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Artwork for Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship
Censorship
1984
Brave New World
Slaughterhouse-Five
The Catcher In the Rye
George Orwell
Aldous Huxley
The Handmaid's Tale
Kurt Vonnegut
Banned Books
Book Banning
SOMA
War
Donald Trump
Moms For Liberty
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets Of the Universe
Billy Pilgrim
Big Brother
Education
J.D. Salinger

Love banned books? Hate censorship? Same.

Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books out loud, cover-to-cover, and try to figure out why they were banned in the first place. If you've never read them, now's your chance to hear them for the first time with us. If you have, well, you already know what's coming and this will be your chance to laugh at us as we bumble our way through ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes358Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship

Latest Episodes

The handmaids file into the courtyard for a mass wedding of teenage brides, and the Commander takes the podium with a speech about how much Gilead has "given" women. Then the Bible gets quoted, the hymns get sung, and the Handmaid gets a warning from... more

The Handmaid and Ofglen walk to a Prayvaganza past lawns stripped clean of dandelions, and Jennifer can't stop thinking about how something so many people call a weed is actually one of the happiest memories of being a kid. Once they arrive, a whispe... more

This is a bonus episode, not a chapter. Jennifer and Dan are launching something new called the Bookshelf Initiative: every quarter, Banned Camp is giving away a full set of every banned book they've ever covered on the show to one nominated high sch... more

Rita's cutting radishes into little Aztec hearts and Offred just wants a match. That's it, that's the whole ask, and somehow it turns into the most loaded transaction in the house. This chapter gives us a stolen cigarette, a hidden plan, and a comman... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Beowulf Rochlen
Guest, political commentator and co-host of related show
Good News for Lefties
Episode: The Handmaid’s Tale Ch. 28.1: This Number’s Not Valid | Banned Books Comedy
Ryan Holiday
Best-selling author and owner of the Painted Porch Bookshop
Painted Porch Bookshop, Bastrop, Texas
Episode: The Handmaid’s Tale Ch. 25: For Him, She’s Only a Whim | Banned Books Comedy
Martha Hickson
School librarian featured in The Librarians documentary
Librarian, The Librarians (PBS Independent Lens)
Episode: Banned Camp Presents: They Came After the Librarian
Beowulf Rocklin
Noted news speaker and truth seeker
Episode: The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 6: Blood on the Floor and He Still Won't Shut Up | Banned Books Comedy
Unnamed guest
The surprise guest reading a Christmas story
Episode: 2025 Banned Camp Christmas
Liz Gotauco
Librarian and author of F***ed Up Fairy Tales
Episode: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark — Halloween Spooktacular ft. Liz Gotauco | Banned Books Podcast
Bay Wolf Rocklin
A guest speaker providing news updates
NBC News
Episode: Brave New World | Ch. 3.3 – Everyone Belongs to Everyone Else
Jon Scieszka
Children's author and first National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
Author of The Stinky Cheese Man
Episode: They Fired the Librarian. We Called a Children’s Book Legend.
Lindsey Schultz
Owner of the Spine Bookshop
Spine Bookshop
Episode: Banned Camp Bonus: The Bookstore Fighting Back—with a Taser

Hosts

Jennifer Davis
Host of the show; guides readings and leads discussion with engaging, accessible commentary; often reads chapters aloud and connects themes to censorship and free expression.
Dan Schultz
Co-host who participates in discussion, reads excerpts, and provides context; known for engaging with material and guests.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 288 ratings
  • A very creative

    I love the idea that you share what is banned inside of the different books and I’ve been able to make it funny and entertaining at the same time. I’m looking forward to listening to many more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chad Coe
    United States9 days ago
  • 5 Stars

    This is the best podcast! Viewers vote on the book to be read and there is commentary to explain what’s happening in each chapter. Looking forward to every episode! Thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J.b.303
    United Statesa month ago
  • Really cool premise.

    I love this idea.

    I wish I’d thought of it.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    SoulNotSkin
    United Statesa month ago
  • Smart, Funny, and Thought-Provoking

    If you enjoy books and thoughtful discussion with a healthy dose of humor, Banned Camp is a fantastic listen. The hosts don’t just talk about banned books—they actually read them and unpack the context, themes, and reasons they’ve been challenged. Whether you agree with their conclusions or not, they make the conversation engaging, entertaining, and encourage listeners to think for themselves. It’s one of those rare podcasts that’s both educational and genuinely fun to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cdhHrt
    United States2 months ago
  • like the concept of the show

    I like the concept of the podcast. I listened to an episode on Brave New World which I've read before. I felt that commenting as they read meant they would ask questions answered in the very next paragraph, so it wasn't the most inspiring. But if you enjoy live reactions as you go, then maybe this would be a good fit for you!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    KelseyLeeWritesLLC
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the engaging banter and educational blend of humor with deep literary discussion.
Audience notes the show helps them understand complex censorship debates while staying entertaining and approachable.
Fans value the explicit stance against censorship and the exploration of why titles are banned.
Some criticism centers on heavy political commentary at times, but many appreciate the thought-provoking discourse.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Handmaid’s Tale Ch. 4: She Still Has One Power Left | Banned Books Comedy
Q: What was the most ban-worthy moment in this chapter, according to the hosts?
They point to intimate, everyday acts—like the Handmaid's understudied resistance through body language at the checkpoint—as the most controversial, because it exposes how power can be subverted in small but meaningful ways.
Banned Camp Presents: They Came After the Librarian
Q: Was this the first time you were targeted, or had you faced prior challenges before 2021?
There were previous complaints, but the scale and aggressiveness of 2021 was unlike anything before, demanding rapid coordination with professional bodies and a strategic response.
The Catcher in the Rye Ch. 8: The Most Honest Liar on the Train | Banned Books Comedy
Q: What, if anything, would be considered banworthy in this chapter?
There was nothing in that. That was a really fun chapter. Like, it is so hard to... We have to remember this kid is 16 years old and not 48.
Brave New World Ch. 16.1: Why Ban Shakespeare? | Banned Books Podcast
Q: What, if anything, would be considered banworthy in this chapter?
There really were no reasons to ban this book based on this section.
Brave New World Ch. 13.2 : Purity Culture Meets Panic | Banned Books Comedy
Q: What, if anything, would be considered banworthy in this chapter?
There are themes of drug use and instances of abuse that could be considered banworthy.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A humorous, thought-provoking show that reads banned books aloud to explore why they've been challenged, while unpacking themes around free speech, censorship, and political discourse. Hosts Jennifer Davis and Dan Schultz guide conversations that mix live reading, witty banter, and social commentary, often tying book-banning debates to current events and policy debates. The format blends educational discussion with entertainment, and a robot-style fact-checking bit keeps the conversation lighthearted yet informative. The season's focus on a cornerstone dystopian novel highlights power, gender, and autonomy, but the broader catalog spans a wide range of classic and modern works — all treated as participatory, conversation-worthy experiences ... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Good News for Lefties | Daily News for Democracy
2. The Oath and The Office
3. The Rachel Maddow Show
4. The Daily Beans
5. MissTrial

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this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 358 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Beowulf Rochlen
2. Ryan Holiday
3. Martha Hickson
4. Beowulf Rocklin
5. Unnamed guest
6. Liz Gotauco
7. Bay Wolf Rocklin
8. Jon Scieszka

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