Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

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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


    • Aug 4, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 52m AVG DURATION
    • 418 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    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.



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    Latest episodes from Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

    Part One: Indymedia: How Lefty Techies and Journalists Reinvented the Internet

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2025 54:18 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Book Club: Hermetica, by Alan Lea, Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2025 32:32 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Rewind: The Japanese Anarchists Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 45:55 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Rewind: The Japanese Anarchists Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 52:28 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Book Club: How to Live Like the World is Ending by Margaret Killoy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2025 30:30 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you an essay about how to think about living during what feels like apocalyptic times. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: Street Medics: The People Who Wash Pepperspray Out of Your Eyes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2025 59:19 Transcription Available


    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.

    Part One: Street Medics: The People Who Wash Pepperspray Out of Your Eyes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2025 56:02 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Book Club: Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2025 29:07 Transcription Available


    Margaret got talked into doing something fun for book club this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The National Lawyers Guild: The Legal Arm of Basically Every Social Movement in the US

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025 59:28 Transcription Available


    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.

    Part One: The National Lawyers Guild: The Legal Arm of Basically Every Social Movement in the US

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025 51:08 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Book Club: Diary of a Lunatic by Leo Tolstoy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2025 39:05 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you a story about mental health, panic disorders, and anticapitalism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Rewind: Part Two: The Battle of Negro Fort: Florida's Maroon Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 60:58 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Rewind: Part One: The Battle of Negro Fort: Florida's Maroon Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025 63:49 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Book Club Presents: The Evolution of an Agitator, by Lizzie M. Holmes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2025 25:55 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you a story about the endless quest to find the roots of inequality. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: Bread And Puppet: The Dawn of Giant Protest Puppets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025 54:47 Transcription Available


    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.

    Part One: Bread And Puppet: The Dawn of Giant Protest Puppets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025 52:42 Transcription Available


    Margaret talks to Jamie Loftus about some radical hippies who built gigantic puppets and an entire culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: Assembly Line, by B. Traven

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2025 32:21 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you a story about arts and crafts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: The Battle in Seattle: How Scrappy Protesters Shut Down the World Trade Organization

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025 36:15 Transcription Available


    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.

    Part One: The Battle in Seattle: How Scrappy Protesters Shut Down the World Trade Organiation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025 41:29 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Book Club: Two More Stories by Leo Tolstoy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2025 28:24 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you two more stories about anticapitalism and religion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: The Black Bloc: It's a Tactic, Not an Organization

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025 56:22 Transcription Available


    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.

    Part One: The Black Bloc: It's a Tactic, Not an Organization

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025 58:30 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Book Club: After the Dance by Leo Tolstoy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2025 27:44 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you a story about what it takes to break from society in disgust. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Four: The Alter-Globalization Movement: From the Zapatistas to the Battle of Seattle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025 30:30 Transcription Available


    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.

    Part Three: The Alter-Globalization Movement: From the Zapatistas to the Battle of Seattle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 27:54 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Book Club : The Revolutionary Fables of Ricardo Flores Magón, Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2025 33:43 Transcription Available


    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.

    CZM Rewind: Part Two: Before the Mexican Revolution: Ricardo Flores Magón and the peasants who ended a dictatorship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025 61:20 Transcription Available


    Margaret continues talking with Kat Abu about the Mexican liberals who became anarchists and sparked a revolution. Original Air Date: 7.26.23 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Rewind: Part One: Before the Mexican Revolution: Ricardo Flores Magón and the peasants who ended a dictatorship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2025 75:33 Transcription Available


    Margaret talks with Kat Abu about the Mexican liberals who became anarchists and sparked a revolution. Original Air Date: 7.24.23See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: The Revolutionary Fables of Ricardo Flores Magón

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 27:16 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you several short stories written by the one of the ideological leaders of the Mexican Revolution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: The Alter-Globalization Movement: From the Zapatistas to the Battle of Seattle

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 33:51 Transcription Available


    Margaret tells 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.

    Part One: The Alter-Globalization Movement: From the Zapatistas to the Battle of Seattle

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2025 40:25 Transcription Available


    Margaret tells 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.

