
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

Feb 12, 2025 • 55min
Part Four: The Haitian Revolution: The Most Successful Revolt in the Americas
Margaret finishes talking with Prop about how the people of Haiti destroyed a slave empire. Sources: https://www.newsweek.com/poland-nationalism-new-york-haiti-slave-rebellion-revolution-1382388 A Secret among the Blacks: Slave Resistance before the Haitian Revolution, John D. Garrigushttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VofAQYxcHHY https://catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/king-afonso-i-of-kongo12-06-17.html https://ecda.northeastern.edu/makandal-knowledge/ http://piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/ideology/pdf/F6.2.pdf https://ecda.northeastern.edu/makandal-knowledge/ https://www.afrikaiswoke.com/makandal-the-black-messiah/ https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2011/01/slavery-in-the-french-colonies/ https://haitidoi.com/2013/03/18/1804-census-gros-morne-haiti/ https://haitidoi.com/2016/01/26/dessalines-reader-1-april-1804-2/ https://www.google.com/books/edition/Claiming_the_International/vUltAAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA147&printsec=frontcover https://revolution.chnm.org/exhibits/show/liberty--equality--fraternity/slavery-and-the-haitian-revolu https://www.google.com/books/edition/Claiming_the_International/vUltAAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA147&printsec=frontcover https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41603-019-00071-5See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 10, 2025 • 51min
Part Three: The Haitian Revolution: The Most Successful Revolt in the Americas
Margaret talks further with Prop about how the people of Haiti destroyed a slave empire. Sources: https://www.newsweek.com/poland-nationalism-new-york-haiti-slave-rebellion-revolution-1382388 A Secret among the Blacks: Slave Resistance before the Haitian Revolution, John D. Garrigushttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VofAQYxcHHY https://catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/king-afonso-i-of-kongo12-06-17.html https://ecda.northeastern.edu/makandal-knowledge/ http://piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/ideology/pdf/F6.2.pdf https://ecda.northeastern.edu/makandal-knowledge/ https://www.afrikaiswoke.com/makandal-the-black-messiah/ https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2011/01/slavery-in-the-french-colonies/ https://haitidoi.com/2013/03/18/1804-census-gros-morne-haiti/ https://haitidoi.com/2016/01/26/dessalines-reader-1-april-1804-2/ https://www.google.com/books/edition/Claiming_the_International/vUltAAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA147&printsec=frontcover https://revolution.chnm.org/exhibits/show/liberty--equality--fraternity/slavery-and-the-haitian-revolu https://www.google.com/books/edition/Claiming_the_International/vUltAAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA147&printsec=frontcover https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41603-019-00071-5See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 9, 2025 • 25min
CZM Book Club: Cool Zone 2055: Massacred by Demon Ents
Mixed Bunny Face Murder shares gripping tales from the Dino Wars of 2055, offering an insider's view of surreal battlefields in Catalonia. They reflect on the emotional turmoil of war, the stark realities of fighting for freedom, and the often absurd juxtaposition of humor and tragedy. Listeners are taken through chaotic confrontations with zombies and fascist soldiers, uncovering themes of survival and resilience. Through heartfelt anecdotes, the conversation balances the serious nature of conflict with the lightness of life's quirks, including quirks like country music cruises.

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 2min
Part Two: The Haitian Revolution: The Most Successful Revolt in the Americas
Margaret continues talking with Prop about how the people of Haiti destroyed a slave empire. Sources: https://www.newsweek.com/poland-nationalism-new-york-haiti-slave-rebellion-revolution-1382388 A Secret among the Blacks: Slave Resistance before the Haitian Revolution, John D. Garrigushttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VofAQYxcHHY https://catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/king-afonso-i-of-kongo12-06-17.html https://ecda.northeastern.edu/makandal-knowledge/ http://piketty.pse.ens.fr/files/ideology/pdf/F6.2.pdf https://ecda.northeastern.edu/makandal-knowledge/ https://www.afrikaiswoke.com/makandal-the-black-messiah/ https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2011/01/slavery-in-the-french-colonies/ https://haitidoi.com/2013/03/18/1804-census-gros-morne-haiti/ https://haitidoi.com/2016/01/26/dessalines-reader-1-april-1804-2/ https://www.google.com/books/edition/Claiming_the_International/vUltAAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA147&printsec=frontcover https://revolution.chnm.org/exhibits/show/liberty--equality--fraternity/slavery-and-the-haitian-revolu https://www.google.com/books/edition/Claiming_the_International/vUltAAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA147&printsec=frontcover https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41603-019-00071-5See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 11min
Part One: The Haitian Revolution: The Most Successful Revolt in the Americas
Discover the remarkable story of the Haitian Revolution, a pivotal moment that reshaped perceptions of slavery and resilience in the Black community. The discussion highlights community resilience through bread-making in Portland, celebrating triumphs against adversity. Delve into colonization's impact in the Caribbean, and explore the rich cultural syncretism of Vodou. Engage with the complexities of identity and the historical figures woven into this narrative, all while reflecting on the significance of Black culture and history.

Feb 2, 2025 • 26min
CZM Book Club: Cool Zone 2055: The Dreadnaught Funeral
Margaret from the future continues her reporting from the front in Catalonia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 29, 2025 • 1h 6min
Part Two: Push the Button: The Brief Life and Quick Death of Giuseppe Zangara
Discover the fascinating life of Giuseppe Zangara, an Italian man driven to violence by chronic pain and socio-political turmoil. The discussion covers the chaotic scene of his assassination attempt on Franklin D. Roosevelt, blending dark humor with historical analysis. Reflect on media portrayals and their biases while enjoying playful banter among hosts. Explore the intertwining of personal struggles with radical ideologies, and evaluate the tragic implications of violence in society, all wrapped up in humor and a lively atmosphere.

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 3min
Part One: Push the Button: The Brief Life and Quick Death of Giuseppe Zangara
Margaret talks with Miriam about an Italian man with chronic pain who decided to kill someone important.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 26, 2025 • 29min
CZM Book Club: Cool Zone 2055: The Battle of Ogre Hill
Margaret from the future describes the terrifying battle of ogre hill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 22, 2025 • 55min
Part Two: Bethel House: How Schizophrenic Folks in Japan Created a New Model of Psychiatric Care
Margaret continues talking with Samantha McVey about the decades-long project in Northern Japan full of worker-cooperatives and new ways of living. https://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/resource/bethel/bethel_0805.htmlKaren Nakamura, A Disability of the Soulhttps://aeon.co/essays/japans-radical-alternative-to-psychiatric-diagnosisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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