Episode 127: Barbara Bush, Starbucks, and the U.S. Census

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate the life and legacy of Barbara Bush, Starbucks’ race problem, and the U.S. Census.

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

• Former First Lady Barbara Bush has died at 92. Natalia referenced historian Barbara Perry’s Washington Post article about how she transformed the Office of the First Lady.
• Starbucks has come under fire for an employee who called the police on two black men at one of its Philadelphia stores. Natalia cited sociologist Elijah Anderson’s Vox article on the association of black people with inner cities; Niki referenced Jamelle Bouie’s Slate article on how “white spaces” are constructed and policed as well as Emily Bazelon’s 2014 Slate article “Why I Don’t Call the Police.”
• President Donald Trump’s decision to include a question about citizenship status on the U.S. Census for the first time since 1950 has inspired strong opposition. Natalia referred to Ari Berman’s Mother Jones article on the pervasive problem of undercounting minorities.

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

• Neil commented on Dan Piepenbring’s New Yorker article “Chick-Fil-A’s Creepy Infiltration of New York City.”
• Natalia shared Carson Bear’s article “Are Mobile Homes a Forgotten Historic Resource?” on SavingPlaces.org.
• Niki discussed Kathleen Belew’s new book Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America.

Episode 126: Sinclair Broadcasting, Tony Robbins, and Early Admissions

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate the rise of Sinclair Broadcasting, life coach Tony Robbins’ dismissal of the #MeToo movement, and the fraught history of college early admissions.

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

• Conservative media giant Sinclair Broadcasting Group inspired outrage when a viral video showed anchors reading a prepared script bashing the media. Natalia cited Niki’s U.S. News article on the role of the FCC in preventing the kind of domination to which Sinclair aspires.
• Self-help guru Tony Robbins enraged the internet when he maligned the #MeToo movement at one of his stadium-sized seminars. You can watch the full video of his interaction with Nanine McCool here. Natalia cited two classic historical works to understand the history of self-help: Richard Hofstadter’s Anti-Intellectualism in American Life and Christopher Lasch’s The Culture of Narcissism. Natalia also recommended William Davies’ The Happiness Industry and the HBO show “Enlightened.” Natalia recently wrote about how Tony Robbins and other self-help gurus have often stood in the way of social change in a piece for the Washington Post.
• The Justice Department has launched a probe into colleges offering early admissions. Natalia cited two historians’ book-length works: Jerome Karabel’s The Chosen and Nancy Malkiel’s Keep the Damned Women Out!

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

• Neil discussed the new Little League documentary, Long Time Coming.
• Natalia discussed Ivanka Trump’s curiously uninformed comments about youth fitness. As a companion piece to Natalia’s What’s Making History, Niki recommended Anastasia Day’s Made by History article, “How the White House Garden Became a Political Football.”
• Niki discussed two new books on the 14th Amendment by historians, Carrie Hyde’s Civic Longing: The Speculative Origins of U.S. Citizenship and Martha Jones’ Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America.

Episode 125: Roseanne, NFL Cheerleaders, and Instant Pot

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil debate the return of the television series Roseanne, the unfair treatment of NFL cheerleaders, and the sudden popularity of the Instant Pot.

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

• Nineties TV sitcom Roseanne is back, and remade for the Trump age. Niki referenced Oscar Winberg’s Washington Post article about the political ambitions of the series.
• New Orleans Saints cheerleader Bailey Davis was fired for violating the team’s social media policy; now she’s suing and bringing attention to the unjust treatment of cheerleaders across the industry. Natalia referenced this Mother Jones historical timeline of cheerleading as well as two works by historians: Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz’ Campus Life and Paula Fass’ The Damned and the Beautiful.
• The Instant Pot is officially a culinary craze. Natalia referenced this Curbed article about the gendered history of kitchen design.

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

• Neil discussed John Elgion’s New York Times article, “A Black Evangelist Who Opposed Dr. King,” and Lerone Martin’s research article on which it draws.
• Natalia discussed Matthew Remski’s Facebook response to the new Netflix documentary, Wild, Wild Country.
• Niki discussed Peter Canellos’ POLITICO article, “’Chappaquiddick’: The Trial of Ted Kennedy.”

Bonus Episode 5: Stormy Daniels

In this week's episode, Niki and Natalia debate the Stormy Daniels scandal.

