
Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff
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.
Latest episodes

Oct 23, 2024 • 47min
Part Two: Pura Belpré: The Puerto Rican Librarian Who Brought Bilingual Storytelling to New York
Margaret finishes telling Samantha McVey some of the history of public libraries and how the first Puerto Rican librarian in the US changed everything.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 21, 2024 • 47min
Part One: Pura Belpré: The Puerto Rican Librarian Who Brought Bilingual Storytelling to New York
Margaret tells Samantha McVey some of the history of public libraries and how the first Puerto Rican librarian in the US changed everything.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 20, 2024 • 26min
CZM Book Club: "The Damned Thing" by Ambrose Bierce
Margaret reads you the story she figures probably inspired Predator.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2024 • 56min
Part Two: Pirates, Libertalia, and the Betsimisaraka Confederation
Margaret finishes telling Molly Crabapple a story about the legends and reality of pirate utopia in Madagascar.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 14, 2024 • 54min
Part One: Pirates, Libertalia, and the Betsimisaraka Confederation
Margaret tells Molly Crabapple a story about the legends and reality of pirate utopia in MadagascarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 13, 2024 • 37min
CZM Book Club: "Luella Miller" by Mary Wilkins Freeman
Margaret reads you a spooky vampire story that's quite a bit different.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 9, 2024 • 33min
Part Two: Mutual Aid in North Carolina: How Asheville Has Come Together in the Wake of the Storm
Margaret reports on her trip down to Asheville North Carolina and all of the work she saw people doing down there to keep people safe during crisis. Part 2/2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 7, 2024 • 36min
Part One: Mutual Aid in North Carolina: How Asheville Has Come Together in the Wake of the Storm
Margaret reports on her trip down to Asheville North Carolina and all of the work she saw people doing down there to keep people safe during crisis. Part 1/2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 6, 2024 • 27min
CZM Book Club: "Svend and His Brethren" by William Morris, Part Two
Margaret reads you even more William Morris, but this story has swords in it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 2, 2024 • 47min
Part Two: Catastrophe Compassion: How People Come Together in Crisis
Katy Stoll, an advocate for mutual aid and community support, joins to share inspiring stories of collaboration during crises. They dive into the powerful impact of grassroots organizations, particularly after Hurricane Katrina, and discuss emotional struggles faced in disaster recovery. Katy highlights the challenges local services endure amidst chaos and critiques institutional responses, revealing how smaller communities often step up in big ways. The discussion is infused with humor and heart, showcasing the resilience and unity that emerge when people come together.