Episode 207: Virginity Tests, International Achievement Tests, and the End of the 2010s

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss virginity tests, international achievement tests, and the end of the 2010s.

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

• The rapper T.I. caused controversy when he said he subjects his daughter to a virginity test every year. Natalia referred to historian Hanne Blank’s book Virgin: The Untouched History. Niki cited our discussion of the evangelical purity movement on Episode 190.

• Children around the world took the PISA exam, and Americans had a mediocre showing. Natalia recommended the documentary A Place at the Table and journalist Dana Goldstein’s book The Teacher Wars.

• In a few weeks, the decade of the 2010s will be behind us. Niki recommended this article at Esquire on how the cultural gatekeepers lost their job in the decade.

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

• Natalia discussed Clarissa Jan-Lim’s Buzzfeed article, “Pinterest and The Knot Will Stop Promoting Wedding Content that Romanticizes Former Slave Plantations.”

• Neil commented on Chris Stedman’s Vox article, “Too Many Atheists Are Veering Dangerously Toward the Alt-Right.”

• Niki recommended the HBO show “The Watchmen.”

Episode 206: War Crimes, Controversial Food Takes, Indigenous Land Acknowledgments

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss President Trump’s pardons of war criminals, controversial opinions about food, and the practice of indigenous land acknowledgments.

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

• President Trump recently pardoned three American servicemen convicted of war crimes. Natalia referred to Adam Serwer’s Atlantic piece “The Cruelty is the Point” and this New Yorker article about the 19th-century origins of the military court system. Niki recommended reading up on the case of Eddie Gallagher to understand the implications of these pardons.

• When conservative academic Tom Nichols recently insulted Indian food on Twitter, the internet struck back. Natalia and Neil commented on Ruth Graham’s Slate piece on the intensity of social media food takes. Natalia recommended Krishnendu Ray’s book The Ethnic Restaurateur. Neil referred to Jane Desmond’s Newsweek article about Thanksgiving turkey.

• Long a practice in Canada and Australia, indigenous land acknowledgements are becoming more common in the United States.

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

• Natalia discussed Tom Farrey’s book Game On: How the Pressure to Win at All Costs Endangers Youth Sports and What Parents Can Do About It.

• Neil commented on Rick Perry telling Trump he was “chosen by God” which he wrote about in his column for The Week, “God’s Gift to America.”

• Niki recommended Samira Kawash’s Atlantic article, “Sugar Plums: They’re Not What You Think They Are.”

Episode 205: Pete Buttigieg, Groypers, and Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the political ascent of Pete Buttigieg, infighting within the far right, and the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street.

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

• “Mayor Pete,” once a long-shot candidate, is increasingly a serious contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. Natalia referred to Michael Kruse’s POLITICO piece about the electoral viability of a gay candidate. Neil noted Buttigieg had won the 2000 Profile in Courage Essay Contest for an essay on Bernie Sanders.

• Donald Trump, Jr. was recently shouted offstage at UCLA by protesters on the Right known as “Groypers.” Niki referred to Trump, Jr.’s new book, Triggered, and to this Southern Poverty Law Center article, “Stephen Miller’s Affinity for White Nationalism Revealed in Leaked Emails.”

• Sesame Street, the stalwart children’s television show, turns 50 this month. Neil referred to this Smithsonian article about the program’s origins in Black culture.

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

• Natalia discussed Sacha Baron Cohen’s keynote speech at the Anti-Defamation League.

• Neil shared Zachariah Chou’s New York Times opinion piece, “Why We’re Impeaching Our Student Body President Over Trump Jr.”

• Niki likened the revelation that Donald Trump Jr.’s book sales are driven by strategic bulk purchases to a similar scandal in the Nixon era.

Episode 204: LIVE! With Emily Bazelon, Author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki interviewed Emily Bazelon about her new book, Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration.

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

• Natalia recommended the work of New York Times editor Lindsay Crouse, particularly her latest feature, “I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike,” by Mary Cain.

• Neil shared Rebecca Makkai’s book, The Great Believers.

• Niki discussed Adele Peters’ Fast Company article, “How Memphis Transformed its Parks Named for Confederate Generals into Inclusive Spaces.”