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

• Stormy Daniels gave a much awaited interview to Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes last week. Natalia referred to Michelle Goldberg’s New York Times op-ed and this Atlantic article about the similarities between the Daniels affair and the Harvey Weinstein case.

Episode 124: Cambridge Analytica, the Austin Serial Bomber, and Stanford's "Manel"

In this week's episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate the historical significance of Cambridge Analytica and its relationship with Facebook, a serial bomber in Austin, and an all-white, all-male history conference at Stanford.

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

• Cambridge Analytica is suddenly a household name for its troubling use of Facebook data to influence the 2016 election. Niki referred to Siva Vaidhyanathan’s forthcoming book, Antisocial Media, about the social costs of the rise of Facebook.
• After terrorizing Austin for several weeks, serial bombing suspect Mark Conditt is dead. Niki referenced this Rolling Stone article about the impact of the Son of Sam serial murders on tabloid journalism. Natalia cited this NPR article on recollections of Conditt.
• Stanford University’s Hoover Institution hosted a conference comprised entirely of white men. Niki referred to this Washington Post article about the long relationship between the Hoover Institution and Stanford.

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

• Neil discussed Jackie Mansky’s Smithsonian article, “How Smithsonian Helped Solve the Twitter Mystery of the Unknown Woman Scientist.”
• Natalia commented on Joanna Rothkopf’s Jezebel article, “Inside the Convoluted ‘Battle for the Heart and Soul of Yoga’ That Resulted in Alo Yoga Suing a Body-Positive Influencer.”
• Niki shared Michael S. Rosenwald’s Washington Post article, “Toys R Us Founder Charles Lazarus Has Died. Here’s How He Built – And Lost – An Empire.”

Episode 123: Rex Tillerson, Women's Obituaries, and National Geographic

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate Donald Trump’s firing of Rex Tillerson, the New York Times publishing obituaries for women it overlooked historically, and National Geographic’s self-study of its past racist coverage.

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

• Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is the latest White House official President Trump has fired by tweet. Natalia referenced this New Yorker article highlighting the origins of Tillerson’s leadership style.
• “Overlooked” is the name of a New York Times initiative to acknowledge the fact that since 1851, the paper’s obituaries have been dominated by white men. Natalia referred to Amanda Hess’s coverage of this issue at Slate. We all referred to this NPR interview with former Times obituary writers featured in the documentary Obit.
• National Geographic’s latest issue reckons with the magazine’s treatment of race throughout the publication’s history. Niki referred to historian George Fredrickson’s notion of “scientistic racism.” Natalia shared Rebecca Onion’s interview for Slate of the historian John Edwin Mason who conducted the study for ­National Geographic.

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

• Neil shared Olivia B. Waxman’s TIME article, “The Surprisingly Poetic Origins of the Phrase ‘March Madness’.”
• Natalia commented on Jason LeMiere’s Newsweek article, “Barron Trump’s School Signs Open Letter Asking His Dad to Act on Gun Violence, Oppose Arming Teachers.”
• Niki discussed Rebecca Onion’s Slate article, “The Teacher Would Suddenly Yell ‘Drop!’.”

Episode 122: Trump's Tariffs, Weight Watchers for Teenagers, and Disneyland Workers

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate President Trump’s proposed tariffs, Weight Watchers’ bid for teenage dieters, and Disneyland’s underpaid workers.

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

• Donald Trump has announced he is slapping high tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, all in the name of national security. Niki referred to Alex Thompson’s Vice article, “Trump’s Tariffs Made Him Labor Unions’ Man of Steel.” Niki also recommended Marc-William Palen’s book The Conspiracy of Free Trade.
• Weight Watchers is reaching out to young teenagers. Natalia referred to Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s New York Times article, “Losing It in the Anti-Dieting Age” and to Joan Jacobs Brumberg’s book The Body Project: An Intimate History of American Girls. Neil referenced Jennifer Wiener’s New York Times op-ed, “Take Your Daughter to the Movies, Not to Weight Watchers.” Natalia recommended Christy Harrison’s Food Psych Podcast. We discussed the history of Weight Watchers in Episode 19.
• A new report shows that many employees of Disneyland, “the happiest place on earth,” are homeless or hungry. Niki cited a new study, “Working For the Mouse” and the film The Florida Project as well as two books: Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America and Louis Hyman’s forthcoming TEMP: How American Work, American Business, and the American Dream Became Temporary.

