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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
Zora Neale Hurston
Langston Hughes
Jim Crow
Paul Robeson
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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes23Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedyHistory

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Artwork for Our Ancestors Were Messy

Latest Episodes

Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an outsized legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond. Starring writer, sociologist, and MacArthur Fellow Tressie McMilli... more

Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an outsized legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond. Starring the co-hosts of Code Switch B.A. Parker and Gene Demby ta... more

A preview of an upcoming episode about the Black Loyalists. Thousands of our ancestors escaped slavery during the American Revolution, fought for the British on the promise of freedom, and left an unbelievable legacy in the US, Canada, and beyond!

F... more

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

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Recent Guests

BA Parker
Co-host of NPR's Code Switch
Code Switch, NPR
Episode: The Revolutionary Black Loyalists! Live with BA Parker and Gene Demby
Tressie McMillian Cottom
New York Times columnist and 2020 MacArthur fellow
New York Times
Episode: Coming Soon: The Black Loyalists (July 8)
BA. Parker
Co-host of NPR's Code Switch
NPR Code Switch
Episode: Coming Soon: The Black Loyalists (July 8)
Gene Demby
Co-host of NPR's Code Switch
NPR Code Switch
Episode: Coming Soon: The Black Loyalists (July 8)
Chioke I'Anson
Research producer for Our Ancestors Were Messy
Our Ancestors Were Messy
Episode: Household Exclusive: Researching Our Ancestors
Jason Reynolds
2024 MacArthur Fellow and New York Times best-selling author of young adult novels and poetry
Episode: Coming Soon: Eslanda and Paul Robeson (Jan. 28th)
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
Amaya Zahar
14-year-old daughter of Chioke I'Anson
Episode: The Emperor Jones: Our Ancestors' Favorite Play

Host

Nichole Hill
Host and creator of the show, focused on telling Black history with nuance and engaging storytelling.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • This is so enjoyable and educational

    I am so happy to have stumbled across via a cross over. It’s so informative and interesting. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AllisonK23
    United Statesa month ago
  • Elite podcasting

    This pod is excellent. It’s delivered so smoothly that it may feel like casual conversation. But it’s so much more. I can only imagine the amount of work that goes into researching these stories. Nicole delivers history and story at the highest level.

    So glad a friend recommended this show to me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nj house buyers
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love Love Love Love Love

    I’m so glad I heard about this podcast! I can’t get enough! I’ve been telling everyone to listen and support. This is just what we need to learn and understand our history and remember our ancestors were/are people first. Yes they were messy but so are we! The guests on every episode are chefs kiss! I’ll be heading over to the website to join the household 😊 Don’t stop these stories. The ancestors will make a way to have their stories told.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oh_sugarhoneeicetea
    United States2 months ago
  • You NEED to listen!!!

    This show has been so inspiring to go and do my own research!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zoe Carr
    United States2 months ago
  • 3 E’s: Extraordinary, Engaging, and Educational

    I am so happy I found this podcast! As someone who loves history, especially Black History, I am trilled this information is accessible and engaging. I can’t wait for season 2! Thank you Nichole for your care and commitment to this work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Haidera!
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests and research come across as deeply credible and engaging.
High-quality production and thoughtful analysis are frequently noted.
Listeners praise the podcast for making Black history approachable and entertaining.
The host delivers history with warmth and strong storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#90
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#214
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#221
France/History
Apple Podcasts
#121
Spain/History
Apple Podcasts
#129
Colombia/History
Apple Podcasts
#200
Ireland/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 historically rich, conversation-driven show that uncovers the gossip, drama, and cultural context surrounding Black American figures before the Civil Rights era. The host guides listeners through archival stories with careful sourcing, nuanced interpretation, and lively storytelling, often featuring guests who add depth from journalism, history, and archival research. Episodes emphasize research workflows, the balance between context and present-day relevance, and the idea that history can be taught as a tangible skill. The format blends warmth, humor, and rigor, making complex pasts accessible while highlighting the ongoing social significance of these figures and moments. Notable throughlines include how sources are evaluated, the role ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Our Ancestors Were Messy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Our Ancestors Were Messy:

1. Code Switch
2. The Read
3. This American Life
4. Ratchet & Respectable
5. It's Been a Minute

How many episodes of Our Ancestors Were Messy are there?

Our Ancestors Were Messy launched 2 years ago and published 23 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. BA Parker
2. Tressie McMillian Cottom
3. BA. Parker
4. Gene Demby
5. Chioke I'Anson
6. Jason Reynolds
7. Natalie Tulloch
8. Christabel Nsiah-Buadi

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