Episode 300: The NYC Marathon and the History of Long-Distance Racing

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the return of the New York City Marathon and the history of long-distance racing.

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 returned this year. Natalia referred to historian Dylan Gottlieb’s Public Seminar article about the origins of the race and to runner Kathrine Switzer’s memoir, Marathon Woman.

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

• Natalia shared the latest episode of Vox Media’s Nice Try podcast, on which she contributes to a discussion of the history of the weight as a fitness accessory.

• Neil discussed the 2006 Chicago Tribune article, “Sushi and Rev. Moon.”

• Niki recommended a new podcast, Unclear and Present Danger, from Jamelle Bouie and John Ganz.

Episode 299: Biden's Build Back Better Act

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the Democratic Party’s “Build Back Better” bill.

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 up to Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Niki referenced this CBS News poll about voters’ levels of familiarity with the bill’s measures. 

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

• Natalia discussed Rebecca Traister’s interview with Katie Couric in The Cut.

• Neil shared his column for The Week, “Celebrity Endorsers Don’t Sell Merch Anymore. They Sell Morals.”

• Niki recommended Jonathan M. Katz’ article in The Racket, “Some Very Fine People Walked Into a Courthouse,” and journalist Molly Conger’s Twitter.

Episode 298: Colin Powell

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of Colin Powell, the United States’ first Black Secretary of State.

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 recent piece for Foreign Policy. Niki referred to Leah Wright Rigueur’s book, The Loneliness of the Black Republican, and to historian Peniel Joseph’s CNN piece about Powell’s legacy.

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

• Natalia discussed the latest episode of the Conspirituality podcast on which she appears.

• Neil recommended the HBO Max documentary series, The Way Down.

• Niki shared Emily Nussbaum’s New Yorker article, “Difficult Women: How 'Sex and the City' Lost Its Good Name.”

Episode 297: "Shadow Inflation" and the COVID Economy

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the inflation currently affecting the U.S. economy.

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, What’s Making History:

• Natalia discussed the New York Times magazine article, “The Park Bench is an Endangered Species.”

• Neil reflected on the latest film in the 007 franchise, “No Time to Die.”

• Niki shared CNN anchor Jake Tapper’s discussion of the Sacklers’ role in the opioid crisis.

Episode 296: The Facebook Whistleblower

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.

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 history of whistleblowing.

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

• Natalia discussed Apoorva Mandavilli’s New York Times article, “A New Vaccine Strategy for Children: One Dose, For Now” – and the correction issued about it.

• Neil recommended the Romanian documentary, Collective.

• Niki shared Noam Cohen’s Wired article, “One Woman’s Mission to Rewrite Nazi History on Wikipedia.”

Episode 295: High-End Veganism and the Rise of Plant-Based Eating

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of veganism in light of an eviscerating review of the new plant-based menu at the New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park.

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 Small Planet along with Aymann Ismail’s Slate piece on the complications that plant-based pork substitutes present to Muslims and Amirah Mercer’s Eater essay on how she found empowerment in the history of Black veganism.

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

• Natalia commented on the latest season of the NBC series This Is Us.

• Neil shared his column for The Week, “Big Brother’s Historic Black Victory Shows the Future of Reality TV.”

• Niki discussed her column for CNN, “Britney Spears’ Bid for Freedom Comes at a Crucial Moment.”

Episode 294: Gabby Petito and the "Missing White Woman Syndrome"

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the disappearance of Gabby Petito and the media frenzy that has ensued.

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 “influencer” angle on the case, and all of us drew on this NPR piece on “missing white woman syndrome.” Neil discussed the true crime podcasts Finding Cleo and Women of Juarez, and Natalia recommended journalist Connie Walker’s extensive work on violence against indigenous women. Natalia also referred to the American Murder episode about Shannan Watts, scholar Alyssa Smith’s work on the spectacle of violence in the true crime genre, and this WNYC segment about how to do “ethical true crime.”

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

• Natalia recommended Monica Chin’s article for The Verge, “File Not Found.”

• Neil discussed George Holliday’s obituary, the man who filmed the Rodney King video, in the Los Angeles Times.

• Niki shared Jacob Soboroff and Ken Dilanian’s NBC article, “DHS Seeks Contractor to Run Migrant Detention Facility at Gitmo, Guards Who Speak Haitian Creole.”

