Episode 386: Pee-wee Herman

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the life and legacy of comedian Paul Reubens.

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

• Paul Reubens, best known for his recurring role as Pee-wee Herman, has died. Natalia referred to this Daily Beast retrospective and Niki drew on this New York Times magazine piece.

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

• Natalia discussed Rebecca Jennings’ Vulture article, “Where Is Britney Spears?”

• Neil recommended the BBC podcast, A Very British Cult.

• Niki shared about this episode of the Strict Scrutiny podcast.          

Episode 385: Barbie

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the new megahit film, Barbie.

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

• Barbie, directed by filmmaker Greta Gerwig, is a box-office blockbuster. Natalia drew on this MSNBC piece she wrote about the doll’s complicated legacy, and Niki reflected on this New York Times article about the film’s salience in a post-Roe era. We all drew on Anne-Helen Petersen’s Culture Study newsletter on the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon.

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

• Natalia recommended Marisa Meltzer’s forthcoming book, Glossy: Ambition, Beauty, and the Inside Story of Glossier’s Emily Weiss.

• Neil discussed Charlie Mahtesian and Madi Alexander’s POLITICO story, “‘This Is a Really Big Deal’: How College Towns Are Decimating the GOP.”

• Niki shared about the latest season of FX’s series The Bear.

Episode 384: The History of Summer Break

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of summer break in the United States.

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

• The idea that a long summer vacation originated in “the agrarian calendar” is a persistent myth. Niki referred to our Episode 40, in which we discussed the history of summer camps  Natalia referred to historian Kenneth Gold’s book School’s In: The History of Summer Education in American Public Schools and historian Jonathan Zimmerman’s Los Angeles Times opinion piece, “How We Got Interminable Summer Breaks From School – And What We Can Do About It.”

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

• Natalia discussed Max Meyer’s Free Press article, “Welcome to the MAGA Hamptons.”

• Neil and Niki, for the first time in our history, chose the same WMH! They discussed Jason Aldean’s country music song and video, “Try That in a Small Town.” Neil recommended Chris Willman’s Variety article, “Jason Aldean Already Had the Most Contemptible Country Song of the Decade. The Video is Worse.”

Episode 383: The History of Tipping

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of tipping in the United States.

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

• Tipping is once again at the center of debates about service, labor, and consumerism. Neil referenced this Phil Magness essay, and Natalia cited this New York Times piece by Michele Alexander. We all drew on this Mother Jones review of Saru Jayamaran’s book Forked: A New Standard for American Dining.

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

• Natalia shared Michael Schulman’s New Yorker piece, “Orange is the New Black Signalled the Rot Inside the Streaming Economy.”

• Neil recommended the forthcoming Broadway show, Here Lies Love.

• Niki discussed this episode of the podcast If Books Could Kill.

Episode 382: Male Enhancement Surgery

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss male enhancement surgery and the history of the penile ideal.

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

• A recent ProPublica article exposed the expanding, and disturbing, world of penile enlargement surgery. Neil referred to this glowing 2016 GQ article about the procedure, and Natalia discussed the comedy of Marval Rex. Niki drew on this Men’s Health article, and we all made use of David Friedman’s book A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis.

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

• Natalia discussed the new Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya.

• Neil recommended the new Rock Hudson documentary from HBO, All That Heaven Allowed.

• Niki shared about Crooked Media podcast, Strict Scrutiny, and her most recent CNN column, “Another Not-As-Bad-As-It-Could-Be Decision from America’s Highest Court.”

Episode 381: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential candidacy.

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

• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is running for president, with some support both from Democrats and Republicans. Neil referred to this TIME interview, and Natalia referenced this Slate article and her interview on the Conspirituality podcast about RFK Jr.’s workout videos.

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

• Natalia shared about the new Netflix documentary series Arnold.

• Neil discussed Raymond Zhong’s New York Times piece, “Something Was Messing With the Earth’s Axis. The Answer Has to Do with Us.”

• Niki recommended Rebecca Makkai’s novel I Have Some Questions For You.

Episode 380: The Ocean Gate Submersible and the History of Extreme Travel

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the failed attempt of the Ocean Gate submersible to explore the Titanic wreckage.

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

• The world watched as a multimillion dollar search for the submersible Titan transpired and failed. Natalia drew on this account of the world’s most expensive tourist experiences. Niki referenced this Washington Post article on how Mount Everest became a tourist attraction and this National Geographic story about the history of mountaineering.

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

• Natalia recommended the latest season of the Netflix show Never Have I Ever.

• Neil discussed Jessica Grose’s New York Times piece, “The Largest and Fastest Religious Shift in America is Well Underway”.

• Niki shared about the new podcast, Coverup: The Pill Plot.

Episode 379: The Trump Indictment

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the indictment of former President Donald Trump.

