Episode 360: A History of the Sleepover

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of the sleepover – and why they have become so complicated for parents today.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Parents have strong feelings about sleepovers. Niki referred to this Glamour roundup of sleepovers in pop culture, and Natalia drew on this Atlantic article. We all drew on this history of slumber parties and folklore from JSTOR Daily.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended Annie Abrams’ forthcoming book, Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheats Students.

• Neil shared Elizabeth Hinton’s American Historical Review essay, “The Last Great Battle of the West.”

• Niki discussed Ronan Farrow’s book Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators.

Episode 359: "Nepo Babies" and the History of Nepotism

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the “nepo baby” phenomenon.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Everyone seems to be talking about “nepo babies.” Niki referred to Adam Bellow’s Atlantic article about the promise of an updated nepotism. Natalia cited this New York Times essay about political nepotism, and Neil drew on this National Constitution Center article about the founders.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended the Bloomberg podcast, “The School Board Queen.”

• Neil shared Suzanna Krivulskaya’s Religion Dispatches article, “Bad Preachers’ Wives.”

• Niki discussed Erin Byers Murray’s Nashville Lifestyles piece, “Nashville Public Library Introduces New Exhibit: Votes for Women.”

Episode 358: How Gas Stoves Became Political

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the political controversy over regulating gas stoves.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The Biden administration raised the possibility of a ban on gas stoves in new construction. Niki referred to this VICE article about the culture-wars issue this became. Natalia cited this Mother Jones article on the affective appeal of gas stoves. Niki also drew on this National Review essay about the racialized impact of the measure.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended the latest episode of Claire Bond Potter’s podcast, Why Now, in which she interviews Ryan James Girdusky.

• Neil shared about the podcast, The Trojan Horse Affair.

• Niki discussed the Chicago Public Library’s collection of Harold Washington’s speeches.

Episode 357: The Battle over Speaker of the House

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the process of selecting the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• At the time of our recording, the House of Representatives was still without a Speaker. Niki referred to Timothy Shenk’s new book, Realigners. Natalia cited this National Review article, and Neil drew on this NPR piece.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended the new social reading app, Threadable.

• Neil discussed the southern tradition of the “groom’s cake,” explained in Southern Living magazine.

• Niki shared Robert Moss’ Epicurious article, “How Celery Went From Victorian Centerpiece to Football Snack.”

Episode 356: Natalia Petrzela's "Fit Nation"

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss – and celebrate! – Natalia’s new book Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession.

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Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Fit Nation is now available for order. You can buy here.  

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia talked about the new Hulu series, “Fleishman is in Trouble.”

• Neil commented on Season 3 of the podcast, Blowback, which focuses on the Korean War.

• Niki recommended the Contingent Magazine, and discussed Sara Mohr’s piece, “Penelope Garcia’s Criminal Minds.”

Episode 355: ROTC and American Schools

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of ROTC.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The presence of required Junior ROTC courses in American public schools made news last week. Neil referenced this Army history of ROTC. Natalia referred to this PBS segment about the debates over reinstating ROTC, and Niki drew on this Washington Times article about bridging the military recruitment gap.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared Alex Vadukul’s New York Times article, “Luddite Teens Don’t Want Your Likes.”

• Neil discussed Michelle Debczak’s Mental Floss article, “The Tumultuous History of Tinsel.”

• Niki recommended the podcast “If Books Could Kill.”

Episode 354: Brittney Griner and the History of Prisoner Exchanges

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of prisoner exchanges.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• WNBA player Brittney Griner has returned home from Russian detainment. Neil referenced this New Yorker article about Trump’s aberrant approach to hostage policy. Niki referred to this NPR piece about the case of Bowe Bergdahl.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia talked about the labor dispute at The New School.

• Neil discussed the death of former Rep. Jim Kolbe, and his most recent piece for the Washington Post, “Activism Convinced Just Enough Republicans to Support Same-Sex Marriage.”

• Niki shared about Michael M. Grynbaum’s New York Times article, “Elon Musk, Matt Taibbi, and a Very Modern Media Maelstrom.”

Episode 353: Antisemitism's Resurgence

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the resurgence of antisemitism in the United States.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Former president Donald Trump dined at Mar-a-Lago with noted antisemites Kanye West and Nick Fuentes. Niki referred to this Arizona Mirror piece about the Kari Lake’s endorsement  of an antisemite in Arizona. Natalia referenced this Washington Post article about the resurgence of an antisemitism many thought a relic of the past.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared about the jewelry designer Rachie Shnay.

