Episode 320: U.S. Demographics and the History of Population Panics

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss concerns over population decline.

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

• The rate of population growth in the United States is declining. Natalia referred to this Smithsonian article about longstanding fears about overpopulation and this Washington Post opinion piece by historian Mytheli Sreenivas. Neil drew on this Vox article.

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

• Natalia shared about her new column at Observer, “The Quick Study.”

• Neil discussed Daniel Victor’s New York Times article, “Flamingo No. 492 Is Still on the Run 17 Years Later”.

• Niki discussed Jill Wine-Banks’ NBC Think piece, “Trump’s Phone Log Gap Could Be Much Worse than Nixon’s Watergate Tape Erasures” and this Atlas Obscura essay on Rose Mary Woods.

Episode 319: “The Great Resignation”

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss “The Great Resignation.”

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

• “The Great Resignation” has become a common trope in conversations about work and jobs in our current political culture. Natalia referred to this Atlantic article on the positive potential of such employment churn, and Niki cited this Vox piece on the burst of unionization spurred by pandemic dislocations.

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

• Natalia shared Jonathan Chait’s Intelligencer article, “Democrats Must Defeat the Left’s War on Educational Achievement.”

• Neil recommended the Hulu series, “The Dropout”.

• Niki discussed the confirmation hearings of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Episode 318: Netflix's "Love Is Blind" and the History of TV Dating Shows

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the popularity of the Netflix show "Love Is Blind."

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

• The second season of Love Is Blind is the latest in a long history of TV dating shows to capture the attention of the American public. Natalia recommended the podcast This Is Dating and referred to this Vox essay on and this New York Times piece about Love Is Blind. Niki referenced this New Yorker piece and Neil discussed this Washington Post article on dating shows as cultural ciphers. Neil also drew from this Vanity Fair piece about the history of queer representation on TV dating shows.

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

• Natalia recommended Jenny Nordberg’s New York Times article, “Cissy Wallin and the Case that Killed #MeToo in Sweden.”

• Neil discussed Rachel Aviv’s New Yorker article, “The German Experiment that Placed Foster Children with Pedophiles.”

• Niki shared a new Secret Service report, “Hot Yoga Tallahassee: A Case Study of Misogynistic Extremism.”

Episode 317: Gas Prices and the History of Energy Shocks

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss rising gas prices and the history of energy crises.

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

• Gas prices are surging, and Americans are frustrated. We all drew on historian Meg Jacobs’ book, Panic at the Pump: The Energy Crisis and the Transformation of American Politics in the 1970s. Natalia referred to this Atlantic article about the fiction of “energy independence.” Niki referred to this Washington Post article on the historical relationship around oil between Russia and western nations.

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

• Natalia shared Alex Hawgood’s New York Times article, “What is Bigorexia?”

• Neil recommended Henry Fountain’s New York Times article, “At the Bottom of an Icy Sea, One of History’s Great Wrecks Found.”

• Niki discussed Peggy McGlone’s Washington Post piece, “Smithsonian to Give Back Its Collection of Benin Bronzes.”

Episode 316: The Russia-Ukraine War

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the American response to the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine.

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

• Russia has invaded Ukraine as the world watches. Natalia referred to philosopher Jason Stanley’s article in TIME about denazification and this New Yorker interview with political scientist John Mearsheimer. Neil cited this POLITICO interview with Fiona Hill, and Niki recommended M.E. Sarotte’s book Not One Inch: America, Russia, and the Making of the Post-Cold War Stalemate.

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

• Natalia recommended the second season of the Netflix series, Dirty John.

• Neil discussed the legacy of college basketball coaching legend “Coach K.”

• Niki shared about historian Lily Geismer’s new book, Left Behind: The Democrats’ Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality.

Episode 315: The Mystery and History of Havana Syndrome

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the mysterious illness known as Havana Syndrome affecting U.S. diplomats around the world.