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

• Former President Donald Trump has been indicted related to the mishandling of classified documents and other charges. Neil referred to this New Yorker article about how Trump is trying to reframe the narrative around these proceedings, and Natalia drew on this NPR article about the history of presidential wrongdoing. Niki referenced this New York Times article about the history of the Espionage Act.

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

• Natalia talked about Stephanie Noda’s NorthJersey.com article, “Do Honors Classes Favor ‘compliant and organized’ kids? Westwood Wants to Change That.”

• Neil discussed Jesse Walker’s Reason article, “How Pat Robertson Shepherded His Flock Into Politics.”

• Niki recommended Elaina Plott Calabro’s Atlantic article, “A Star Reporter’s Break With Reality.”

Episode 378: The Duggar Family and "Shiny Happy People"

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil the new documentary about the Duggar family, Shiny Happy People.

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

• The Duggar family, who became famous on their reality show 19 Kids and Counting, is back in the spotlight due to a new documentary. Niki referred to this Washington Post article about Christian homeschooling and parenting, and Natalia cited this Relevant magazine article about Beth Moore. We all drew on this New Republic essay about the fundamentalist leader, Bill Gothard.

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

• Natalia talked about Ruth Marcus’ Washington Post essay, “I Lost 40 Pounds on Ozempic. But I’m Left With Even More Questions.”

• Neil recommended two books, Fintan O’Toole’s We Don’t Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland, and John Boyne’s The Heart’s Invisible Furies: A Novel.

• Niki shared about historian Martha Hodes’ new memoir, My Hijacking: A Personal History of Forgetting and Remembering.

Episode 377: Car Buying and the History of Car Dealers

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the role of car dealers in U.S. political culture.

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

• Car salesmen play an underappreciated role in GOP power politics, a recent Slate article argued. Niki cited this data reported in The Verge, and Natalia drew on this NPR story. We all drew on this history of the industry at CNN.

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

• Natalia discussed Summer Lin, Andrew J. Campa, and Howard Blume’s Los Angeles Times article, “Fight Erupts At Anti-Pride Day Protest Outside L.A. School Where Trans Teacher’s Flag Was Burned.”

• Neil recommended Shoshi Parks’ Smithsonian story, “How the U.S. Almost Became a Nation of Hippo Ranchers.”

• Niki shared about Ja’han Jones’ MSNBC article, “Obama Oral History is the G.O.A.T.”

Episode 376: Tina Turner

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the life and legacy of rock star Tina Turner.

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

• Tina Turner, at age 83, died last week. Neil drew on this Guardian article about Turner’s genre-crossing body of work and this New Yorker essay, while Natalia referenced this Buzzfeed list that discussed her influence on generations of artists. Neil also recommended the documentary, Tina.

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

• Natalia discussed the experimental Jewish community LAB/SHUL.

• Neil recommended the Daily podcast episode, “When the Culture Wars Came for NASA.”

• Niki shared about her most recent column for CNN, “Don’t Misread the Failed Effort to Put the Ten Commandments in Every Classroom.”

Episode 375: The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Martha Stewart’s appearance on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

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

• Martha Stewart, at age 82, is the oldest model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. Neil discussed the first swimsuit issue, in 1964, and Niki referred to this Washington Post article about different “firsts” on the publication’s cover. We all drew on this Slate history of the swimsuit issue.

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

• Natalia discussed historian Dan Royles’ book, To Make the Wounded Whole: The African American Struggle Against HIV/AIDS.

• Neil recommended the new Hulu series, Grand Nighthawk: Infiltrating the KKK.

• Niki shared about James Risen’s new book, The Last Honest Man: The CIA, the FBI, the Mafia, and the Kennedys.

Episode 374: The History of Camping

In this episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki discuss the history of camping in the United States.

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

• Camping has a long history as a form of recreation – and more. Natalia drew on this New Yorker review of historian Phoebe Young’s book on camping, as well as historian Rachel Gross’ forthcoming book on the history of outdoor gear. Neil recommended the podcasts Lost Hills and Park Predators, and Niki referred to this history about the exclusion of women from camping.

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

• Natalia recommended historian Estelle B. Freedman’s Oral History Review article, “’Not A Word Was Ever Said Again’: Silence and Speech in Women’s Oral History Accounts of Sexual Harassment.”

• Neil discussed Lauren McCarthy’s New York Times article, “Why Americans Are Smuggling Fruit Roll-Ups Into Israel.”

• Niki shared about Jonathan Eig’s new book, King: A Life.

Episode 373: The Media Meltdown

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the continued cutbacks and collapses of digital media companies.

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

• Buzzfeed is the most recent company to announce massive layoffs. Natalia cited Derek Thompson’s Atlantic newsletter, and Niki referred to media columnist Ben Smith’s new book, Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral. We all drew on this New York Times article about the future of media.

