
A recap of the gossip, scandals, and pop culture that made headlines and then history in pre-Civil Rights Era America. Host Nichole Hill takes her guests through the story of an ancestor in search of opportunity, adventure, love, and a way to beat Jim Crow. Along the way, these ancestors make messes that land them in the gossip columns of Black newspapers. Support this independent production by jo... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 20 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryComedy | |||

Host Nichole Hill responds to listeners' comments and shares an interview with the show's Research Producer, Chioke I'Anson, about the research behind the histories shared on the show. Their conversation was originally taped for the donor community k... more
Essie & Paul’s passions lead them to the front lines of the fight to defeat fascism. Starring Jason Reynolds
• Support this independent production and access bonus content at ourancestorsweremessy.supercast.com
• Stay in touch at ouranest... more
Eslanda Cardozo Goode and Paul Robeson meet and fall in love during the Roaring 20s in Harlem. They give up promising careers and devote themselves to climbing the ladder of fame and fortune. Can their relationship survive the success that follows? ... more
Host Nichole Hill shares the story behind Black History Month ahead of the 100th anniversary of it’s celebration and gives listeners a sneak peek of a new episode coming out on January 28th.
To learn more about the show and keep in touch, check out ... more
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This podcast makes history real, accessible, and entertaining! I wish I’d had this when I was teaching high school!
So well done. A nuanced way to look back . Makes you want to see the films for every feature she does. Praying for more funding so she can deliver us more episodes ✨
I love the premise: seeing the real lives of historical people, not just the polished IG (of their day) stories.
The fun and enthusiasm Nichole (she’s so friendly I feel like we’re on a first name basis) brings to each episode is genuine. As someone who loves process and to see how the sausage is made, the little peeks behind the curtain are my favorite parts of this podcast. I love hearing reactions from guests and audiences in real time, and the little asides commenting on the story as they t... more
of this podcast need some serious help, just because you come up with a name that some people might think is clever, does it mean you can take it easy and put zero effort into all the other aspects of the podcast branding and packaging.
I love the timbre of our host’s voice and I especially enjoy her laugh. Thank you for meticulously researched programs that are fascinating. So much to learn!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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A lively history podcast that turns archival gossip, scandal, and Black American culture into engaging lessons on ancestors who navigated love, ambition, and injustice in Jim Crow era America. Across episodes, listeners get deep dives into figures like Paul Robeson, Eslanda Robeson, Nora Holt, and others, guided by vivid storytelling, scholarly context, and witty banter. Noteworthy strengths include meticulous archival research, a strong host presence, and guests who bring both literary and cultural expertise to conversations about Black history and heritage. The show likely appeals to listeners who enjoy educational yet entertaining narratives, with a focus on how personal lives intersect with larger social movements. A standout is the con... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Our Ancestors Were Messy:
1. Code Switch
2. This American Life
3. It's Been a Minute
4. Reveal
5. The Sam Sanders Show
Our Ancestors Were Messy launched 2 years ago and published 20 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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Recent guests on Our Ancestors Were Messy include:
1. Jason Reynolds
2. Natalie Tulloch
3. Christabel Nsiah-Buadi
4. Chioke I'Anson
5. Amaya Zahar
6. Nigel Turner
7. John Delore
8. Naish Turner
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