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

• Neil shared Anne Ewbank’s Atlas Obscura article, “How Orange (the Fruit) Inspired Orange (the Color).”
• Natalia commented on Drew Schwartz’s VICE article, “Conservatives are Whining Because No One Wants to Date Them.”
• Niki discussed Joseph Bernstein’s Buzzfeed article, “Teach Them Right: How PragerU Is Winning the Right-Wing Culture War Without Donald Trump.”

Episode 121: Billy Graham, High School Activism, and Teachers' Strikes

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate the life and ministry of Billy Graham, youth activism after the Parkland shootings, and the West Virginia teachers’ strike.

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

• Billy Graham, known to many as “America’s Pastor,” is dead. Niki referred to Kevin Kruse’s article about Graham’s early conservatism at Made by History and Anthea Butler’s HuffPost article about the limits of Graham’s racial progressivism. Natalia mentioned this Rolling Stone story about Graham’s role in encouraging homophobia.
• High school students are shaping the national conversation about gun control in the wake of the Parkland shooting. Natalia referred to the East Los Angeles blowouts she wrote about in her book, and Niki discussed this article at The Root about the racialized media coverage of such activism. Niki also wrote about how corporations have been a part of America’s political battles in her column for U.S. News & World Report.  
• West Virginia’s teachers are striking. Natalia talked about the anti-union film The Lottery and recommended journalist Trey Kay’s podcast broadcast in collaboration with the West Virginia Public Broadcasting Center, Us & Them.

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

• Neil shared this TIME article about the 1961 plane crash that killed the U.S. figure skating team.
• Natalia discussed Dylan Gottlieb’s article “Rat Race” about urban marathons from the Past Present x Public Seminar vertical.
• Niki commented on recollections of William F. Buckley ten years after his death.

Episode 120: Black Panther, Adam Rippon, and Plastics

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate the blockbuster film Black Panther, the ascendancy of Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon, and the preponderance of plastics in contemporary life.

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

• The release of blockbuster film Black Panther is being hailed as a watershed moment in African American, and mainstream, popular culture. Niki and Natalia both referenced Laurence Ware’s New York Times article on black nerds.
• Figure skater Adam Rippon has attracted media attention for using his platform to defend LGBTQ rights. Natalia mentioned this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour featuring journalist Sam Sanders describing what it’s like to cover the Olympics. Niki referenced this Newsweek article about the “frozen closet” and Natalia commented on this New York Times article about disordered eating among male figure skaters.
• The Anglican Church is recommending that people give up plastics for Lent. Natalia noted the role of plastics in the 1967 film The Graduate and Niki referred to this Washington Post article on the magnitude of plastic pollution in in the United States.

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

• Neil shared historian Josh Clark Davis’ Atlantic article on the FBI crackdown on black-owned bookstores.
• Natalia discussed this Sexing History podcast episode on the sexual harassment of flight attendants.
• Niki commented on Fergie’s rendition of the national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game and shared Cindy Boren’s Washington Post article that placed it in the context of poorly regarded national anthem performances.

Episode 119: Presidential Portraits, Down Syndrome, and Sanitation Workers

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil debate the release of the Obamas’ presidential portraits, the first Gerber Baby with Down syndrome, and the storied history of the sanitation worker.

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

• The presidential and First Lady portraits of the Obamas have been released to more fanfare than is customary. Neil mentioned Obama White House photographer Pete Souza’s Instagram account and his recently published book of photos of President Obama. Niki commented on Andrew Jackson’s official portrait by Ralph E. W. Earl. Natalia referenced this Slate interview with art historians about the Obama portraits.
• The Gerber Baby, for the first time, has Down syndrome. Natalia shared David Perry’s Pacific Standard article advocating Gerber go further in working toward disability rights and the historical timeline written by the National Association for Down Syndrome.
• Sanitation is dangerous, crucial work, as a recent New York Times op-ed argued. Natalia cited Kiera Feldman’s Mother Jones article about the history of the industry, and Neil discussed Martin Luther King Jr.’s involvement in the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, including his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech.

