

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

Nov 17, 2025 • 47min
Part One: Arminius and the Battle of Teutoburg Forest: How the Barbarians Broke the Roman Legions
Hazel Acacia, a dynamic performer known as Murdegana on the Coolzone Media Book Club, joins the discussion about the pivotal Battle of Teutoburg Forest. They explore how this historical event thwarted Roman expansion into Germania and the modern controversies surrounding Arminius, the battle's cunning leader. The conversation delves into ancient perceptions of Germania, the biases in Roman accounts, and the cultural implications of Roman ambition in the region. Hazel and Margaret also address the uncomfortable legacy of this history as it was appropriated by extremist groups.

Nov 16, 2025 • 1h 26min
CZM Book Club: Pathfinder: Dawn of the Frogs, Part Three
All is not well in Bogbottom...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 1min
Part Two: Boudica: The Warrior Queen Who Burned Roman London to the Ground
Margaret continues talking with Io about the Iceni revolt of 61 AD that almost drove Rome out of Britain. Sources: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4434717 https://ul.qucosa.de/api/qucosa%3A31804/attachment/ATT-0/ https://web.archive.org/web/20120612044230/http://www.britarch.ac.uk/ba/ba83/feat3.shtml https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/62*.html#2 https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0078%3Abook%3D14%3Achapter%3D32 https://historyandarchaeologyonline.com/the-evidence-for-the-historical-boudica%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc/ https://vridar.org/2018/05/07/doing-history-how-do-we-know-queen-boadicea-boudicca-existed/ https://www.jstor.org/stable/25471937 http://simoneparrish.com/2016/07/how-i-woad-using-woad-for-body-painting/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 10, 2025 • 58min
Part One: Boudica: The Warrior Queen Who Burned Roman London to the Ground
Explore the fierce Iceni revolt of 61 AD, led by the legendary Boudicca, who sought to drive the Romans from Britain. Delve into the complexities of historical sources portraying her story and the brutal Roman conquests. Discover the cultural backdrop of the Celts, Druid practices, and how Boudicca's personal tragedies sparked a widespread uprising. Learn about the burning of key cities like Londinium and the eventual downfall of the rebellion, alongside the lasting impact of her legacy as an anti-colonial icon.

Nov 9, 2025 • 1h 17min
CZM Book Club: Pathfinder: Dawn of the Frogs, Part Two
In this engaging session, Jason Buhlman, Director of Games at Paizo and a skilled game master, leads the party into the treacherous Bogbottom swamp. They face off against creepy beetles and a massive monitor lizard, debating whether to sneak by or launch a fiery attack. Tension rises as they confront lurking boggards and rescue unconscious villagers from a perilous cage. A mysterious fungus adds urgency to their mission, showcasing both clever strategy and teamwork. Jason's expertise brings the adventure to life with twists at every turn!

Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 5min
Part Two: The Gallae: Trans Priestess of Ancient Rome
Margaret continues her talk with to Gabriel Dunn about the gender deviants of the ancient world and how basically nothing ever changes. Sources: https://arkeonews.net/getting-to-know-matar-kubilea/ https://history.stackexchange.com/questions/56909/what-is-the-difference-between-galli-and-metragyrtai http://www.thehypertexts.com/Epigram%20History%20and%20Examples.htm https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/boadicea/ https://s3.amazonaws.com/arena-attachments/539632/d6348aa09f4510eb5704b6da501f9e7d.pdf https://www.oldest.org/culture/civilizations/ https://www.academuseducation.co.uk/post/ancient-mesopotamian-transgender-and-non-binary-identities https://www.apsu.edu/philomathes/MattinglyPhilomathesONLINE2023.pdfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 3, 2025 • 55min
Part One: The Gallae: Trans Priestess of Ancient Rome
Margaret talks to Gabriel Dunn about the gender deviants of the ancient world and how basically nothing ever changes. Sources https://arkeonews.net/getting-to-know-matar-kubilea/ https://history.stackexchange.com/questions/56909/what-is-the-difference-between-galli-and-metragyrtai http://www.thehypertexts.com/Epigram%20History%20and%20Examples.htm https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/boadicea/ https://s3.amazonaws.com/arena-attachments/539632/d6348aa09f4510eb5704b6da501f9e7d.pdf https://www.oldest.org/culture/civilizations/ https://www.academuseducation.co.uk/post/ancient-mesopotamian-transgender-and-non-binary-identities https://www.apsu.edu/philomathes/MattinglyPhilomathesONLINE2023.pdfSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 29, 2025 • 50min
Part Two: Druids: Because the Past is Metal as Hell
Margaret continues her talk with Sophie about the philosophers of the celts. Sources: https://irishfolklore.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/blacksmiths-and-the-supernatural/https://folklorethursday.com/folklore-of-archaeology/ferrous-friend-foe-iron-became-enemy-fairy-folk/https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/28y8zwazfxaq2tsb933b54wf0slfcj https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/05/02/woodhenge-is-just-as-fascinating-and-mysterious-as-its-famous-neighbor-stonehenge/ https://irishmyths.com/2022/04/29/female-druids/ Barry Cunliffe, Druids: A Very Short Introduction Peter Berresford Ellis, The DruidsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2025 • 51min
Part One: Druids: Because the Past is Metal as Hell
Margaret talks to Sophie about the philosophers of the celts. Sources: https://irishfolklore.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/blacksmiths-and-the-supernatural/https://folklorethursday.com/folklore-of-archaeology/ferrous-friend-foe-iron-became-enemy-fairy-folk/https://www.thearchaeologist.org/blog/28y8zwazfxaq2tsb933b54wf0slfcj https://www.thevintagenews.com/2017/05/02/woodhenge-is-just-as-fascinating-and-mysterious-as-its-famous-neighbor-stonehenge/ https://irishmyths.com/2022/04/29/female-druids/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 26, 2025 • 26min
CZM Book Club: F*ck This Sh*t Manor, by Laurel Hightower
Margaret reads you a haunted house story about real estate desirability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


