden and Reagan’s first years as president. Neil also discussed the POLITICO/Morning Consult report card on ...

Past Present

Wordle and the History of Word Games

Past Present Podcast, Episode 309

January 18, 2022 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: When a Brooklyn software engineer designed a word game as an act of love, he didn’t know Wordle would become an online phenomenon. Neil referred to this Smithsonian Magazinearticle on the history of the crossword puzzle and Niki to this ...

Past Present

The History of Rest and Relaxation

Past Present Podcast, Episode 308

January 10, 2022 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: As boundaries between work and home have become blurred during the pandemic, Americans have been thinking more deliberately about rest and relaxation. Neil drew on Judith Shulevitz’ New York Times piece about “bringing back the Sabbath” and this Atlantic review ...

Past Present

The One-Year Anniversary of the January 6 Capitol Attack

Past Present Podcast, Episode 307

January 4, 2022 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Capitol riots, pundits have reflected on how much of a turning point it was. Natalia referred to this Washington Post piece by Sam Tanenhaus and Kerry Howley’s New York profile of three ...

Past Present

The History of Christmas Cards

Past Present Podcast, Episode 306

December 21, 2021 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Holiday cards have remained popular amid the digitization of many other print products. Neil referred to this Washington Post article by Peter Manseau about the trend of Christmas photos with guns. Natalia drew on this Atlantic piece about the popularity ...

Past Present

Dr. Oz and the History of Celebrity Politicians

Past Present Podcast, Episode 305

December 14, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Celebrity doctor-entertainer Dr. Mehmet Oz is running for Senate in Pennsylvania, as a Republican.Niki drew on historian Kathryn Brownell’s book, Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Political Life, and Neil referred to Nicholas Kristof’s gubernatorial run. Natalia referred to Olga Khazan’s ...

Past Present

A History of Recipes and Cookbooks

Past Present Podcast, Episode 304

December 7, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: As online recipes and cookbooks become big business, issues of plagiarism and copyright are becoming more common. Natalia referred to Helen Zoe Veit’s Smithsonian article and larger body of work and, along with Niki, to this history of cookbooks in ...

Past Present

Giving Tuesday

Past Present Podcast, Episode 303

November 30, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Giving Tuesday has become as familiar a Thanksgiving holiday ritual as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Natalia referred to political philosopher Rob Reich’s book, Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Betterand his Washington Post ...