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

• Neil discussed William R. Black’s Atlantic article, “Abraham Lincoln’s Secret Visits to Slaves.”
• Natalia shared the podcast Atlanta Monster.
• Niki talked about the history of marshmallows as chronicled in Jesse Rhodes’ Smithsonian article, “It’s a Marshmallow World.”

Episode 118: The Nunes Memo, the Stock Market Fall, and the 2018 Winter Olympics

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia debate the Nunes memo and the GOP’s attack on the FBI, the recent stock market plummet, and the prospect of Korean reconciliation through the Winter Olympics.

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

• #ReleasetheMemo took over Twitter last week. Niki cited this Politico piece explaining “computational propaganda” that helped spread it. Natalia referred to the episode of Trumpcast that further explained how the meme went viral.
• The stock market recently plummeted over one thousand points. Neil discussed President Obama’s spokesperson Jay Carney’s observation that the Obama White House deliberately never took credit for the health of the stock market.
• The Winter Olympics kick off in PyeongChang, South Korea this week, prompting many to wonder about its political impact on the region. Natalia cited Heather Dichter’s Made By History essay about the Cold War era precedents for this year’s contest as well as a Backstory episode about the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” She also recommended David Wallace Adams’ classic Education for Extinction for its exploration of the politics of sport.

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

• Neil shared Daina Ramey Berry’s New York Times article, “Beyond the Slave Trade, the Cadaver Trade.”
• Natalia commented on historian Brooke Blower’s book Becoming Americans in Paris.
• Niki discussed Tyler Huckabee’s Washington Post article, “The Radical – But Gentle – Faith of Mister Rogers.”

Episode 117: The Flu, Chief Wahoo, and Female Pain

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate the flu, the fate of the Cleveland Indians’ mascot Chief Wahoo, and the normalization of female pain.

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

• 2017-18 is set to be one of the worst flu seasons in recent history. Natalia cited John M. Barry’s work at Smithsonian Magazine and in his book The Great Influenza. She also cited Derek Beres’ essay about homeopathy in Public Seminar.
• The Cleveland Indians will abandon the controversial Chief Wahoo logo next year. Natalia cited Andrew McGregor’s Washington Post piece on athletic “safe spaces” for conservative politics as well as Philip Deloria’s book Playing Indian. Niki referenced the National Coalition of American Indians video “Proud to Be.”
• Lili Loofbourow’s essay on female pain, “The Female Price of Male Pleasure,” went viral. Natalia cited a Healthline article about the “husband stitch” as well as John D’Emilio and Estelle Freedman’s book Intimate Matters.

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

• Neil discussed the creation of a new literary award, the Staunch Book Prize.
• Natalia commented on Dr. Jen Gunter’s medical blog, in particular her account of Gwyneth Paltrow’s New York City event.
• Niki shared this Guardian article about the bloodthirsty history of the nature documentary.

Episode 116: Homeschooling, Government Shutdowns, and Tide Pods

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the role of homeschooling in an abuse case in California, the recent government shutdown, and why people are eating Tide Pods on social media.

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

• A horrific case of child abuse in California has renewed debate about homeschooling. Natalia cited political philosopher Rob Reich’s scholarly article on homeschooling.
• We debate the recent government shut down.
• What started as an internet joke about eating Tide Pods has become a real-life fad. Natalia referred to this JStor Daily article about the sexualization of the supermarket.

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

• Natalia discussed the New York Times article, “Young Fitness Fogies Ditch $40 Classes for Hoops, Laps, and Jogs.”
• Neil discussed the Huffington Post article, “Even Breathing is a Risk in One of Orlando’s Poorest Neighborhoods.
• Niki discussed Catherine Kerrison’s Washington Post article “How Did We Lose a President’s Daughter?”

Episode 115: Tonya Harding, Prison Book Bans, and the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate Tonya Harding’s comeback, book bans in prison, and the 20th anniversary of the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal.

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

• I, Tonya, is now in theaters and has prompted a new wave of interest in the 1990s scandal involving skaters Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. Natalia referenced Chloe Angyal’s New York Times piece on “gymnastics feminism” and Niki referred to the 1995 book Women on Ice: Feminist Responses to the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding Spectacle.
• Michelle Alexander’s book The New Jim Crow was effectively banned from New Jersey jails, raising questions about how such decisions are made. Niki referred to another banned book, Douglas Blackmon’s Slavery by Another Name. Natalia mentioned Heather Thompson’s book about the Attica Uprising, Blood in the Water.
• It has been twenty years since the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky scandal. Natalia referred to Lewinsky’s 2014 interview in Vanity Fair and her TED talk on cyberbullying. Niki wrote about how the Lewinsky scandal shaped modern American politics in her column for The Age.

