Greg Jenner

Hello and welcome to You're Dead to Me, the Radio 4 comedy podcast that takes history seriously. My name is Greg Jenner and I'm a public historian, author and broadcaster. And today we are strapping on our sturdiest walking boots and hiking across America to learn about renowned 19th century abolitionist, orator and civil rights activist Sojourner Truth.

Hello and welcome to You're Dead to Me, the Radio 4 comedy podcast that takes history seriously. My name is Greg Jenner and I'm a public historian, author and broadcaster. And today we are strapping on our sturdiest walking boots and hiking across America to learn about renowned 19th century abolitionist, orator and civil rights activist Sojourner Truth.

And to help us, we have two very special guests. in History Corner. She's an assistant professor in African-American history at Cornell University. Her research focuses on black and indigenous histories, including the history of racial formation and identity in America. And you might remember her from our previous episodes of this show about Harriet Tubman and Josephine Baker.

And to help us, we have two very special guests. in History Corner. She's an assistant professor in African-American history at Cornell University. Her research focuses on black and indigenous histories, including the history of racial formation and identity in America. And you might remember her from our previous episodes of this show about Harriet Tubman and Josephine Baker.

It's Dr. Michelle Crestfield. Welcome back, Michelle.

It's Dr. Michelle Crestfield. Welcome back, Michelle.

It is. We're sort of series one reunion in some ways. It's lovely. And in Comedy Corner, she needs no introduction. She's a comedian, actor, and writer. You'll have seen her all over the TV on Taskmaster, Frankie Boyle's New World Order, The Horn Section TV show, and Too Hot to Handle.

It is. We're sort of series one reunion in some ways. It's lovely. And in Comedy Corner, she needs no introduction. She's a comedian, actor, and writer. You'll have seen her all over the TV on Taskmaster, Frankie Boyle's New World Order, The Horn Section TV show, and Too Hot to Handle.

And you'll know her from this very podcast from many, many episodes, including recent highlights, Pythagoras, What a Dude, and the history of Broadway musicals. It's your Dead to Me superstar, Desiree Burch. Welcome back, Desiree. Thank you so much. That's right. You and Michelle have previously covered Harriet Tubman and Josephine Baker.

And you'll know her from this very podcast from many, many episodes, including recent highlights, Pythagoras, What a Dude, and the history of Broadway musicals. It's your Dead to Me superstar, Desiree Burch. Welcome back, Desiree. Thank you so much. That's right. You and Michelle have previously covered Harriet Tubman and Josephine Baker.

Now, Harriet Tubman, obviously an abolitionist, a very famous woman in American history. What are your emotions when you hear the word Sojourner Truth?

Now, Harriet Tubman, obviously an abolitionist, a very famous woman in American history. What are your emotions when you hear the word Sojourner Truth?

Biopic for me, but yeah, absolutely. Yeah.

Biopic for me, but yeah, absolutely. Yeah.

I'm biopic. I can't see out of my left eye. Yeah, I don't know.

I'm biopic. I can't see out of my left eye. Yeah, I don't know.

So, what do you know? This is the So What Do You Know? This is where I have a go at guessing what you, our lovely listener, might know about today's subject. And I think American listeners are going to immediately have a Desiree response of, I know stuff! Hang on, do I know stuff? Do I know anything? Outside of the state, I think probably less familiar name.

So, what do you know? This is the So What Do You Know? This is where I have a go at guessing what you, our lovely listener, might know about today's subject. And I think American listeners are going to immediately have a Desiree response of, I know stuff! Hang on, do I know stuff? Do I know anything? Outside of the state, I think probably less familiar name.

She's perhaps most famous for the quote, Ain't I a Woman, which has been used by feminist activists for years, including by bell hooks. for her debut book title. But there are no big movie biopics. Biopics, whatever we're calling it. There are no big TV dramas. If you go on IMDb, you're not getting much back, which is quite surprising. So what was Sojourner's journey?

She's perhaps most famous for the quote, Ain't I a Woman, which has been used by feminist activists for years, including by bell hooks. for her debut book title. But there are no big movie biopics. Biopics, whatever we're calling it. There are no big TV dramas. If you go on IMDb, you're not getting much back, which is quite surprising. So what was Sojourner's journey?