Episode 267: Larry Flynt

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of pornographer and free speech champion Larry Flynt.

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

• Larry Flynt, founder of the Hustler empire, died this month. Niki recommended historian Carolyn Bronstein’s book Battling Pornography: The American Feminist Anti-Pornography Movement, 1976-1986 and referred to this Politico article about the GOP abandoning the war on pornography. Natalia mentioned the documentary Hot Girls Wanted and Nicholas Kristof’s reporting on Pornhub. Neil mentioned our own episode on the life and legacy of Hugh Hefner.

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

• Natalia shared the latest episode of BBC Radio 4’s show “Front Row,” featuring filmmaker Adam Curtis and Welcome to Your Fantasy.

• Neil recommended Leslie Brody’s book, Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Renegade Author, Harriet the Spy.  

• Niki discussed Gabby Birenbaum’s Vox article, “Rep. Raskin Makes an Impeachment Case at Trump’s Trial,” and the impeachment trial videos.

Episode 266: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the controversial tenure of freshman Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

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

• Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has been stripped of her committee assignments due to her outspoken support of outlandish theories, from QAnon to school shootings to “space lasers” causing forest fires. Niki referred to Michelle Goldberg’s New York Times opinion piece about Greene, and Natalia referenced the Atlantic documentary, “White Noise” and this New York Times article.

• We recommend you subscribe and follow our new podcast, Welcome to Your Fantasy, premiering February 10, only on Spotify!

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

• Natalia commented on her own New York Times opinion piece, “Goodbye to the Cult of SoulCycle.”

• Neil talked about the documentary Assassins.

• Niki discussed MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s appearance on Newsmax.

Episode 265: Larry King

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the life and legacy of television and radio legend, Larry King.

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

• TV and radio legend, Larry King, died last week at the age of 87. We discussed some of the retrospective pieces King’s sixty-year career produced, like this 2010 feature in the New York Times, and this 1988 article in the Los Angeles Times. Neil commented on a favorite Larry King interview of the country music star, K.T. Oslin, from 1996. Natalia mentioned a ProPublica piece on how King became unwittingly used in a Chinese disinformation campaign.  

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

• Natalia commented on Brendan Dunne’s Complex article, “Nikolas Ajagu, the Here Who Wore Dior Jordan 1s to the Inauguration, Speaks.”

• Neil discussed Luke Mogelson’s long-form New Yorker piece, “Among the Insurrectionists.”

• Niki talked about Alex Kirshner’s Slate article, “What the Hell Is Going On With GameStop’s Stock?”

Episode 264: The 1776 Report

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss “The 1776 Report” issued by the outgoing Trump administration.

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

• A day before President Trump left office, his administration issued “The 1776 Report” on American history, which President Biden promptly repudiated upon taking office. Natalia referred to her piece at NBC Think on the report and to her book, Classroom Wars: Language, Sex, and the Making of Contemporary Political Culture; Niki referred to her column at CNN and to Kevin Kruse’s column at MSNBC. Neil recommended Rebecca Onion’s analysis at Slate.

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

• Natalia recommended Sarah Carr’s Boston Globe article, “For Schoolchildren Struggling to Read, Covid-19 Has Been a Wrecking Ball.”

• Neil discussed Richard Goldstein’s New York Times obituary, “Hank Aaron, Home Run King Who Defied Racism, Dies at 86.”

• Niki shared Jim Tankersley and Michael D. Shear’s New York Times article, “Biden Seeks to Define His Presidency by an Early Emphasis on Equity.”

Episode 263: The Biden-Harris Inauguration

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.

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

• On January 20, President-Elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated to the office of the President. Niki referred to the book Before the Oath. Neil and Natalia referred to Rebecca Onion’s Slate piece on transitions.

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

• Natalia discussed Biden’s appointment of Alondra Nelson to Deputy Director of Science and Society.

• Neil recommended Becky Cooper’s book, We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half-Century of Silence.

