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.
Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
The Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff podcast is a delightful gem that brings positivity and fascinating historical figures to the forefront with humor, great research, and insightful guests. Hosted by Margaret and Sophie, this podcast has quickly become a favorite for many listeners. One of the best aspects of the show is the incredible research that goes into each episode. Margaret's thoroughness shines through as she presents well-rounded stories about history's neglected individuals. The guests that are featured on the show bring their own expertise and add depth to the discussions. The storytelling and banter between Margaret and her guests create an engaging listening experience. Additionally, Margaret's infectious laughter adds a touch of joy to every episode.
As with any podcast, there may be some minor drawbacks to The Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff. Some listeners may find the casual tone of the show too informal or lacking in academic rigor. However, it is important to note that this podcast aims to make history accessible to all audiences, which can be both a strength and weakness depending on personal preferences. Another aspect that could be improved upon is the frequency of episodes. While every episode is eagerly anticipated by fans, it would be wonderful to have more content from this podcast.
In conclusion, The Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning about neglected figures in history who have made significant contributions but have been overlooked by mainstream narratives. Margaret's talent as a storyteller combined with her passion for these radical histories creates an uplifting and inspiring atmosphere throughout each episode. With great research, fantastic guests, and an overall positive tone, this podcast offers a unique perspective on historical events while keeping listeners entertained and informed.
Margaret talks with Jamie Loftus about Baba Yaga, the Slavic legend who eats children and occasionally helps people. Original Air Date: 11.7.2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kicking off spooky month with a story about demons that I don't want to spoil by telling you more about but it's so good I promise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues talking to Katie Goldin about the anarchist prince who laid the foundations for understanding cooperation in the wild. Sources: https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/who-was-peter-kropothkin https://trise.org/2018/01/04/kropotkin-and-climate-change/ https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/allan-antliff-memorializing-kropotkin https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1883/don/ch07c.htm https://evolution.berkeley.edu/the-history-of-evolutionary-thought/1800s/uniformitarianism-charles-lyell/ https://summitborn.com/discovery-of-the-ice-age/ https://logarithmichistory.wordpress.com/2024/11/18/gradualism-10/ https://strangescience.net/lyell.htm https://medium.com/science-spectrum/how-darwin-discovered-invented-evolution-4d99aadf5656 https://psyche.co/ideas/kropotkin-the-radical-aristocrat-who-put-kindness-on-a-scientific-footing https://www.marxists.org/subject/science/essays/kropotkin.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks to Katie Goldin about the anarchist prince who laid the foundations for understanding cooperation in the wild. https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/who-was-peter-kropothkin https://trise.org/2018/01/04/kropotkin-and-climate-change/ https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/allan-antliff-memorializing-kropotkin https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1883/don/ch07c.htm https://evolution.berkeley.edu/the-history-of-evolutionary-thought/1800s/uniformitarianism-charles-lyell/ https://summitborn.com/discovery-of-the-ice-age/ https://logarithmichistory.wordpress.com/2024/11/18/gradualism-10/ https://strangescience.net/lyell.htm https://medium.com/science-spectrum/how-darwin-discovered-invented-evolution-4d99aadf5656 https://psyche.co/ideas/kropotkin-the-radical-aristocrat-who-put-kindness-on-a-scientific-footing https://www.marxists.org/subject/science/essays/kropotkin.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you a story about yearning and magic and folklore and teenage gays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads a piece from CrimethInc with practical steps for resisting state repression. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks about the current political landscape and how to prepare ourselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret sits down with author Alan Lea to discuss his novella, Hermetica. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks with Bridget Todd about Jagadish Chandra Bose, the inventor of radio, and Kenneth Rexroth, the poet involved in the creation of public radio. Sources https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/kenneth-rexroth https://libcom.org/article/rexroth-kenneth-1905-1982 https://www.montecitojournal.net/2023/05/16/kenneth-rexroth-a-poet-of-montecito/ https://www.britannica.com/technology/telegraph https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/rescue-development-radio/ https://gizmodo.com/a-magician-used-the-first-pirate-radio-station-to-troll-1681527405 https://www.wshu.org/vintage-radio/2015-12-14/so-what-did-marconi-hear https://www.orarc.org/?p=2297 https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v06/n01/george-woodcock/elegy-for-an-anarchist https://discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2022/8/28/kenneth-rexroth/ https://crimethinc.com/2020/12/22/a-poem-by-kenneth-rexroth-painted-across-the-rooftops-of-the-world-on-the-occasion-of-his-birthday https://www.thing.net/~grist/ld/young/revkyoung.htm https://www.bopsecrets.org/rexroth/sf/1961.htm https://www.literatureandarts.com/kenneth-rexroth/project-four-2h97g https://www.pgurus.com/multi-faceted-single-minded-nationalist/ https://www.theheritagelab.in/jagadish-bose-home-interior-design-architecture/ https://interestingengineering.com/culture/jagadish-chandra-bose-father-modern-wi-fi https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/the-thinking-plants-man/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks with Bridget Todd about Jagadish Chandra Bose, the inventor of radio, and Kenneth Rexroth, the poet involved in the creation of public radio. Sources: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/kenneth-rexroth https://libcom.org/article/rexroth-kenneth-1905-1982 https://www.montecitojournal.net/2023/05/16/kenneth-rexroth-a-poet-of-montecito/ https://www.britannica.com/technology/telegraph https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/rescue-development-radio/ https://gizmodo.com/a-magician-used-the-first-pirate-radio-station-to-troll-1681527405 https://www.wshu.org/vintage-radio/2015-12-14/so-what-did-marconi-hear https://www.orarc.org/?p=2297 https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v06/n01/george-woodcock/elegy-for-an-anarchist https://discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2022/8/28/kenneth-rexroth/ https://crimethinc.com/2020/12/22/a-poem-by-kenneth-rexroth-painted-across-the-rooftops-of-the-world-on-the-occasion-of-his-birthday https://www.thing.net/~grist/ld/young/revkyoung.htm https://www.bopsecrets.org/rexroth/sf/1961.htm https://www.literatureandarts.com/kenneth-rexroth/project-four-2h97See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret brings you the conclusion of the tale of Hermetica.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues her talk with Bursts about the surprising history of pirate radio and the three way fight for control of the airwaves. Sources: https://files.libcom.org/files/radio-is-my-bomb-part-1.pdf https://files.libcom.org/files/radio-is-my-bomb-part-2.pdf https://files.libcom.org/files/Radio%20Alice.pdf https://autonomies.org/2023/02/italy-autonomia-5/ https://autonomies.org/2023/02/italy-autonomia-5/ https://www.thejournal.ie/ronan-orahilly-radio-caroline-death-5079760-Apr2020/ https://web.archive.org/web/20100524063428/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7053070.ece https://web.archive.org/web/20071018203739/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/09/27/bvradio127.xml&page=1 https://web.archive.org/web/20110719070410/http://www.offshoreradio.de/fleet/shivering.htm https://www.bobleroi.co.uk/ScrapBook/SutchCityPics1/SutchCityPics1.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks with Bursts about the surprising history of pirate radio and the three way fight for control of the airwaves. Sources: https://files.libcom.org/files/radio-is-my-bomb-part-1.pdf https://files.libcom.org/files/radio-is-my-bomb-part-2.pdf https://files.libcom.org/files/Radio%20Alice.pdf https://autonomies.org/2023/02/italy-autonomia-5/ https://autonomies.org/2023/02/italy-autonomia-5/ https://www.thejournal.ie/ronan-orahilly-radio-caroline-death-5079760-Apr2020/ https://web.archive.org/web/20100524063428/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article7053070.ece https://web.archive.org/web/20071018203739/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2007/09/27/bvradio127.xml&page=1 https://web.archive.org/web/20110719070410/http://www.offshoreradio.de/fleet/shivering.htm https://www.bobleroi.co.uk/ScrapBook/SutchCityPics1/SutchCityPics1.htmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues with tale of Hermetica, the generation ship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues her talk with Mangesh Hattikudur about the antifascist who invented table soccer and the socialist photographer who invented air mail. Sources: https://spainonthisday.com/alejandro-finisterre-the-inventor-of-table-football https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/feb/24/guardianobituaries.spain https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Finisterre https://historia-hispanica.rah.es/biografias/50737-alejandro-campos-ramirez https://raicesalaire.com/alejandro-finisterre/ https://www.revistadefrente.cl/el-poeta-anarquista-que-invento-el-taca-taca-para-la-ninez-victima-de-la-guerra-civil-espanola/ https://www.adiantegalicia.es/reportaxes/2019/09/08/alejandro-finisterre-la-historia-jamas-contada-del-genio-del-futbolin-en-el-ano-del-centenario-de-su-natalicio.html https://www.lambiek.net/artists/n/nadar.htm https://time.com/5289117/aerial-photography-drones-history/ https://www.thoughtco.com/the-first-impressionist-exhibition-183013See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks with Mangesh Hattikudur about the antifascist who invented table soccer and the socialist photographer who invented air mail. Sources: https://spainonthisday.com/alejandro-finisterre-the-inventor-of-table-football https://www.theguardian.com/news/2007/feb/24/guardianobituaries.spain https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Finisterre https://historia-hispanica.rah.es/biografias/50737-alejandro-campos-ramirez https://raicesalaire.com/alejandro-finisterre/ https://www.revistadefrente.cl/el-poeta-anarquista-que-invento-el-taca-taca-para-la-ninez-victima-de-la-guerra-civil-espanola/ https://www.adiantegalicia.es/reportaxes/2019/09/08/alejandro-finisterre-la-historia-jamas-contada-del-genio-del-futbolin-en-el-ano-del-centenario-de-su-natalicio.html https://www.lambiek.net/artists/n/nadar.