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

Past Present

A History of Gratitude

Past Present Podcast, Episode 302

November 28, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Thanksgiving is upon us, but gratitude is a virtue celebrated in American culture all year long. Natalia and Niki referred to Barbara Ehrenreich’s book Bright-Sided: Why Positive Thinking Is Undermining America, and Natalia drew on this piece to argue why ...

Podcast

Diversity Workshops and Sensitivity Training

Past Present Podcast, Episode 301

November 16, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: As conservative attacks on a supposed takeover of American institutions by proponents of critical race theory escalate, many on the political left have begun to articulate distinctions between “trainings” and education that deal with race. Natalia recommended this Inside Higher ...

Podcast

The NYC Marathon and the History of Long-Distance Racing

Past Present Podcast, Episode 300

November 9, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The fiftieth New York City Marathon was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus, but the race has returnedthis year.Natalia referred to historian Dylan Gottlieb’s Public Seminar article about the origins of the race and to runner Kathrine Switzer’s memoir, ...

Podcast

Biden’s Build Back Better Act

Past Present Podcast, Episode 299

November 2, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The Biden administration’s proposed spending package contains some potentially transformative legislation: especially around childcare. Neil referred to this New Republic essay about the extent of the proposals, and Natalia drew on this New York Times article considering how Biden measures ...

Podcast

Colin Powell

Past Present Podcast, Episode 298

October 26, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Colin Powell died earlier this month of complications from the coronavirus, prompting discussion of the legacy of his term as Secretary of State, and especially of the Powell Doctrine. Neil mentioned Michael Hirsh’s support for the Powell Doctrine in a ...

Podcast

“Shadow Inflation” and the COVID Economy

Past Present Podcast, Episode 297

October 19, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: “Shadow inflation” is affecting many American industries, in which services are being scaled back as prices remain the same or increase. Niki referred to this Vox article about the changes since the inflation of the 1970s. In our regular closing feature, ...

Podcast

The Facebook Whistleblower

Past Present Podcast, Episode 296

October 12, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The Congressional testimony of whistleblower Frances Haugen is raising new questions about the social effects of Facebook’s global market domination. Niki referred to this interview with Facebook expert Siva Vaidhyanathan and Haugen’s 60 Minutes interview. Natalia drew on this NPR ...

Podcast

High-End Veganism and the Rise of Plant-Based Eating

Past Present Podcast, Episode 295

October 5, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Innovative fine dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park has earned mixed reviews for its newly vegan menu. Natalia cited historian Adam Shprintzen’s book The Vegetarian Crusade: The Rise of An American Reform Movement, 1817-1921.Niki cited the 1971 book Diet for a ...

Podcast

Gabby Petito and the “Missing White Woman Syndrome”

Past Present Podcast, Episode 294

September 28, 2021 • by Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The disappearance and death of aspiring influencer Gabby Petito has set off a national media frenzy, sparked in part by social media sleuths who unpacked the case in real time on TikTok. Natalia referred to this Buzzfeed article about the ...

Podcast

Ivermectin, Medical Misinformation, and COVID

Past Present Podcast, Episode 293

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

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Ivermectin, a drug commonly used to treat parasitic infections in livestock, is flying off the shelves as a remedy for the coronavirus. Natalia referred to this Washington Post article about medical abuses, and Niki referenced the history of “patent medicines.” In ...

Podcast

The Texas Abortion Law

Past Present Podcast, Episode 292

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

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: The Supreme Court has failed to strike down a Texas law that drastically restricts abortion rights. Natalia referred to this Vogue article about “what six weeks pregnant looks like,” and Niki discussed this Public Seminar piece. Niki and Natalia drew ...

Past Present

The U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Past Present Podcast, Episode 291

August 31, 2021 • by Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Nicole Hemmer and Neil J. Young

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: After nearly two decades, President Biden announced that all American troops were leaving Afghanistan, which quickly fell to the Taliban. Natalia referred to Jeremy Varon’s Washington Post piece about the antiwar movement, and to this conversation at Public Seminarbetween historians ...