• Niki commented on Paul Musgrave’s Washington Post piece, “Trump’s Presidential Library Will Be a Shrine to His Ego.”

Episode 262: The January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

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

• On January 6, armed rioters interrupted the joint session of Congress convened to certify the vote count of the Electoral College. Natalia referred to this Axios article rounding up conservative media response to the insurrection. Niki mentioned David Blight’s book, Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory. Neil discussed Eric Foner’s piece in The Nation and Karen L. Cox’s New York Times piece, both about the Civil War antecedents for the armed insurrection. Natalia drew on this Washington Post article about Ashli Babbitt, and Niki referenced her own writing on this topic at Vox and at CNN.  Natalia also commented on Caitlin Flanagan’s Atlantic article. And Neil mentioned his piece for The Week about the Congressional Republicans’ inaction regarding the president. Historian Megan Kate Nelson is assembling essays about the Capitol riot by historians here.

• Here are a list of Twitter handles of disinformation experts:

o   Hannah Allam (@HannahAllam)

o   Cristina López G. (@crislopezg)

o   Julia Carrie Wong (@juliacarriew)

o   Tess Owen (@misstessowen)

o   Jane Lytvynenko (@JaneLytv)

o   Joan Donovan (@BostonJoan)

o   Brandy Zadrozny (@BrandyZadrozny)

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

• Natalia discussed a funny social media gaffe at a popular home decor Instagram account.

• Neil recommended the new Netflix documentary series, Challenger: The Final Flight.

• Niki discussed the Netflix comedy series Derry Girls, and Patrick Radden Keefe’s book Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland.

Episode 261: The 2020 Presidential Election Certification

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the attempt by Republicans to undermine the final certification of President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory.

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

• On January 6, Congress will meet in a joint session to formally count the votes of the Electoral College. Natalia referred to Trevor Potter’s Washington Post piece underlining that this meeting should be purely ceremonial, not an opportunity for a referendum on the settled election. Niki elaborated on the useful historical context of John F. Kennedy’s election in 1960. Natalia and Niki drew on this Mother Jones article about the Compromise of 1877.

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

• Natalia recommended Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s NBC THINK piece, “Trump’s Call to Georgia Election Officials Highlights White House Bunker Mentality.”

• Neil discussed the new podcast, Smokescreen: Fake Priest.

• Niki recommended Tressie McMillan Cottom’s Medium article, “The Black Ton: From Bridgerton to Love & Hip Hop.”

Episode 260: Hallmark Christmas Movies

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the popularity of Hallmark Christmas movies.

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

• The Hallmark Christmas movie is a bona fide super-genre. Niki referred to this New Yorker article about how the form took over cable television, and Natalia drew on this piece at The Lily about the tradition of hate-watching the films.

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

• Natalia recommended Noreen Malone’s Slate article, “How the School Reopening Debate is Tearing One Elite Community Apart.”

• Neil discussed the Netflix series, Casa de Flores.

• Niki shared Kat Eschner’s Smithsonian Magazine article, “The Un-Christmassy Origin of Gingerbread Houses.”

Episode 259: Hillsong Church and Celebrity Christianity

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the popularity of the global evangelical megachurch Hillsong.

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

• Hillsong celebrity pastor Carl Lentz has come under fire for inappropriate behavior, including adultery. Natalia and Neil referred to Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s GQ profile of Lentz, and Neil discussed the history of the seeker-sensitive movement. Natalia referred to David French’s post about hypocrisy among evangelical leaders.

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

• Natalia recommended Stella Bugbee’s article at The Cut, “Our Shared Unsharing.”

• Neil shared Robert Moss’ Serious Eats article, “How Ambrosia Became a Southern Christmas Tradition.”

• Niki commented on her CNN article, “The Christmas Spirit Powerful, Even in 2020.”

Episode 258: The Queen's Gambit

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the Netflix series "The Queen’s Gambit."