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

• Over 200 members of the U.S. Foreign Service and intelligence community have reported strange symptoms, including headaches, nausea, and memory loss, that many believe have been caused by a deliberate attack. The symptoms were first reported in 2016 by American diplomats in Cuba, leading to it being named Havana Syndrome, but since then they have been reported throughout the world. A recent report concluded that most of these cases could be attributed to undiagnosed illnesses or other benign causes, but they did not rule out that some cases could have been caused by an “external energy source.” We mentioned a 2018 New Yorker investigation of the syndrome, and discussed the history of the Soviet Union using microwaves against American diplomats.

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

• Natalia discussed her recent piece for Global Sports Matter, “Building a Better Movement Culture Will Require Inclusion and Creativity.”

• Neil commented on the life and legacy of Dr. Paul Farmer and shared Tracy Kidder’s New York Times remembrance, “He Wanted to Make the Whole World His Patient.”

• Niki shared the Jefferson Scholars Foundation’s webinar, “Crisis in Ukraine: The Origins of the Next War in Europe.”

Episode 314: Canada's Freedom Convoy

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the convoy of truckers that has occupied Ottawa, Canada.

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

• A convoy of truckers and their allies, totaling about 8,000 people, has gathered in the center of Ottawa, Canada, in protest of what they consider excessive COVID prevention policy. Natalia referred to Michelle Goldberg’s New York Times column about the protest, and Niki referred to Dahlia Lithwick’s Slate article on its narrow appeal.

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

• Natalia discussed Elizabeth Williams’ New York Times article, “A Child’s TikTok Stardom Opens Doors. Then A Gunman Arrives.”

• Neil recommended Alex Marzano-Lesnevich’s book, The Fact of a Body: A Murder and a Memoir.

• Niki reflected on the long life of the phrase “well behaved women seldom make history,” coined by historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.

Episode 313: Women's Activewear and the History of Sports Bras

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss a controversial new Adidas ad for sports bras.

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

• Adidas went viral earlier this month for tweeting twenty-five sets of bare breasts in order to promote a new line of sports bras. Niki discussed this Time cover about breastfeeding. Neil referred to this Atlantic article about using breasts to sell products, and Natalia drew on historian Martha Verbrugge’s book Active Bodies and this Elle feature about changing activewear trends. Natalia also referred to holdings in the Smithsonian’s Jogbra collection.

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

• Natalia reflected on the life and legacy of the late fitness pioneer Patricia Moreno.

• Neil discussed the Netflix reality show Selling Tampa.

• Niki recommended Seth Stevenson’s Slate piece, “The Moment Sarah Palin’s Testimony Fell Apart.”

Episode 312: The History of Emoji

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the cultural significance of emoji, in light of the release of new forms.

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

• The Unicode Consortium has released dozens of new emoji, including a pregnant man, a melting face, and multiple new family configurations. Natalia referred to this Atlantic essay and to this BBC piece, and Niki to this essay on Science Friday.

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

• Natalia discussed the range of causes currently motivating student protests, including this walkout in Poway, California.

• Neil shared Dr. Amanda Joy Calhoun’s Stat News article, “How Black Hair Racism Affects Mental Health.”

• Niki recommended Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times piece, “We Still Can’t See American Slavery For What It Was.”

Episode 311: Justice Breyer's Retirement and the Future of the Supreme Court

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s decision to retire.

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

• Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has announced he will retire at the end of his term, a move many say is reflective of his pragmatism. Natalia referred to this New York Times piece about Breyer’s effort to eschew ideology and to this Teen Vogue article about the need for him to retire during a Democratic presidency. Niki drew on this Atlantic essay on the illusion of impartiality.

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

• Natalia shared Michael Powell’s New York Times article, “How It Feels to Be an Asian Student in An Elite Public School.”

• Neil commented on Emily Baker-White’s Buzzfeed article, “Nothing Sacred: These Apps Reserve the Right to Sell Your Prayers.”

• Niki discussed right-wing radio host Dan Bongino’s relish for deplatforming.

Episode 310: The Biden Administration's First Year

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss President Biden’s first year in office.

