Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff

Cool Zone Media
Cool Zone Media
  • 4.7 (884)
  • History

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.

Ad free and exclusive episodes from all our shows

$4.99/mo or $41.99/yr after trial

  1. 2d ago

    Part One: The Valiant War on Flock: How People Are Fighting Mass Surveillance

    Margaret tells you the sordid history of Automated License Plate Readers and the people who have stood up against them Sources: https://www.kwch.com/2022/11/04/kechi-police-lieutenants-arrest-puts-flock-technology-under-scrutiny/https://azmirror.com/2019/07/08/arizona-police-agencies-gather-share-license-plate-data-but-few-ensure-rules-are-being-followed/https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/aurora-police-detain-black-family-after-mistaking-their-vehicle-as-stolenhttps://sls.eff.org/technologies/automated-license-plate-readers-alprshttps://www.winonapost.com/news/crime/all-of-wpd-s-flock-cameras-stolen/article_9c61aa25-411b-4f2f-a5cd-ca02942f5f9f.htmlhttps://krocnews.com/stolen-flock-cameras-winona-mn/https://www.winonapost.com/news/wpd-wont-replace-stolen-flock-cameras-citing-public-trust/article_06a67859-2d97-414b-aa8f-d8751ad214bb.htmlhttps://www.military.com/air-force-engineer-accused-of-cutting-down-13-police-cameras-says-they-are-unconstitutionalhttps://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/justice/2025/12/16/timeline-the-brief-troubled-history-of-flock-cameras-in-eugene-springfield/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/09/03/ai-startup-flock-thinks-it-can-eliminate-all-crime-in-america/https://stateofsurveillance.org/news/flock-cameras-destroyed-nationwide-ice-backlash-2026/https://ngscinc.com/history-license-plate-recognitionhttps://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/automatic-license-plate-readers-legal-status-and-policy-recommendationshttps://www.policechiefmagazine.org/patrol-cars-poles-alpr/https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/state-house-hopeful-arrested-in-flock-fiasco/article_2bb9aca2-5ede-4f42-9329-a8754aad7350.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/MontereyCountySheriffsOffice/posts/pfbid0YWZxSJqZSBJu2BDQiQQnWUqzNiYEoHxQEgF88NBRjRXfDwQxMtqfNyHoiry5m3Melhttps://www.wlky.com/article/attorney-lmpd-flock-camera-scandal/69895783https://www.alxnow.com/2026/07/14/alexandria-man-arrested-for-allegedly-destroying-multiple-license-plate-readers/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/flock-camera-sawed-old-braeswood-22370015.phphttps://nypost.com/2026/08/02/us-news/flock-safety-cameras-vandalized-on-long-island-after-accusations-cop-tracked-lover/https://nypost.com/2026/07/29/us-news/flock-cameras-vandalized-in-monterey-county/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2026/08/04/down-with-the-flock-florida-man-uses-simple-trick-to-combat-flock-cameras/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2026/08/03/police-flock-safety-surveillance-cameras-getting-pushback-florida/90915780007/https://web.archive.org/web/20120819233022/http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/166494646.htmlhttps://www.etymonline.com/word/scofflawhttps://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/anti-surveillance-mapmaker-refuses-flock-safetys-cease-and-desist-demandhttps://www.404media.co/the-open-source-project-deflock-is-mapping-license-plate-surveillance-cameras-all-over-the-world/https://www.eff.org/document/flock-safety-cd-deflockmehttps://www.eff.org/document/eff-deflock-letter-flock-safetyhttps://www.kwch.com/2022/11/04/kechi-police-lieutenants-arrest-puts-flock-technology-under-scrutiny/https://www.kwch.com/2022/10/31/kechi-police-lieutenant-arrested-using-police-technology-stalk-wife/https://www.ksn.com/news/crime/former-kechi-police-lieutenant-sentenced-in-stalking-case/https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2015/05/11/paradise-valley-license-plate-camera-reader/27144369/https://www.wsj.com/articles/gun-show-customers-license-plates-come-under-scrutiny-1475451302https://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2013/va-alpr.pdfhttps://www.thenewspaper.com/news/42/4232.asphttps://blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2018/10/dea-plans-to-expand-license-plate-surveillance-program/https://qz.com/1400791/that-road-sign-telling-you-how-fast-youre-driving-may-be-part-of-a-us-government-surveillance-networkhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443995604578004723603576296https://www.docsumo.com/blog/optical-character-recognition-historyhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3330771.stmhttps://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18001802465783784125https://bluewaterhealthyliving.com/news/national-news/texas/corpus-christi-police-use-basic-license-plate-readers-not-flock/https://legislativeanalysis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/ALPRS-Fact-Sheet-FINAL.pdf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 5d ago ·  Bonus

