

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 2min
CZM Rewind: Part One, Lakota Resistance to the American Empire
Margaret talks with Miriam about two centuries of resistance to American imperialism, from Crazy Horse to Leonard Peltier. Original Air Date: 11.27.23See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 28, 2025 • 28min
CZM Book Club: Everything that Isn't Winter, by Margaret Killjoy, Part Two
Dive into a gripping tale as Margaret reads the intense climax of her story. Aiden bravely navigates a destroyed lodge amidst guilt and chaos. The suspense escalates with plans for sabotage and a thrilling gunfight. As Aiden confronts the enemy's leader, emotions run high. The aftermath sees Aiden searching for a lost friend, leading to heartfelt reconciliations. Love and hope triumph in a world turned upside down. The intricate storytelling shines as Margaret reflects on narrative structure and character development.

Dec 22, 2025 • 51min
Part One: Priest Holes: How to Hide People From the Authorities (in Medieval England)
Margaret talks to Chelsey Weber-Smith about the saint who built hidden compartments to hide priests during the persecution of Catholics in England. Sources: https://ewtn.co.uk/article-st-nicholas-owen-builder-of-secret-hiding-places-for-priests/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2005/11/02/hindlip_gunpowder_plot_feature.shtml https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/harvington-hall https://www.ancientpages.com/2017/12/05/nicholas-owen-little-john-paid-highest-price-ingenious-camouflaged-places-hide/ https://fellowshipandfairydust.com/2022/02/18/st-nicholas-owen/ https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/year-8/mary-i-reading/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_of_the_monasteries https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/why-was-anne-boleyn-executed/ https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/beyond-the-pale.html https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/9/1055 https://www.jstor.org/stable/26845784?read-now=1&seq=4#page_scan_tab_contents https://www.advocate.com/history/king-james-bible-queer https://www.worldhistory.org/Gunpowder_Plot/ https://www.catholicpamphlets.net/files/pamphlets/mary%20tudor%20and%20the%20protestants.pdf https://catholic.heritage-history.com/site/hclass/saints_heroes/reformation/php/martyrs.php https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/civil_war_revolution/gunpowder_hutton_01.shtmlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 21, 2025 • 22min
CZM Book Club: Everything that Isn't Winter, by Margaret Killjoy, Part One
Margaret reads you part one (of two) of her own story about post-apocalyptic love and violenceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 17, 2025 • 58min
Part Two: Spartacus and the Thurii Commune: How a Slave Rebellion in Ancient Rome Reimagined Society
Margaret continues her talk with Katy Stoll about the leaderless society that almost overthrew Rome. Sources: Radical Antiquity, Christopher B. Zeichmann https://www.worldhistory.org/Ostracism/ https://web.archive.org/web/20170719062739/http://www.livius.org/li-ln/livy/periochae/periochae091.html#95 https://web.archive.org/web/20160326113007/http://www.livius.org/so-st/spartacus/spartacus.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220855/http://www.livius.org/so-st/spartacus/spartacus2.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110805121329/http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-dgra/0581.html https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Appian/Civil_Wars/1*.html#116 https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Crassus*.html#9 http://www.fsmitha.com/h1/ch18.htm https://www.historyextra.com/period/roman/roman-republic-guide-how-senate-plebeians-citizenship-women-democratic-fall-end/ https://www.thecollector.com/first-servile-war-revolt-shook-rome/ https://www.thecollector.com/second-servile-war-slave-rebellion/ https://www.rfmwilliams.com/the-sicilian-slave-revolts-of-ancient-rome/ https://warflute.org/armies/sicilian_slave_revolts_135-132_104-103_bc_polemicus_army_t3.html http://societasviaromana.net/Collegium_Religionis/human_sacrifice.php https://www.history.co.uk/articles/gladiatorial-games-in-ancient-rome https://pressbooks.claremont.edu/clas112pomonavalentine/chapter/why-are-we-so-uncomfortable-the-confusing-taboo-of-menstruation-in-ancient-rome-and-modern-america/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 15, 2025 • 51min
Part One: Spartacus and the Thurii Commune: How a Slave Rebellion in Ancient Rome Reimagined Society
Join journalist Katy Stoll as she dives into the thrilling world of Spartacus and the Thurii commune—a leaderless society that nearly toppled Rome. Discover the revolt's surprising accomplishments and the intriguing concept of 'anarchia,' which means 'without leaders.' Stoll discusses how the Roman Republic's structure intertwined with issues of slavery and conquest, linking ancient struggles to modern movements against oppression. This insightful conversation sheds light on a pivotal moment in history that still resonates today.

Dec 14, 2025 • 27min
CZM Book Club: Macramé Flames, by Eric Raglin
Dive into the chaotic world of nightmare queers with a tale of a fiery arson spree. Discover the allure of queer cults as characters embark on a mission to unleash hell on earth. Follow Thorpe as he navigates suburban life, grapples with his past, and takes on a ritual role that sets off a supernatural catastrophe. The narrative culminates in a colossal inferno and an apocalyptic rebirth, leaving listeners pondering themes of intimacy and destruction. It's a captivating blend of dark humor and horror that celebrates unconventional storytelling.

Dec 10, 2025 • 55min
Part Two: Diogenes: The Greek Philosopher Who Pissed on the Rich
Margaret continues her dicussion with Dana El Kurd about Diogenes, the founder of the Cynics, who was kind of an edgelord and lived in a jarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 8, 2025 • 50min
Part One: Diogenes: The Greek Philosopher Who Pissed on the Rich
Margaret talks to Dana El Kurd about Diogenes, the founder of the Cynics, who was kind of an edgelord and lived in a jar. Sources: The Dangerous Life and Ideas of Diogenes the Cynic, Jean-Manuel Roubineau How to Say No: An Ancient Guide to the Cynicism, Diogenes (edited by MD Usher) https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16916263 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_Greece https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/ancient-history/ancient-greek-slavery/ https://www.gutenberg.org/files/57342/57342-h/57342-h.htmSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 7, 2025 • 1h 44min
CZM Book Club: Pathfinder: Dawn of the Frogs, Part Six
Who says ecoterrorism is bad? In fantasy games?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


