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Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship
If you think banning books is stupid, so do we.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books and try to figure out why they were banned in the first place.
If you’re new here, don’t sweat it. You can start anywhere. We’ll get you oriented fast (and if you get confused, there’s a good chance we’re confused too).
Here’s what makes us different: we actually read the book out loud, every chapter, cover to cover, and we’ve never read it before. So you hear us stumble through the text, mispronounce names, miss obvious foreshadowing, and slowly piece together what freaks Moms for Liberty and the pudding-fingered politicians out.
Our listeners are called The Scary Book People. You’ll fit right in.
Past seasons: 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, Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, and 1984 by George Orwell.
This season we’re reading Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. A dystopia built on pleasure instead of fear. People are engineered, drugged, and distracted into obedience, and taught to love the system that controls them. It’s funny, creepy, and way too familiar right now.
Book bans are at a 20-year high. The people doing the banning usually haven’t read the books… so we read them out loud together, and by the end you can honestly say you’ve read it too.
Nine seasons in. #1 ranked banned books comedy podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Hit follow. The book banners are idiots. Come help us prove it.
Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship
1984 | Ch. 3 - The Physical Jerks & Other Dystopian Horrors
What happens when the government controls not just what you do—but what you remember?
Winston’s memories are fading, his past is being rewritten, and even his own body isn’t his own anymore. In Chapter 3 of 1984, Orwell paints a chilling picture of a world where love is a liability, war is forever, and even morning exercise is a test of loyalty. Sound familiar? It should. Also, in case you were wondering, The Physical Jerks are not an underground punk band from the ‘80s—they’re government-mandated calisthenics that make you wish Big Brother would just kill you instead.
- Discover why Winston’s memories are sinking like a doomed ship—and why that’s exactly what the Party wants.
- Find out how forced morning workouts (aka "The Physical Jerks") are a whole new level of dystopian control.
- See why this book keeps getting banned—and what that says about the people trying to erase it.
🎧 Hit play now to hear Dan, Jennifer, and Robot break down Orwell’s eerie predictions—before they get memory-holed.
Featured Clip:
This episode includes a few seconds from Richard Simmons' Blast Off! 20 Minute Workout—because if we’re going to suffer through dystopian forced exercise, we might as well have some neon spandex and enthusiasm while we’re at it.
All rights and copyrights are the property of their respective owners and are used here for entertainment and educational purposes under fair use guidelines. No copyright infringement intended.
Banworthy to Bingeworthy:
If you love Banned Camp, here are two podcasts you’ll want to check out:
🎙️ Good News for Lefties – Hosted by Banned Camp’s own newsman Beowulf Rochlen, this daily podcast delivers actual good news from a progressive perspective. In a world drowning in right-wing outrage, Good News for Lefties is a refreshing reminder that people are still fighting (and winning) for justice, democracy, and sanity. Get your daily dose of optimism—find it wherever you listen to podcasts.
🎙️ Jen Psaki’s Blueprint – Want an insider’s take on how politics actually works? Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki breaks down key issues, interviews political leaders and change-makers, and exposes the GOP’s latest schemes—without the media spin. If you like Banned Camp’s mix of insight and humor, Blueprint is your next must-listen. Available on all major podcast platforms.
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Full Disclaimer:
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 for the purposes of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. Some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing, but we always honor the author’s intent.
The material from 1984 by George Orwell is used under these principles to spark discussion about censorship, propaganda, and free speech. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy to experience Orwell’s vision in full.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to George Orwell’s estate, publishers, or related entities. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed. Our goal is to foster literary appreciation, critical discussion, and resistance against censorship—because when governments and corporations decide what you can and can’t read, we all lose.
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