Episode 367: The Silicon Valley Bank Collapse

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.

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

• Fueled by social media panic, depositors ran to withdraw from Silicon Valley Bank this month. Neil drew on this institutional history of the bank at Medium. Niki recommended historian Margaret O’Mara’s book The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America, and Natalia referenced this POLITICO piece in which she is quoted. Natalia drew on this Derek Thompson Atlantic article and referenced this Wall Street Journal opinion piece.

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

• Natalia recommended Chavie Lieber’s Wall Street Journal article, “How Young Women Fight Loneliness –Walking Together in the Park by the Hundreds.”

• Neil shared about Maria Clara Cabo’s New York Times article, “’Phantom’ Ends. For Musicians, So Does the Gig of a Lifetime.”

• Niki discussed Susan Salai’s Washington Times piece, “War on Government: ‘Sovereign Citizens’ Bring Surge of Violence.”

Episode 366: Judith Heumann and the Disability Rights Movement

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of disability rights activist Judith Heumann.

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

• Disability rights activist Judith Heumann died earlier this month. Natalia recommended the documentary Crip Camp and this JSTOR Daily collection of sources in disability studies, as well as the blog Nursing Clio.

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

• Natalia recommended Alexis Grenell’s Nation column, “Why Do Republicans Keep Pretending to Be Jewish?”

• Neil shared about a blog post on Daily Kos, “Tap Water Makes People Gay—Why Yes, Says DeSantis Appointee.”

• Niki discussed George Packer’s Atlantic article, “A View of American History That Leads to One Conclusion.”

Episode 365: Student Loan Debt and the Supreme Court

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the Supreme Court’s deliberation over the cancellation of student loan debt.

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

• The Supreme Court seems poised to strike down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness policy. Natalia referred to this CNBC timeline of the recent history of the student-loan cancellation movement and drew on this Washington Post essay about the devaluation of education as a public good. Neil drew on this Slate history about the culture of debt in the United States, and Niki used this explainer to elaborate the “major questions doctrine.”

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

• Natalia recommended Matt Yglesias’ post, “Why Are Young Liberals So Depressed?” on his Substack, Slow Boring.

• Neil shared about a new podcast, Recollecting Carter.

• Niki discussed Maura Judkis’ Washington Post article, “American Girl says the ‘90s are Ancient History. American Girls Agree.”

Episode 364: Jimmy Carter

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy.

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

• President Jimmy Carter recently announced that he is entering hospice care. Natalia referenced this New York Times essay by Carter biographer Kai Bird, and Niki drew on this article in The Nation. We also drew on the late Leo Ribuffo’s posthumously, recently published The Limits of Moderation: Jimmy Carter and the Limits of American Liberalism.

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

• Natalia shared about Sandra Fox’s new book, The Jews of Summer: Summer Camp and Jewish Culture in Postwar America.

• Neil discussed Seth Abramovitch’s Hollywood Reporter article, “Super Bowl Flashback: Michael Jackson Turned the Halftime Show into an Extravaganza in 1993.”

• Niki recommended journalist Jessica Valenti’s Substack Abortion, Every Day.

Episode 363: ChatGPT

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss ChatGPT.

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

• The suddenly ubiquitous artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT is making many people nervous. Niki referred to this New Yorker article and this City Journal essay. Neil and Natalia drew on this New York Times article by technology columnist Kevin Roose. We all referenced this Discourse magazine essay about science fiction dystopianism.

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

• Natalia recommended Dani Blum’s New York Times article, “How the Language of Therapy Took Over Dating.”

• Neil discussed Jake Traylor’s NBC News article, “A Nonstop Kentucky Prayer ‘Revival’ is Going Viral on TikTok, and People are Traveling Thousands of Miles to Take Part.”

• Niki shared journalist Erik Wemple’s Twitter thread on the disconnect between the reporting of supposed election fraud and the beliefs of Fox news anchors involved.

Episode 362: A History of Menopause

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

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

• A New York Times magazine article about menopause recently went viral. Natalia drew from this Next Avenue review of Gail Collins’ book. Neil referenced Menopause: The Musical, and Niki drew on this Public Books essay about women’s ways of aging.

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

• Natalia recommended the Netflix series Killer Sally.

• Neil discussed Thomas Fuller’s New York Times article, “Never Mind Your Wallet. Armed Robbers Want Your French Bulldog”.

• Niki shared historian Rick Perlstein’s Forum essay, “They Want Your Child!”

Episode 361: The History of Advanced Placement

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the history of the Advanced Placement program.

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

• Florida governor Ron DeSantis has denounced the Advanced Placement African American Studies course as being too “woke.” We drew on Annie Abrams’ forthcoming book, Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheats Students. Natalia referred to this Washington Post interview with AP director Trevor Packer and Niki discussed this Atlantic article on previous AP controversies. Neil referenced this Vox article on the specific controversies around AP history courses.

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

• Natalia discussed Alaina Demopoulos’ Guardian article, “’Watch this Creep’: The Women Exposing Gym Harassment on TikTok.”

• Neil shared Michael Schulman’s New Yorker article, “What Became of the Oscar Streaker?”

• Niki recommended historian Matt Delmont’s new book, Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II At Home and Abroad.

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.”