• Neil recommended the podcast Bone Valley.

• Niki discussed Rossi Anastopoulo’s Slate article, “The Extremely American History of Pecan Pie.”

Episode 352: Weight Loss Drugs

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the new weight loss drug, Ozempic.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Ozempic, an injectable used for diabetes treatment, is also hailed for its use as a diet drug and hated for its intense side effects. Neil referenced this Wall Street Journal article about the ritzy circles in which Ozempic has become popular. Niki drew on this Reuters piece about the history of weight loss drugs.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended historian Kathryn J. McGarr’s new book, City of Newsmen: Public Lies and Professional Secrets in Cold War Washington.

• Neil discussed Ruth Graham’s New York Times article, “Old Latin Mass Finds New American Audience, Despite Pope’s Disapproval.”

• Niki shared about historian Beverly Gage’s new book, G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century.

Episode 351: The 2022 Midterm Elections

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the results of the 2022 midterm elections.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The much-anticipated “red wave” of Republican victories never materialized in the midterm elections. Natalia referred to this Intelligener piece about the role of crime in New York-area elections, and Niki drew on this article about what these results indicate regarding Trump’s presidential prospects. Natalia spoke to NBC about the GOP’s performance in Florida.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed Lagos and Brooklyn-based fashion brand Busayo NYC.

• Neil recommended Eley Williams’ novel, The Liar’s Dictionary, and this companion article from The New Yorker.

• Niki discussed Malcolm Harris’ Intelligencer article, “The Rise of Influencer Capital.”

Episode 350: Affirmative Action

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the past and uncertain future of affirmative action in higher education.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Affirmative action is the next progressive policy under threat by the current Supreme Court. Niki cited this Slate piece by historian Ellen D. Wu. Natalia referenced historian David C. Cecelski’s book, Along Freedom Road. We all drew on this helpful history of the term in the New York Times.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed this episode of the New York Times “First Person” podcast.

• Neil discussed restaurant critic Gael Greene’s New York Times obituary.

• Niki recommended Rachel Monroe’s New Yorker article, “The Disturbing Rise of Amateur Predator-Hunting Stings.”

Episode 349: Rats!

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the recent scourge of rats in New York City and elsewhere.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• New York City is experiencing a surge in the rat population. Natalia referenced this New York magazine article about now omnipresent dining sheds and the rats they attract. Niki referred to Robert Sullivan’s research on rats and the rat-free idyll that is Alberta, Canada. Neil discussed this article about 19th-century British practice of rat catching and breeding. Niki discussed rat-catching in the 1970s on this episode of her This Day in Esoteric Political History podcast.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed CBS LA’s report, “Holocaust Museum of LA Flooded With Antisemitic Messages After Offering Kanye West A Private Tour.”

• Neil commented on David Masciotra’s New Republic article, “The Growing Religious Alliance to Ban LGBTQ Books.”

• Niki talked about Pat Buchanan and the resurgent embrace of Christian nationalism, as she explores in Partisans.

Episode 348: Halloween Panics

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of panics over contaminated Halloween candy.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Panics over “Halloween sadism” have resurged yearly for decades. Niki referred to historian Paul M. Renfro’s book Stranger Danger: Family Values, Childhood, and the American Carceral State and Natalia cited this Wall Street Journal article about fentanyl  abuse. All of us drew on the research of Joel Best.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared Geoffrey Mak’s essay for The Nation, “I Wanted a Boyfriend. My Life Coach Told Me to Become a Commodity.”

• Neil commented on the Netflix show, “UNTOLD: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist.”

• Niki discussed Kaarima Moyer-Nocchi and Adrien Miller’s Epicurious article, “Who Invented Mac and Cheese? This American Favorite Has Ancient Roman Roots.”

Episode 347: John Fetterman

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the senatorial campaign of John Fetterman and his recovery from a stroke.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• John Fetterman is the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, and an NBC interview drew attention to his disability and media’s treatment of it. Natalia referred to Rebecca Traister’s profile of Fetterman for New York magazine. Neil recommended this Disability Studies Quarterly article by historians Paul Renfro and Byrd McDaniel. We drew on this HISTORY overview of disabled presidents and this POLITICO piece about politicians and mental illness.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared Constance Méheut’s New York Times article, “With Leaps and Bounds, Parkour Athletes Turn Off the Lights in Paris.”

• Neil commented on Nicole Laporte’s Town and Country article, “Why Are So Many Northern Kids Moving South to College?”