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret brings you further along into the tale of Hermetica, the generation ship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues talking about how people confronted trade summit after trade summit, fighting tooth, nail, and pom-pom against unelected world governance. Sources: https://crimethinc.com/2021/11/30/epilogue-on-the-movement-against-capitalist-globalization-22-years-after-n30-what-it-can-teach-us-today http://www.ainfos.ca/99/jun/ainfos00181.html https://crimethinc.com/2017/06/18/flashback-to-june-18-1999-the-carnival-against-capital-a-retrospective-video-and-comic https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/j18.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret brings you further along into the tale of Hermetica, the generation ship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In part two of this weeks episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Samantha McVey about the more than a hundred women who provided safe, affordable abortion in pre- Roe v Wade Chicago. Original Air Date: 5.11.2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks with Samantha McVey about the more than a hundred women who provided safe, affordable abortion in pre- Roe v Wade Chicago. Original Air Date: 5.9.2022See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret brings you further along into the tale of Hermetica, the generation ship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks about how people confronted trade summit after trade summit, fighting tooth, nail, and pom-pom against unelected world governance. Sources: https://crimethinc.com/2021/11/30/epilogue-on-the-movement-against-capitalist-globalization-22-years-after-n30-what-it-can-teach-us-today http://www.ainfos.ca/99/jun/ainfos00181.html https://crimethinc.com/2017/06/18/flashback-to-june-18-1999-the-carnival-against-capital-a-retrospective-video-and-comic https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/j18.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues with Hermetica and our protagonist discovers... a clue!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues talking to Sarah Marshall about the Independent Media Centers that helped protesters build movements and changed how online communication happens. Sources: https://daily.jstor.org/the-invention-of-journalistic-objectivity/ https://daily.jstor.org/to-fix-fake-news-look-to-yellow-journalism/ https://web.archive.org/web/20200304071058/http://www.infoshop.org/about-us/ https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3485447.3512282#fig3See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks to Sarah Marshall about the Independent Media Centers that helped protesters build movements and changed how online communication happens. Sources: https://daily.jstor.org/the-invention-of-journalistic-objectivity/ https://daily.jstor.org/to-fix-fake-news-look-to-yellow-journalism/ https://web.archive.org/web/20200304071058/http://www.infoshop.org/about-us/ https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3485447.3512282#fig3 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0163443720926039 https://www.academia.edu/21814073/Indymedia_Journalism_A_Radical_Way_of_Making_Selecting_and_Sharing_News https://www.academia.edu/45052617/Indymedia_and_Media_Activism_at_the_Turn_of_the_Millennium https://crimethinc.com/2017/08/25/german-government-shuts-down-indymedia-what-it-means-and-what-to-do https://crimethinc.com/2022/10/28/the-billionaire-and-the-anarchists-tracing-twitter-from-its-roots-as-a-protest-tool-to-elon-musks-acquisition https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeldelcastillo/2022/09/11/jack-dorseys-former-boss-is-building-a-decentralized-twitter/ https://libcom.org/article/sources-and-police-raid-bristol-indymedia https://www.cjr.org/business_of_news/local-news-indymedia-network-25-anniversary.phpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you a modern speculative fiction novella written in the classic style that she thinks you'll like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're once again joined by Margaret Killjoy, host of the new podcast Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff, to talk about the history of anarchism in Japan. Original Air Date: 4.29.22 on It Could Happen HereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're joined by Margaret Killjoy, host of the new podcast Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff, to talk about the history of anarchism in Japan. Original Air Date: 4.28.22 on It Could Happen HereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you an essay about how to think about living during what feels like apocalyptic times. