Introduction
The Troublemakers Podcast explores how to rebel in an age when a few elite have so much control and is by Beautiful Trouble, MOVE, the Global Social Movement Centre, The MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation MS TCDC, and Global Platforms.
Listen to interviews with inspiring people from all walks of life across the planet on the tools they use to subvert and seize power for the transformation of our world.
This podcast is a place to learn from each other about how to make change.
Podcast
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Start Listening
There are over 50 episodes here are some to get you started.
Episode 49: Why do stories matter in social change work? With ActionAid Global Staff
How do we move from gathering stories to creating impact? How can we be more strategic about story gathering? And who truly owns the narrative – organisations or the communities themselves?
In this episode of Troublemakers, we explore the role of storytelling in activism and development, featuring insights from practitioners working across Brazil and Nepal within ActionAid. This conversation unpacks how stories are gathered, shaped, and used. It explores the role of ActionAid in story gathering and reflects on why rethinking storytelling is essential for justice-driven work.
Episode 44: The Spectrum of Allies with Sungu Oyoo
How do movements shift people from neutrality or even opposition into active allies for justice struggles?
In this episode of the Troublemakers podcast, Monica hosts Sungu Oyoo, a writer, educator, activist, and Pan-Africanist. Sungu works with MWAMKO (Pan-African Popular Pedagogy Collective) as Director of Special Programs and Organisational Development and is also part of Kongamano Lamapinduzi, where he serves as National Spokesperson.
Episode 28: Jail Solidarity with Céline Lebrun-Shaath
What does solidarity look like when comrades are behind bars? In this episode, we explore jail solidarity through the eyes of Céline Lebrun-Shaath, a committed organizer and internationalist. She speaks about the moral and political imperative to stand with those who remain imprisoned—not just by supporting their freedom, but by sustaining the struggles they were part of.
Céline tells about her abduction and deportation from Egypt, and the many-years campaign she and many others fought for the release of her husband Ramy Shaath. We spotlight the ongoing campaign for a political prisoner. Alaa Abdel Fattah, a renowned Egyptian activist who, despite having completed his prison sentence, remains unjustly detained. His mother has been on hunger strike for over five months. You can follow the Free Alaa campaign on social media for real-time updates and action steps.
Céline challenges us not to see imprisonment as an endpoint—but as a call to pick up the torch of resistance and press forward.
Episode 27: Use your radical fringe to shift the Overton window with Julia and Stella
It takes more than organising to shift a society’s sense of what’s possible.
In this episode, we travel to Moldova to explore how feminist and LGBTQ+ activists are reimagining the boundaries of public discourse and reshaping the culture of protest in a quiet, conservative society. Our guests, Julia and Stella, are part of a growing movement challenging apathy, tradition, and fear with bold, consistent action.
We unpack the concept of the Overton Window—the idea that public acceptance of ideas can shift depending on how they’re framed and who dares to speak them first. Iulia and Steliana share what it’s like to organize in a country where dissent is often seen as shameful and where radical ideas can be misread or feared before they are understood.
The Overton Window is a concept that can help us understand how the radical fringes of society pull what’s palatable for the majority of society toward them.
This episode is a candid and moving conversation about courage, culture, and the slow, persistent work of shifting what’s possible.
Episode 23: Practice Digital Self-Defence
And when they spy on us, let them discover us loving.- Alice Walker
Our guest helps us answer many of the questions activists have about privacy and digital security. He has chosen to remain anonymous to share his insights on protecting oneself online, avoiding surveillance, and practicing safe digital habits.
From understanding encryption to safeguarding your personal data, this conversation equips listeners with essential tools for navigating the digital landscape securely.
Some of the tools listed include Signal, Tor Browser and VPN (s).
Episode 21: Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army with Angus Joseph
How does storytelling reshape movements? What role does humor play in activism? How can we clown a hostile moment, a climate protest, a global convening sold out to the billionaires? Do children understand political expediency better — should we all be clowns and ninjas and unashamed painters instead of activists and campaigners?
In this episode of Troublemakers, we sit down with Angus Joseph to explore the intersections of satire, absurdity, neoliberalism, and movement culture.
We also promised to link to research by Sophia McClennen, Srdja Popovic, and Joseph Wright about how satirical dilemma actions provide a 11-16% success rate boost to campaigns. That research can be found through CANVAS.
Episode 14: Joy is a Revolutionary Force – Joséphina Bouden
We explore with Tunisian trans activist Joséphina Bouden (Jouda) how joy becomes a powerful form of resistance in the face of oppression. We discuss how cultural disobedience transforms everyday acts into powerful protests.
We dive with Josephine into the historical and modern significance of joy as an act of defiance. From enslaved communities creating moments of celebration to the concept of Black Joy reclaiming humanity and dignity, we unpack how joyful resistance has shaped movements around the world.
Read more about Joy is a revolutionary force.
Episode 7: Action Logic with Dan Glass
Actions speak louder than words.- Ruckus Society motto
Have you ever been confused by a protest, or have you asked why activists are even angry to begin with? Perhaps the protesters’ message wasn’t clear. This confusion points to a lack of something we call “Action Logic.” With solid Action Logic, an action can speak for itself.
In this episode, we speak with activist and author Dan Glass, about what queer liberation struggle can teach us about Action Logic.
One note of correction to our conversation: the grieving / ashes actions Dan shares were done in many places, but the most renowned was at the White House in Washington DC.
Check out the Action Logic theory and learn how you can design actions that easily articulate your cause. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox!
Explore Further
- The Craft of Campaigns: A Podcast for Organisers
- Introduction to ChangeMakers Podcast
- Commons Conversations Podcast: Insights into Activism
- Faces of Change: Podcast by Marshall Ganz
- People’s History of Australia Podcast
- The Paradigm Shift Podcast
- Finding Joy in Resistance: 12 Inspiring Podcasts
- Words to Win By Podcast
- Agency Podcast: Stories of Social Change
- How to Create your own Podcast
- MOVE Collection
- Resources by Beautiful Trouble
