
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 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.

Sep 30, 2024 • 47min
Part One: Catastrophe Compassion: How People Come Together in Crisis
Katy Stoll, an advocate for mutual aid and community support during crises, joins the discussion to illuminate the incredible acts of cooperation that flourish in tough times. She highlights how grassroots organizations play a pivotal role in disaster relief, sharing inspiring stories from events like Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. The conversation dives into the importance of community resilience, tackling media narratives that often overshadow human compassion, and emphasizes how trust and unity can overcome fear during health crises.

Sep 29, 2024 • 32min
CZM Book Club: "Svend and His Brethren" by William Morris, Part One
Margaret, an avid reader passionate about the works of William Morris, takes listeners on a captivating journey through 'Svend and His Brethren.' She discusses the rich themes of swords, sacrifice, and emotional struggles within the context of a morally complex utopia. Insights into Morris's influence on Victorian design and fantasy highlight the importance of legacies in today's world. The exploration of personal and societal issues intertwines with gripping narratives, revealing the depth of sacrifice and hope amidst turmoil.

Sep 25, 2024 • 46min
Part Four: The Korean People's Association of Manchuria: When Two Million People Lived In a Horizontal Society
Mia Wong, an expert on Korean anarchism, dives into the fascinating history of the Korean People's Association of Manchuria, where two million people formed a unique horizontal society. She discusses the resilient spirit of Korean rebels during Japanese colonial rule, with the establishment of self-governing institutions and guerrilla groups. Wong also highlights Kim JoJin's pivotal role in this movement and examines the challenges faced from imperialism and communism, shaping modern understandings of autonomy and resistance through a rich cultural lens.

Sep 23, 2024 • 47min
Part Three: The Korean People's Association of Manchuria: When Two Million People Lived In a Horizontal Society
Margaret continues talking with Mia Wong about the deep history of Korean anarchism and how it led to one of the great experiments with antiauthoritarian social structure of the 20th century. Part 3/4 Sources: Shin Chae-ho, "Declaration of the Korean Revolution;" Ha Ki-rak, "A History of the Korean Anarchist Movement;" Dongyoun Hwang, Anarchism in Korea; Peter Gelderloos, Anarchy Works; dogej63, "Summary of the Sinmin Prefecture."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 22, 2024 • 30min
CZM Book Club: "The Story of the Unknown Church" by William Morris
Margaret reads you a story about decoration. Really.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 18, 2024 • 55min
Part Two: The Korean People's Association of Manchuria: When Two Million People Lived In a Horizontal Society
Mia Wong, an expert on Korean anarchism, dives deep into the unique societal structures of the Korean People's Association of Manchuria. She explores how two million people cohabited in a community-oriented environment, fostering cultural cohesion. Discussing the consequences of Japanese imperialism, Wong highlights the resilience of Korean students and the revolutionary ideologies that emerged. The conversation also touches on the interplay of nationalism and anarchism and the historical narratives that shaped the quest for Korean independence.

Sep 16, 2024 • 55min
Part One: The Korean People's Association of Manchuria: When Two Million People Lived In a Horizontal Society
In this engaging discussion, Mia Wong, an expert on the history of Korean anarchism, delves into the remarkable story of the Korean People's Association of Manchuria. She explores how this community created a horizontal society amid Japan's colonial rule, blending history with personal anecdotes. The conversation highlights the complexities of Korean anarchism as a form of resistance against oppression and examines the societal structures shaped by Confucianism and Catholicism. Wong sheds light on the often-misunderstood legacy of these movements within the broader anti-colonial narrative.

Sep 15, 2024 • 47min
CZM Book Club: "The Sapling Cage" by Margaret Killjoy
Audiobook narrator Jackie Meloche reads Margaret the first chapter of her own upcomin book!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 11, 2024 • 57min
Part Two: Mother Jones: Honestly Kind of a Fraud TBH
Margaret finishes talking to Laurie Penny about the goth hellraiser labor organizer whom she thought would be cool but was actually kind of a racist liar who was probably grifting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.