Not Past It

128 years ago this week, news broke of a small-town butter contest turned scandalous. Dairy experts and buttermakers gathered in Meadville, Pennsylvania to award the state’s best butter. Little did they know, there was a cheat in their midst. These treacherous events sparked important questions for Meadvilleans, and for us all: Who can we trust? And what the heck is in our food? This episode originally aired April 5, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On March 15th, 1937—86 years ago this week— a new kind of bank opened in the US. That bank wouldn’t deal out money— it would deal out blood. Blood banks would help to revolutionize medicine, save countless lives, and make complex new surgeries possible. But who could put blood in those banks? Who couldn’t? And why? That has its own complicated history. One that we’ll look at through an event that happened not too long ago. This episode originally aired March 15, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, Barbie Girls! On March 9th, 1959, the now-legendary Barbie doll debuted at the International Toy Fair. She was controversial from the start; her hot bod scandalized parents and intrigued kids across the country. But while grown-ups were clutching their pearls, a more pointed battle was brewing -- over the purpose of Barbie and the nature of play. This episode originally aired March 8, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Notorious B.I.G. was at the top of his game when he was murdered, 25 years ago this week. On March 9th, 1997, Christopher Wallace was gunned down in public. We’re telling the story of Biggie’s friendship with Tupac. Just not the one you may have heard. This episode originally aired March 9, 2022. Check out our Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac playlist to hear songs from the episode and other fan favorites. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before Squid Game, BTS, and Parasite, South Korea dazzled the world in a different field… figure skating. All thanks to their queen of the ice, Yuna Kim. On February 25, 2010 she set a new world record at the Winter Olympics. But Yuna’s path to the Olympics was bigger than her — and charts the history of a nation emerging into a new chapter. This episode originally aired February 23, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Wiesenthal walked out of the Mauthausen concentration camp a survivor determined to hold war criminals accountable. When it was discovered that one of the Holocaust’s primary architects was in hiding, Simon was on the case. His 15 year globe-spanning hunt ended in 1960 with some secret spy photography that would make Simon a legend. His story would inspire those seeking justice to this day. Even if Simon’s hunt wasn’t entirely truthful. This episode originally aired February 16, 2022. *A warning for our listeners: this story contains graphic descriptions of violence. please take care while you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

173 years ago this week, a new fugitive slave law loomed large over the city of Boston. Southern slave hunters were now empowered to travel up North, catch anyone who’d escaped slavery, and return them to bondage. That’s why, in 1851, they rolled through town looking for Shadrach Minkins, who fled from slavery in Virginia. The Black abolitionists of the city made it their mission to protect Shadrach. And they fought back — even if it meant breaking the law. This episode originally aired Feb. 15, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On February 1st, 2004— 19 years ago this week— Americans witnessed, live on television, a Super Bowl mishap that would impact our culture and media consumption to this day. So put on your jersey, grab some nachos and gather around for the history of the gridiron. We’re joined by Sam Sanders, host of the Vulture podcast, Into It & co-host of the Stitcher podcast, Vibe Check. This episode originally aired February 1, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Before Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States of America, it was ruled by a monarchy. On January 29, 1891, Lili’uokalani was crowned Queen of Hawaii. She would be faced with the greed and violence of White sugar plantation owners that had been building under her brother, King Kalakaua. She was the first queen of the island nation and would be the last. This episode originally aired January 26, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1960s Alabama was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s the home of the years-long Montgomery Bus Boycotts and demonstrations in Selma for Black people to gain equal voting rights. But in Tuskegee, on January 16th, 1967 – history was made when Lucius Amerson was sworn in as Sheriff of Macon County, Alabama. He was the first Black documented sheriff in the South since Reconstruction. Amerson gained unprecedented power for a Black man in the South...and many people wanted to take that power away from him. This episode originally aired January 19, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On January 15, 1919, a tank exploded in Boston’s North End releasing a tsunami wave of molasses that plowed down the city’s streets at 35 miles per hour. It destroyed businesses and homes. Lives were lost. And in the wake of this sticky disaster, people were suspicious… What caused the tank to blow? Who was to blame? There were rumors of foul play. This episode originally aired January 12, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drag Kings. Gender Bending. Punk Rock. In the 1990s, that’s what Club Casanova was all about. Back then, New York City nightlife was poppin’. But so was