Olivia Meikle

Olivia Meikle is an author, educator, and podcaster dedicated to uncovering forgotten stories from history. She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and Women’s & Gender Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder and currently teaches at Naropa University and the University of Denver. Passionate about making history accessible and engaging, Olivia combines academic rigor with creativity in all her projects.

She is best known as the co-host and co-creator of the award-winning podcast What’sHerName, which she produces with her sister, Katie Nelson. The podcast highlights the lives of extraordinary women who have been overlooked by traditional narratives. Since its launch in 2018, What’sHerName has been downloaded millions of times and is used in classrooms worldwide as a resource for inclusive history education.

Beyond podcasting, Olivia is an accomplished author of children’s nonfiction. Her works include The Book of Sisters, an International Literacy Association Honor Book celebrating influential sisters throughout history; A Stinky History of Toilets, a humorous yet informative look at sanitation through the ages; and Tales of Pirates, which explores daring adventures on the high seas. Her most recent title, A History of the World in 80 Lost Women, brings together stories of remarkable women from across time and cultures, expanding on the themes of her podcast with wit and insight.

Olivia also created Around the World in 80 Diapers, a resource for parents traveling internationally with young children, showcasing her knack for practical storytelling. Across all her work, Olivia Meikle is committed to amplifying women’s voices and inspiring readers and listeners to rethink history. Through podcasts, books, and teaching, she makes learning vibrant, inclusive, and full of curiosity, ensuring that forgotten women finally get the recognition they deserve.