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If Books Could Kill
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© 2025 If Books Could Kill
Description
The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds
59 Episodes
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10Peter and Michael discuss The Let Them Theory, a self-help guide to seeking bliss through unmitigated complacency. Where to find us: Peter's newsletterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: How to stop screwing yourself overMel Robbins and PlagiarismLet her? Army wife claims Mel Robbins stole her idea for blockbuster self-help book Mel Robbins’s “Let Them” theory: really that simple?Breathing Practices for Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Conceptual ...
To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
Are you a single lady struggling to find love with a man? Don't fret! A twice-divorced game show host who thinks conversation is for women is here to help. Where to find us: Peter's newsletterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseThanks to Mindseye for our theme song!
Who's to blame for the crisis of American masculinity? On the right, politicians tell men that they being oppressed by feminists and must reassert their manhood by supporting an authoritarian regime. And on the left, users of social media are often very irritating to people who write airport books. Where to find us: Peter's newsletterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Conscientiousness as a Predictor of the Gender Gap in Academic Achievement...
Peter and Michael dissect Jen Sincero's "You are a Badass," a book that answers the question: What if "The Secret" was written in the painful, try-hard style of "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck"? Featuring a surprise digression about Sincero's other, even worse books. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Savy Writes Books Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!
In 2004, historian Thomas Frank proposed a theory about the rightward drift of the white working class. Was he a prescient king whose work presaged the rise of Trump — or a bumbling fool with a broken thesis? Unfortunately it turns out he is a secret third thing that takes one hour and six minutes to explain. Special thanks to Julia Valdés for her help with this episode! Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: The Thesis That D...
Peter and Michael discuss the book that launched the phenomenon of New Atheism and asked the question: What if we hated Muslims, but in a secular way? Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Views of ViolenceCarnival Booth: An Algorithm for Defeating the Computer-Assisted Passenger Screening SystemThe same motive for anti-US 'terrorism' is cited over and overDoes intuitive mindset influence belief in God? Terrorism science: 5 insi...
What should workers do when they get laid off? In 1998 a bleak, asinine bestseller told them to find another whey. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining AmericaDownsizing in AmericaTemp: How American Work, American Business, and the American Dream Became TemporaryThe Disposable AmericanSpencer Johnson, ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ Author, Dies at 78What was the New Economy?Bo...
New York’s favorite criminal is in the news, so here is our episode about his ridiculous life. To hear all of our bonus episodes, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
Is fact-checking a legitimate enterprise? Is America's most famous fact-checker nothing more than a dweeb? Michael and Peter discuss. To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
A memoir about parenting very badly and then getting weirdly defensive when anyone asks you about it. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Effects of Authoritative Parental Control on Child Behavior, Child DevelopmentTypes of Parenting Styles and Effects On ChildrenDoes “Tiger Parenting” Exist? Parenting Profiles of Chinese Americans and Adolescent Developmental OutcomesAssociations of parenting dimensions and styles with externaliz...
Is social media to blame for the teen mental health crisis? It's complicated! Thanks to Emily Weinstein, Amy Orben, Andrew Przybylski, Dean Burnett, Michael Mullarkey and Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz for help researching and fact-checking this episode! Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Emily Weinstein's book, "Behind Their Screens"Positive and negative uses of social media among adolescents hospitalized for suicidal behaviorThe Sisyp...
To celebrate ("celebrate") Donald Trump choosing JD Vance as his running mate we are re-releasing our "Hillbilly Elegy" episode. Enjoy!
Peter and Michael discuss "The Origins of Woke," a glimpse into the dark aspirations of the Republican Party and the mind of a very unusual man. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: What Speech Does "Hostile Work Environment" Harassment Law Restrict? Tunis v. Corning Glass Works, 698 F. Supp. 452 (S.D.N.Y. 1988)Pakizegi v. First Nat. Bank of Boston, 831 F. Supp. 901 Tesla Settles Discrimination Suit With Former Factory Wo...
Peter and Michael discuss the media coverage of the protests at Columbia — from the crazed, bloodthirsty ravings of right-wing media to the more muted, respectful bloodthirst of centrist media. To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
Peter and Michael discuss Michael Lewis’s bestselling book about the rise and fall of Sam Bankman-Fried, a young prodigy whose only flaw was that he dreamed too big. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Michael Lewis Is Buying What Sam Bankman-Fried Is Selling Michael Lewis Likens Critics of His New Book on Sam Bankman-Fried to a 'Mob'The SBF trial is a reminder that crypto is a rotten businessReview: Michael Lewis's Going Inf...