crime. Both of which then Mayor Rudy Giuliani was hellbent on cleaning up. Luckily for him, a racist Prohibition-era law helped eradicate crime...and fun. And a few days before New Years 1998, Club Casanova was Rudy’s latest victim. This episode originally aired January 5, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On December 22, 1972, St. Louis high society was readying itself for The Veiled Prophet Ball—a debutante ball for the daughters of the city’s most pedigreed families. Inside, thousands of guests at the white tie event settled in for an elegant evening. But just outside, a group of stealth activists was preparing to infiltrate the exclusive party, where they’d attempt to pull off a dramatic stunt and unveil the ugly truth behind the ball’s origins. This episode originally aired on Dec. 21, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode, we’ll find out how a 19th-century obsession with the frigid Arctic snowballed into our mythology of Old Saint Nick. We’ll take a sneak peek into Santa’s bag of toys, answer his personal phone calls, and track his sleigh across the starry night sky. We’re joined by comedian and writer Karen Chee (Late Night with Seth Myers, Patchinko). This episode originally aired Dec. 14, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christmas is upon us. And, that means one thing at Not Past It: diving into the dark, twisted history of S E X. This week, Simone is taking our guest Eric Mennel on a domino history ride that starts with a bishop’s declaration of original sin and ends with the outward sexual displays of America’s beloved celebrities. This episode originally aired December 15, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To usher in the holiday season, we’re offering up four historical events that we think should be celebrated on the first day of the last month of every year. These history holidays require no religion, gift-giving, or even cooking...just an appreciation for how the past shapes our lives. Come create a new tradition with us. This episode originally aired December 1, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wamsutta Frank James, a member of the Wampanoag Tribe, led his fellow activists in protest of a Thanksgiving Celebration in Plymouth, MA. On November 26, 1970, he set the record straight as to the true and violent history of this holiday. The Pilgrim celebration went to shit and the first National Day of Mourning was born. This episode originally aired November 24, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After four decades of devastating oil pollution in the Niger Delta, Ken Saro-Wiwa decided he couldn’t stand the injustices any longer. The Nigerian writer-turned-activist started campaigning to defend the rights of his people, the Ogoni, from the oil drilling that was destroying their land and way of life. But Ken paid a price. In this episode, actor Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Deuce, The Wire), brings Saro-Wiwa’s work to life. This episode originally aired November 17, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

King Tutankhamen, Egypt’s boy prince was laid to rest in a fantastical chamber of secrets. On November 4, 1922, the entrance to King Tut’s tomb was discovered 33 centuries after he was buried. But when the king’s tomb was disturbed strange things began to happen. This episode originally aired November 3, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s election season! That time of year when nasty political debates and nonstop campaign ads finally face their judges: you, members of democracy. We decided to honor this special time by bringing back the trivia show that swept the nation… but this time, election style. Guests Emma Choi and Mike Danforth from NPR show Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me roll up their sleeves and compete for the world’s sharpest political brain. This episode originally aired November 2, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry Houdini escaped from handcuffs, sea monsters and torture cells, but his last great illusion defied even the spirits. On October 31, 1936, the famous escape artist was set to come back from the dead. But, as spooky as that sounds, the backstory to uncover America’s most notorious frauds of the day, is even more devilish. This episode originally aired October 27, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roughly 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, in Forsyth County, lies Lake Lanier. It’s a place where people go to relax, fish or party - and legend has it, it's haunted. But not in the way it’s been talked about. We’re revealing the true haunting of Lake Lanier, where a horrific story of racial violence and terror is hidden under a veneer of suburban bliss. This episode originally aired October 20, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Candyman, Candyman, Candyman… Do you dare say it five times? On October 16, 1992, Candyman was released in theaters introducing the world to the ghost-like ghoul with a hook for a hand. But this horror cult classic is different--it features a Black man as the haunting character with a backstory of racial trauma. We explore the legacy of the film and why it has such staying power, despite its flaws. This episode originally aired October 13, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Depression-era Detroit is known for many things: baseball, bootlegging, and the booming auto industry. But what about a witch? On October 5, 1931, a Wayne County jury reached a verdict in the trial of an immigrant woman accused of murder and of being...The Witch of Delray. This episode originally aired October 6, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The backstory of the M&M can be traced to the Spanish American War. On October 1, 1898, a coalition of diplomats met in Paris to negotiate a peace treaty between the U.S. and Spain, leading to a sugar rush across America’s new colonial territories. And eventually… domino-ing us into the modern day sex icon that is the green M&M. This episode originally aired September 29, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On September 22nd 1989, ABC launched their now iconic TGIF lineup. So today on the show, three essays, from three different people, about why millions of Americans tuned in every Friday night to watch two hours of families getting into shenanigans and having resolvable conflict. Turns out, sitcoms can teach us quite a bit about history, about our families and about ourselves. This episode originally aired September 21, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

American flags, camouflage ribbons and “Never Forget” statements, prevailed as symbols of patriotism in the early 2000s. On September 11, 2001, four coordinated terrorist attacks took place in the U.S. and had catastrophic ripple effects across the globe. Simone explores her personal feelings about 9/11 and the “Never Forget” narrative. This episode originally aired September 8, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zsa Zsa Gabor was the epitome of Hollywood glam, starring in dozens of films and tv shows in the 1940s and 50s. But by the 1980s, her shine began to dim. On September 14 1989, Gabor made a celebrity comeback when she was prosecuted for slapping a Beverly Hills cop. In court Gabor played the role she was born to play… herself. This episode originally aired September 15, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

180 years ago this week, China and Great Britain came to an agreement that would forever change Martin Scorsese’s IMDB page. On this episode of Not Past It, Vox film critic and culture reporter, Alissa Wilkinson joins us as we follow the smokey trail of the Opium Wars to Hong Kong’s most famous cinematic export, and land on a very special night in 2007. This episode originally aired August 31, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cowabunga dudes! Surfing may be the crown jewel of California beach life, but back in the day the ultimate wave-riding destination in San Diego County was also a key military outpost. Fights broke out between surfers and Marines throughout the 50s and 60s. That is until August 25, 1970, when a Tricky Dick got political with a small group of surfers...and eventually changed the beach forever. This episode originally aired August 24, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may have heard about the Elon Musk’s months-long saga to takeover Twitter. It’s been in the news a lot lately. But in August of 1988 -- another Wall Street showdown got its start. Arguably the nastiest takeover battle in Wall Street history. It brought 1980s ‘greed is good’ culture to new heights, Mean Girls levels of backstabbing to Wall Street, and created a playbook for the Elons of today. This episode originally aired August 17, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we're bringing you an episode from our friends at, Every Little Thing. They explore how one style of cheerleading came to dominate in so many American schools? In part one of a two-part episode, ELT flips through the history of cheerleading and meets the man who held cheerleading in the pompom of his hand. Check out part two: Behind the Pom Poms: Cheerleading's Checkered Past (Part 2). This episode originally aired August 10, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jesse Owens swept the track and field events at the Olympics in Berlin. On August 3, 1936, Owens won his first of four gold medals in the 100 meter dash cementing his name in history. The Black track star was celebrated as a hero -- but the celebration was short lived. This episode originally aired August 4, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ever heard of lady crime boss, Ma Barker? On July 26, 1932, her alleged gang of thieves stole over $200,000 from a Kansas bank without firing a single shot. The Barker-Karpis gang stole millions before Ma was killed in a shootout with the FBI. But was she a criminal mastermind or just a scapegoat? This episode originally aired July 28, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the summer of 1952, America’s mental hospitals were bursting at the seams. There were too many patients and too few treatments. One state took a novel approach -- mass lobotomies. The plan, pioneered by West Virginia, became known as Operation Ice Pick. This episode originally aired July 20, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fed up with not receiving funding to fix their crumbling water infrastructure, the residents of a small town in Minnesota took matters into their own hands. On July 13th, 1977, the town of Kinney voted to secede from the U.S. This episode originally aired July 14, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Think you know the Illuminati? Well, it's more than a rumored celebrity cult. And on July 4, 1798, the speech "The Duty of Americans at the Present Crisis," was delivered to warn of the group's threat to American democracy. This episode originally aired July 7, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On June 24th, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The court ruled that the right to an abortion does not exist in the Constitution, effectively overturning 1973’s Roe v. Wade decision. One fearless woman, Mary Calderone, assembled a group of doctors, public health experts, and psychologists, 