

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

Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 11min
CZM Rewind: Baba Yaga: Everyone's Favorite Witch From Folklore, Part One
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.

Oct 5, 2025 • 38min
CZM Book Club: Kushtaka, by Mathilda Zeller
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.

Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 6min
Part Two: Mutual Aid and Evolution: Peter Kropotkin and the Battle for Science
Katie Goldin, host of the podcast How Glaciers Move, dives into the life of anarchist prince Peter Kropotkin, exploring his revolutionary views on mutual aid and cooperation in nature. They discuss Kropotkin's adventurous 30,000-mile journeys through Siberia, where he challenged Darwin's theories on evolution and glaciers. Goldin highlights Kropotkin's insights linking climate change to human societies and emphasizes how modern science supports his notions of cooperation as a key evolutionary advantage. This conversation reveals Kropotkin's lasting influence on both science and social theory.

Sep 29, 2025 • 1h
Part One: Mutual Aid and Evolution: Peter Kropotkin and the Battle for Science
Katie Goldin, a journalist and host of Creature Feature, dives into the fascinating world of Peter Kropotkin, the anarchist prince who championed the role of cooperation in evolution. They discuss how mutual aid manifests in nature, like in the sharing behavior of vampire bats. The conversation contrasts Darwin's theories of competition with Kropotkin's insights on the importance of collaboration. Katie also touches on how geological concepts influenced evolutionary thought and the misuse of science in social Darwinism, illuminating the intersection of science and social justice.

Sep 28, 2025 • 26min
CZM Book Club: Selkie Stories Are For Losers, by Sofia Samatar
Dive into a magical exploration of selkie folklore, where yearning meets teenage romance. The narrator's journey unfolds through her job, relationships, and family stories, revealing a unique twist on classic myths. Discover the emotional depth behind loss and grief as the hosts unpack the narrative’s richness. Plus, gain insights into the author's craft and hear recommendations for more of her work. This episode weaves together magic, emotion, and storytelling in a profoundly engaging way.

9 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 28min
Make Ready: Safeguarding Our Movements against Repression
Join Margaret as she dives into practical strategies for resisting state repression. Learn about maintaining morale and solidarity to undercut intimidation. Discover the strength of decentralized movements and how they complicate state targeting. Get prepared for federal visits with actionable advice and understand your legal rights when the police come knocking. Plus, explore methods to undermine repressive institutions and keep movements united. This episode is a toolkit for activists ready to take proactive steps.

9 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 32min
Part One: I Can't Tell You What's Coming
Delve into the intriguing intersections of free speech and political activism as insightful discussions unfold. Explore historical parallels with the Reichstag fire and learn how movements succeed through unity and organization. Margaret emphasizes the importance of preparedness amidst a shifting political landscape. Personal reflections bring a human touch, discussing anxiety, solidarity, and the power of collective action in shaping an uncertain future. A thought-provoking journey awaits!

Sep 21, 2025 • 35min
CZM Book Club: Hermetica, Interview with Alan Lea
Margaret sits down with author Alan Lea to discuss his novella, Hermetica. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 17, 2025 • 49min
Part Two: Public Radio: From the Open Source Origins to the Pacifist Poets
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.

Sep 15, 2025 • 41min
Part One: Public Radio: From the Open Source Origins to the Pacifist Poets
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.