Nicole Hemmer

Nicole Hemmer is a contributing editor to US News & World Report and host of the Past Present podcast. She works as a research associate at the University of Virginia's Miller Center and the University of Sydney's US Studies Centre.

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt

Past Present Podcast: Brangelina, EpiPens, and Dr. Oz

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In this week’s episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate the dissolution of the Jolie-Pitt marriage, the price of EpiPens, and Dr. Oz and medical entertainment. Dissolution of Brangelina Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, famously known as Brangelina, have announced they are divorcing. Neil argued Angelina Jolie’s public remaking as mother and humanitarian repeated a common pattern […]

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Star Trek

Past Present Podcast: Presidential Health, Free Pre-K, and Star Trek

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In this week’s episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate secrecy and presidential health, New York City’s universal pre-kindergarten, and the legacy of Star Trek. Presidential Health Hillary Clinton’s team announced she has pneumonia after she fell ill at the 9/11 commemoration. Neil argued anxiety over Clinton’s health was really partisan politics, fueled by internet conspiracies like the “Hillary Clinton Parkinson’s” videos.

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Mother Teresa

Past Present Podcast: Mother Teresa, the Alt-Right, and Taco Trucks

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In this week’s episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia debate the canonization of Mother Teresa, the rise of the alt-right, and the menace of taco trucks.   Mother Teresa Mother Teresa has been declared St. Teresa by Pope Francis. Natalia noted the controversy that has swirled around Mother Teresa, including Christopher Hitchens calling her a “fanatic, fundamentalist, and a

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National Anthem

Past Present Podcast: Colin Kaepernick, Burkinis, and Crime at Walmart

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On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss Colin Kaepernick and the national anthem, the burkini, and crime at Walmart. Colin Kaepernick San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick remained seated during a recent pre-game national anthem in protest against racial discrimination in the country. Neil argued Kaepernick likely chose that

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Flood

Past Present Podcast: Baton Rouge, Christian Intellectuals, and Teaching Trump

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In this week’s episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate flood relief in Louisiana, the disappearance of Christian intellectuals, and teaching Trump in the classroom. Baton Rouge Flood Relief More than two feet of rain brought death and destruction to southern Louisiana recently. Natalia addressed the political dimensions of the Louisiana flood, including Donald Trump’s visit to the state and

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Olympic Flag

Past Present Podcast: Voting Rights, Olympics Commentary, and Think Tanks

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On this week’s episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate recent court decisions on voting rights, sexism in Olympics commentary, and corporate influence in think tanks. Voting Rights This summer, courts struck down restrictive voting laws in North Carolina, Kansas, and Wisconsin. Niki pointed out that there have been only 31 cases of voter fraud since 2000. We recommended

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Beach-Goers

Past Present Podcast: Veeps, Beach-Going, and the Olympic Doping Scandal

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On this week’s episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the changing role of the vice presidency, the history of beach-going, and the Russian doping scandal overshadowing the Rio Olympics. Role of the Vice Presidency Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have picked Tim Kaine and Mike Pence as their respective running mates, but does the Vice Presidency

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