67 years ago to talk about abortion at a time when it was really, really dangerous to do so. This episode originally aired June 29, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paris Hilton’s sex tape ushered in a new era of celebrity obsession. On June 15, 2004: it went on sale after her ex made a deal with a pornographic distributor. Simone reflects on the scandal, fallout and impact it had on a generation of young women. This episode originally aired June 16, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Buffalos, horses, wagons and trains: These are all icons of the U.S. expansion west. But a camel? This Pride Month, Simone tells comedian and culture writer Ashley Ray the story of the U.S. Army’s little-known Camel Corps and reveals its surprising link to the creation of a queer city. This episode originally aired June 15, 2022. Show notes: Shout out to Jon Ponder from the West Hollywood History Center. His work helped us put this very special show together. You can learn more at westhollywoodhistory.org. And for more of Ashley Ray’s work, you can find her on Twitter @theeashleyray or on her website theashleyray.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you know there was almost an AIDS vaccine? On June 3, 1998: AIDSVAX VAX004 reached the final stage of trials before widespread approval. Simone gets the facts on the vax and why it never made it to the masses. This episode originally aired June 2, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How are cornflakes and eugenics connected? On May 31, 1895: the Kellogg brothers filed the patent for what would eventually become Corn Flakes. Simone digs in to the cereal’s bizarre, dark origins and examines its lasting impact on the wellness industry today. This episode originally aired June 2, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On May 25th, 1925, 97 years ago this week, the state of Tennessee indicted a science teacher for teaching evolution. The case against John Scopes became known as Scopes the “monkey trial,” and it got the whole country talking. What should be taught to children and what does that say about who we are as nation? Scholars say this trial drove a wedge between Americans -- a wedge that stands to this day. This episode originally aired May 25, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re bringing you an oldie but a goodie! The story of Marie Grosholtz better known as Madame Tussaud, the enigmatic woman behind a global wax museum franchise. Before the replicas of Taylor Swift and RuPaul, Madame Tussaud befriended royals and dodged guillotines during the French Revolution. Through her wax figures and eye for fame, she helped create the celebrity machine that still powers our culture all these years later. Plus, we talk to actor and star Danny Trejo about what it’s like to get immortalized in wax. This episode originally aired May 17, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On May 12, 1932, ninety-one years ago this week, an infamous kidnapping came to its tragic conclusion. This kidnapping, which came to be known as “the Crime of the Century,” marked a loss of innocence for young people at the time, but would go on to shape the hopes, fears, and careers of generations of children. We’re joined by actor, writer, and former child actor Rivkah Reyes (School of Rock). This episode originally aired May 10, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What comes to mind when we say “Cinco de Mayo?” Cheesy beer ads? Themed nights at the local bar? Well, in this episode, we smash through 160 years of history, tracing El Cinco from the Battle of Puebla on May 5th 1862, to the holiday’s commercial takeover in the 1980s. Plus, we explore the surprising origins of this holiday, that’s a lot more American than you may think. This episode originally aired May 4, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Earth Day, April 22nd 1971 -- 51 years ago this week -- a commercial debuted starring a crying American Indian. The image stuck in the country’s consciousness. But there were surprising forces behind the ad. In this episode, we dig into the powerful players who helped shape how we think about environmental action. Join us in talking trash and trash talking. This episode originally aired April 20, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On April 11, 1942, the Manzanar Free Press was born. It was a first of its kind newspaper—written by Japanese-Americans incarcerated by their own government at the Manzanar detention center. There, a group of young journalists would try to document their grim new reality amidst censorship and escalating tensions within the camp, all while their faith in America was being tested. This episode originally aired April 12, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1955, Dr. Mary Calderone assembled a group of 43 medical minds in a private location in upstate New York. This event would be one of the first abortion conferences in America - sponsored by Planned Parenthood. The discussions, and a book that came out of it, was one of the first steps on the path to Roe v. Wade. Not Past It takes you inside the conference walls. This episode originally aired April 13, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zap! Boom! Pow! This April fool’s week, comic book writer Evan Narcisse joins us for a history domino adventure. We trace how one hilarious 17th century scientific discovery shoots its way through gun history, card games and lands on the birth of an iconic and villainous comic book funnyman. And watch out! Along the way you might get kapow’d! This episode originally aired March 30, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices