Rephonic
Artwork for If Books Could Kill
Donald Trump
Masculinity
Self-Help
Let Them Theory
Who Moved My Cheese
The 48 Laws Of Power
New York City
Organized Retail Crime
Steve Harvey
Mel Robbins
The Better Angels Of Our Nature
Public Health
Spencer Johnson
Mental Health
Political Punditry
Mark Manson
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving a F*ck
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man
Self-Help Industry
Eric Adams

The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes124Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureNewsPolitics

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Artwork for If Books Could Kill

Latest Episodes

In 1993, a desperate man stumbled into a remote village in the foothills of the Karakoram mountains. After the residents nursed him back to health, he placed his hands on the village elder's shoulders and made a sacred promise. "Somehow," he said, "I... more

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... more

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 Patreon

• Our merch!

• Peter's newsletter

• Peter's other podcast, 5-4

• Mike's other podcast,... more

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 Patreon

• Our merch!

• Peter's newsletter

• Peter's other... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Emi Nietfield
Author of Acceptance, trauma memoir critic
Journalist and author
Episode: The Body Keeps The Score
Peter Shamshiri
Guest joining for crossover discussion; co-host from If Books Could Kill
If Books Could Kill / personal guest
Episode: CROSSOVER EVENT: Tim Ferriss’s "The 4-Hour Body"

Hosts

Peter
Host providing analysis and narration; co-host on the show
Michael
Co-host providing commentary and critique; co-host on the show

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 31.2k ratings
  • ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Michael and Peter deliver a masterclass in intellectual dunk fests, blending razor-sharp skepticism with such effortless, high brow wit that you'll feel significantly smarter for having heard them dismantle the world's most popular airport books.

    Also, Peter casually booing things is maybe the funniest thing ever

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mr.S.Martin
    United States15 days ago
  • Excelent

    Podcast Addict
    5
    pazuzo
    16 days ago
  • I love this pod.

    These guys are hilarious. I learn something new every episode, and, again— these guys are hilarious. Also wicked smart. My only complaint is that episodes don’t come out often enough, but I know that’s part of the deal.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mdfw1995
    United States17 days ago
  • The Best

    My favorite podcast of all time! It is halarious and gives this genX lady a new perspective on books my younger self thought were authoritative but turned out to be silly grifts. The who moved my cheese episode gave me 90’s corporate flashbacks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    In the weeds on Pods
    United States19 days ago
  • Hipster takedowns have their limits

    Got into this podcast a few months ago and really enjoyed their take downs of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” “The Secret,” and “The Let Them Theory.” They do a great job of showing how the self-help world takes little kernels of truth and turns them into profit-driven slop, often propped up by pseudoscience. Unfortunately, their episode on “The Body Keeps the Score” shows how glaring their own blind spots are. While there is definitely a LOT of things to criticize in that book, their search for the ultim... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    GazaOrBust
    United States20 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate evidence-based approach and rigorous debunking, with a few criticisms about certain episodes.
A lot of listeners praise the sharp, witty critique and smart banter.
Fans love the show's depth and humor, but some wish for more frequent episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per EpisodeGender SkewLocation
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Frequently Asked Questions About If Books Could Kill

What is If Books Could Kill about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, skeptical take on popular books and cultural trends, with a focus on debunking self-help myths, pseudo-science, and inflated narratives. Episodes pivot between rigorous analysis, witty banter, and accessible critique of widely discussed titles, from trauma psychology to wealth and success lore, often challenging mainstream narratives and highlighting how sensational storytelling can mislead readers. Noteworthy is the duo's willingness to interrogate assumptions, cite research, and push back on overly simplistic messages, making it feel like a thoughtful, entertaining classroom for curious listeners who crave evidence-based perspective while still wanting entertaining humor.

Where can I find podcast stats for If Books Could Kill?

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How many listeners does If Books Could Kill get?

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What are the audience demographics for If Books Could Kill?

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How many subscribers and views does If Books Could Kill have?

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Which podcasts are similar to If Books Could Kill?

These podcasts share a similar audience with If Books Could Kill:

1. Maintenance Phase
2. You're Wrong About
3. 5-4
4. In Bed With The Right
5. You Are Good

How many episodes of If Books Could Kill are there?

If Books Could Kill launched 4 years ago and published 124 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact If Books Could Kill?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for If Books Could Kill?

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What guests have appeared on If Books Could Kill?

Recent guests on If Books Could Kill include:

1. Emi Nietfield
2. Peter Shamshiri

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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