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.

Safety Pin

Past Present Podcast: International Adoption, Steve Bannon, and Safety-Pin Politics

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In this week’s episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the role of citizenship in international adoption, Steve Bannon’s appointment as Trump’s chief strategist, and the place of safety pins in sartorial politics. International Adoption We discussed the case of Adam Crasper, a South Korean adoptee who is being deported. Natalia recommended Arissa Oh’s To Save the Children […]

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Election

Past Present Podcast: Second Redemption, Glass Ceilings, and Global Populism

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In this week’s special election episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate the onset of the Second Redemption, the highest and hardest glass ceiling, and the place of Donald Trump in global populism. Second Redemption We debated Jamelle Bouie’s argument that the 2016 election should be seen as a Second Redemption. Niki also recommended Michelle Alexander’s book The New

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Standing Rock

Past Present Podcast: Standing Rock, the FBI, and Political Pundits

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In this week’s episode, Natalia, Niki, and Neil debate the standoff at Standing Rock, the political role of the FBI, and the role of political pundits. Standing Rock The Standing Rock Sioux and activists are protesting the possible construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline under the Missouri River, the primary water source for the Standing

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Las Vegas

Past Present Podcast: The World Series, Texting and Driving, and Vegas, Baby!

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In this week’s episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate the history of the world series, texting while driving, and the history of Vegas. The World Series The presence of the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians in the 2016 World Series is making history! Niki discussed Sterling HolyWhiteMountain’s essay for ESPN.com on what it meant to grow up on

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WikiLeaks

Past Present Podcast: Rigged Elections, Wikileaks, and Self-Care

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In this week’s episode, Neil, Natalia, and Niki debate the history of rigged elections, Wikileaks, and the importance of self-care. Rigged Elections Donald Trump has already declared the 2016 presidential race a rigged election. We discussed the history of claiming rigged elections. Wikileaks Wikileaks continues to dump Democratic Party emails as Election Day nears. In our discussion of

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Clowns

Past Present Podcast: Sexual Harassment, Scary Clowns, and Pit Bull Bans

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In this week’s episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil debate Donald Trump and sexual harassment and assault, the great clown scare of 2016, and pit bull bans.   Sexual Harassment A growing list of women have accused Donald Trump of sexual harassment. Natalia commented on the story from the People Magazine reporter who has accused Trump of physically attacking her in

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Scale

Past Present Podcast: Presidential Debates, Stop and Frisk, and Fat Shaming

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In this week’s episode, Niki, Natalia, and Neil discuss the presidential debates, the constitutionality of stop and frisk, and obesity and medical care. Presidential Debates Do presidential debates change election results? Natalia pointed to research that showed debates had only small electoral effects. Neil discussed how the Lincoln-Douglas Senate debates of 1858 set the model for political debates in

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