If Books Could Kill

Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
  • 4.6 (8.4K)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
If Books Could Kill
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The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds

  1. JUN 5

    Bonus: The Lab Leak Goes Mainstream

    By popular demand we are releasing last month's Patreon bonus episode on the main feed! We chart the transformation of the lab leak from an unfounded theory promoted by right-wing cranks to an unfounded theory promoted by liberal journalists. Where to find us:  Peter's newsletterPeter's other podcast, 5-4Mike's other podcast, Maintenance Phase Thanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

    1h 21m

  2. MAY 30 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The Lab Leak Goes Mainstream

    Michael and Peter discuss how the lab leak theory, despite a serious lack of good evidence, has captured the imagination of both liberal journalists and the American public.

    1h 22m

  3. APR 28 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    The Free Speech Warriors' Guide to Fascism

    For years, a loose alliance of pundits has been stoking a panic about the threat to free speech coming from the left. Now that an anti-speech right wing is in power, will they admit that they got conned?

    1h 17m

  4. APR 23

    The Let Them Theory

    Peter 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 Framework of Implementation Guidelines Based on a Systematic Review of the Published Literature Polarization in AmericaThe 5 Resets Impact of health warning labels on selection and consumption of food and alcohol products: systematic review with meta-analysisThanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

    54 min

  5. MAR 31

    Josh Hawley's "Manhood" [TEASER]

    To hear the rest of the episode, support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IfBooksPod

    53 min

  6. MAR 31 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Josh Hawley's "Manhood"

    Michael and Peter discuss a book about masculinity written by Senator Josh Hawley, the guy who encouraged January 6th rioters and then broke into a full sprint when they actually rioted.

    1h 21m

  7. MAR 28

    Steve Harvey's "Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man"

    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!

    59 min

  8. MAR 6

    Of Boys And Men

    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 AchievementGender Differences in Scholastic Achievement: A Meta-AnalysisEarly Childhood Behavior Problems and the Gender Gap in Educational Attainment in the United StatesWhere The Boys Aren’tThe gender achievement gap in grades and standardised testsThe State of Gender Equality for U.S. AdolescentsHighlights of women’s earnings in 2023The gender gap in educational outcomes in NorwaySocial Influences And The Gender Gap In Disruptive BehaviorFamily Disadvantage and the Gender GapWhat might interrupt men's suicide?As Women Take Over a Male-Dominated Field, the Pay DropsThe Cost of CaringIs Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?Age of Entry to Kindergarten and Children’s Academic AchievementThe Effect of Age at School Entry on Reading Achievement Scores Beyond the Pros and Cons of RedshirtingSelf- Control and the Developing BrainImportance of Sex Differences in Impulse Control and AddictionsIt is a myth that boys lag behind in brain developmentThanks to Mindseye for our theme song!

    1h 23m
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Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
8,429 Ratings

About

The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 If Books Could Kill
  • Show Website
    If Books Could Kill
  • Provider
    One Word LLC

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