If Books Could Kill

Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri

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Society & Culture
Every two weeks

The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds

30 Jun · Bonus • Subscribers Only

The Assassination of The Washington Post by the Coward Jeff Bezos

Peter and Michael discuss the slow death of The Washington Post at the hands of its billionaire owner, and dive deep into the Post's truly terrible new podcast.
18 Jun

The Body Keeps The Score

You know that book your friend recommended? The one that rigorously describes the science of trauma, de-stigmatizes abuse and promotes effective treatments? Well here’s the thing: It doesn't actually do that. Thanks to Emi Nietfield, Keith Cox, Lisa Starr, Richard McNally, Kevin McGuire and everyone else who helped us research and fact-check this episode! Where to find us: Our PatreonOur merch!Peter's newsletterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: What the Most Famous Book About Trauma Gets WrongTrauma: A GenealogyRemembering TraumaAdvocates of Research-Supported Treatments for PTSD are Losing Tell Me Why It Hurts‘The Body Keeps the Score’ offers uncertain scienceYour Brain Is Not an Onion With a Tiny Reptile Inside PTSD and complex PTSD: a review of reviewsWhat Does It Mean When 38% Forget?Multiple Identity Enactments and Multiple Personality Disorder: A Sociocognitive PerspectiveThe Brain Is Adaptive Not TriuneThanks to Mindseye for our theme song! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
29 May · Bonus • Subscribers Only

Conspiracies of Yore: Sarah Palin's Fake Pregnancy

Did Sarah Palin fake her 2008 pregnancy? Or is Andrew Sullivan just a lunatic? The boys discuss in the inaugural edition of the If Books Could Kill Conspiracies of Yore series.
21 May

Think And Grow Rich

Peter and Michael discuss "Think And Grow Rich," the 1937 classic written by a lifelong fraudster who finds his final mark: You. Where to find us: Our PatreonOur merch!Peter's newsletterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: The Untold Story of Napoleon Hill, the Greatest Self-Help Scammer of All TimeA Lifetime of RichesHow to Lose Friends and Alienate PeopleHow a Different America Responded to the Great DepressionThe Psychic Scandal How Trump Turned The Power of Positive Thinking Into DelusionThanks to Mindseye for our theme song! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
30 Apr

Grit

In 2013, education reformers tried to help poor students the using the best tool at their disposal: The 16th most popular Ted Talk. Special thanks to Marcus Credé! Where to find us: Our PatreonOur merch!Peter's newsletterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: Much Ado About GritWhat Shall We Do About Grit?Grit under attackTeaching “Grit”The Problem With GritThe Limits of “Grit”Grit: The power of passion and perseveranceIs 'Grit' Doomed To Be The New Self-Esteem?Measurement MattersUsing Psychological Science to Help Children ThriveSelf-Control and Academic AchievementCognitive and noncognitive predictors of successShould non-cognitive skills be included in school accountability systems?Measuring Students’ Non-Cognitive Skills and the Impact of SchoolingGrit: A Short History of a Useful ConceptTeaching Kids 'Grit' is All the Rage."Grit" RevisitedCharacter Education: A Cautionary NoteWhat if the Secret to Success Is Failure?The Effects of the EITC on Child AchievementAcademic Performance And Food StampsThanks to Mindseye for our theme song! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
27 Apr · Bonus • Subscribers Only

Catching Up With Bari & Zohran

Peter and Michael update each other on Zohran Mamdani, who's doing normal mayor stuff in New York, and Bari Weiss, who's doing weird reactionary stuff at CBS News.
16 Apr

CROSSOVER EVENT: Tim Ferriss’s "The 4-Hour Body"

Peter went on Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase, to revisit a biohacking diet book for the boys. Where to find us: Our PatreonOur merch!Peter's newsletterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance PhaseSources: The 4-Hour BodyDoes Glycemic Index Matter for Weight Loss? An Examination of the Evidence New! Improved! Shape Up Your Life! The 4-Hour Body: The Real App You Are Working On Is An App Called YourselfThanks to Mindseye for our theme song! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod
28 Mar · Bonus • Subscribers Only

The Worst Iran Takes

Trump took America to war and the nation's pundits took readers to the dumbest recesses of their brains. Note: We recorded this almost two weeks ago, so if you're curious why we don't mention very much after the initial bombing, that is why!

Michael Hobbes

Host
Peter Shamshiri

Host

The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds

Creator

Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

122
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 If Books Could Kill
Show Website

If Books Could Kill
Provider

One Word LLC