
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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Nicole and her colleagues bring rich warmth to these stories I’ve never heard. I love listening to their contemporary analysis, like the casting notes. The combination of original research and storytelling expertise truly re-members the humanity of these figures from history.
I’ve told so many people about this show! If you love Black history and you love gossip, this is a must listen. Both educational and informative.
I love history and the storytelling that makes it real. Nichole Hill is fabulous at both. The conversational format from the living room makes you feel like you’re in 1920 talking about the news. The Paul Robeson story was breathtaking and heartbreaking, but every episode was wonderful. This podcast is for everyone.
I love this show! I’m trying to learn more about Black history because it wasn’t taught when I was in school (George Washington Carver and the Underground Railroad aside), and I’m afraid it’s being erased. Thank you for sharing these stories along with the drama that makes history more personal. I know I’m not your target audience, but I’m so happy that you’ve made this podcast. Thank you!
this is genuinely one of the best podcasts i’ve ever listened to, it paints such a vivid picture of history, is entertaining and easy to understand, challenging, brilliant etc. would love this as a show
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
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Apple Podcasts | #194 |
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Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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
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3. Snap Judgment
4. This American Life
5. The Read
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. Alicia Walters
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