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

• The Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit has become the pandemic’s latest must-see TV. Niki referred to the role of African-American character Jolene, discussed in this Bitch article, and to her own piece on female leads for CNN. Neil cited this piece on Russian prowess at chess from Slate.

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

• Natalia shared New York City mayoral candidate Dianne Morales’ Twitter thread about her portrayal in a New York Times roundup.

• Neil discussed Caitlin Flanagan’s Atlantic article, “Don’t Subject Your Kids to Rudolph.”

• Niki recommended Marianna Cerini’s CNN article, “A Cozy History of the Ugly Christmas Sweater.”

Episode 257: Dolly Parton

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the enduring popularity of Dolly Parton.

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

• Dolly Parton has just added public health benefactor to her long list of career accomplishments. Natalia referred to Sarah Smarsh’s writing about Parton, and Niki referenced the podcast Dolly Parton’s America and the longstanding appeal of 9 to 5.

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

• Natalia recommended the HBO series The Undoing and this Los Angeles Times profile of Hugh Grant.

• Neil discussed the “The Cabbage Patch Riots” episode of the Decoder Ring podcast.

• Niki shared Alissa Wilkinson’s Vox article, “Advent, Explained.”

Episode 256: Thanksgiving and COVID-19

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss this year’s “Covid Thanksgiving.”

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

• For many families, Thanksgiving will look very different this year. Niki wrote about the myth that the “Greatest Generation” was naturally self-sacrificing. Neil referred to this Takeout article about Sarah Josepha Hale’s role in establishing Thanksgiving. Natalia referenced Depression-era Thanksgiving hacks like “mock duck” and conservative Charlie Kirk’s rant about the left-wing war on Thanksgiving.

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

• Natalia shared Jackie Salo’s New York Post article, “Star SoulCycle Instructors Accused of Sex with Clients, Fat-Shaming, Racism, and More.”

• Neil discussed New Zealand’s recent election results.

• Niki recommended Joe Coscarelli’s New York Times article, “How Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Finally Hit No. 1.”

Episode 255: A Possible Coronavirus Vaccine

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the announcement of a new coronavirus vaccine from Pfizer.

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

• Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced a promising new coronavirus vaccine. Niki referred to historian Joanna Radin’s Washington Post piece on the connections between cattle breeding and vaccine distribution and political scientist Dan Drezner’s article about the Trump administration’s cavalier approach to the Covid-19 crisis. Natalia recommended The Daily episode on the Pfizer announcement.

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

• Natalia recommended historian Emily Contois’ Jezebel article, “That Shape He Can’t Forget.”

• Neil discussed the new Showtime docuseries, The Reagans.

• Niki shared this post on the New England Historical Society blog, “How the Grinch Became a Star of Stage and Screen.”

Episode 254: The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

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

• Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. is the President-Elect of the United States. Natalia mentioned this New York Times interview with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in reference to possible challenges within the Democratic coalition.

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

• Natalia recommended historian Rebecca de Schweinitz’ book Age in America: The Colonial Era to the Present.

• Neil shared Brett White’s Decider article, “Coco: The Groundbreaking Gay Character on ‘The Golden Girls’ Left Behind.”

• Niki discussed Christina Morales’ New York Times article, “Biden to Restore a White House Tradition of Presidential Pets.”

Episode 253: Sacha Baron Cohen and Satire in the Trump Era

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s new Borat movie.

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

• Borat Subsequent Moviefilm is British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest sendup of American political culture. Niki and Neil commented on Sam Thielman’s NBC Think review, and Natalia cited this BBC piece from a Kazakh perspective. Niki also drew on Maureen Dowd’s interview with Baron Cohen.

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

• Natalia discussed her recent essay for Marker, “How Long Can Gyms Survive?”

• Neil recommended Stephen Hudak’s Orlando Sentinel article, “Story of Ocoee Massacre Finally Being Told.”

• Niki shared her recent episode, “Election Night Sunday,” of This Day in Esoteric Political History podcast.