    Introducing: Natural Causes

    Natural Causes is a podcast about the politics and practicalities of going outside in a world on fire, hosted by Dr. James Stout. It approaches the outdoors, conservation, agriculture, food sovereignty, and Indigenous land rights as interconnected issues. We want to combine unflinching journalism with unabashed advocacy for the land we all share, and welcome everyone into the outdoors and the fight for our public lands. Our shared wild spaces are under threat like never before, from climate change, the Trump administration, and extractive capitalism. Now, more than ever, we need serious journalism and serious solidarity that engages people with the struggle to protect these spaces for generations to come. New episodes weekly. Listen here and subscribe to Natural Causes on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing: Natural Causes

  3. Aug 26

    Part Four: Big Annie Clemenc and the Copper Strike of 1913

    This week, Margaret finished the story of the tragic and powerful strike that shook Michigan and copper production, through the lens of the Joan of Arc of Calumet Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Finland https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/immigration/scandinavian/the-finns/ https://bestneighborhood.org/conservative-vs-liberal-map-michigan/  https://trailsendup.com/en/weather-in-the-upper-peninsula https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2014/spring/women-citizenship-repatration https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/cca/tamarack-co-operative-store/  Beyond Brothers & Bars: Disovering Women’s Roles in One Mining Community, Jean F. Ellis Annie Clemenc and the Great Keweenaw Copper Strike, Lyndon Comstock https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/rate-and-number-of-fatal-work-injuries-in-selected-occupations.htm https://weneverforget.org/we-never-forget-strikers-alois-tijan-and-steve-putrich-shot-down-by-gunthugs-august-14-1913-at-seeberville-michigan/  https://libcom.org/article/sabotage-elizabeth-gurley-flynn  https://www.facebook.com/KeweenawNHP/posts/the-tamarack-co-operative-association-store-on-oak-street-just-outside-of-red-ja/1762278843850820/  https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/western-federation-miners  https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/miners-magazine/index.htm  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_V._Debs#Sedition_conviction_and_appeal_to_U.S._Supreme_Court  https://www.copperrange.org/strike.htm  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Aug 24

    Part Three: Big Annie Clemenc and the Copper Strike of 1913

    This week, Margaret continues the story of the tragic and powerful strike that shook Michigan and copper production, through the lens of the Joan of Arc of Calumet Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Finland https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/immigration/scandinavian/the-finns/ https://bestneighborhood.org/conservative-vs-liberal-map-michigan/  https://trailsendup.com/en/weather-in-the-upper-peninsula https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2014/spring/women-citizenship-repatration https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/cca/tamarack-co-operative-store/  Beyond Brothers & Bars: Disovering Women’s Roles in One Mining Community, Jean F. Ellis Annie Clemenc and the Great Keweenaw Copper Strike, Lyndon Comstock https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/rate-and-number-of-fatal-work-injuries-in-selected-occupations.htm https://weneverforget.org/we-never-forget-strikers-alois-tijan-and-steve-putrich-shot-down-by-gunthugs-august-14-1913-at-seeberville-michigan/  https://libcom.org/article/sabotage-elizabeth-gurley-flynn  https://www.facebook.com/KeweenawNHP/posts/the-tamarack-co-operative-association-store-on-oak-street-just-outside-of-red-ja/1762278843850820/  https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/western-federation-miners  https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/miners-magazine/index.htm  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_V._Debs#Sedition_conviction_and_appeal_to_U.S._Supreme_Court  https://www.copperrange.org/strike.htm  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Aug 23