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

• Public opinion of President Biden’s first year in office is polarized. Neil and Niki referred to Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times opinion piece comparing Biden and Reagan’s first years as president. Neil also discussed the POLITICO/Morning Consult report card on Biden’s first year. Natalia drew on this POLITICO essay about the substantial time remaining for the Biden administration to prove itself.

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

• Natalia discussed Rainesford Stauffer’s new Teen Vogue advice column “Work in Progress” and Elizabeth Spiers’ New York Times guest essay, “In Defense of Jeremy Strong (And All The Strivers With No Chill).”

• Neil reflected on the death of fashion editor André Leon Talley.

• Niki recommended Rebecca Traister’s book Big Girls Don’t Cry: The Election That Changed Everything for American Women.

Episode 309: Wordle and the History of Word Games

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the historical significance of the current craze over the online game Wordle.

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

• When a Brooklyn software engineer designed a word game as an act of love, he didn’t know Wordle would become an online phenomenon. Neil referred to this Smithsonian Magazine article on the history of the crossword puzzle and Niki to the history of mahjong.

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

• Natalia shared Stephanie H. Murray’s The Week article, “Politics Closed American Schools Last Year. Now Politics Are Keeping Them Open.”

• Neil recommended Emily Hopkins and Melissa Sanchez’ ProPublica article, “Chicago’s ‘Race-Neutral’ Traffic Cameras Ticket Black and Latino Drivers The Most.”

• Niki discussed John Ortved’s New York Times article, “That Cloud of Smoke is Not a Mirage.”

Episode 308: The History of Rest and Relaxation

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

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

• As boundaries between work and home have become blurred during the pandemic, Americans have been thinking more deliberately about rest and relaxation. Neil drew on Judith Shulevitz’ New York Times piece about “bringing back the Sabbath” and this Atlantic review about her book on this topic. Natalia referred to historian Sarah Milov’s history of the cigarette and her discussion of the office “smoke break.”

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

• Natalia shared the C-SPAN lesson plan based on the lecture she gave on “The Making of American Fitness Culture.”

• Neil discussed Brittany Gibson’s POLITICO piece, “They Stormed the Capitol. Now They’re Running for Office.”

• Niki recommended Brad Plumer’s Vox article, “How America Got Addicted to Road Salt—And Why That’s A Problem.”

Episode 307: The One-Year Anniversary of the January 6 Capitol Attack

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the historical significance of the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol.

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

• As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Capitol riots, pundits have reflected on how much of a turning point it was. Natalia referred to this Washington Post piece by Sam Tanenhaus and Kerry Howley’s New York profile of three rioters. Niki wrote about the longer slide toward illiberalism that the riots represented, and Neil cited a New York piece by Rick Perlstein that considered the incident in the longer context of American authoritarianism.

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

• Natalia discussed Molly Young’s New York Times Magazine article “How Disgust Explains Everything.”

• Neil recommended Robert W. Fieseler’s book, Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Upstairs Lounge Fire and The Rise of Gay Liberation.

• Niki shared Max Tani’s POLITICO article, “Lawrence O’Donnell Was on TV Life Support. Now He’s MSNBC’s Most Critical Anchor.”

Episode 306: The History of Christmas Cards

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

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

• Holiday cards have remained popular amid the digitization of many other print products. Neil referred to this Washington Post article by Peter Manseau about the trend of Christmas photos with guns. Natalia drew on this Atlantic piece about the popularity of holiday cards among millennials. Niki discussed the morbid imagery on nineteenth century Christmas cards explored in this History Channel post.

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

• Natalia shared about her first piece for CNN Opinion, “Mr. Big’s Clapback Sells a Familiar Fantasy.”

• Neil discussed Gabe Stutman’s Jewish News article, “A Carmel School Refused to allow an inflatable menorah at a ‘holiday tree’ lighting. A Jewish parent filed a lawsuit.”

• Niki recommended Melissa Borja’s Patheos article, “Delightful Trolling and the Political Possibilities of Christmas Carols.”

