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Artwork for Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Hermetica
Anarchism
Neoliberalism
Ricardo Flores Magón
Mutual Aid
Mexican Revolution
Zapatistas
Climate Change
Bogbottom
Pathfinder
Folklore
ICE
Vaccination
Druids
Hungarian Revolution
Jonas Salk
Spartacus
Harm Reduction
World War II
Ukraine

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... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes567Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

Latest Episodes

Margaret continues her interview with author and activist Cory Doctorow about the role of fiction in making a better world

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margaret interviews the author and activist Cory Doctorow about the role of fiction in making a better world

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Shakur returns to finish reading Margaret a story about revolution, repression, and survival for Black August

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margaret continues talking to you about the history of suicide prevention hotlines and the complications of state intervention in emergency mental health care

Original Air Date: 10.22.2025

Sources:

translifeline.org/about/history/

http... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Prince Shakur
Reader and co-host for this episode
The Dugout of Black Anarchists podcast
Episode: CZM Book Club: What We Want, What We Believe by Alex Smith, Part One
Cristen Conger
Guest who discusses Charlotta Bass and her legacy
Unladylike, Conspiracy, Stuff Mom Never Told You (as referenced)
Episode: Part One: Charlotta Bass: The Black Journalist Who Refused the Red Scare
Adam Gnade
Author of Locust House
Bread and Roses Press / 3-1-G / Bread and Roses Press
Episode: CZM Book Club: Locust House, by Adam Gnade (Part Four of Four)
Joe Kassabian
Guest; author/podcaster with interest in military history and fantasy
Lions Led by Donkeys
Episode: Part One: Robin Hood and the Legacy of Outlaws in Medieval England
Jason Petty
Prop / Propaganda, returning guest
Episode: Part One: Lead Belly: How a Man Named Huddie Ledbetter Beat Everyone Who Tried to Keep Him Down
Kaveh Hoda
Historian guest providing context on Ottoman sexuality and religion
Independent scholar / Guest on the show
Episode: Part One: The Gay Ottomans: Homosexuality in the Medieval Ottoman Empire
Randy Carter
Inside editor for In The Belly Magazine
In The Belly Magazine
Episode: CZM Book Club: Poems by Incarcerated Authors -- with In The Belly Magazine
Safear Ness
Editor and organizer at In The Belly
In The Belly
Episode: CZM Book Club: Phone Resistance, by Safear Ness -- with In The Belly Magazine
Rafi Kleiman
Author of Trans Galactic Bike Ride; queer Jewish non-binary writer of speculative fiction
Self-published/Publishing (Trans Galactic Bike Ride)
Episode: CZM Book Club: Clashing/Complementary, by Rafi Kleiman

Host

Margaret Killjoy
Host of the show who introduces the topic and guides the narrative; reads and discusses short fiction; engages with guests on historical and revolutionary themes.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • I want to rate this higher but I just can’t.

    Love Killjoy been following her work for years. Been listening to the show since it started.

    Killjoy is amazing but she has the charisma of later day Biden podcasting. Her solo episodes are completely skippable. Even if I’m curious about the subject. 3+ hours of listening to Killjoy’s mono tone is pretty awful. She NEEDS a guest. Even if it’s another cool one host.

    Lastly, not every episode has been a “cool” person either.

    4 episodes about how historic woman sold out her fellow revolutionari... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Agrovater
    United States9 days ago
  • Love the podcast and will change this to 5 stars but don't know a better way to ask where part one of the frog book club 6 parter is...

    Podcast Addict
    1
    BeeFree
    14 days ago
  • Refreshing

    Love the episodes with Kaveh. He and Margaret seem to really get along well and it shows in the episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mmmmtryptophan
    United States2 months ago
  • Fun and entertaining

    The interactions between Margaret and her guests is always so fun and pleasant, but I’m actually leaving this record because of the Riot Dogs episode: PETA is so much worse than you could imagine. Their “shelters” have an obscene, I believe over 90%, kill rate. This isn’t a bug, it’s a feature. They don’t believe animals should be owned, and would rather kill them than let them “suffer”. They are ABSOLUTELY DESPICABLE.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CaudaPavonis
    United States2 months ago
  • Thank you

    For the amazingly interesting inspirational stories and funny relatable side convos. Kudos.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    M© Boogie
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners wish for tighter focus and fewer tangents in certain episodes.
The show is seen as a thoughtful resource for radical histories and underrepresented narratives.
Listeners appreciate the host's storytelling; deep dives feel accessible and engaging.
Guests and topics are praised for thoughtful context and historical rigor.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#100
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#114
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#200
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#106
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#208
France/History
Apple Podcasts
#81
Sweden/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Part One: Charlotta Bass: The Black Journalist Who Refused the Red Scare
Q: What actions did Bass take against the KKK, and what were the consequences?
She published a memo revealing a KKK plan and faced a libel charge; despite the risk, she persisted, highlighting the peril and power of investigative Black journalism in that era.
Part One: Charlotta Bass: The Black Journalist Who Refused the Red Scare
Q: How did Charlotta Bass come to own the California Eagle, and what did that mean for Black press at the time?
She bought the paper after Nemor's death, turning it into a platform for civil rights and a counterforce against white supremacy, underscoring the importance of Black-owned media in shaping public discourse.
Part One: Robin Hood and the Legacy of Outlaws in Medieval England
Q: What is the core significance of Robin Hood in this historical context?
Robin Hood is treated as a populist counterpower, a myth that arose from working-class experiences and evolving through oral tradition into a symbol of resistance against state and church authority, rather than a single historical figure.
Part Two: The Gay Ottomans: Homosexuality in the Medieval Ottoman Empire
Q: You mentioned consent in the Ottoman period; can you summarize what you found about consent in medical contexts there?
The discussion notes that the Ottoman era already had concepts of consent in medical procedures dating back to the 16th century, challenging the assumption that informed consent is a modern invention and highlighting a long-standing tradition of formalized agreement in medical contexts.
Part One: The Lusty Lady: The Worker-Owned Peep Show
Q: What is the difference between decriminalization and legalization in sex work policy?
Decriminalization removes criminal penalties and aims for equal labor protections, while legalization creates a government-regulated framework that often imposes surveillance, health checks, and fiduciary controls that can constrain workers.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

What is Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A history-focused show that spotlights rebels, resistance movements, and radical thinkers across centuries. Episodes thread together archival research, personal memoir, and vivid storytelling to illuminate how individuals and small groups challenged power, organized communities, and shaped social change. Listeners can expect deep dives into topics like anarchism, queer history, anti-fascist resistance, and transformative social movements, often featuring historians, authors, and activists who bring context, nuance, and humane storytelling to episodes. A standout aspect is the conversational, narrative-driven approach that balances scholarly insight with accessible, rallying storytelling, making complex histories feel urgent and relevant for... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff:

1. It Could Happen Here
2. Weird Little Guys
3. Live Like the World is Dying
4. Behind the Bastards
5. Hood Politics with Prop

How many episodes of Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff are there?

Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff launched 4 years ago and published 567 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 Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff?

Recent guests on Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff include:

1. Prince Shakur
2. Cristen Conger
3. Adam Gnade
4. Joe Kassabian
5. Jason Petty
6. Kaveh Hoda
7. Randy Carter
8. Safear Ness

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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