    CZM Book Club: Jesus Christ in Texas, by W.E.B. DuBois

    Margaret reads a story about a strange visitor by a civil rights activist and writer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: Jesus Christ in Texas, by W.E.B. DuBois

  6. Aug 19

    Part Two: Big Annie Clemenc and the Copper Strike of 1913

    Margaret tells you the story of the tragic and powerful strike that shook Michigan and copper production, through the lens of the Joan of Arc of Calumet Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Finland https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/immigration/scandinavian/the-finns/ https://bestneighborhood.org/conservative-vs-liberal-map-michigan/  https://trailsendup.com/en/weather-in-the-upper-peninsula https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2014/spring/women-citizenship-repatration https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/cca/tamarack-co-operative-store/  Beyond Brothers & Bars: Disovering Women’s Roles in One Mining Community, Jean F. Ellis Annie Clemenc and the Great Keweenaw Copper Strike, Lyndon Comstock https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/rate-and-number-of-fatal-work-injuries-in-selected-occupations.htm https://weneverforget.org/we-never-forget-strikers-alois-tijan-and-steve-putrich-shot-down-by-gunthugs-august-14-1913-at-seeberville-michigan/  https://libcom.org/article/sabotage-elizabeth-gurley-flynn  https://www.facebook.com/KeweenawNHP/posts/the-tamarack-co-operative-association-store-on-oak-street-just-outside-of-red-ja/1762278843850820/  https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/western-federation-miners  https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/miners-magazine/index.htm  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_V._Debs#Sedition_conviction_and_appeal_to_U.S._Supreme_Court  https://www.copperrange.org/strike.htm  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Aug 17

    Part One: Big Annie Clemenc and the Copper Strike of 1913

    Margaret tells you the story of the tragic and powerful strike that shook Michigan and copper production, through the lens of the Joan of Arc of Calumet Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Finland https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/immigration/scandinavian/the-finns/ https://bestneighborhood.org/conservative-vs-liberal-map-michigan/  https://trailsendup.com/en/weather-in-the-upper-peninsula https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2014/spring/women-citizenship-repatration https://ss.sites.mtu.edu/cca/tamarack-co-operative-store/  Beyond Brothers & Bars: Disovering Women’s Roles in One Mining Community, Jean F. Ellis Annie Clemenc and the Great Keweenaw Copper Strike, Lyndon Comstock https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/rate-and-number-of-fatal-work-injuries-in-selected-occupations.htm https://weneverforget.org/we-never-forget-strikers-alois-tijan-and-steve-putrich-shot-down-by-gunthugs-august-14-1913-at-seeberville-michigan/  https://libcom.org/article/sabotage-elizabeth-gurley-flynn  https://www.facebook.com/KeweenawNHP/posts/the-tamarack-co-operative-association-store-on-oak-street-just-outside-of-red-ja/1762278843850820/  https://coloradoencyclopedia.org/article/western-federation-miners  https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/miners-magazine/index.htm  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_V._Debs#Sedition_conviction_and_appeal_to_U.S._Supreme_Court  https://www.copperrange.org/strike.htm  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Aug 16

    CZM Book Club: The Storming of the Bastille, by Alexandre Dumas

    Margaret reads you a story about the French Revolution and the destruction of a prison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    CZM Book Club: The Storming of the Bastille, by Alexandre Dumas
See All (575)

Trailer

Shows with Subscription Benefits

Ad free and exclusive episodes from all our shows

$4.99/mo or $41.99/yr after trial

View Subscription FAQs

Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
884 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Channel
    Cool Zone Media
  • Creator
    Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    575
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff
  • Provider
    iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc

More From Cool Zone Media