• Emily talked about the 1927 Supreme Court case, McGrain v. Daugherty.

Episode 203: Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Rep. Katie Hill, and Booing

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the assassination of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the scandal over Representative Katie Hill, and the booing of President Trump at a baseball game.

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

• ISIS leader Abu al-Baghdadi has been assassinated by United States forces. Niki referred to this piece at The Daily Beast. Neil noted the emergence of viral videos showing a side-by-side comparison of Trump’s announcement of al-Baghdadi’s death and Obama’s announcement about the killing of Osama bin Laden.

• U.S. Representative Katie Hill (D-CA) has resigned her position after an alleged sex scandal. Natalia cited this article at GenderIT.org about the problematic term “revenge porn.”

• President Trump was met with boos at a World Series game last week. Neil referred to this history of booing at Slate. Natalia recalled the longer history of presidential booing, written up at The Washington Post.

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

• Natalia recommended Susan Donaldson James’ ABC News article, “’Practice Babies’: 1 Orphan Raised by 8 Mothers.”

• Neil shared Rachel Wharton and Koren Shadmi’s New York Times illustrated history, “How Did the Diner Menu Get So Long?”

• Niki discussed Grayson Quay’s American Conservative article, “Franco’s Victory Was Necessary, But Ultimately Meaningless.”

Episode 202: Elijah Cummings, Homelessness, and Amusement Parks

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, the rising trend of homelessness, and a new documentary about a dangerous New Jersey amusement park.

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

• U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings has died. Niki referenced this Atlantic article about Cummings’ reluctant partisanship.

• Homelessness is on the rise, especially visible in Los Angeles. Natalia referred to this Washington Post article about the rise of “business improvement districts” and to the scholarship and teaching of historian Albert M. Camarillo.

• A new documentary highlights the cultural importance of the New Jersey amusement park, “Action Park.” Listener and historian Claire Potter suggested this segment based on this New York Times article. Natalia referred to this New York Times review, by historian Jackson Lears, of historian David Nasaw’s book on amusement in the United States.

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

• Natalia discussed historian Michael Zakim’s new book, Accounting for Capitalism: The World the Clerk Made.

• Neil shared David Yaffe-Bellany’s New York Times article, “Want Fries With That? McDonald’s Already Knows the Answer.”

• Niki recommended Dan Nosowitz’s Vox article, “Pumpkin Spice Has Taken Over Trader Joe’s. Here’s Why” and referred to our own Episode 103 about pumpkin spice.

Episode 201: Automation, Male Baldness, and Paula White

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the anxiety over automation, new treatments for male baldness, and the controversial Trump spiritual advisor Paula White.

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

• Automation and its effect on American jobs was a core theme at this month’s Democratic debate. Natalia referred to Rick Wartzman’s book The End of Loyalty: The Rise and Fall of Good Jobs in America, excerpted in POLITICO. Natalia also referenced this timeline chronicling fears of automation, at Medium.

• A raft of new products has emerged to fight an old problem: baldness. Natalia recommended Danielle Friedman’s InStyle article about the rebranding of baldness remedies by the wellness industry.

• Trump spiritual advisor Paula White has written a new book, endorsed by several evangelical leaders who once distanced themselves from her. Niki drew on Kelsey McKinney’s Buzzfeed article about televangelist Jim Bakker. In Episode 24, we discussed “Trump’s Evangelicals.”

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

• Natalia recommended a podcast on which she appears at a comedy club, “Nevertheless, She Existed.”

• Neil discussed Joseph Berger’s New York Times article, “How Amazon Has Transformed the Hasidic Economy.”

• Niki shared Austin Grossman’s Atlantic article, “Monocles Were Never Cool.”

Episode 200: Rudy Giuliani, Greta Thunberg, and Vaping

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Rudy Giuliani’s political career, the climate activist Greta Thunberg, and the controversy over vaping.

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

• Rudy Giuliani is most prominent today as a Trump surrogate, but after 9/11 he was known as “America’s Mayor.” Natalia recommended Ken Frydman’s New York Times op-ed about working for Giuliani and Matthew Yglesias’ Vox piece about his disregard for the rule of law.

