If Books Could Kill
Michael Hobbes & Peter ShamshiriThe airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds
| Publishes | Monthly | Episodes | 119 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Peter and Michael discuss "Think And Grow Rich," the 1937 classic written by a lifelong fraudster who finds his final mark: You.
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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!
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Peter went on Mike's other show, Maintenance Phase, to revisit a biohacking diet book for the boys.
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Peter and Michael discuss "Bullshit Jobs" by anarchist anthropologist David Graeber. The result: two professional podcasters debating which jobs are real and which jobs are fake.
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Key Facts
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Reviews
- Freaking hilarious & much needed takedowns
My only complaints about this podcast are (a) that it took me so long to find out about it and (b) that I didn’t think about this idea myself. Peter and Michael are laugh out loud funny and their takedowns of horrible books are sorely needed.
Apple Podcasts5shirki
United States3 days ago - Come for the take downs, stay for Michael’s Muttley laugh.
That is all
Apple Podcasts5Dublub666666666United States7 days ago - Please Don’t Stop Swearing!
I love Mike and all his podcasts and Peter is now a favorite, too. This is a great team and podcast. Please don’t stop swearing! It was actually something I noticed from the jump and rather enjoy as a fellow curser. 💪
Apple Podcasts5slwildwoodUnited States15 days ago - Yelling into the void because you work in educational psychology
Congrats If Books Can Kill! You got me to yell in rage over a book when I was only 10 minutes into the episode. I am now 45 minutes in & I don’t think I can finish without breaking something. Amazing job. Keep it up.
Apple Podcasts5Educated & annoyedUnited States18 days ago Smug hosts, no useful content
Podcast Addict219 days agoD
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #89 | United States/Top Podcasts |
Spotify | #13 | United States/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #220 | United States/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #31 | United States/Society & Culture |
Spotify | #84 |  Canada/Top Podcasts |
Spotify | #25 |  United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interests | Professions | Age Range | |||
| Household Income | Social Media Reach | ||||
Frequently Asked Questions About If Books Could Kill
What is If Books Could Kill about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Listeners tune in for witty, critical takes on airport bestseller nonfiction, with a strong emphasis on policy, politics, and culture. Episodes frequently dissect the ideas behind popular books, weigh empirical evidence, and push back against hype with rigorous—often humorous—analysis. The show stands out for its sharp banter between two hosts, occasional collaborations with guests from related spaces, and a penchant for connecting literary claims to real-world consequences, making it appealing to critically minded, policy- and culture-focused audiences.
Noteworthy strengths include a robust conversational dynamic, willingness to challenge established narratives, and a steady stream of book-centered but policy-aware discussions. The format... more
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?
To see how many followers or subscribers If Books Could Kill has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
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 119 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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How do I access podcast episode transcripts 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. Peter Shamshiri
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