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

• Natalia shared the Amazon Originals show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
• Neil discussed this Atlas Obscura article on when the Soviet Union paid Pepsi in warships.
• Niki commented on the New York Times article on how an African-American character, Franklin, was introduced to the Peanuts cartoon.

Episode 114: Alt-Right Asian Fetish, Temporary Protected Status, and Raw Water

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate the Asian fetish of some alt-right white nationalists, President Trump’s plan to revoke protections for Salvadorans, and the raw water craze.

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

• White nationalism is not necessarily incompatible with heterosexual romantic attraction to Asian women, Audrea Lim wrote in the New York Times. Niki referred to Asian women’s complicity in this dynamic as akin to that of alt-right women more broadly, as discussed in Harper’s. Natalia and Niki referred to this Plan A article explaining how anti-Asian gender stereotyping also marginalizes Asian-American men. Niki referred to Jeffrey Guo’s reporting in the Washington Post that it wasn’t unique drive among Asian-Americans that made them a “model minority”, but the gradual diminishing of anti-Asian racism. We all recommend Ellen D. Wu’s book The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority.
• The Trump administration has announced that it will revoke “Temporary Protected Status” for nearly 200,000 Salvadorans who benefit from it. Niki cited Carly Goodman’s Washington Post article pointing to the origins of TPS.
• “Raw water” is all the rage among a certain subset of the wellness world, reported publications from the New York Times to the National Review. Natalia cited Tamara Venit Shelton’s Public Seminar article about the origins of the obsession with “natural living.”

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

• Natalia commented on Kathleen Kelly Janus’ new book Social Startup Success.
• Neil discussed the controversy over this New York Times obituary of LDS president Thomas Monson. He also referred to this catalog of all obituaries of LDS presidents.
• Niki shared this New York Times article about #MeToo pioneer Patricia Douglas.

Episode 113: African-American Intellectuals, Southern Democrats, and LaCroix Sparkling Water

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss a feud between African-American intellectuals Cornel West and Ta-Nehisi Coates, the electoral prospects for southern Democrats, and why LaCroix Sparkling Water has become an obsession.

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

• Cornel West published a blistering takedown of Ta-Nehisi Coates in The Guardian. Niki referenced Michael Eric Dyson’s critique of West in The New Republic and Natalia referred to Matthew Clair’s essay in Public Books about the origins of the desire among liberal white audiences to hear “authentic” black voices, but only in certain ways. Niki referenced Tressie McMillan Cottom’s blog post where she argued that Coates and West are fundamentally different as thinkers.
• Doug Jones’ win against Roy Moore in Alabama was astonishing given the political leanings of the region. Neil referred to his own post in Public Seminar in which he argued the election was more a loss for Moore than a victory by Jones. Niki referred to Matthew Lassiter’s Silent Majority: Suburban Politics in the Sunbelt South and Kevin Kruse’s White Flight: Atlanta and the Making of Modern Conservatism, both of which detail the slow process by which the long-Democratic South became almost wholesale Republican.
• LaCroix Sparkling Water is all the rage among coastal tastemakers these days, though it has Midwestern roots, as Vox reports. Niki recommended the Gastropod podcast to delve deeper into the history of seltzer.  

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

• Natalia discussed allegations of sexual assault against Russell Simmons.
• Neil recommended Sarah Rose’s book For All the Tea in China.
• Niki shared why KFC is a popular Christmas meal in Japan.

Episode 112: "Cat Person," Black Maternal Mortality, and Elf on the Shelf

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia debate the viral New Yorker short story “Cat Person”, the disproportionately high maternal death rate among black women, and the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon. 