• Niki discussed Elizabeth Becker’s book You Don’t Belong Here: How Three Women Rewrote the Story of War.

Episode 346: Herschel Walker

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the Senate campaign of Herschel Walker and the controversy it has created.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Football star Herschel Walker is running for U.S. Senate as a conservative Republican in Georgia. Niki referred to historian Leah Wright Rigueur’s book The Loneliness of the Black Republican. Niki and Neil discussed this Christian Science Monitor article they co-authored in 2009. Neil drew on this Slate article about Walker’s son, an online influencer. Natalia referenced this New York Times profile about Walker’s local reputation. 

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia reflected on two controversies in academia, one surrounding historian Patricia Limerick and the other chemist Maitland Jones.

• Neil discussed Eric Burkett’s Bay Area Reporter story, “LGBTQ Agenda: Pentagon Office Finds Fears of Gay Service Were Unfounded, Report Says.”

• Niki discussed President Biden’s federal pardons of those convicted for marijuana possession.

Episode 345: The Protests in Iran

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the political protests in Iran.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• The death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country’s “morality police” has set off protests all over the country and the world. Natalia and Niki  referred to this New Yorker essay and this Los Angeles Times article.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed historian David A. Hollinger’s new book, Christianity’s American Fate: How Religion Became More Conservative and Society More Secular.

• Neil recommended Leslie Jamison’s New Yorker article, “The Enduring Allure of Choose Your Own Adventure Books.”

• Niki shared about Nursing Clio’s “Reproduction History Syllabus.”

Episode 344: Pickleball

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the recent pickleball phenomenon.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Pickleball is a booming recreation trend – and is inspiring controversy. Natalia referred to this leftist manifesto against pickleball and Christopher Lasch’s chapter in the Culture of Narcissism on the “degradation of sport.” She also talked about it on TikTok. Neil drew on this history of the pastime and this New Yorker article. We all referred to Bowling Alone, the 2000 book that prompted new conversations about civic participation. Natalia also referred to her recent Slate piece on inclusive recreation.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the recent announcement that all parent-teacher conferences and Back-to-School nights would be virtual for the 2022-23 year in New York City public schools.

• Neil recommended the podcast Heaven Bent.

• Niki discussed her CNN column, “Kevin McCarthy’s ‘Commitment’ Shows How Broken-Down Trump’s GOP Has Become.”

Episode 343: The Averted Rail Strike

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the averted railroad strike.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Railway workers came close to striking last week. Niki referenced this episode of her This Day podcast. Natalia cited this New York Times article, and Niki drew on this Guardian piece about the burst of unionization.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared her latest installment of The Quick Study for Observer, “In School Battles, We’re Getting the ‘Parental Rights’ Conversation Completely Wrong.”

• Neil recommended the podcast Killed.

• Niki discussed her CNN column, “DeSantis Chose Martha’s Vineyard for a Reason.”

Episode 342: Queen Elizabeth II

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Queen Elizabeth II has died, ending a reign that spanned seven decades. Niki referred to this New York Times essay on her unique style, and this one on the power and limitations of inspiring women. We all drew on this Guardian article about the elaborate rituals in place around the Queen’s death. Natalia referenced the online pushback to grieving the Queen, given Britain’s long imperial history, some examples of which are in this Slate piece. We all drew on this Atlantic essay about the decline of the British Empire under her reign, and how that shapes her legacy.

 In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia shared Sally Joy Wolf’s Independent opinion piece, “Immunocompromised Travellers Like Me Should Have ‘masked carriages’ Available to Us.”

• Neil recommended Nadja Popovich and Brad Plumer’s interactive New York Times feature, “As Wildfires Grow, Millions of Homes Are Being Built in Harm’s Way.”

• Niki discussed this New York Post piece, “Lawyer’s Mission: Translate Tennessee’s Bewildering Abortion Ban.”

Episode 341: Mikhail Gorbachev

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of Mikhail Gorbachev.

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: 

• Former leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev has died. We reflected on the slew of essays in U.S. publications remembering Gorbachev through a mostly positive light. Neil mentioned Saturday Night Live’s frequent send-ups of Gorbachev.

In our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed Sarah Mervosh’s New York Times article, “The Pandemic Erased Two Decades of Progress in Math and Reading,” which she also discussed on KCRW.

• Neil commented on Katrin Bennhold’s New York Times article, “In Finland, a Partying Prime Minister Draws Tuts, and Cheers.”

• Niki recommended Bonnie Garmus’ novel Lessons in Chemistry.