

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 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.

18 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 50min
Part Two: Druids: Because the Past is Metal as Hell
Dive into the mysterious world of Druids and Celtic philosophy, uncovering their cultural practices and the enigmatic concept of sacrifice. Explore Georges Bataille's views on sacredness and hear about human sacrifices as described by Roman accounts and archaeological finds. Discover Druidic wisdom on lunar cycles, their role as memory-keepers, and surprising gender dynamics. Plus, learn about their fierce resistance against Roman conquest, and the legacy of their rituals that echo through history.

15 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 51min
Part One: Druids: Because the Past is Metal as Hell
Sophie Rae Lichterman, a dedicated producer and researcher, shares her insights on the captivating world of druids and Celtic philosophers. The discussion ranges from the true roles of druids as mediators and judges to the fascinating intersection of blacksmith folklore and magic. They explore the historical biases from Roman narratives, the debate over women druids, and the contrast between Celtic communal practices and Roman hierarchies. Lastly, they link ancient rituals to modern cultural echoes, inviting listeners into a metal-as-hell exploration of their legacy.

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.

Oct 22, 2025 • 31min
Crisis Hotlines: Of Course Queers Invented Them, Part Two
Margaret talks to you about the history of suicide prevention hotlines and the complications of state intervention in emergency mental health care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 20, 2025 • 35min
Crisis Hotlines: Of Course Queers Invented Them, Part One
Margaret talks to you about the history of suicide prevention hotlines and the complications of state intervention in emergency mental health care. Sources- https://translifeline.org/about/history/https://translifeline.org/response-to-988-cuts/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/10/27/359434925/bernard-mayes-nprs-first-chairman-founder-of-suicide-hotline-dieshttps://www.sfgate.com/living/article/Bernard-Mayes-to-be-honored-as-lifeline-to-3516576.phphttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11447250/Bernard-Mayes-priest-obituary.htmlhttps://web.archive.org/web/20141026134947/http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2014/10/24/bernard-mayes-kqed-fms-first-general-manager-dies-at-85https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45106/sonnet-116-let-me-not-to-the-marriage-of-true-mindshttps://www.sfsuicide.org/about/https://translifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-Problem-With-988-Report-November-2024-Text.pdfhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11733462/https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6978712/ https://www.psychiatry.org/News-room/APA-Blogs/Marking-Two-Years-of-988-The-Suicide-and-Crisis-Lihttps://behavioralhealthlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/988-History-Journal-Article_JohnDraper.pdf https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/blog/suicide-mental-health-crisis-resources-not-police https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/her-death-sparked-transgender-day-remembrance-22-years-later-still-n1233809https://www.them.us/story/rita-hester-trans-remembrance-visibility-memorial https://translifeline.org/why-no-non-consensual-intervention/https://www.them.us/story/trans-lifeline-report-988-police-interventions https://madattheinternet.substack.com/p/online-censorships-institutional https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32121226 https://glaad.org/tdor/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250107195548/https://cohost.org/lizthegrey/post/1520523-some-philanthropy-thSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 19, 2025 • 36min
CZM Book Club: Two Tales of Classic Horror, by Saki and Bierce
Dive into two classic horror tales as Margaret explores the mischief in Saki's 'The Open Window,' unveiling its clever twist. Then, journey into the eerie landscapes of Bierce's 'An Inhabitant of Carcosa,' where a disoriented narrator meets a chilling fate. The discussion touches on horror's evolution from gothic ghosts to psychological and cosmic tensions. Learn how these stories shaped the genre and influenced iconic writers like Lovecraft. It's a captivating ride through the shadows of classic terror!

20 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 2min
Part Two: Secret Societies and Leftism: The Odd Origins of Revolution
Sarah Marshall, a journalist and host of the upcoming miniseries The Devil You Know, dives into the fascinating world of secret societies. She reveals that much of what we think about the Illuminati is skewed, tracing its origins back to Freemasonry and Enlightenment ideals. The duo explores Masonic rituals, the exclusionary nature of its teachings, and how government suppression created modern conspiracy theories. They also discuss the connections between Masonic symbols and revolutionary movements, and how today's organizing differs from these secretive structures.

30 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 1h 5min
Part One: Secret Societies and Leftism: The Odd Origins of Revolution
In a captivating conversation, journalist and podcaster Sarah Marshall discusses the real stories behind the satanic panic and its historical ties to secret societies. She debunks myths about the Illuminati and explains why large conspiracies rarely materialize as imagined. They explore ancient rituals like the Eleusinian Mysteries, and the unique appeal of secret societies rooted in exclusivity. Marshall also highlights how occult beliefs influenced revolutionary thought and encourages responsible storytelling in pop history.

Oct 12, 2025 • 31min
CZM Book Club: Hollywood Werewolf Conspiracy, by Hailey Piper
Margaret reads you a story about werewolves, polyamory, and cycles of trauma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