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

• Kristen Roupenian’s New Yorker short story “Cat Person” went surprisingly viral last week. Natalia cited Laura Kipnis’ Unwanted Advances to dissuade readers from equating bad and coercive sex. Natalia cited Jennifer Weiner’s New York Times op-ed about the snobbery often directed at her career writing “chick lit.” Neil recommended Roupenian’s interview with Deborah Treisman.
• ProPublica published a damning article highlighting the many reasons black women die in pregnancy and childbirth. Neil recommended anthropologist Carolyn Rouse’s book Uncertain Suffering: Racial Health Care Disparities and Sickle Cell Disease, and Natalia recommended Alondra Nelson’s Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight Against Medical Discrimination and Susan Reverby’s Examining Tuskegee: The Infamous Syphilis Study and its Legacy.
• We discussed the newest Christmas tradition – the now decade-plus old Elf on the Shelf.

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

• Neil discussed the history of the claw foot tub.
• Natalia commented on the new PBS documentary, Pervert Park.
• Niki shared The Cut article, “The Life and Death of a Radical Sisterhood.”

Episode 111: Etiquette Books, a Royal Engagement, and National Monuments

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil debate the resurgence of etiquette books, the announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal engagement, and President Trump’s decision to limit the size of two national monuments.

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

• Etiquette books are making a comeback, and we referenced this New York Times roundup of new titles by Judith Newman. Natalia cited Richard Bushman’s classic book, The Refinement of America: Persons, Houses, Cities and Gloria Steinem’s My Life on the Road.
• Prince Harry is getting engaged to biracial American actor Meghan Markle. Natalia cited this Washington Post article critiquing American’s fascination with British royal culture.
• President Trump reduced the size of two national monuments, breaking with presidential precedent and angering many. Natalia cited Federico Finchelstein’s new book From Fascism to Populism in History. Neil cited the role of outdoor recreation companies in resisting this move and Natalia cited Tom Sugrue’s article “America’s Real Estate Developer in Chief” in Public Books.

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

• Neil commented on Steve Bannon’s attack on Mitt Romney.
• Natalia discussed the new Netflix documentary, Voyeur.
• Niki shared the Vox video, “The U.S. Medical System Still Haunted By Slavery.”

Episode 110: Time Inc., Massage Envy, and Net Neutrality

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the purchase of Time Inc. by the Meredith Corporation, sexual assault claims at a chain of massage spas, and net neutrality.

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

• Time magazine and its adjacent properties shaped a generation of journalism. Niki referenced Alan Brinkley’s biography of its founder, Henry Luce. Natalia cited Niki’s book on the rise of conservative media, Messengers of the Right.
• A Buzzfeed news article by Katie J.M. Baker reported 180 sexual assault cases at Massage Envy, a large chain of massage therapy spas. Natalia referenced an article in Massage magazine emphasizing why “massage therapist” (not masseur/masseuse) is now widely used.
• Net neutrality is under threat. Neil historicized the amorphous idea using this Cnet piece; Niki referenced Danny Kimball’s Washington Post article about the concept’s historical precedents.

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

• Neil discussed this New York Times magazine issue on “Life After Driving.”
• Natalia commented on Michelle D. Brock’s Washington Post article historicizing the term “witch hunt.”
• Niki shared Martha Jones’ Washington Post article about why “Pocahontas” is a slur against mixed-race people.

Episode 109: Bill Clinton, the NYC Subway, and GOP's Tax Plan

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate the recent reckoning with Bill Clinton’s legacy, the state of the New York City subway, and the new tax reform measure.

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

• Conservatives and liberals alike are reevaluating Bill Clinton’s legacy in terms of the sea change in attitudes about sexual harassment and assault. Niki referred to Clinton’s 2012 speech at the Democratic National Convention. Natalia cited Estelle Freedman’s book Redefining Rape: Sexual Violence in the Era of Suffrage and Segregation.
• A New York Times article recently asked how and why the New York City subway system is in such disrepair. Natalia recommended Clifton Hood’s book 722 Miles: The Building of Subways and How They Transformed New York. Neil referred to Kim Phillips-Fein’s book on 1970s New York, Fear City: New York’s Fiscal Crisis and the Rise of Austerity Politics.
• A new tax reform bill has passed the House. We discussed the history of the GOP and tax reform. Niki referred to Molly Michelmore’s book Tax and Spend: The Welfare State, Tax Politics, and Limits of American Liberalism. Natalia mentioned Bruce Schulman’s recent Washington Post article.

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

• Neil discussed the new film Wonder.
• Natalia discussed the podcast Ear Hustle.
• Niki discussed the history of green bean casserole.