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks to Kaveh Hoda about the decentralized medical infrastructure that keeps protesters safe. Sources: non-public training documents provided by a street medic friendhttps://www.bu.edu/bostonia/fall10/street-medic/street-medic.pdfhttp://web.archive.org/web/20250220125506/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5024403/http://web.archive.org/web/20241028174039/https://massleague.org/CHC/History.phphttps://web.archive.org/web/20250212163349/https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/medical-committee-human-rights/2014-09 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/28/health/h-jack-geiger-dead.html https://medium.com/@Hesperian/care-for-where-there-is-no-justice-the-modern-history-of-street-medics-and-how-they-support-social-a02e940523d4https://www.fifthestate.org/archive/416-spring-2025/the-praxis-of-street-medics/ https://mutualaiddisasterrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kupdf.net_street-medic-handbook.pdfhttps://tabpres.org/the-flying-black-medics/https://web.archive.org/web/20071220215141/http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/other_stories/multipage/documents/02704493.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks to Kaveh Hoda about the decentralized medical infrastructure that keeps protesters safe. Sources: non-public training documents provided by a street medic friendhttps://www.bu.edu/bostonia/fall10/street-medic/street-medic.pdfhttp://web.archive.org/web/20250220125506/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5024403/http://web.archive.org/web/20241028174039/https://massleague.org/CHC/History.phphttps://web.archive.org/web/20250212163349/https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/medical-committee-human-rights/2014-09 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/28/health/h-jack-geiger-dead.html https://medium.com/@Hesperian/care-for-where-there-is-no-justice-the-modern-history-of-street-medics-and-how-they-support-social-a02e940523d4https://www.fifthestate.org/archive/416-spring-2025/the-praxis-of-street-medics/ https://mutualaiddisasterrelief.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/kupdf.net_street-medic-handbook.pdfhttps://tabpres.org/the-flying-black-medics/https://web.archive.org/web/20071220215141/http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/other_stories/multipage/documents/02704493.htm https://archive.org/stream/street-medic-guide-paper-revolution-collective-See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret got talked into doing something fun for book club this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues talking to Joelle Monique about the almost 90 year history of the organization for progressive and radical lawyers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks to Joelle Monique about the almost 90 year history of the organization for progressive and radical lawyersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you a story about mental health, panic disorders, and anticapitalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues talking with Jamie Loftus about the Black and Indigenous soldiers who lived free in a fort in Spanish Florida until Andrew Jackson broke a lot of laws to fight them. Orginial Air Date: 12.20.23See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks with Jamie Loftus about the Black and Indigenous soldiers who lived free in a fort in Spanish Florida until Andrew Jackson broke a lot of laws to fight them. Original Air Date: 12.18.23 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you a story about the endless quest to find the roots of inequality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues talking to Jamie Loftus about some radical hippies who built gigantic puppets and an entire culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks to Jamie Loftus about some radical hippies who built gigantic puppets and an entire culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you a story about arts and crafts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues telling you about the Direct Action Network that organized the successful shutdown of the WTO in November, 1999. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret tells you about the Direct Action Network that organized the successful shutdown of the WTO in November, 1999 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you two more stories about anticapitalism and religion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues talking with Molly Conger about the history of protestors wearing black and masks while fighting neoliberalism and fascism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret talks with Molly Conger about the history of protestors wearing black and masks while fighting neoliberalism and fascism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you a story about what it takes to break from society in disgust. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues telling you about the rise of neoliberalism and the rise of its opposition and about better ideas about how to globalize society. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret continues telling you about the rise of neoliberalism and the rise of its opposition and about better ideas about how to globalize society.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Margaret reads you more short stories written by the one of the ideological leaders of the Mexican Revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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