• Scandinavian climate activist Greta Thunberg is inspiring a fierce response across the political spectrum. Natalia recommended Rebecca Onion’s piece at Slate on Thunberg’s appeal.

• Vaping has existed for less than five years, but is at the center of intense controversy over its potential health consequences. Niki recommended historian Sarah Milov’s new book, The Cigarette: A Political History, and her articles about vaping at Made by History and at Time.

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

• Natalia discussed the history of women being dismissed from teaching for visible pregnancy in light of Elizabeth Warren’s career.

• Neil talked about the New York Times article, “Samuel Little is Most Prolific Serial Killer in U.S. History, F.B.I. Says.”

• Niki shared Moises Velasquez-Manoff’s New York Times article, “As Sea Levels Rise, So Do Ghost Forests.”

Episode 199: Whistleblowers, Church Arsons, and Co-Working Spaces

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the role of whistleblowers in American politics, the recent string of church arsons, and the trend of co-working spaces.

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

• An intelligence officer has filed a complaint regarding Donald Trump’s interactions with the president of Ukraine. We discussed the history of whistleblowing and Niki noted the role of Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon papers in shaping contemporary ideas about whistleblowing. Natalia referenced the founding fathers’ attention to protecting whistleblowers.

• The FBI is currently investigating a string of church arsons in El Paso, Texas. Natalia noted that the racist motivations behind many church arsons are often questioned by conservatives, such as Michelle Malkin.

• The co-working company WeWork may be going under. Natalia mentioned a New York Times Magazine profile of WeWork that detailed how work and socialization go hand in hand in these co-working spaces.

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

• Natalia discussed her recent CNN piece, “Why It’s So Scary When Trump Tweets about Civil War.”

• Neil shared the New York Times article, “Labradoodle Creator Says the Breed Is His Life’s Regret.”

• Niki talked about Lorelei Lee’s n+1 essay, “Cash/Consent.”

Episode 198: Ukraine, Declining Bird Populations, and Luxury Parking

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss Ukraine’s connection to the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump, the declining bird population of North America, and the high price of parking spaces in New York City.

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

• Ukraine is at the center of the impeachment probe against the president. Niki referred to Peter Schweizer’s book Clinton Cash: The Untold Story of How Foreign Governments and Businesses Helped Make Bill and Hillary Rich and to Zack Beauchamp’s Vox piece about how the Ukraine scandal changed his mind on impeachment. Neil also took on this topic in his column at The Week.

• The bird population is disappearing at an alarming rate. Natalia recommended Philip Dray’s book The Fair Chase: The Epic Story of Hunting in America and Niki referred to Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring.

• Parking lots are the latest aspect of New York City life to become a luxury commodity. Neil referenced this National Council on Public History post on the historical importance of preserving parking lots.

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

• Natalia discussed an episode of the podcast Welcome to LA, “The Recruiter.”

• Neil recommended Matthew Avery Sutton’s book, Double Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War.

• Niki talked about the ABC podcast “The Dropout.”

Episode 197: Shane Gillis and Saturday Night Live, Saudi Arabia, and Telephone Calls

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss anti-Asian comments by comedian Shane Gillis, an attack in Saudi Arabia, and the not-so-lost art of the telephone call.

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

• Saturday Night Live hired comedian Shane Gillis and then promptly fired him when video of his racist remarks about Asian Americans and others surfaced. Niki referred to Ellen D. Wu’s book The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority. Natalia discussed Frank Sinatra’s 1945 song, “The House I Live In.”

• An attack in Saudi Arabia on the largest oil refinery in the world prompted President Trump to point fingers at Iran. Natalia referenced this Al-Jazeera timeline of US-Saudi relations.

• An Atlantic article by millennial writer Amanda Mull extolled the virtues of talking on the phone over texting. Niki referred to historian Claude Fischer’s book America Calling: A Social History of the Telephone Since 1940.

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

• Natalia discussed a 1972 LIFE magazine article, “Who’s the Man in Room 7?”

• Neil commented on Coral Davenport’s New York Times article, “Trump Defends Plan to Kill California’s Auto-Emissions Authority.”

