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.
- Update frequency
- every 2 days
- Average duration
- 53 minutes
- Episodes
- 428
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Part One: The Battle of Cable Street: How Jews & Irish Catholics Destroyed Fascism in Britain
Margaret talks with James Stout about how Britain's Union of Fascists was destroyed in a storm of fists and rotten vegetables in 1936.
You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free th…
Part Two: Resistance to Franco: The Anarchist Air Force, the Antifascist Space Program & More
In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Gare about how the people of Spain fought back against Franco, crippling his economy, killing his soldiers, and almost blo…
Part One: Resistance to Franco: The Anarchist Air Force, the Antifascist Space Program & More
Margaret talks with Gare about how the people of Spain fought back against Franco, crippling his economy, killing his soldiers, and almost blowing him up directly.
You can now listen to all Cool Zone…
Part Two: Francisco Sabaté: Franco’s Public Enemy #1
In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with James Stout about the anarchist spec ops guy who became a guerilla Robin Hood and spent decades terrifying fascists.
See om…
Part One: Francisco Sabaté: Franco’s Public Enemy #1
Margaret talks with James Stout about the anarchist spec ops guy who became a guerilla Robin Hood and spent decades terrifying fascists.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Part Two: Riot Dogs Are Very Good Dogs
In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with producer Sophie Lichterman about the stray dogs who fight cops and guard protesters around the world.
Part One: Riot Dogs Are Very Good Dogs
Margaret talks with producer Sophie Lichterman about the stray dogs who fight cops and guard protesters around the world.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Part Two: Josephine Baker: The Actor and Spy Who Mighta Saved the World
Margaret continues her conversation with journalist and writer Laurie Penny about Josephine Baker, the first black woman to star in a film, who also helped fight the Nazis.
Part One: Josephine Baker: The Actor and Spy Who Mighta Saved the World
Margaret talks with journalist and writer Laurie Penny about Josephine Baker, the first black woman to star in a film, who also helped fight the Nazis.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat…
Part Two: Muhammad Ali Risked It All to Stop a War
In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Ian Johnson about Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest and most principled athletes of all time, who used his platform to fig…
Part One: Muhammad Ali Risked It All to Stop a War
Margaret talks with Ian Johnson about Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest and most principled athletes of all time, who used his platform to fight for change outside of the boxing ring at immense perso…
Part Two: Helen Keller Was a Socialist But Also Complicated
In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Samantha McVey about the deafblind socialist revolutionary Helen Keller and her complicated legacy as a disability icon.
Se…
Part One: Helen Keller Was a Socialist But Also Complicated
Margaret talks with Samantha McVey about the deafblind socialist revolutionary Helen Keller and her complicated legacy as a disability icon.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Part Four: The Young Lords: How Some Puerto Rican Socialists Changed Everything
In the finale of this four part episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Alynda Segarra from Hurray for the Riff Raff about how radicals got the trash taken out in New York, literally.
See om…
Part Three: The Young Lords: How Some Puerto Rican Socialists Changed Everything
In part three of this four part episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Alynda Segarra from Hurray for the Riff Raff about how radicals got the trash taken out in New York, literally.
See om…
Part Two: The Young Lords: How Some Puerto Rican Socialists Changed Everything
In part two of this four part episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Alynda Segarra from Hurray for the Riff Raff about how radicals got the trash taken out in New York, literally.
See omny…
Part One: The Young Lords: How Some Puerto Rican Socialists Changed Everything
Margaret talks with Alynda Segarra from Hurray for the Riff Raff about how radicals got the trash taken out in New York, literally.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Part Two: Burglars vs the FBI: How the Catholic Left & Their Friends Exposed COINTELPRO
In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with journalist, activist and comedian Francesca Fiorentini about one of the greatest acts of nonviolent civil disobedience in …
Part One: Burglars vs the FBI: How the Catholic Left & Their Friends Exposed COINTELPRO
Margaret talks with journalist, activist and comedian Francesca Fiorentini about one of the greatest acts of nonviolent civil disobedience in US history.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform…
Part Two: Great Trancestors of History: Lucy Hicks, Wendy Carlos & Alan Hart
In part two of this week's episode, Margaret continues her conversation with Bridget Todd about some trans people in history who lived long happy lives and accomplished wonderful things.
See omnystudi…