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Nostalgia Trap

David Parsons
Trump
Trump Administration
Donald Trump
Social Media
United States
David Lynch
American History
Capitalism
Vincent Van Gogh
Mental Health
Democratic Party
Vietnam War
American Politics
Political Violence
MAGA
Inflation
Artificial Intelligence
Elon Musk
Twin Peaks
America

Deep dive conversations on American history, politics, and pop culture, hosted by history professor and writer David Parsons.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes554Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsHistoryNews

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Artwork for Nostalgia Trap

Latest Episodes

This is a free preview of a subscribers-only episode. Click here to listen to the whole thing with a free 7 day trial.

Since the Iran war began many weeks ago, it feels like we're living in some kind of surreal rhetorical purgatory. Surveying the w... more

It's the best of times and the worst of times, as average Americans are paying more for pretty much everything while the stock market breaks records. What's up with that? Justin joins us this week to talk about the contradictions currently bracing up... more

Recent debates about whether or not leftist streamers like Hasan Piker should be embraced by the Democratic Party lead Justin and me to explore how the "marketplace of ideas" intersects with the broad historical and economic forces that govern our co... more

This week we check out the explosive Ronan Farrow piece on Sam Altman and consider the intersection of AI, climate crises, and sociopathic personalities that defines this historical moment. Who is really in the driver's seat of our collective future?... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Alan Burgess
A cultural commentator with reflections on politics and music.
Episode: Ep 425 - Cultural Inappropriation w/ Alan Burgess and Monte Montgomery
Aaron G. Fountain, Jr.
Historian and public scholar, author of "High School Students Unite!"
University of North Carolina Press
Episode: Ep 423 - High School Students Unite! w/ Aaron G. Fountain, Jr.
Judd Legum
Progressive media figure and founder of Popular Information
Popular Information
Episode: Ep 421 - First They Came for Jimmy Kimmel w/ Judd Legum
Monte Montgomery
Jazz musician and multi-instrumentalist
Episode: Ep 420 - All That Jazz w/ Monte Montgomery
David Humphries
Professor at Queensborough Community College and author
Episode: 120 MONTHS: Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic w/ David Humphries
Ross Benes
Author of '1999, The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times'
Episode: Ep 419 - Party Like It's 1999 w/ Ross Benes
Ethan Lascity
Assistant professor and director of the Fashion Media Program at Southern Methodist University.
Southern Methodist University
Episode: Ep 417 - The Abercrombie Age w/ Ethan Lascity
Xaq Frohlich
Associate Professor of the History of Technology at Auburn University
Auburn University
Episode: Ep 416 - America Eats Itself w/ Xaq Frohlich
Nick Marx
Co-author of 'That's Not Funny, How the Right Makes Comedy Work for Them'
University of California Press
Episode: Ep 415 - Own the Libs w/ Nick Marx

Host

David Parsons
Host of Nostalgia Trap, history professor and writer

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 258 ratings
  • Amazing Leftist Historical Analysis

    Been listening since the beginning! Excellent analysis. Great guests. Really an unsung gem.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kai Bye
    United Statesa year ago
  • A fountain of social humanity in our inhumane era.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Harold N.
    a year ago
  • On NETFlIX

    I was wondering not if it was just me, but I wasn’t motivated to watch NETFLIX. Maybe a few movies few and far. I began to prefer to read, write, practice with musical instruments, listen to a podcast, draw, and learn chess.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cocodojo
    United Statesa year ago
  • Want to keep loving

    I’ve been listening for years and have grown through David’s insight, but lately the News Trap episodes have me worrying about the Alex Jones sort of tone the podcast has taken. Are we seeing a movement away from the measured, skeptical, inquisitive stance that is Nostalgia Trap? I hope not.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NatashaConstance55
    United States2 years ago
  • Great deep dives

    Interesting guests with eclectic subject matter

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    listenerboy
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listener frustration at times with tone in some episodes, but overall high regard for depth and quality.
Thoughtful, rigorous left-history insights with strong guests.
Welcoming to new backlog listeners and rich in historical context.
Long-form interviews that blend personal stories with scholarly analysis.
Accessible yet intellectual discussions that deepen understanding of culture and politics.

Top History Podcasts

World War II with Tom Hanks
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John Kiriakou's Dead Drop
John Kiriakou's Dead DropJohn Kiriakou & Alan Katz
The Ancients
The AncientsHistory Hit
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History That Doesn't SuckProf. Greg Jackson

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

News Trap 2.6.26 - Brain Damage w/ Justin Rogers-Cooper (PREVIEW)
Q: Can you share your thoughts on the raid that you mentioned?
The raid wasn't just about re-litigating 2020 but was about the midterms and establishing distrust in election systems.
Ep 415 - Own the Libs w/ Nick Marx
Q: What was the idea behind writing about comedy and how did you get your arms around this subject?
We wanted to identify and describe the world of right-wing comedy and highlight that those on the left don't monopolize comedy, suggesting a need for shifts in political and comedic strategy.
Ep 410 - Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam, We've All Been There
Q: What key messages did you take from your discussions about the Vietnam War?
David reflects on the moral complexities of decisions made during wars, recognizing the challenges faced by soldiers in navigating their duties and personal convictions.
Ep 410 - Vietnam Vietnam Vietnam, We've All Been There
Q: Why did you become interested in what you study?
David discusses his lifelong obsession with Vietnam, stemming from both personal experiences and cultural influences during his childhood.
Ep 400 - The Disney Revolt w/ Jake S. Friedman
Q: Can you describe how you approached the history of the strike in a way that recognizes all perspectives?
Friedman aimed to tell a human story about the animators and Disney, without vilifying either side, acknowledging the nuances and motivations at play.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Nostalgia Trap

What is Nostalgia Trap about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show features long-form conversations anchored in history, politics, and culture, often weaving personal biography with intellectual development. Episodes frequently unpack complex geopolitical, social, and cultural issues through the lens of historians, scholars, and guest thinkers, producing thoughtful analyses that connect past events to present-day dynamics. Notable strengths include rigorous, academically informed dialogues blended with accessible storytelling and a willingness to challenge conventional narratives. A recurring edge is the combination of high-level ideas with intimate, humanizing anecdotes from guests across academia, journalism, and culture, which can appeal to listeners who enjoy historical context applied to curr... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Nostalgia Trap?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Nostalgia Trap:

1. This Wreckage
2. American Prestige
3. Chapo Trap House
4. Jacobin Radio
5. Trillbilly Worker's Party

How many episodes of Nostalgia Trap are there?

Nostalgia Trap launched 12 years ago and published 554 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Nostalgia Trap?

Recent guests on Nostalgia Trap include:

1. Alan Burgess
2. Aaron G. Fountain, Jr.
3. Judd Legum
4. Monte Montgomery
5. David Humphries
6. Ross Benes
7. Ethan Lascity
8. Xaq Frohlich

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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