Episode 252: "Emily in Paris" and American Francophilia

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris.

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

• Emily in Paris is a hit on Netflix, perhaps due in equal parts to escapism and hate-watching. Natalia referenced her Well + Good roundup of Parisian fitness, and the show Younger. Niki discussed the novel The Ugly American. Neil referred to this article in the New York Times about young Parisians’ reactions to Emily in Paris.

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

• Natalia recommended the Netflix series, I Am a Killer.

• Neil discussed his recent column for The Week, “The double-edged sword of Pope Francis’ same-sex union comments.”

• Niki shared Cindy Ott’s Environmental History article, “Object Analysis of the Great Pumpkin.”

Episode 251: Court Packing

In this episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia discuss the debate over “court packing.”

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

• The Senate confirmation hearings for Amy Coney Barrett have raised questions about the ethics of “court packing.” Neil recommended this Politico piece about the historical significance of FDR’s court packing. Natalia referenced Jamelle Bouie’s column defending the act, and Niki wrote about the nineteenth century history of the term for CNN. Natalia and Neil also referred back to our Past Present episode about originalism.

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

• Natalia shared Rose Thomas Bannister’s Public Seminar essay, “The Question About Religion Someone Should Have Asked Amy Coney Barrett.”

• Neil recommended Aaron Griffin’s new book, God’s Law and Order: The Politics of Punishment in Evangelical America.

• Niki discussed Season 3 of the NPR podcast, Motive.

Episode 250: Trump, Coronavirus, and Presidential Health

In this episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil discuss how the White House became a coronavirus hot spot.

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

• President Donald Trump tested positive for the coronavirus, and much of his inner circle quickly reported positive diagnoses as well. Natalia referred to this Vanity Fair article linking the slow response to the pandemic to its early prevalence in blue states, and to this Lawfare article about presidential illness and secrecy. Niki referenced this Politico piece about how the GOP is attempting to spin Trump’s diagnosis.

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

• Natalia raged about the egregious failures of the New York City Department of Education.

• Neil recommended William Finnegan’s book, Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life.

• Niki shared historians Gill Frank and Lauren Gutterman’s Jezebel piece, “How the Girl Watching Fad of the 1960s Taught Men to Harass Women.”

Episode 249: The Proud Boys

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the far-right, neo-fascist group, the Proud Boys.

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

• At last week’s presidential debate, President Trump drew attention to the all-male street gang, the Proud Boys, when he told them to “stand back and stand by.” Niki commented on the group’s founder, Gavin McInnes. Natalia discussed how the example of the early 20th century psychologist G. Stanley Hall provided a sort of erudite analogue to the Proud Boys. Neil mentioned Niki’s 2016 piece for Vox on the media’s interest in the alt-right’s aesthetics as a way to think about the Proud Boys’ Fred Perry uniform.

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

• Natalia discussed the news of Trump testing positive for coronavirus.

• Neil commented on his recent Twitter thread about the history of comparing coming out as gay to coming out as Republican.

• Niki talked about her recent piece for CNN, “Trump’s call for freelance poll-watchers summons a dark history.”

Episode 248: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

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

• At age 87, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died earlier this month. Natalia referred to historian Jeffrey Melnick’s Twitter thread on the appropriative nature of the term “Notorious RBG” and to the book by the same title. Niki recommended reporter Danielle Kurtzleben’s coverage of Ginsburg’s legacy and endorsed Howard Fineman’s characterization, in the Washington Post, of Mitch McConnell as the “apex predator” of American politics. Neil commented on Michelle Goldberg’s analysis in the New York Times. Natalia recommended Rebecca Traister’s article about the significance of RBG’s cult status.

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

• Natalia discussed Stephanie Winston Wolkoff’s book, Melania and Me.

• Neil recommended the new podcast, Racket: Inside the Gold Club.

• Niki talked about the importance of registering to vote and recommended two books: Carol Anderson’s One Person, No Vote and Ari Berman’s Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America.