Forever35 Podcast Episode 345: "Gossip From The Past with Nichole Hill"

Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Guest: Nichole Hill
Release Date: March 24, 2025

Introduction and Personal Updates

Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu begin the episode with personal updates about their families and daily lives. Doree shares her excitement about her in-laws visiting from Florida and her son's anticipation of attending his baseball games with them. Elise discusses her parents' upcoming month-long stay, emphasizing their support and her desire to explore more art and cultural sites in Los Angeles with her mother.

Introducing Nichole Hill

The hosts introduce Nichole Hill, an award-winning showrunner and audio producer known for creating impactful podcasts such as Our Ancestors Were Messy and The Secret Adventures of Black People. Nichole has also worked on notable projects like I Am America with Tracee Ellis Ross and PRX's Second Sunday, which was recognized by The Atlantic as one of the best podcasts of 2024. They express their excitement to delve into her work and insights on the show.

Nichole Hill’s Career Pivot

Nichole Hill recounts her career journey, transitioning from nonprofit work with AmeriCorps and education reform to the world of audio storytelling. Her passion for storytelling was ignited by listening to podcasts like This American Life during her nonprofit tenure. In 2019, she joined a live storytelling organization but had to pivot to podcasting during the pandemic after releasing her podcast The Secret Adventures of Black People. Nichole shares her surprise at the podcast’s unexpectedly large audience, highlighting the intimate and far-reaching nature of audio production.

“I had released the first episode of this podcast, the Secret Adventures of Black People. And that is kind of how I was then able to transition into podcasting.” ([10:46])

Exploring Historical Black Newspapers

The conversation shifts to Nichole's latest project, Our Ancestors Were Messy, which delves into the gossip pages of African American newspapers post-Civil War. Nichole explains the historical context, emphasizing how these newspapers served as vital communication tools for the newly freed black community, addressing everything from jobs and housing to personal relationships and community events.

“The papers are really doing that. And then people are like, well, also, I just need you to know that, like, my sister is...” ([20:00])

Nichole highlights the role of gossip and personal ads in these newspapers, portraying them as a "town square" where community members interacted, shared personal stories, and supported one another amidst the struggles of the Great Migration and systemic racism.

“It's a bit of a town square... sometimes just like, I love the Lord, he heard my cry. That service was so great, but the preacher was late.” ([21:08])

Themes and Insights from Our Ancestors Were Messy

Nichole delves into the recurring themes of identity, generational divides, and the tension between personal desires and societal responsibilities within the black community during the early 20th century. She discusses how individuals struggled to balance personal aspirations with the collective goal of combating Jim Crow laws.

“Everyone is experimenting with, like, what is a black identity gonna be in America now... How is my being a flapper? How could that contribute to beating Jim Crow?” ([22:57])

She notes the parallels between historical struggles and contemporary issues, emphasizing the timeless nature of these challenges and the community's resilience.

“One story that I thought was so heartbreaking. A dad writes into the paper, and he's like, I realize that because I'm the disciplinarian for my kids... What should I do?” ([32:10])

Community Impact and Historical Relevance

Elise Hu draws connections between the historical narratives Nichole uncovers and today’s societal challenges, highlighting the ongoing relevance of these stories. Nichole reflects on how the community-driven efforts documented in the newspapers mirror modern movements for social justice and personal fulfillment.

“In this time that we're in, where I feel like so many people are just feeling, like, very hopeless or much like we're just, like, so divided... They were consistent in their efforts, and they eventually succeeded.” ([36:32])

Personal Reflections and Family Influence

Nichole shares heartfelt reflections on her relationship with her father, Troy Hill, illustrating the profound influence he has had on her love for storytelling and her dedication to exploring black history.

“When I think of my dad, I think of the view of him from the passenger seat when we're riding around just listening to him tell stories.” ([38:56])

She discusses the balance between family, personal passions, and professional endeavors, emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself while contributing to the greater community.

Connection to Los Angeles and Future Projects

Nichole touches upon her experiences in Los Angeles, mentioning her visit to the Paramount lot and her admiration for Altadena's rich black middle-class history. She expresses her commitment to uncovering and telling more stories from the Los Angeles Sentinel, the historic black newspaper of LA, and other local archives.

“I'm digging into all this LA history and trying to find, like, the right story that has, like, all the elements I look for at Altadena...” ([42:09])

Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode concludes with Nichole sharing her hopes for Our Ancestors Were Messy, aiming to foster a deeper connection to black identity and history through engaging and relatable storytelling. She encourages listeners to embrace both personal joys and collective struggles, drawing inspiration from past communities that successfully navigated immense challenges.

“They managed to beat Jim Crow, and they didn't do it by all deciding on this is the one way that we should go about it.” ([35:07])

Doree Shafrir and Elise Hu express their appreciation for Nichole's insights and storytelling prowess, inviting listeners to explore her podcast and continue the conversation around black history and community resilience.

Notable Quotes:

• "I love this thing so much. I gotta at least try." — Nicole Hill ([13:46])

• "It's a bit of a town square... sometimes just like, I love the Lord, he heard my cry." — Nicole Hill ([21:08])

• "Everyone is experimenting with, like, what is a black identity gonna be in America now." — Nicole Hill ([22:57])

• "They managed to beat Jim Crow, and they didn't do it by all deciding on this is the one way that we should go about it." — Nicole Hill ([35:07])

Additional Information

Listeners interested in Nichole Hill's work can find her podcast, Our Ancestors Were Messy, and connect with her on Instagram at @OurAncestorsWereMessy and @Nicole. More details about the podcast are available at ourancestorsweremessy.com.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and personal reflections shared during the episode, providing a coherent overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.