Episode 293: Ivermectin, Medical Misinformation, and COVID

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the popularity of the drug Ivermectin as a treatment for the coronavirus – despite lack of evidence of its effectiveness.

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 our regular closing feature, What’s Making History:

• Natalia recommended the Amazon documentary series LulaRich.

• Neil discussed the news that Dan Quayle told Mike Pence he had no authority to overturn the 2020 election results.

• Niki commented on the tenth anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Episode 292: The Texas Abortion Law

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the implications of the new restrictions on abortion rights in Texas.

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 on Lina Maria-Murillo’s Washington Post essay about the history of American women seeking abortions in Mexico. 

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

• Natalia discussed Kate Taylor’s Business Insider article, “Brandy Melville’s CEO Doesn’t Want Black People to Wear the Brand’s Clothing.”

• Neil commented on the new FX series, “Impeachment: American Crime Story.”

• Niki recommended Shannon Melero’s article, “The Peloton Takeover Is Almost Complete.”

Episode 291: The U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the past and present of U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan.

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 Seminar between historians Claire Bond Potter and Amanda Demmer. 

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

• Natalia recommended the Netflix series The Chair.

• Neil discussed James Poniewozik’s New York Times article, “How TV Went From David Brent to Ted Lasso.”

• Niki talked about the political significance of the gubernatorial recall election underway in California.

Episode 290: American Grocery Stores and the "Ethnic Food Aisle"

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the rise – and fate – of the “ethnic food aisle” at the American grocery store.

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

• The New York Times published an article about the debate over the ethnic food aisle, which is both undeniably ethnocentric and an important sales channel for purveyors of such products. Natalia referenced chef David Chang’s opposition to the phenomenon and this debacle over a “clean Chinese” restaurant in New York City.

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

• Natalia discussed sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom’s new gig at the New York Times.

• Neil shared about the new podcast, “No Place Like Home.”

• Niki recommended Claire Lampen’s The Cut article, “Wondering What To Do With that Cuomosexual Cashmere?”

Episode 289: The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the pandemic.

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

•  The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, postponed for a year, are in full swing despite the ongoing pandemic. Natalia mentioned this NPR piece about the unfair treatment of Paralympics competitor Becca Meyers, and Neil referred to the ambiguity over whether breastfeeding mothers could bring their babies into the Olympic Village. Natalia discussed this New York Times piece about past gymnasts who have been injured in competition. Neil mentioned his column for The Week on conservative media’s attack on Team USA.  

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

• Natalia discussed the Netflix series, “Never Have I Ever.”

• Neil commented on the HBO documentary, The Weight of Gold.

• Niki talked about Mary Robinette Kowal’s New York Times essay, “Wally Funk is Defying Gravity and 60 Years of Exclusion From Space.”

Episode 288: The Protests in Cuba

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the mass protests in Cuba.

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

• The streets of Cuba are filled with protestors enraged by the poor handling of the pandemic and the excesses of the police state. Natalia mentioned Cuba scholar Rebecca Bodenheimer’s Twitter account and this POLITICO piece. Niki drew on this NPR segment about the role of artists in the uprising. 

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

• Natalia discussed Michael Kranish’s Washington Post article, “How Tucker Carlson Became the Voice of White Grievance.”

• ·Neil shared the podcast “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.”

• Niki commented on two new books about the last year of the Trump presidency, by Michael Wolff and Michael C. Bender.

Episode 287: The Miami Condo Collapse

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the tragedy of the Surfside condominium collapse and what it means for Miami.

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

• On June 24, a security camera captured the collapse of much of the Surfside condominium complex, killing a still untallied list of residents. Natalia cited this Slate article on the death of the Florida dream. Niki contextualized the collapse in the tradition of neoliberal deregulation, explained here.

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

• Natalia recommended Alec MacGillis’ book, Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America.

• Neil comment on Christianity Today’s article, “Rick Warren Mastered the Formula for Suburban Church Growth.”

• Niki discussed her own CNN opinion piece, “The House Takes a Revealing Vote on Confederate Statues.”

Episode 286: The Debate over Paying College Athletes

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the Supreme Court decision to allow education-related payments to student-athletes.

