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.

Prison

Past Present Podcast: Political Violence, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Prisons for Profit

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss political violence, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and the prison industrial complex. Political Violence Battery charges filed against Donald Trump’s campaign manager are just the latest incident in an election year that has known its share of violence. Neil argued political violence […]

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Bernie Sanders

Past Present Podcast: Flashback! Woodrow Wilson, SoulCycle, and Bernie Sanders

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss the legacy of Woodrow Wilson, Soul Cycle, and Bernie Sanders and the history of socialism.   Woodrow Wilson Princeton students have demanded the university remove Woodrow Wilson’s name from campus sites because of his racist acts as president. Natalia agreed with

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Bathroom

Past Present Podcast: Bathroom Politics, Spring Break, and the Heroin Crisis

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss North Carolina’s bathroom bill, the history of Spring Break, and the nation’s heroin epidemic. Bathroom Politics North Carolina’s state legislature recently overturned a Charlotte non-discrimination ordinance which allowed transgender people to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. Natalia

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Hulk Hogan

Past Present Podcast: Hulk Hogan v. Gawker, Parental Leave, and Bernie’s Scandinavia

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss Hulk Hogan v. Gawker, parental leave policy, and the left’s love of Scandinavia.   Hulk Hogan v. Gawker Hulk Hogan has won a $115 million judgment against Gawker Media for publishing a recording of him having sex with a female

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Misty Copeland

Past Present Podcast: Merrick Garland, Misty Copeland, and Contested Convictions

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss Merrick Garland, Misty Copeland, and brokered conventions.     Merrick Garland President Obama has nominated Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. Niki noted that Republican leaders and activists have cited historical precedents to defend their opposition to Obama’s nomination, but

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Nancy Reagan

Past Present Podcast: Nancy Reagan, OJ Simpson, and Presidential Bodies

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss Nancy Reagan, O.J. Simpson, and presidential bodies. Nancy Reagan Nancy Reagan passed away last week at the age of 94. Niki noted most remembrances of Mrs. Reagan had taken a respectful tone, but a controversial Washington Post obituary accused her of

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crossfit workout review

Past Present Podcast: Trump’s Evangelicals, the KKK, and CrossFit

On this week’s Past Present podcast, Nicole Hemmer, Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, and Neil Young discuss Donald Trump and evangelical voters, the Ku Klux Klan, and CrossFit. Donald Trump and Evangelical Christians Donald Trump is winning white evangelical voters, and evangelical leaders are not happy about it. Niki pointed out that Ted Cruz seemed like the

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