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Artwork for Our Ancestors Were Messy

Our Ancestors Were Messy

Coco Hill Productions
Harlem Renaissance
Black History
Percy Julian
Howard University
Nora Holt
Jim Crow
Paul Robeson
Zora Neale Hurston
Langston Hughes
Chicago Defender
Red Summer Of 1919
Black Newspapers
Civil Rights
African American History
United States
Anna Julian
Our Ancestors Were Messy
Marian Anderson
Jazz
Classical Music

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes20Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryComedy

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Artwork for Our Ancestors Were Messy

Latest Episodes

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Jason Reynolds
2024 MacArthur Fellow and New York Times bestselling author of young adult novels and poetry
None
Episode: Eslanda and Paul Robeson: Revolutionaries in the Making (Part 1)
Natalie Tulloch
VP of Audio at Hello Sunshine
Hello Sunshine
Episode: Nora Holt: The Lives and Loves of Harlem's Legendary Blonde Bombshell
Christabel Nsiah-Buadi
CEO of MyLens Media and Founder of Audio Diaspora
MyLens Media
Episode: Nora Holt: The Lives and Loves of Harlem's Legendary Blonde Bombshell
Chioke I'Anson
Research producer and voice announcer
Episode: The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play
Amaya Zahar
14-year-old daughter of Chioke I'Anson
Episode: The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play
Nigel Turner
Episode: Coming Soon: Drs. Anna and Percy Julian (Apr. 23)
John Delore
Episode: Coming Soon: Drs. Anna and Percy Julian (Apr. 23)
Naish Turner
Episode: Coming Soon: Drs. Anna and Percy Julian (Apr. 23)
Alicia Walters
Guest on the episode discussing the lives of Hurston and Hughes
Episode: Zora Neale Hurston + Langston Hughes: Best Friends Forever

Host

Nichole Hill
Host and creator focusing on stories of Black ancestors and archival history.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • I’m addicted

    This podcast makes history real, accessible, and entertaining! I wish I’d had this when I was teaching high school!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kitty catkin
    United States16 days ago
  • Love ! Wish there were more episodes

    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 ✨

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deside_1
    United Kingdom16 days ago
  • My new favorite podcast!

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nachema
    United States17 days ago
  • The visual branding

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Gotchayeah
    United States19 days ago
  • Yes

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GentianViolet
    United States22 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Consistently entertaining and informative; hosts balance facts with banter.
Listener excitement around future seasons and guests; strong community support.
High praise for storytelling and quality research; many say it stands out among history podcasts.
Unique and wonderfully edutaining; engaging history with humor.
Fans appreciate the mix of research, humor, and cultural insight.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#63
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#158
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#187
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#206
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#223
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#103
Norway/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Household Exclusive: Researching Our Ancestors
Q: Why is contextual analysis so important to your storytelling approach?
Because bare historical moments without analysis invite anachronistic mistakes; the analysis helps ensure we understand the moment on its own terms and avoid projecting present-day assumptions onto the past.
Household Exclusive: Researching Our Ancestors
Q: Chioke, can you talk about your role on this project?
I'm the research producer; I gather articles, verify context, and frame questions that shape how the story unfolds, balancing what happened with how historians and audiences interpret it.
The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play
Q: What were your thoughts on the play 'Emperor Jones'?
The guests expressed mixed feelings about the representation and complexities of the play, highlighting the need for more positive depictions of black characters.
Zora Neale Hurston + Langston Hughes: Best Friends Forever
Q: What was the biggest regret of Zora Neale Hurston's life, according to the podcast?
It will be revealed in the next episode regarding her collaboration with Langston Hughes.
Zora Neale Hurston + Langston Hughes: Best Friends Forever
Q: As a black person, what is your relationship to the south, specifically Alabama and Georgia?
It’s complicated, but I appreciate what southern black culture has contributed to the world.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Ancestors Were Messy

What is Our Ancestors Were Messy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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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Which podcasts are similar to Our Ancestors Were Messy?

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1. Code Switch
2. This American Life
3. It's Been a Minute
4. Reveal
5. The Sam Sanders Show

How many episodes of Our Ancestors Were Messy are there?

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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What guests have appeared on Our Ancestors Were Messy?

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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