2 Better 2 Angels Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Jeffrey Epstein’s Science of SleazePinker’s response to Epstein allegationsHow Jeffrey Epstein Captivated HarvardJeffrey Epstein Hoped to Seed Human Race With His DNAIt’s Official — Steven Pinker Is Full of ShitPinker, Epstein, Soldier, SpyA century of sexual abuse victimisation: A birth cohort analysisThe prevalence of...
We're finally discussing a good book! Naomi Klein's "Doppelgänger" chronicles the long, steady descent of another Naomi — Wolf (buddy oof) — from feminist icon to crank conspiracist. To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
In 2013, Sheryl Sandberg became an icon for women who wanted to move from middle management at a tech company into upper management at a tech company. Today, Peter and Michael examine the contents of her bestselling book, survey the wreckage of corporate feminism and ask whether women will finally find liberation in the Metaverse. Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Facebook Feminism, Like It or NotFeminism's Tipping Point: Who Wi...
This week we're tackling Steven Pinker's 900 page dissection of the reasons why violence, torture and war have declined over the last 10,000 years. Was it an indeterminate mixture of politics, economics, technology and serendipity? Or did some European guys write some books that said murder was bad? Special thanks to Philip Dwyer, Eleanor Janega, David M. Perry and Doug Thompson for help researching and fact-checking this episode! Where to find us: Peter's other podcast, 5-4Mike'...
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That second zinger was absolute gold
I love this podcast.
15 minutes in and I've already said "ew" so many times I lost count.
Neil Strauss's "The Game" delves into the world of pickup artists, offering insights into social dynamics and human behavior. While the content is controversial, it sheds light on the lengths some go to in mastering social interactions. Similarly https://afropari.com/line in the realm of online gaming, understanding strategies can enhance one's experience. For instance, platforms like Afropari provide intuitive interfaces and a variety of games, making it easier for newcomers to navigate and enjoy. Just as "The Game" emphasizes practice and understanding, immersing oneself in these platforms can lead to a more rewarding experience.
can you do a review on "deep work" by cal Newport?
I've never seen these two miss the mark more than this episode. Comparing religious beliefs to horoscopes? People don't kill for horoscopes.
Eee-DAMN this was a good episode!
This might sound so cheesy, but I think this episode was really grate.
my critics will die without cheese 😂
sippy cups are for closers 😆 🤣
please eviscerate "Love and Respect" by Emerson Eggerichs. Especially his insulting audio version, in which he voices women as whiny nags dragging down the hero...
you're kid can learn these lessons without the way she does it, so less trauma.
I absolutely love 'If Books Could Kill'! The podcast is a brilliant blend of insightful analysis and engaging storytelling. Each episode is meticulously researched, making complex topics accessible and captivating. https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4a766d5b-6a9b-4e72-8318-3d15c1302779/episodes/277ba47b-163c-4643-96e9-60f9037e494b/packaging-los-angeles-role-of-candle-packaging-in-e-commerce
that pret a manger pronunciation killed me
JD Bowman [sic] Vance was raised far from hills of Appalachia and is nothing more than a 'literary' carpet bagger.
I knew I knew his book from somewhere. reading a "who's this guy article" and was thinking "bs" the whole time, and now I know why lol thanks!
Re: The suburbs: Rush summarized the whole problematic situation accurately with the lyrics of their song "Subdivisions," released in 1983, within the span of four minutes, including repetition and guitar solos.
I wrote a bit for the University of Toronto student paper when Naomi Klein was the editor, and what I remember most about her is that even at age 21 or whatever, she was one of the most deadly serious people I've ever met.
People are really f’n mean in Boston. So, yes, you are more likely to experience discrimination in NE.
Ok I have to disagree here. I did not hold my daughter more than my sons or help her more. I actually have to coddle my daughter less because I know she is in a world where she will be oversexualized at a young age, she is in danger of assault, and she is from a poor family and will be treated as less-than. Plus, she will contend with menstrual cycles, the pain of childbirth, and the disappointment that men with a slight cold bring. My baby boys were much more needy. They still are at 4 and 8.