• Niki recommended Tess McClure’s Guardian article, “Dark Crystals: The Brutal Reality Behind a Booming Wellness Craze.”

Episode 196: FBI on College Campuses, John Bolton, and Technology and Women's Voices

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss government surveillance of American universities, the political career of John Bolton, and the technological and cultural reasons women’s voices are often insulted as “shrill.”

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

• The FBI has urged U.S. universities to monitor certain students and scholars visiting from China. Natalia referred to this history of spying on campus from the Harvard Crimson.

• National security adviser John Bolton is the latest Trump appointee to have left the administration. Neil referred to this New Yorker profile of Mike Pompeo and Niki to this one of John Bolton.

• A New Yorker article describing how audio technology has historically been calibrated to male voices went viral. Niki referred to this BBC piece on women’s changing voices. Natalia recommended this article from The Cut on the policing of women’s voices.

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

• Natalia recommended Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s novel, Fleishman is in Trouble.

• Neil shared Brandon Ambrosino’s Politico piece, “’Someone’s Gotta Tell the Freakin’ Truth’: Jerry Falwell’s Aides Break Their Silence.”

• Niki discussed Daniel E. Slotnik’s New York Times article, “Chris March, Over-the-Top Fashion Designer, Dies at 56.”

Episode 195: Franco Columbu, Kamala Harris, and NYC's Gifted and Talented Program

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the legacy of late bodybuilder Franco Columbu, the candidacy of Kamala Harris, and a proposal to eliminate selective testing for New York City public high schools.

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

• Italian bodybuilding icon Franco Columbu has died. Niki referred to the film Pumping Iron, in which he appeared with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Natalia cited the importance of physician Kenneth Cooper’s 1968 book Aerobics in both mainstreaming the idea of working out and challenging the pre-eminence of weightlifting as a dominant form of exercise.

• Kamala Harris is running for president, and working to establish an enthusiastic base. Neil recommended Dana Goodyear’s New Yorker profile of Harris. Niki recommended Elizabeth Hinton’s book From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America.

• New York City is considering scrapping test-based admissions to its selective high schools, causing intense controversy. Neil cited Kyle Smith’s New York Post op-ed defending the system. Natalia and Niki both recommended historian Ellen Wu’s book Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority, and Natalia cited historian Richard Hofstadter’s Anti-Intellectualism in American Life and historian Tom Sugrue’s Twitter thread on the New York City controversy. Niki referred to historian Jean Theoharis’s book The Strange Careers of the Jim Crow North: Segregation and the Struggle Outside the South.

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

• Natalia recommended a new Luminary podcast about Ivanka Trump, Tabloid.

• Neil discussed Joshua Sokol’s New York Times piece, “Florida’s Panthers Hit With Mysterious Crippling Disorder.”

• Niki shared Ben Smith’s Buzzfeed News piece, “A Top White House Reporter is Taking Over the Washington Free Beacon.”

Episode 194: David Koch, Bedbugs, and Breaking Up

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the legacy of late billionaire David Koch, the menace of bedbugs, and why so many people are choosing to remain friends after a breakup.

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

• Billionaire libertarian and David Koch has died. Natalia referred to Jane Mayer’s New Yorker article that first brought major attention to the political influence of the Koch brothers.

• Bedbugs are in the news these days with outbreaks at the Trump Doral Resort and the New York Times. When political scientist David Karpf joked that Bret Stephens is a “bedbug,” the New York Times columnist emailed his provost. Niki recommended Karpf’s most recent book, Analytical Activism: Digital Listening and the New Political Strategy. Natalia referred to science journalist Brooke Borel’s book, Infested: How the Bed Bug Infiltrated our Bedrooms and Took Over the World.

• Why do people want to stay friends after a breakup, The Atlantic recently asked in an article by Ashley Fetters. Natalia recommended historian Nancy Cott’s book, Public Vows: A History of Marriage and the Nation, Christine Whelan’s book Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women, and Moira Weigel’s Labor of Love: The Invention of Dating.

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

• Natalia recommended Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated.

• Neil discussed International Dog Day, and specifically, George H.W. Bush’s dog Ranger.