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

• Natalia shared Joshua Travis Brown’s Chronicle of Higher Education essay, “The Ethical Poverty of Dorms for the Rich.”

• Neil recommended this episode of the Slate Culture podcast and Aaliyah Wright’s Capital B article, “Once An ‘All-Black Utopia,’ Eatonville Residents Say New Development Could Erase History.”

• Niki discussed Claire McNear’s Ringer article, “The Search for the Lost Jeopardy Tapes is Over. The Mystery Behind Them Endures.”

Episode 372: Tucker Carlson's Firing by Fox News

In this episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss Tucker Carlson’s dismissal from Fox News.

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

• Fox News personality Tucker Carlson was summarily fired earlier this week, intensifying turmoil at the conservative news network. Niki covered this in her most recent CNN column. Natalia drew on this POLITICO piece about the future of streaming news and this Atlantic essay about Carlson’s early career.

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

• Natalia discussed Ashley Southall’s New York Times article, “Harlem Businesses Sue to Stop Cannabis Dispensary Planned for 125th Street.”

• Neil recommended the new Netflix series Queen Charlotte.

• Niki shared about Josh Moody’s Inside Higher Ed article, “New College Board Denies Tenure for 5 Professors.”

Episode 371: The Rollback of Child Labor Laws

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the push to rollback child labor laws in the United States.

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

• Republican legislatures have begun to chip away at protective child labor laws across the country. The New York Times has also reported on how the Biden administration has refused to address child labor abuses. Natalia referenced this Guardian article about Iowa’s rollback of protective labor legislation, and Niki referred to this NPR report. Neil drew on the this New York Times opinion piece.

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

• Natalia discussed her own reaction to a change in Twitter’s “blue check” marker.

• Neil recommended Kathryn Schulz’ New Yorker essay “How One Mother’s Love for Her Gay Son Started a Revolution.”

• Niki shared about the Washington Post piece, “Mistaken Address Shootings Echo Killing of Japanese Teen 30 Years Ago,” and Andrew McKevitt’s forthcoming book, Gun Country: Gun Capitalism, Culture, and Control in Cold War America.

Episode 370: Tennessee's Attack on Democracy

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the expulsion of two representatives from the Tennessee state legislature.

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

• When two Democratic lawmakers were expelled from the Tennessee legislature, discussion turned to the state of democracy there – and in the nation. Niki referred to this Vox article about Tennessee’s dubious distinction as the least democratic state. Natalia drew on this Memphis Flyer piece about how the state turned red, and Neil referenced this Jacobin essay about the insufficiency of federalism to ensure democracy.

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

• Natalia discussed this PBS News Hour podcast, “Study Shows Parents Overestimate Their Student’s Academic Progress.”

• Neil recommended Allyson P. Brantley’s Slate piece, “Queer Beer.”

• Niki shared Lauren MacIvor Thompson’s Washington Post article, “The Original Comstock Act Doesn’t Support the New Antiabortion Decision.”

Rerun Episode: The History of Spring Break and More!

In this rerun episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the history of spring break and other topics. 

Episode 369: The History of Children's Story Hour

In this episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia discuss the history of children’s story hour.

On this week’s Past Present episode, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil J. Young discuss the history of children’s story hour.

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

• “Drag queen story hours” have become the latest arena in the culture wars. Niki drew on this Slate piece about children’s librarian Anne Carroll Moore. Neil referenced this New York Times piece on the history of drag queen story hours. Natalia referred to historian Julia Mickenberg’s book Learning from the Left: Children’s Literature, the Cold War, and Radical Politics in the United States.

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

• Natalia discussed historian Ava Purkiss’ new book, Fit Citizens: A History of Black Women’s Exercise from Post Reconstruction to Postwar America.

• Neil recommended Gina Kolata’s New York Times article, “DNA From Beethoven’s Hair Unlocks Medical and Family Secrets.”

• Niki shared Maham Javaid’s Washington Post article, “After a 1935 Tragedy, a Priest Vowed to Teach Kids About Menstruation.”

Episode 368: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

In this episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki discuss the politics and political future of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

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

• Speculation about a 2024 presidential run by Governor Ron DeSantis is filling media across the political spectrum. Natalia referred to this POLITICO piece about Trump losing hold on the grass roots and to this New York essay by Jonathan Chait on DeSantis’ relationship to Trumpism. Niki referenced this Reuters report on DeSantis’ foreign policy perspectives. Neil reflected on DeSantis’ popularity in Florida, discussed in this Washington Post essay.

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

• Natalia discussed Ben Weingarten’s Real Clear Investigations report, “The Problematic Rise of Media Literacy Education.”

• Neil recommended Jennifer Schuessler’s New York Times article, “For Rare Books Librarians, It’s Gloves Off. Seriously.”

• Niki shared about her CNN column, “Trump’s Visit to Waco is a Provocation of Historic Significance.”