
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

Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 7min
Part One: Bethel House: How Schizophrenic Folks in Japan Created a New Model of Psychiatric Care
Margaret talks 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.

Jan 19, 2025 • 27min
CZM Book Club: Cool Zone 2055: In Bed With the Dreadnaughts
Margaret from the future reads a report from behind the Iron Curtain in fascist-occupied Spain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 15, 2025 • 54min
Part Two: The Great Dismal Swamp and 200 Years of Revolt in the US South
Margaret continues talking to Sophie about the largest and longest-lasting maroon community in what became the United States. https://daily.jstor.org/constructing-the-white-race/https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-04-02-0080https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/events-african-american-history/san-miguel-de-gualdape-slave-rebellion-1526/https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/05/peter-h-wood-strange-new-land-excerpt.htmlJ Brent Morris, Dismal FreedomModibo Kadalie, Intimate Direct DemocracySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 13, 2025 • 49min
Part One: The Great Dismal Swamp and 200 Years of Revolt in the US South
Margaret talks to Sophie about the largest and longest-lasting maroon community in what became the United States. https://daily.jstor.org/constructing-the-white-race/https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-04-02-0080https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/events-african-american-history/san-miguel-de-gualdape-slave-rebellion-1526/https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/05/peter-h-wood-strange-new-land-excerpt.htmlJ Brent Morris, Dismal FreedomModibo Kadalie, Intimate Direct DemocracySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 12, 2025 • 31min
CZM Book Club: Cool Zone 2055: A Bestiary of Beasts
Margaret from the future talks about all of the terrible creatures that fascists have invented to attack internationalist forces.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 8, 2025 • 33min
Part Two: Q&A Episode: Margaret and Sophie Answer Your Questions
It's time for the second part of our yearly Q&A, in which we answer questions from you, the audience. Whom we often appreciate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 6, 2025 • 31min
Part One: Q&A Episode: Margaret and Sophie Answer Your Questions
The hosts kick off the new year with a lighthearted Q&A, sharing personal anecdotes and engaging stories. They explore themes of courage and creativity, reflecting on their introverted natures alongside extroverted pursuits. Oscar Wilde’s legacy is discussed, while favorite foods and nostalgic films spark laughter. The conversation dives into the importance of solidarity in political movements and highlights influential theorists shaping radical ideas. A passion for potatoes brings culinary joys to life, and the merits of self-learning in the digital age are celebrated.

Jan 5, 2025 • 23min
CZM Book Club: Cool Zone 2055: How to Survive (the Dino Wars)
Margaret and Mia discuss the headlines here at the start of the year 2055 during world war 3.5.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 1, 2025 • 1h
Part Two: Bella Ciao and the Migrant Laboring Women Who Gave Us an Anthem
In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with author Gigi Griffis about the most famous partisan song of them all and its strange and mysterious origins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 30, 2024 • 56min
Part One: Bella Ciao and the Migrant Laboring Women Who Gave Us an Anthem
Margaret talks to author Gigi Griffis about the most famous partisan song of them all and its strange and mysterious origins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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