• Niki shared Jamelle Bouie’s New York Times opinion piece, “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Understands Democracy Better than Republicans Do.”

Episode 193: Twins, the Equinox Boycott, and "The Hunt"

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss social media “twinfluencers,” a boycott of fitness brands Equinox and SoulCycle, and the controversy over the film The Hunt.

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

• Some of the most popular social media content features identical twins. Natalia referred to this Smithsonian article on twin research, and to Yunte Huang’s book Inseparable.

• When Stephen Ross, CEO of Related Properties, held a lavish fundraiser for President Trump, members of portfolio properties Equinox and SoulCycle were enraged. Natalia referred to Alexandra Petri’s Washington Post article sending up the SoulCycle protest and to James Hamblin’s Atlantic article explaining why the hypocrisy of these brands hit home.

• Universal Studios has indefinitely delayed the release of the movie The Hunt, a politically themed horror movie. Neil referred to this relevant prehistory of the Hays Code.

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

• Natalia shared the New York Times obituary of feminist scholar Ann Snitow.

• Neil recommended Kevin Kruse’s New York Times magazine article, “What Does A Traffic Jam in Atlanta Have to Do with Segregation? Quite A Lot.”

• Niki discussed conspiracy theories about the death of Jeffrey Epstein.

Episode 192: Anti-Latino Nativism, Ronald Reagan, and Sound Baths

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of anti-Latino nativism, newly discovered racist comments by Ronald Reagan, and the growing popularity of sound baths.

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

• The mass shooter in El Paso deliberately targeted Latinos who he believed were “invading” Texas. Niki referred to Peter Brimelow’s 1996 book, Alien Nation: Common Sense About America’s Immigration Disaster. Natalia cited Samuel Huntington’s Foreign Policy essay, “The Hispanic Challenge,” and historian Ruben Donato’s book, The Other Struggle for Equal Schools: Mexican Americans in the Civil Rights Era.

• Newly declassified tapes reveal Ronald Reagan making racist comments about African statesmen. Natalia referred to Adam Serwer’s Atlantic essay, “The Most Dangerous American Idea.”

• Sound baths are all the rage in wellness circles. Natalia recommended Anne Helen Petersen’s writing on millennial burnout and referred to Jamie Lauren Keiles’ New York Times magazine article, “How A.S.M.R. Became a Sensation.”

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

• Natalia shared this New York Times video feature, “If You Didn’t Sharent, Did You Even Parent?”

• Neil discussed Laura Turner’s Vox article, “Couples All Over Instagram Are ‘Doing Life Together.’ Here’s Where It Came From.”

• Niki recommended Ruth Graham’s Slate article, “The ‘30-50 Feral Hogs’ Guy Actually Had a Point.”

Episode 191: Baltimore, Marianne Williamson, and a National Service Requirement

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss President Trump’s insults to Baltimore, the presidential candidacy of self-help guru Marianne Williamson, and a proposal for a national service requirement.

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

• Last week, President Trump unleashed a barrage of insults against Baltimore and its member of Congress, Elijah Cummings. Natalia referred to this POLITICO article about how New York City gave us Trump. Niki referred to journalist Jonathan Weisman’s tweets about the “real” nature of regions.

• Self-help guru Marianne Williamson is running for president. Niki referred to the history of the Esalen Institute.

• At least two Democratic candidates, Pete Buttigieg and John Delaney, have made national service a component of their platforms. Natalia cited this Jacobin article that criticized the idea.

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

• Natalia discussed this photo shoot of Bernie Sanders and Cardi B in a nail salon.

• Neil shared Alexander B. Joy’s Atlantic article, “Candy Land Was Invented for Polio Wards.”

• Niki reflected on conservative commentator Erick Erickson’s comments about Pete Buttigieg. In response, Neil recommended Andrew Kirell’s Daily Beast article, “Does Anyone Take Erick Erickson Seriously?”

Episode 190: Boris Johnson, Purity Culture, and Spaying and Neutering Dogs

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the death knell of “purity culture,” and new controversy over spaying and neutering dogs.

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

• Boris Johnson is the new prime minister of Britain. Niki recommended historian Jesse Tumblin’s Washington Post article, “How the Failure of Popular Politics Triggered the Rise of Boris Johnson.”

