.png)
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
1984 | Ch. 6: Winston’s Worst Date Ever
In this episode, Winston takes a trip down memory lane—unfortunately, it’s a dark alley leading to a sketchy basement. Jennifer and Dan dissect Orwell’s bleak vision of love, marriage, and the Party’s war on pleasure. Meanwhile, Jennifer develops an unexpected bond with Winston’s nervous system, Prudence has some thoughts about keeping things joyless.
Things To Listen For:
- Winston’s past romantic decisions, and why he regrets them deeply.
- Jennifer and Dan theorize about Party-approved lube. (Victory Lube™?)
- The Party’s real goal: making sex as appealing as an enema.
- How Nazi Germany rewarded childbirth—and why modern conservatives seem to like the idea.
- Beowulf Rochlen breaks down the data: What kind of books get banned the most? (Spoiler: It’s not about protecting the children.)
Bingeworthy Podcast:
🔍 Good News for Lefties – Need a break from doomscrolling? Beowulf Rochlen brings you actual good news from a progressive perspective. Stay informed, stay hopeful.
Rate, Review, & Follow Us
Help us fight censorship—leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps other Scary Book People find us.
Disclaimer:
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 by George Orwell for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. While some passages may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing, we remain true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to experience the full work.
The material from 1984 is shared to spark discussion on censorship, authoritarianism, and free speech. Orwell’s work remains the property of its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage you to purchase a copy to support the author’s legacy.
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to George Orwell’s estate or the publishers of 1984. Any monetization of this podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed. We believe in fostering literary appreciation, critical thought, and open conversation—because when governments or extremists decide what can and can’t be read, freedom itself is at risk.
Topics Covered:
1984, Winston Smith, Party control, sexuality in dystopias, book bans, Nazi birth incentives, censorship, banned books, Moms for Liberty, political propaganda
Don’t forget, you can grab a free ‘I Read Banned Books’ decal at BannedCampPodcast.com/stickers. Supplies are limited, so don’t wait.