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

• The Supreme Court ruled against the NCAA’s restrictions on providing “education-related perks” to college athletes. Natalia referred to historian Taylor Branch’s 2011 piece in The Atlantic, “The Shame of College Sports.” Neil referred to this CNN piece on the ruling, and the relevant data point on the high salaries of college football coaches. 

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

• Natalia discussed Britney Spears’ testimony about her experience under her conservatorship. We discussed the “Free Britney” movement on Episode 268.

• Neil recommended Zachary M. Schrag’s book, The Fires of Philadelphia: Citizen-Soldiers, Nativists, and the 1844 Riots Over the Soul of a Nation.

• Niki talked about Dan Boyce’s NPR segment, “A Would-Be Trans and Queer Haven In Rural Colorado Just Wants to be Left Alone.”

Episode 285: Income Taxes and the History of the IRS

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of the Internal Revenue Service and why the uber-wealthy pay so little in income taxes.

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

• ProPublica released a searing report revealing how little the richest Americans pay in taxes – and that they do so legally. Neil referred to this San Diego Union Tribune op-ed about racial discrimination at the IRS, and Niki and Natalia to this Intelligencer interview with Dorothy Brown. We all drew on this history of IRS scandals published by The Week.

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

• Natalia discussed two of the hotels in Yellowstone National Park.

• Neil shared this Explica.co piece, “Skittles Commemorates Gay Pride Month with Gray Packaging, Without the Color of the Rainbow.”

• Niki recommended historian A.K. Sandoval-Strausz’ Washington Post essay, “As Immigration Politics Changed, So Did ‘In the Heights’.”

Episode 284: The History of LGBTQ+ Pride

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of LGBTQ+ Pride.

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

• Controversy has flared over the presence of police at this year’s New York Pride March. Neil drew on this Time retrospective on the more than 50 years of Pride protests and parades.

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

• Natalia discussed Pooja Salhotra’s Chalkbeat article, “New York City Schools Integrate LGBTQ Stories in Social Studies Curriculum.”

• Neil recommended Laine Nooney’s VICE piece, “How the Personal Computer Broke the Human Body.”

• Niki shared about the New York Times feature, “’We’re Going to Publish’: An Oral History of the Pentagon Papers.”

Episode 283: Naomi Osaka, Athletes, and Mental Health

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the controversy over tennis champion Naomi Osaka’s decision not to participate in post-match press conferences.

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

• Citing mental health concerns, tennis champion Naomi Osaka decided not to participate in post-match press conferences at the French Open. Natalia referred to this history at Forbes of how the press conference supplanted locker room interviews. Neil drew on this three-part series on the history of sports journalism.

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

• Natalia recommended Lyz Lenz’ Substack, “A Grown-Ass Woman”.

• Neil discussed the new FX documentary series, Pride.

• Niki talked about what the “post-pandemic” period might mean.

Episode 282: Cicadas!

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the emergence of the cicadas this season.

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

• After seventeen years underground, billions of cicadas are emerging on the east coast of the United States. Niki referred to this History article about Benjamin Banneker, who first classified the cicada in the eighteenth century. Natalia recommended historian Catherine McNeur’s book Taming Manhattan: Environmental Battles in the Antebellum City, and Niki referred to this Washington Post article on how cicadas have been used in political discourse.

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

• Natalia discussed Jazmine Hughes’ New York Times article, “Dianne Morales Tries to Calm a Sudden Crisis in Her Campaign.”

• Neil recommended historian Jill Lepore’s New Yorker article, “Burnout: Modern Affliction or Human Condition?”

• Niki shared Dartunorro Clark’s NBC News article, “Paul Ryan Urges GOP to Shake Trump Obsession, Focus on ‘Principles,’ not ‘Personality’.”

Episode 281: Critical Race Theory

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the current controversy over critical race theory.

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

• A series of legislative bills seek to ban the teaching of critical race theory in K-12 public institutions. At CNN, Niki looked at how the controversy over journalist Nikole Hannah-Smith’s appointment at the University of North Carolina is part of this larger battle. Natalia referred to historian Jonathan Zimmerman’s book Whose America?

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

• Natalia discussed the new “Little Island” development in New York City, described in this Wall Street Journal interview with developers Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg.

• Neil recommended historian Julie Golia’s book, Newspaper Confessions: A History of Advice Columns in a Pre-Internet Age.

• Niki reflected on Bob Dole and Michael Huffington blaming their election losses on immigrants in the 1990s.