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Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books and try to figure out why they were banned in the first place.
Each season, we tackle a new banned book, reading it chapter by chapter and asking: What made someone clutch their pearls and scream, "BAN IT!"? (Spoiler: It’s rarely what you’d expect.) One thing is clear—the people banning these books often haven’t read them. While we uncover some eyebrow-raising moments, nothing truly justifies censorship.
Join us—and our listeners, "The Scary Book People"—as we explore the strange, hilarious, and sometimes baffling world of banned books.
Past seasons have featured classics like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.
This season, we’re diving into 1984 by George Orwell—a dystopian warning that feels eerily real today. From thought control to banned books, its message is more relevant than ever, and that’s exactly why it remains one of the most challenged books of all time.
By reading these books, we ask big questions: Why are banned books important? What does “banned” mean? What does “challenged” mean? How do book bans affect students? Are book bans constitutional?
Come hang out with us and have some laughs while we dig into the drama behind banned books—you might even learn something cool along the way!
Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship
Slaughterhouse-Five | Ch. 10 - So It Ends, So It Goes
This is it—Jennifer and Dan reach the final chapter of Slaughterhouse-Five, and they’re not alone! Special guest Beowulf Rochlen, host of Good News for Lefties, joins the discussion as they navigate Vonnegut’s signature blend of dark humor and existential dread. From corpse mines to Tralfamadorian philosophy to Billy Pilgrim’s last moments, this chapter packs a haunting punch. Plus, a reflection on why this book was banned, a deep dive into Vonnegut’s worldview, and the usual unhinged banter between Jennifer, Dan, and Robot.
Things To Listen For:
- Beowulf Rochlen joins the crew! How does Good News for Lefties stay optimistic in dark times?
- Vonnegut’s final “so it goes” spree. The most casual recounting of death ever.
- A deep dive into the corpse mines. (Not a metal band… yet.)
- Jennifer and Dan debate whether this book is a comedy or a tragedy. Spoiler: It’s both.
- PPP (Problematic Points to Ponder). The gang breaks down why Slaughterhouse-Five made it onto the banned books list.
- The latest in book bans. Yes, even picture books are under attack.
Banworthy to Bingeworthy:
Check out Good News for Lefties!
Start your day with an actual good news roundup (because doom-scrolling isn’t a personality trait). Hosted by Beowulf Rochlen, this daily show highlights progressive wins, political strategy, and, yes, some laughs along the way. Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Big News for Banned Camp Fans!
Next episode: A special crossover event!
Jennifer and Dan team up with Joe and Alison from Queer Cinema Catch-Up to compare Slaughterhouse-Five the book vs. Slaughterhouse-Five the movie. Was the adaptation faithful? Did it capture Vonnegut’s weird, wonderful tone? Find out next episode!
Coming February 11: A new season of Banned Camp begins!
Next up? 1984 by George Orwell. Thoughtcrime, Big Brother, and the bleakest love story ever written—get ready.
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Topics Covered:
Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut, Beowulf Rochlen, Good News for Lefties, censorship, banned books, corpse mines, war trauma, Tralfamadorians, Billy Pilgrim, book-to-movie adaptations.
Don’t forget, you can grab a free ‘I Read Banned Books’ decal at BannedCampPodcast.com/stickers. Supplies are limited, so don’t wait.