Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

As long as there’s been oppression, there’ve been people fighting it. This weekly podcast dives into history to drag up the wildest rebels, the most beautiful revolts, and all the people who long to be—and fight to be—free. It explores complex stories of resistance that offer lessons and inspiration for us today, focusing on the ensemble casts that make up each act of history. That is to say, this podcast focuses on Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff.

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Our Editor's Take

Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff is a fun history podcast. It views history as being more than about great men with titles. This podcast talks about lesser-known aspects of history and others trying to make this a better world. Margaret Killjoy, a self-described anarchist, hosts the show. Sophie Rae Lichterman joins as cohost on most episodes.

This podcast explores complex tales of people fighting the power throughout time. Each episode focuses on the way groups of misfits and rebels helped change the course of history. Listeners will learn about how others struggled against injustice. Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff also explains the lessons these stories have for people of today. The hosts guide listeners through these inspiring stories with enthusiasm and passion. They also interview experts to get their insight.

The podcast is good for anyone looking to gain historic insight. Listeners can hear how individuals have fought back against oppressive systems throughout history. It offers hope by showcasing those who stood up when it mattered most. Many did so, even if it meant risking everything they had. Show topics on Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff include the gay men and women behind the Stonewall Riots. "Chumbawamba: How to Sell Out, But in a Good Way" talks about the band behind a famous song. Pirate queen Grace O'Malley gets explained on this show. So does the IWW union.

Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff has a progressive political tone to it. But history fans of all political beliefs may still learn something from this podcast. The show also gives inspiration during tough times. Listeners can hear new episodes several times each week. They can learn more about those cool people who indeed did cool stuff. Fans can also gain valuable insights from this show about peace and justice.

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HistoryHistory

Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Play Trailer

Introducing: Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

Introducing: Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

Lots of cool people in history have done really cool stuff. Let Margaret Killjoy tell you about them. In this trailer, learn about the cool anarchist bank robbers who performed a cool jailbreak in Uruguay in 1931.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

CZM Rewind: Part One: The Armed Nonviolent Civil Rights Movement

CZM Rewind: Part One: The Armed Nonviolent Civil Rights Movement

We JUST got back from Holiday and haven't recorded yet, so in THIS CZM Rewind Margaret talks with Joelle Monique about how the Deacons for Defense and Justice, the NAACP, and others organized for self-defense during the Civil Rights Era.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CZM Rewind: Part Two: The Vampires Are On Our Side: Antifascism in Film

CZM Rewind: Part Two: The Vampires Are On Our Side: Antifascism in Film

In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Caitlin Durante about the antifascist filmmaking in Germany and Hollywood that laid much of the foundations for modern cinema. Original Air Date: 10.19.22See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CZM Rewind: Part One: The Vampires Are On Our Side: Antifascism in Film

CZM Rewind: Part One: The Vampires Are On Our Side: Antifascism in Film

Margaret talks with Caitlin Durante about the antifascist filmmaking in Germany and Hollywood that laid much of the foundations for modern cinema. Original Air Date: 10.17.22See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two: A People's History of Potatoes

Part Two: A People's History of Potatoes

In the second part of this reverse episode, author Wren Awry finishes teaching Margaret the complex and wonderful history of one of the best vegetables in the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part One: A People's History of Potatoes

Part One: A People's History of Potatoes

In this reverse episode, author Wren Awry teaches Margaret the complex and wonderful history of one of the best vegetables in the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CZM Book Club: The Free Orcs of Cascadia by Margaret Killjoy

CZM Book Club: The Free Orcs of Cascadia by Margaret Killjoy

It's a Book Club Rerun! Margaret Killjoy reads her short story, The Free Orcs of Cascadia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cool Rerun Part Two: The Jane Collective: Direct Action Abortion Access Works

Cool Rerun Part Two: The Jane Collective: Direct Action Abortion Access Works

It's another Cool People Cool Rerun! Margaret finishes talking with Samantha McVey about the more than a hundred women who provided safe, affordable abortion in pre- Roe v Wade Chicago.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cool Rerun Part One: The Jane Collective: Direct Action Abortion Access Works

Cool Rerun Part One: The Jane Collective: Direct Action Abortion Access Works

It's a Cool People Cool Rerun! Margaret talks with Samantha McVey about the more than a hundred women who provided safe, affordable abortion in pre- Roe v Wade Chicago.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CZM Book Club: Nazis Don't Go To Valhalla

CZM Book Club: Nazis Don't Go To Valhalla

Book Club Rerun from the ol' ICHH archive - now with Book Club wrapping! Margaret Killjoy joins us to read a special spooky week ghost story about the 2nd American Civil War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two: Witches: Witches Were Pretty Cool Even Though They Didn't Really Exist

Part Two: Witches: Witches Were Pretty Cool Even Though They Didn't Really Exist

Margaret finishes telling you about the history of European witchcraft and the witch trials and how it all came down to a contest between Catholics and Protestants to see who could murder the most people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part One: Witches: Witches Were Pretty Cool Even Though They Didn't Really Exist

Part One: Witches: Witches Were Pretty Cool Even Though They Didn't Really Exist

Margaret tells you about the history of European witchcraft and the witch trials and how it all came down to a contest between Catholics and Protestants to see who could murder the most people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CZM Book Club: A Bunch of Stories About Russian Witches

CZM Book Club: A Bunch of Stories About Russian Witches

Margaret reads you folklore about witches in Russia, because she likes witches and it's still sort of Halloween.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two: Halloween Special: Spooky Stories

Part Two: Halloween Special: Spooky Stories

Margaret reads Prop the other horror story she wrote.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part One: Halloween Special: Spooky Stories

Part One: Halloween Special: Spooky Stories

Margaret reads Prop two horror stories she wrote.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CZM Book Club: "The Vampire Maid" by Hume Nisbet

CZM Book Club: "The Vampire Maid" by Hume Nisbet

Margaret reads you a story in which vampires serve as a metaphor for yet another thing, because vampires are cool.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two: Pura Belpré: The Puerto Rican Librarian Who Brought Bilingual Storytelling to New York

Part Two: Pura Belpré: The Puerto Rican Librarian Who Brought Bilingual Storytelling to New York

Margaret finishes telling Samantha McVey some of the history of public libraries and how the first Puerto Rican librarian in the US changed everything.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part One: Pura Belpré: The Puerto Rican Librarian Who Brought Bilingual Storytelling to New York

Part One: Pura Belpré: The Puerto Rican Librarian Who Brought Bilingual Storytelling to New York

Margaret tells Samantha McVey some of the history of public libraries and how the first Puerto Rican librarian in the US changed everything.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CZM Book Club: "The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce

CZM Book Club: "The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce

Margaret reads you the story she figures probably inspired Predator.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two: Pirates, Libertalia, and the Betsimisaraka Confederation

Part Two: Pirates, Libertalia, and the Betsimisaraka Confederation

Margaret finishes telling Molly Crabapple a story about the legends and reality of pirate utopia in Madagascar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part One: Pirates, Libertalia, and the Betsimisaraka Confederation

Part One: Pirates, Libertalia, and the Betsimisaraka Confederation

Margaret tells Molly Crabapple a story about the legends and reality of pirate utopia in MadagascarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.