• Evangelical author Josh Harris has separated from his wife and disavowed his influential book I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Natalia recommended Britni de la Cretaz’ article at The Ringer about celebrity declarations of celibacy and referred to Tim and Beverly LaHaye’s book The Act of Marriage: The Beauty of Sexual Love. Neil also noted Katelyn Beaty’s recent reflection on purity culture and evangelical sexual ethics in the New York Times.

• New research is questioning the orthodoxy around spaying and neutering dogs. Natalia referred to philosopher Peter Singer’s classic book Animal Liberation. Neil recommended historian Katherine C. Grier’s book Pets in America: A History and historian Mark Derr’s book A Dog’s History of America.

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

• Natalia recommended historian Jeff Melnick’s Nursing Clio article, “’Charlie Says’ and the Santa Cruz Prison Project.”

• Neil discussed the Babylon Bee article, “This Fun New Snapchat Filter Will Make it Look Like You’re Crying at the Border.”

• Niki shared Michael Brice-Saddler and Reis Thebault’s Washington Post article, “How Trump ended up in front of a presidential seal doctored to include a Russian symbol.”

Episode 189: The Moon Landing's 50th Anniversary, "Go Back to Where You Came From," and Air Conditioning

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, the history of telling immigrants and minorities to “go back” to where they came from, and whether or not air conditioning is sexist.

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

• Fifty years ago, the world watched as Americans walked on the moon. Natalia recommended this New Yorker republication of the 1969 “Talk of the Town” covering how New Yorkers watched the moon landing. Niki referred to this Scientific American interview with Nikita Khrushchev’s son about how the event was covered in the Soviet Union.

• President Trump told four congresswomen to “go back” to where they came from. Natalia referenced historian Jill Lepore’s book, This America: The Case for the Nation. Niki referred to this essay by historian Nicholas Guyatt at the African American Intellectual History Society blog about the American Colonization Society.  

• Accounts of the gendered experience of air conditioning have been gaining greater media attention this summer. Niki referred to this New Yorker article about the sexist assumptions that shape decisions about workplace climate control.

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

• Natalia discussed the life and legacy of the late founder of YogaWorks, Maty Ezraty.

• Neil shared the New York Times article and video, “Where Are All the Bob Ross Paintings? We Found Them.”

• Niki talked about the new movie Midsommar and recommended Clark Collis’ Entertainment Weekly article, “Before Midsommar: New documentary to tell the history of folk horror genre.”  

Episode 188: Women's World Cup, Ross Perot, and Jeffrey Epstein

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the Women’s World Cup, the life and legacy of Ross Perot, and the case against Jeffrey Epstein.

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

• Women’s soccer is getting more attention than ever in the United States, thanks in part to star player Megan Rapinoe. Niki referred to Lindsay Parks Pieper and Tate Royer’s Washington Post article about the fight for pay equity waged by women’s soccer players, and to Lindsay Krasnoff’s comparison, also in the Washington Post, to the history of women’s soccer in France. Natalia recommended philosopher Alison Reiheld’s essay “Megan Rapinoe and Joy in the Bodies We Have” at the blog of the International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics.

• Political upstart Ross Perot died this month. Neil referred to articles like this that reevaluate Perot in the context of Trump.

• New York financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny for his predation on young girls. Niki and Neil referred to this Atlantic article about the corruption of the world Epstein inhabits. Niki referred to the “Believed” podcast about sexual predator Larry Nasser. Neil commented on journalist Vicky Ward’s Vanity Fair article about Epstein and Natalia recommended Miami Herald journalist Julie K. Brown’s coverage of the case.

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

• Natalia recommended Adam Harris’ Atlantic article, “Many College Students Are Too Poor to Eat.”

• Neil shared Ruth Graham’s Slate article, “I Did Not Die. I Did Not Go to Heaven.”

• Niki discussed Sarah Jaffe’s Slate article, “Judge Judy’s Lifetime Achievement is Teaching Us to Laugh at the Less Fortunate” along with Josh Levin’s book, The Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Myth and Mac Schneider’s Vox article, “The Truth Behind the TV Show COPS.”