In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of comedian Paul Reubens.  You can support Past Present here: https://www.patreon.com/pastpresentpodcast Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:    ·      Paul Reubens, best known for   his recurring role as Pee-wee Herman, has died. Natalia referred to this  Daily Beast retrospective and Niki drew on this  New York Times magazine piece.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:  ·      Natalia discussed Rebecca Jennings’ Vulture article, “Where Is Britney Spears?”  ·      Neil recommended the BBC podcast,  A Very British Cult.  ·      Niki shared about  this episode of the Strict Scrutiny podcast.          

Episode 386: Pee-wee Herman

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.

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Society & Culture

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 about the Gothamist article, “Stop the Schtup: Brooklyn Orthodox Women Join Sex Strike to Pressure Husbands Over Divorce.”  ·      Neil commented on his forthcoming piece at The Revealer, “Reaching the Heartland: Gay Republicans’ Message to Religious Americans.”  ·      Niki recommended Heather Radke’s book,  Butts: A Backstory.

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

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  this Atlantic essay that began the backlash against the film Love Actually, and Natalia referenced  this interview with its director. Niki referred to  this Variety essay about “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:  ·      Natalia, Neil, and Niki reflected on eight years of making the show together and announced both Niki’s departure and Past Present’s first hiatus. Thank you, Niki. And listeners, see you in the spring!

Episode 405: Controversies over Christmas “Classics”

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 one by Adam Serwer. We all drew on  this New York Times history of expelled Congress members.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:  ·      Natalia declared her ambition to compete in the HYROX fitness competition.  ·      Neil recommended the Slate podcast Dear Prudence and historian Julie Golia’s book,  Newspaper Confessions: A History of Advice Columns in a Pre-Internet Age.  ·      Niki discussed Rivka Galchen’s New Yorker article, “Inside the Illegal Cactus Trade.”

Episode 404: George Santos

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 referred to this  multi-part POLITICO series on Haley’s career. Neil drew on  this NPR piece, and Niki on  this article from The Intercept.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:  ·      Natalia shared about her most recent MSNBC column, “How Feminists Have Failed Israeli Victims of Sexual Violence.”  ·      Neil recommended Sopan Deb’s New York Times article, “Nom Nom Nom. What’s the Deal With Cookie Monster’s Cookies?”  ·      Niki discussed the National Security Archive’s “Henry Kissinger: The Declassified Obituary.”  

Episode 403: Nikki Haley

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  this Washington Post article about the unfavorable market for millennial homebuyers, and Natalia referenced this New Yorker piece about the pitfalls of mortgages. We all drew on  this Atlantic article about the resilience of the “ownership society” ideal. Natalia referred to  this New York Times article about a landlord harassed by her tenant.   In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:  ·      Natalia shared about the paperback release of  Myth America: Historians Take on the Biggest Legends and Lies About Our Past and a  60% holiday discount on the audiobook of Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession.  ·      Neil recommended visiting the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, California.  ·      Niki discussed the latest episode of the What Next podcast, “Moms for Liberty Tanked at the Polls. This Guy Called It.”

Episode 386: Pee-wee Herman

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