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Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff — History
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.

Copyright: 2024 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

Latest Episodes:

Part Three: The Valiant War on Flock: How People Are Fighting Mass Surveillance Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

This week, Margaret goes even deeper into 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-stolen
https://sls.eff.org/technologies/automated-license-plate-readers-alprs
https://www.winonapost.com/news/crime/all-of-wpd-s-flock-cameras-stolen/article_9c61aa25-411b-4f2f-a5cd-ca02942f5f9f.html
https://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.html
https://www.military.com/air-force-engineer-accused-of-cutting-down-13-police-cameras-says-they-are-unconstitutional
https://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-recognition
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/automatic-license-plate-readers-legal-status-and-policy-recommendations
https://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.html
https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCountySheriffsOffice/posts/pfbid0YWZxSJqZSBJu2BDQiQQnWUqzNiYEoHxQEgF88NBRjRXfDwQxMtqfNyHoiry5m3Mel
https://www.wlky.com/article/attorney-lmpd-flock-camera-scandal/69895783
https://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.php
https://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.html
https://www.etymonline.com/word/scofflaw
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/anti-surveillance-mapmaker-refuses-flock-safetys-cease-and-desist-demand
https://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-deflockme
https://www.eff.org/document/eff-deflock-letter-flock-safety
https://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-1475451302
https://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2013/va-alpr.pdf
https://www.thenewspaper.com/news/42/4232.asp
https://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-network
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443995604578004723603576296
https://www.docsumo.com/blog/optical-character-recognition-history
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3330771.stm
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18001802465783784125
https://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.

CZM Reverse Book Club: Talking "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" with Bridget, Hazel, and All of You Sep 06, 2026

Show notes

To close out Black August, Margaret sits down with Bridget Todd and Hazel Acacia to talk about one of the most iconic Trek episodes ever made (S6E13: Far Beyond the Stars of Deep Space Nine)- and you're invited

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two: The Valiant War on Flock: How People Are Fighting Mass Surveillance Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Margaret continues telling 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-stolen
https://sls.eff.org/technologies/automated-license-plate-readers-alprs
https://www.winonapost.com/news/crime/all-of-wpd-s-flock-cameras-stolen/article_9c61aa25-411b-4f2f-a5cd-ca02942f5f9f.html
https://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.html
https://www.military.com/air-force-engineer-accused-of-cutting-down-13-police-cameras-says-they-are-unconstitutional
https://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-recognition
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/automatic-license-plate-readers-legal-status-and-policy-recommendations
https://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.html
https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCountySheriffsOffice/posts/pfbid0YWZxSJqZSBJu2BDQiQQnWUqzNiYEoHxQEgF88NBRjRXfDwQxMtqfNyHoiry5m3Mel
https://www.wlky.com/article/attorney-lmpd-flock-camera-scandal/69895783
https://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.php
https://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.html
https://www.etymonline.com/word/scofflaw
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/anti-surveillance-mapmaker-refuses-flock-safetys-cease-and-desist-demand
https://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-deflockme
https://www.eff.org/document/eff-deflock-letter-flock-safety
https://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-1475451302
https://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2013/va-alpr.pdf
https://www.thenewspaper.com/news/42/4232.asp
https://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-network
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443995604578004723603576296
https://www.docsumo.com/blog/optical-character-recognition-history
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3330771.stm
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18001802465783784125
https://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.

Part One: The Valiant War on Flock: How People Are Fighting Mass Surveillance Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

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-stolen
https://sls.eff.org/technologies/automated-license-plate-readers-alprs
https://www.winonapost.com/news/crime/all-of-wpd-s-flock-cameras-stolen/article_9c61aa25-411b-4f2f-a5cd-ca02942f5f9f.html
https://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.html
https://www.military.com/air-force-engineer-accused-of-cutting-down-13-police-cameras-says-they-are-unconstitutional
https://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-recognition
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/automatic-license-plate-readers-legal-status-and-policy-recommendations
https://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.html
https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCountySheriffsOffice/posts/pfbid0YWZxSJqZSBJu2BDQiQQnWUqzNiYEoHxQEgF88NBRjRXfDwQxMtqfNyHoiry5m3Mel
https://www.wlky.com/article/attorney-lmpd-flock-camera-scandal/69895783
https://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.php
https://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.html
https://www.etymonline.com/word/scofflaw
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/02/anti-surveillance-mapmaker-refuses-flock-safetys-cease-and-desist-demand
https://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-deflockme
https://www.eff.org/document/eff-deflock-letter-flock-safety
https://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-1475451302
https://www.thenewspaper.com/rlc/docs/2013/va-alpr.pdf
https://www.thenewspaper.com/news/42/4232.asp
https://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-network
https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443995604578004723603576296
https://www.docsumo.com/blog/optical-character-recognition-history
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/3330771.stm
https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18001802465783784125
https://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.

Part Four: Big Annie Clemenc and the Copper Strike of 1913 Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

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.

Part Three: Big Annie Clemenc and the Copper Strike of 1913 Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

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.

CZM Book Club: Jesus Christ in Texas, by W.E.B. DuBois Aug 23, 2026

Show notes

Margaret reads a story about a strange visitor by a civil rights activist and writer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Part Two: Big Annie Clemenc and the Copper Strike of 1913 Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

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.

Part One: Big Annie Clemenc and the Copper Strike of 1913 Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

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

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CZM Book Club: The Storming of the Bastille, by Alexandre Dumas Aug 16, 2026

Show notes

Margaret reads you a story about the French Revolution and the destruction of a prison

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