    CZM Book Club: The Abbot of Druimenach

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2025 21:22 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you an Irish fairy tale about gender transformation that she really likes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: Habeas Corpus and the Peasant Origins of Western Democracy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 49:19 Transcription Available


    Margaret continues talking with Kat Abughazaleh about the folk councils that came to define English Common Law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part One: Habeus Corpus and the Peasant Origins of Western Democracy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 44:04 Transcription Available


    Margaret talks with Kat Abughazaleh about the folk councils that came to define English Common Law. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: Soria Moria Castle

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 27:07 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads you a classic norse fairy tale and then makes a thin and likely incorrect argument for why it's a queer parable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: How We Beat Polio But Not the Mythmaking Around Jonas Salk

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 57:58 Transcription Available


    Margaret talks with Anney Reese about how a group of people made polio vaccines and ended polio but how one guy took all the credit and ruined our understanding of history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part One: How We Beat Polio But Not the Mythmaking Around Jonas Salk

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 55:56 Transcription Available


    Margaret talks with Anney Reese about how a group of people made polio vaccines and ended polio but how one guy took all the credit and ruined our understanding of history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: The Barrow Will Send What it May, Chapters Eight and Nine

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 33:36 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads the final two chapters of her book The Barrow Will Send What it May. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: International Antifascists in Ukraine: the Story of Anarchists at War Against Putin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 47:26 Transcription Available


    Margaret continues talking with Ron Placone about three antifascists who died protecting a humanitarian corridor--and one would-be antifascist who died on the other side of the war. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part One: International Antifascists in Ukraine: the Story of Anarchists at War Against Putin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 54:32 Transcription Available


    Margaret talks with Ron Placone about three antifascists who died protecting a humanitarian corridor--and one would-be antifascist who died on the other side of the war. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: The Barrow May Send What it May, Chapter Seven

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 23:16 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads chapter seven of her book The Barrow Will Send What it MaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: A War Against Tankies and Tanks: the Hungarian Revolution of 1956

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 64:48 Transcription Available


    Margaret continues talking with Mia Wong about the communists and socialists who fought for workers’ power against the USSR.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part One: A War Against Tankies and Tanks: the Hungarian Revolution of 1956

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 64:40 Transcription Available


    Margaret talks with Mia Wong about the communists and socialists who fought for workers’ power against the USSR.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: The Barrow Will Send What it May, Chapter Six

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2025 20:04 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads chapter six of her book, The Barrow Will Send What it May.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: Women of War: Partisan Struggle Against Italian Fascism with Suzanne Cope

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 54:41 Transcription Available


    Author Suzanne Cope continues teaching Margaret about the history of women partisans in the Italian resistance, from her upcoming book Women of War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part One: Women of War: Partisan Struggle Against Italian Fascism with Suzanne Cope

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 47:45 Transcription Available


    Author Suzanne Cope teaches Margaret about the history of women partisans in the Italian resistance, from her upcoming book Women of War.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: The Barrow Will Send What it May, Chapter Five

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2025 19:55 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads chapter five of her book The Barrow Will Send What it May.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: Black Antifascists In the Spanish Civil War

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 53:02 Transcription Available


    Jordan from The Dugout continues teaching Margaret about the long history of Black antifascism that brought people to fight in the Spanish Civil War. James Yates, Mississippi to MadridSalaria Kea, “Doing Christ’s Duty”Canute Frankson’s letter from Spain (1937)“The Good Fight” (Documentary)Peter N. Carroll, The Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln BrigadeALBA-Valb.org archivesTrussel.com, “The Peekskill Riots”National Archives & Harlem Oral History ProjectKuykendall, Ronald A. "African Blood Brotherhood: Independent Marxism During the Harlem Renaissance." Western Journal of Black Studies 26 (Spring 2002): African Blood Brotherhood. The Principles of the African Blood Brotherhood. New York: African Blood Brotherhood, David Motadel, Islam and the European Empires (2014)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part One: Black Antifascists In the Spanish Civil War

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 61:45 Transcription Available


    Jordan from The Dugout teaches Margaret about the long history of Black antifascism that brought people to fight in the Spanish Civil War. James Yates, Mississippi to MadridSalaria Kea, “Doing Christ’s Duty”Canute Frankson’s letter from Spain (1937)“The Good Fight” (Documentary)Peter N. Carroll, The Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln BrigadeALBA-Valb.org archivesTrussel.com, “The Peekskill Riots”National Archives & Harlem Oral History ProjectKuykendall, Ronald A. "African Blood Brotherhood: Independent Marxism During the Harlem Renaissance." Western Journal of Black Studies 26 (Spring 2002): African Blood Brotherhood. The Principles of the African Blood Brotherhood. New York: African Blood Brotherhood, David Motadel, Islam and the European Empires (2014)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: The Barrow Will Send What it May, Chapter Four

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2025 25:50 Transcription Available


    Margaret reads another chapter from the second book in her Danielle Cain series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Part Two: A Madhouse Against the Nazis: the Story of François Tosquelles and Saint-Albans

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 71:02 Transcription Available


    Margaret continues talking with Allison Raskin about the antifascist asylum in France that armed partisans and reinvented psychiatry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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