Episode 305: Dr. Oz and the History of Celebrity Politicians

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss Dr. Oz running for the U.S. Senate and the history of celebrity politicians.

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

• Celebrity doctor-entertainer Dr. Mehmet Oz is running for Senate in Pennsylvania, as a Republican. Niki drew on historian Kathryn Brownell’s book, Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Political Life, and Neil referred to Nicholas Kristof’s gubernatorial run. Natalia referred to Olga Khazan’s Atlantic article about Trump’s celebrity candidacy.

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

• Natalia discussed the latest season of Selling Sunset, now streaming on Netflix.

• Neil recommended historian Paul Renfro’s Teen Vogue article, “Ryan White, Teen Who Contracted AIDS, Shifted Narrative Around The Disease.”

• Niki shared Dahlia Lithwick’s Slate article, “SCOTUS Will Gaslight Us Until the End” and referred to Michele Goodwin’s New York Times guest essay.

Episode 304: A History of Recipes and Cookbooks

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of cookbooks and the question of recipes as intellectual property.

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

• As online recipes and cookbooks become big business, issues of plagiarism and copyright are becoming more common. Natalia referred to Helen Zoe Veit’s Smithsonian article and larger body of work and, along with Niki, to this history of cookbooks in the Atlantic.

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

• Natalia recommended Amanda Mull’s Atlantic article, “Peloton Is Stuck, Just Like the Rest of Us.”

• Neil discussed Jonathan D. Sarna’s Forward article, “How Hanukkah Came To The White House,” and his column at The Week, “The History and Gravity of Hanukkah In The White House.”

• Niki shared her latest column for CNN, “Marcus Lamb’s Career and Anti-Vax Message Speak to Power of Christian Broadcasters.”

Episode 303: Giving Tuesday

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

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

• Giving Tuesday has become as familiar a Thanksgiving holiday ritual as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Natalia referred to political philosopher Rob Reich’s book, Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better and his Washington Post opinion piece; Niki referenced this Vox article.

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

• Natalia shared Ed Yong’s Atlantic article, “Even Health-Care Workers With Long Covid Are Being Dismissed.”

• Neil discussed the ESPN.com feature, “Hello, Heisman!”

• Niki recommended Martha S. Jones’ New York Times essay, “Enslaved To a Founding Father, She Sought Freedom in France.”

Episode 302: A History of Gratitude

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

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

• Thanksgiving is upon us, but gratitude is a virtue celebrated in American culture all year long. Natalia and Niki referred to Barbara Ehrenreich’s book Bright-Sided: Why Positive Thinking Is Undermining America, and Natalia drew on this piece to argue why a historical perspective is illuminating, if counterintuitive, on this question. All three hosts referenced the critique of gratitude as a therapeutic practice articulated in this Baffler article.

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

• Natalia shared about the new co-working space in Saks Fifth Avenue, profiled in this New York Times piece by Ginia Bellafante.

• Neil discussed Ben Smith’s New York Times article, “His Reasons For Opposing Trump Were Biblical. Now A Top Christian Editor Is Out.”

• Niki recommended Paul Farhi’s Washington Post article, “How Obituaries Got a Jolt of New Life in the Internet Era.”

Episode 301: Diversity Workshops and Sensitivity Training

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the history of diversity workshops and sensitivity training.

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

• As conservative attacks on a supposed takeover of American institutions by proponents of critical race theory escalate, many on the political left have begun to articulate distinctions between “trainings” and education that deal with race. Natalia recommended this Inside Higher Education piece by historians Jeffrey A. Snyder and Amna Khalid and this blog post about the history of executive coaching.

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

• Natalia discussed Amelia Nierenberg’s New York Times article, “Should California De-Track Math?”

• Neil shared his Twitter thread about Dennis Prager’s comments about the history of gay men and HIV-AIDS.

• Niki recommended L.D. Burnett’s Medium post, “The ‘University of Austin’ Grift Isn’t New,” and Daniel Drezner’s Washington Post article, “What Is The University of Austin’s Purpose?”