Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Histories: Religion and Survival in the Early Caribbean episode artwork

EPISODE · May 10, 2026 · 49 MIN

Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Histories: Religion and Survival in the Early Caribbean

from Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture · host Wendy Aris

In this episode of the Dis A fi mi History Podcast, host and guest Professor Kristen Block explore the lives of ordinary people in the early Caribbean—maroons, sailors, Quakers, and enslaved individuals—revealing how religion, empire, and survival shaped their worlds. Using archival records and personal stories, the conversation considers identity, resistance, family, and the complex ties between church and state, showing how everyday experiences challenge elite narratives and continue to echo into the present.   BIO: Kristen Block is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). A historian of the Atlantic World, her research has focused geographically on the Caribbean–arguably the epicenter of colonial competition in the early modern Americas. Religion and slavery were two cornerstones of early modern life and thus figure prominently in her teaching and writing about the colonial Americas, where Africans, Europeans, and Native Americans fought and collaborated with one another to shape social norms.   Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Ordinary-Lives-Early-Caribbean-Competition/dp/0820338680   History Podcasts For Historians https://blog.feedspot.com/history_podcasts_for_historians/  Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berkshirehalleppingpress/  Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV  Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3  Prayer Journal: https://a.co/d/bfSdIl0  Devotional Journal: https://a.co/d/8K3C8Hk  Support The Podcast https://ko-fi.com/disafimihistory/tip  Great Research Resource https://www.ancestorsofparadise.com/  Clothes https://effystyle.goaffpro.com/  Reservations for Barbados https://diaspora-discoveries.com/reservations  Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=74ffcf  Cultural Roots: https://www.skool.com/cultural-roots-reconnection-8301/about?ref=62a97470644b496897d06254e6796add  Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed) #Religioushistory #caribbean #oralstorytelling #oralhistory #culturalheritage #migration #identitypreservation #history #podcast #caribbeanpodcast #caribbeandiaspora #education #blackhistory #caribbeanhistory #heritage #culturalheritage

In this episode of the Dis A fi mi History Podcast, host and guest Professor Kristen Block explore the lives of ordinary people in the early Caribbean—maroons, sailors, Quakers, and enslaved individuals—revealing how religion, empire, and survival shaped their worlds. Using archival records and personal stories, the conversation considers identity, resistance, family, and the complex ties between church and state, showing how everyday experiences challenge elite narratives and continue to echo into the present.   BIO:Kristen Block is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Tennessee (Knoxville). A historian of the Atlantic World, her research has focused geographically on the Caribbean–arguably the epicenter of colonial competition in the early modern Americas. Religion and slavery were two cornerstones of early modern life and thus figure prominently in her teaching and writing about the colonial Americas, where Africans, Europeans, and Native Americans fought and collaborated with one another to shape social norms.   Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Ordinary-Lives-Early-Caribbean-Competition/dp/0820338680   History Podcasts For Historians https://blog.feedspot.com/history_podcasts_for_historians/  Follow: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berkshirehalleppingpress/  Morning Journal Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXMTL3NV  Genealogy Workbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NRHG3M3  Prayer Journal: https://a.co/d/bfSdIl0  Devotional Journal: https://a.co/d/8K3C8Hk  Support The Podcast https://ko-fi.com/disafimihistory/tip  Great Research Resource https://www.ancestorsofparadise.com/  Clothes https://effystyle.goaffpro.com/  Reservations for Barbados https://diaspora-discoveries.com/reservations  Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=74ffcf  Cultural Roots: https://www.skool.com/cultural-roots-reconnection-8301/about?ref=62a97470644b496897d06254e6796add  Theme Music "Africa" is modern ethnic track with fresh chords, African vocal, orchestra. License Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed) #Religioushistory #caribbean #oralstorytelling #oralhistory #culturalheritage #migration #identitypreservation #history #podcast #caribbeanpodcast #caribbeandiaspora #education #blackhistory #caribbeanhistory #heritage #culturalheritage

NOW PLAYING

Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Histories: Religion and Survival in the Early Caribbean

0:00 49:03

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

MG Show MG Show The MG Show, hosted by Jeffrey Pedersen and Shannon Townsend, is a leading alternative media platform dedicated to uncovering the truth behind today’s most pressing political issues. Launched in 2019, the show has grown exponentially, offering unfiltered insights, comprehensive research, and real-time analysis. With a commitment to independent journalism and factual integrity, the MG Show empowers its audience with knowledge and encourages active participation in the political discourse. Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Podcasting Astronomy Every Day of the Year French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture?

This episode is 49 minutes long.

When was this Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture episode published?

This episode was published on May 10, 2026.

What is this episode about?

In this episode of the Dis A fi mi History Podcast, host and guest Professor Kristen Block explore the lives of ordinary people in the early Caribbean—maroons, sailors, Quakers, and enslaved individuals—revealing how religion, empire, and survival...

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this Dis a Fi Mi History Podcast: Explore Caribbean Ancestry & Culture episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!