Unban Coolies

Unban Coolies advocates for artists and authors facing censorship, amid a surge in book bans, with librarians in the middle of the crossfire. Host Christopher Lau leads interviews with acclaimed authors and rockstar librarians, illuminating the dangers of book banning. Lau ensures each episode is filled with intriguing and thoughtful questions, guiding the conversations. Together, we champion diverse voices, ensuring our literary landscape mirrors the richness of human experiences. Brace yourself for inspiring narratives and boundless love for literature.

Unban Coolies is a arts podcast hosted by Christopher Lau, with 94 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Christopher Lau hosts Unban Coolies, a arts show with 94 episodes published.

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  Episode #5

  They Tried to BAN Her, But She SOLD Out

  Nov 17, 202522 minS12

  <p>Patricia McCormick, the groundbreaking author behind "Sold" and co-author of "I Am Malala," sits down for a conversation that goes deep into the fight against censorship. She reveals what it's like to be one of the most banned authors in America and the shocking moment she found a sliver of common ground with her challengers.</p><p><br></p><p>Patricia McCormick is a two-time National Book Award finalist who gives a voice to the voiceless. She is the acclaimed author of "Sold," a groundbreaking novel about human trafficking that became a feature film, and "Never Fall Down," the...

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  Unban Coolies

  A Long Walk to $4 Million

  Nov 10, 202514 minS0

  <p>What happens when a children's book becomes a force for global change? We sit down with Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park to discuss the astonishing real-world ripple effect of her novel, A Long Walk to Water. Inspired by the true story of Salva Dut, one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan, the book has sparked a movement. Linda Sue reveals how student readers, moved by Salva's mission to bring clean water to his homeland, have now raised over 4 MILLION DOLLARS to build hundreds of wells, serving millions of people.</p><p>We're also on the front lines of...

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  Episode #3

  Why Are They So Afraid Of This Book? | Maia Kobabe

  Nov 3, 202511 minS12

  <p>What happens when a deeply personal story about identity becomes a national target? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Maia Kobabe, the author and illustrator of the award-winning and heavily challenged graphic memoir, Gender Queer.</p><p><br></p><p>Maia opens up about the journey of creating a book that has become a lifeline for countless queer and questioning readers, while also finding itself at the center of a firestorm of censorship. We discuss the surprising, heartfelt responses from readers that convinced em to share eir story with the world, the painful reality of being targeted...

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  Episode #2

  The Book They’re Trying to Ban: Mike Curato on Flamer

  Oct 24, 202521 minS12

  <p>Flamer author and illustrator Mike Curato joins Unban Coolies for a powerful conversation about identity, queerness, faith, and surviving adolescence when the world tells you there is something wrong with who you are. Flamer has become one of the most frequently challenged books in America, appearing on the ALA’s Top 10 Most Challenged list, not because it is explicit, but because it tells the truth about a queer teen trying to stay alive.</p><p>In this interview, Mike speaks openly about what it was like to revisit his own memories of shame, bullying, and suicidal ideation, and he al...

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  Episode #1

  Openness Over Empathy — Jason Reynolds on Friendship

  Oct 14, 202517 minS12

  <p>Jason Reynolds joins UNBAN COOLIES to explore how stories create space for every reader. We talk about friendship as the most valuable relationship, why difference should pull us closer, and why openness can be more honest than empathy when you cannot know someone else’s life. Jason reflects on Long Way Down, the pressure to stay silent, and what it takes to break cycles. He shares a work in progress about the bully — and why humanizing kids who cause harm can help us change the environment around them. We unpack his library is a menu metaphor and why book bans...

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