Now & Then

Heather Cox Richardson, host of Now & Then, joins Stay Tuned with Preet to discuss her new book, “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America.” They talk about the origins of the terms “liberal” and “conservative,” a 1937 anti-FDR manifesto that presaged today’s GOP, and the ways in which the nation might move beyond the chaos of the Trump years. 

Head to the Stay Tuned feed to listen.

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On this finale episode of Now & Then, Heather and Joanne are joined by the show’s production team to discuss behind-the-scenes reflections and favorite memories from the series. Editorial Producers David Kurlander and Sam Ozer-Staton, Executive Producer Tamara Sepper, and Audio Producer Matthew Billy celebrate history, democracy, and friendship with the historians. 

For references & supplemental materials, head to: https://cafe.com/now-and-then/then-and-now/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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How do political debates help and hurt American democracy? Heather and Joanne reflect on the recent Republican primary debate and discuss the long legacy of the institution, from Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr’s proto-debates with voters during the contentious 1800 election, to the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates, to the iconic 1960 televised debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. 

Heather and Joanne discuss their own experiences participating in debates in the “Backstage” portion of the podcast. To get access to Backstage segments and other exclusive content, become a member at cafe.com/history.

Now & Then is ending on September 13th. Leave us a voicemail with your favorite moment from the show at 669-247-7338 or write to us at [email protected].

For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/looking-ahead-a-viewers-guide-to-presidential-debates/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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What can we expect from the 2024 Conventions? Heather and Joanne look at the role of political conventions in American life, from the “King Caucus” era of the early 1800s, to President Lincoln’s ascendance at the 1860 RNC, to the impact of the 1968 DNC on the political process. 

Heather and Joanne discuss the power of political history in the “Backstage” portion of the podcast. To get access to Backstage segments and other exclusive content, become a member at cafe.com/history.

Now & Then is ending on September 13th. Leave us a voicemail with your favorite moment from the show at 669-247-7338 or write to us at [email protected].

For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/looking-ahead-to-2024-conventions-caucuses-and-the-balance-of-democracy/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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Can former President Trump pardon himself? Heather and Joanne explore the history of the pardon power, from constitutional debates, to President Andrew Johnson’s controversial Confederate pardons, to the corrupt Georgia pardon practices that precipitated the very relevant Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. 

Heather and Joanne discuss what pardons have in common with extensions and other professorial acts of clemency in the “Backstage” portion of the podcast. To get access to Backstage segments and other exclusive content, become a member at cafe.com/history.

For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/pardons-politics-power/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team recently faced significant backlash after its World Cup defeat. Heather and Joanne explore how the team’s triumphs and losses fit into the history of women’s team sports, from the emergence of women’s basketball at Smith College in the 1890s, to the impact of Title IX, to the expansion of the Women’s World Cup in the 1990s. 

Heather and Joanne also share their personal experiences playing sports in a special “Backstage” segment of the podcast. To get access to Backstage episodes and other exclusive content, become a member at cafe.com/history.

For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/the-womens-world-cup-title-ix-and-power/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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What can the controversy over Florida’s new Black history standards tell us about the politics of distorting the past? Heather and Joanne analyze the claims and framing of the standards and connect the curricular mandates to a century-old effort by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to control how Southern history was taught. 

How have Heather and Joanne sought to teach accurate American history in their own classes? They share more of their thoughts in a special “Backstage” segment of the podcast. Become a member of CAFE Insider and get access to Backstage episodes and other exclusive content. Head to cafe.com/history to learn more and join.

For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/telling-tales-of-history-the-florida-problem/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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How should we make sense of the current labor activism in transportation and entertainment? Heather and Joanne explain how the fault lines in the UPS contract negotiation can be seen in the 1894 Pullman Strike. And they compare the WGA and SAG-AFTRA “double strike” in Hollywood to a similar walkout in 1960, led by none other than Ronald Reagan. 

How do Heather and Joanne feel about the future of AI in their workplaces? And how do these feelings connect to worker protections and labor activism? They share more of their thoughts in a special “Backstage” segment of the podcast. Become a member of CAFE Insider and get access to Backstage episodes and other exclusive content. Head to cafe.com/history to learn more and join.

For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/unions-strikes-and-the-public-what-matters/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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What can the success of Barbie tell us about America? Heather and Joanne put the blockbuster film into context with other impactful dolls, from Raggedy Ann to G.I. Joe., exploring what these iconic playthings can show about U.S. debates over gender, race, and consumerism. 

How did Heather and Joanne feel about dolls as young people? They share more of their thoughts in a special “Backstage” segment of the podcast. Become a member of CAFE Insider and get access to Backstage episodes and other exclusive content. For a limited time, you can get 40% off the initial annual membership price with discount code JUSTICE. Head to cafe.com/history to learn more and join.

For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/barbie-g-i-joe-and-the-gang-dolls-are-us/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

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Heather and Joanne respond to the presidential candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy and the hype surrounding the No Labels political organization by looking at two past third-party bids that changed the nation: the 1844 presidential candidacy of James G. Birney’s anti-slavery Liberty Party and the 1912 campaign of Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Party. 

How can third party candidacies reflect the values of the nation? How can they backfire? And how should Americans balance their interest in presidential purity with the strategic considerations of living in a democracy? 

What are Heather and Joanne’s personal feelings about Third Party bids? They share more of their thoughts in a special “Backstage” segment of the podcast. Become a member of CAFE Insider and get access to Backstage episodes and other exclusive content. For a limited time, you can get 40% off the initial annual membership price with discount code JUSTICE. Head to cafe.com/history to learn more and join.

For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/now-and-then/the-third-party-problem/

Now & Then is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices