It started as a joke, a whisper, a throwaway comment on a podcast. But before long, the headline was everywhere: Barack Obama and Jennifer Aniston are having an affair. Tabloids ran with it. Social media exploded. And despite being completely false, the rumor took on a life of its own.
This isn’t just a bizarre celebrity hoax—it’s a textbook example of how misinformation spreads, eroding our ability to separate truth from fiction.
In this episode, we break down how viral gossip, conspiracy thinking, and media manipulation are accelerating the collapse of public trust. We turn to "A Lot of People Are Saying" by Russell Muirhead & Nancy L. Rosenblum and "Gossip: The Untrivial Pursuit" by Joseph Epstein to unpack why rumors thrive, how they shape society, and what history warns us about the consequences.
We tackle three critical questions:
• Does repetition make lies feel true? From celebrity gossip to political conspiracies, the more something is repeated, the more people believe it—no evidence needed.
• Why do certain rumors spread faster than others? The Obama-Aniston hoax wasn’t just random; it tapped into existing narratives about both figures, proving that misinformation thrives on preexisting biases.
• What happens when trust in media collapses? When fake stories circulate unchecked, people lose faith in all information—including real journalism. The result? A society where facts no longer matter.
And for our bonus deep dive, we explore the eerie parallels between today’s misinformation crisis and one of history’s bloodiest uprisings—the French Revolution. From Marie Antoinette’s infamous “Let them eat cake” myth to the diamond necklace scandal, gossip helped fuel revolutionary rage, ultimately leading to her execution. Could today’s digital rumor mill be leading us down a similar path?
Books mentioned:
📖 "A Lot of People Are Saying" by Russell Muirhead & Nancy L. Rosenblum
📖 "Gossip: The Untrivial Pursuit" by Joseph Epstein
📚 BookClub makes the wisdom in books accessible, approachable, and applicable for better leadership development.
Learn more at BookClub.com
#FakeNews #Gossip #Misinformation #Obama #JenniferAniston #BookClub
Guantanamo Bay is back in the headlines, but not for the reasons you might expect. Donald Trump has plans to expand the infamous detention facility—not just for suspected terrorists, but for so-called “high-threat” migrants. Let’s call this Guantanamo 2.0.
And here’s the real danger: This won’t make Americans safer. In fact, it could put them in extreme danger.
In this episode, we break down how Trump’s proposal could backfire catastrophically, creating a new wave of radicalization, foreign retaliation, and global instability. We dive into The Mauritanian—the memoir of Mohamedou Ould Slahi, the most tortured man in Guantánamo history (despite never being charged with a crime)—to uncover the chilling lessons history is about to repeat.
We make three bold predictions about what Guantánamo 2.0 could mean for the world:
• Will it fuel anti-American extremism? Past detainees from Guantanamo joined terrorist groups after being abused and held indefinitely—what happens when you apply that same logic to migrants?
• Could it spark global retaliation? China, Russia, and extremist groups have used Guantanamo as propaganda for years. Expanding it gives them even more ammunition against the U.S.
• Does this set a dangerous legal precedent? Trump’s plan could create a system where mass indefinite detention becomes the norm—blurring the line between national security and human rights abuses.
From secret torture programs to government overreach, The Mauritanian shows us what happens when legal black holes swallow real people. If Guantanamo expands, we’re not just making the same mistakes—we’re making them bigger, bolder, and with far greater consequences.
Books mentioned:
📖 The Mauritanian (formerly Guantánamo Diary) by Mohamedou Ould Slahi
📚 BookClub makes the wisdom in books accessible, approachable, and applicable for better leadership development.
Learn more at BookClub.com
#Guantanamo #immigration #humanrights #bookclub
Elon Musk isn’t just running Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter)—he’s speedrunning his way through global influence like it’s a side quest in his own personal simulation. With a tech empire spanning AI, social media, Starlink, and Neuralink, Musk has more power than ever before. But what’s his endgame? And is he actually playing 4D chess, or just rolling Nat 20s on pure chaos!?
This episode dives into the rise of Elon Musk’s Dark MAGA Era—where his right-wing political leanings, clashes with government regulation, and control over platforms like X and Starlink make him one of the most influential (and meme-able) figures in the world. We analyze Musk’s ties to the MAGA movement, his role in shaping AI regulation, and the future of Tesla, SpaceX, and of course, DOGE—the Department of Government Efficiency, which he now leads in the Trump Administration.
By diving deep into "Elon Musk," his biography by Walter Isaacson, we make three bold predictions and explore what’s coming next:
• Will Neuralink and AI give Musk an even stronger foothold in global influence, or will it just be the ultimate way to trash post directly from your brain?
• How is his control over X shaping elections, free speech policies, and the timeline’s overall ratio-to-cope ratio?
• Could Starlink become an independent, decentralized communication powerhouse—or will Musk just use it to ensure he can tweet from Mars?
We’ll also break down Musk’s power grab, his growing role in censorship debates, and how he keeps winning the culture wars with a single Pepe meme. Whether he’s supporting Trump, advocating for AI regulation, or tanking Dogecoin with an offhand SNL joke, one thing is clear—Musk’s vision for the future is as unpredictable as his tweets at 2 a.m.
So where is Elon Musk heading next? Will he reshape politics, change humanity through tech, or finally launch himself into space to live out his final form as a real-life Bond villain? Let’s break it all down, separate fact from meme magic, and figure out what Musk’s growing power means for business, technology, and the world at large.
Books mentioned:
• “Elon Musk" by Walter Isaacson
📚 BookClub makes the wisdom in books accessible, approachable, and applicable for better leadership development.
- Learn more at https://www.bookclub.com
#elonmusk #elon #doge #maga #darkmaga
Aviation disasters used to feel like a thing of the past. But recent plane crashes—including the first fatal commercial crash since 2001—have reignited concerns about airline safety. Many are asking: Are we safe in the skies?
Today on Book Wise, host Britt Brewer, A.K.A. Dr. Books, unpacks the recent surge in air crashes and explores the factors that typically lead to plane crashes. Using insights from reputable books, we’ll break down what’s really happening at 30,000 feet and whether you should be worried about stepping onto your next flight.
Now, let’s be clear: Book Wise is NOT about fearmongering. This is a podcast about books, and books help us process complex, high-stakes events with clarity and reason.
So let’s dig into the facts, separate fear from reality, and examine the state of air travel with the help of expert authors.
Books mentioned:
• “Flight Failure: Investigating the Nuts and Bolts of Air Disasters and Aviation Safety” by Donald J. Porter
• “Why Planes Crash: An Accident Investigator's Fight for Safe Skies” by David Soucie & Ozzie Cheek
📚 BookClub makes the wisdom in books accessible, approachable, and applicable for better leadership development.
- Learn more at https://www.bookclub.com
Assassinations are nothing new. They often greatly alter the course of history – from the murder of ArchDuke Ferdinand, to JFK, and now, yes, to the killing of Brian Thompson allegedly by Luigi Mangione.
From books to movies to musicals, politically motivated assassinations have captured the public’s imagination for centuries. But why? We’ll be exploring that question and more on today’s episode of Book Wise.
Join your host Britt Brewer, A.K.A. Dr. Books, to take a deeper look into the Mind of Assassins: What Might Luigi Mangione Have Been Thinking? - using the books Surprise, Kill, Vanish by leading expert and award-winner, Annie Jacobson, and Perfect Kill: 21 Laws for Assassins by former CIA Operative, Robert B. Baer, to try and help us navigate through the strategies and thought processes surrounding targeted, politically motivated assassinations.
Now, it must be noted that Book Wise in NO WAY condones murder, breaking the rule of law, or committing any crime for that matter.
This is a podcast about books after all! And books help humans process the murky gray morass of life to reach, hopefully, greater enlightenment.
So let’s all process (together) an event that has captured the attention of an entire nation, and do it through the lens of books!
Books mentioned:
• “Surprise, Kill, Vanish” by Annie Jacobson
• “Perfect Kill: 21 Laws for Assassins” by Robert B. Baer
📚 BookClub makes the wisdom in books accessible, approachable, and applicable for better leadership development.
- Learn more at https://www.bookclub.com/
Today on Book Wise, we’re discussing how to stop living a FAKE Life and start living YOUR TRUTH!
And how? Through Keke Palmer’s brand NEW memoir slash self-help book, Master of Me, explored via these three major topics:
The 3 P’s! Who’s down with P.P.P? Yeah you know me!
So go pour yourself some tea and listen up, ’cause we’re ’bout to spill the T….ruth about life and how to live it!
Books mentioned:
• “Master of Me” by Keke Palmer
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
If a cat has 9 lives, then Cher has… Welp… A LOT MORE. In fact, she’s got SO many lives, she had to break up her OWN memoir into parts.
And for Cher, success didn’t come easy. Nope, she had some serious obstacles standing in her way. And you can bet many of those came from the men in her life who tried to control, manipulate, and even defraud her.
So today, we’ll be exploring Cher’s early history in Part One of her new memoir; delving into how Cher became the bada$$ no nonsense swashbuckling diva we’ve come to know and love through these 3 major lens:
1. Overcoming a really tough childhood
2. Finding the strength to leave an abusive relationship
3. Finally, realizing you can’t be someone’s savior
We can all take a few notes from Cher on how to achieve ultimate bada$$ diva status ourselves!
So pour yourself a warm winter beverage, and listen to our Book Wise episode for Cher: The Memoir Part One.
Books mentioned:
• “Cher: The Memoir” by Cher
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
Buckle up, because this week on Book Wise, we’re diving into Britney Spears’ revealing memoir, “The Woman in Me.” This book isn’t just a tell-all—it’s a call-out. Through Britney’s words, we’re exploring how even one of the most powerful women in pop culture was systematically controlled, silenced, and exploited. From her rise as a global icon to her fight for freedom, Britney’s story is one we can all learn from.
In this episode, host Britt Brewer, aka Dr. Books, breaks down Britney’s memoir through three thought-provoking themes:
Britney may have been down, but she wasn’t out. Her resilience and courage to reclaim her life are nothing short of inspiring. So, grab your latte and settle in as we unpack how “The Woman in Me” sheds light on the ongoing fight against control, exploitation, and patriarchal power.
Books mentioned:
• “The Woman in Me” by Britney Spears
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
If you grew up watching Nickelodeon in the late 2000s/early 2010s, you probably remember the smash hit iCarly, starring Jennette McCurdy.
Though McCurdy appeared sunny and cheerful; her personal life was anything but.
Growing up with an overbearing, emotionally abusive mom-ager — McCurdy developed several harmful coping mechanisms. However, her issues didn’t evaporate with the death of her mother. McCurdy would find herself locked in a years-long losing battle with addiction, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
She would live to tell the tale. But the battle scars are visceral.
On this episode of Book Wise, Britt Brewer aka Dr. Books explores McCurdy’ tragic upbringing through the lens of:
1. Her fraught relationship with the creator of iCarly and Nickelodeon
2. A tormented upbringing with her Mom slash manager
3. Her continued battles with disordered eating
So check your nostalgia at the door, ’cause things are about to get really real.
Books mentioned:
• “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
Alexei Navalny, the fearless Russian opposition leader who stood up to Vladimir Putin’s regime, leaves behind a legacy of courage and resilience. His posthumous memoir, “Patriot,” offers an unflinching look into his relentless fight against oppression.
In this episode of Book Wise, host Britt Brewer a.k.a. Dr. Books, takes you through Navalny’s revolutionary story.
Get a rare glimpse into:
1. His unfiltered insights on Putin
2. What he says about the war on Ukraine
3. His hard-won wisdom for those standing against oppression.
For anyone inspired by the fight for freedom, this episode is essential listening.
Books mentioned:
• “Patriot” by Alexei Navalny
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
Are you plagued by daily ruminations such as….
Why do I feel so crappy at the end of the day? Why am I crying alone in the bathroom? Is that colleague being funny… Or am I actually being bullied by them?!
If so, there’s a good chance you might be the victim of workplace bullying.
To explore this topic, our host Book Wise host Britt Brewer AKA Dr. Books will summarize and contextualize some of the book, Back Off! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work by author and expert Catherine Mattice.
If you suspect that you’re being bullied, we’re going to cover:
1. Bullying Behaviors
2. Reasons You Might Be Targeted by a Bully?
3. And What You Can Do?
So breathe easy. Tune in. And relax. You’re safe now.
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
In this episode of Book Wise, host Britt Brewer AKA Dr. Books tackles the modern struggle of living in the present. Are we all just too busy to notice life happening right now?
With the help of Eckhart Tolle’s game-changing book “The Power of Now,” Britt dives into how staying present can lead to more joy, less stress, and even better leadership. It’s not just about “mindfulness” – it’s about making every moment count, whether you’re at work, at home, or somewhere in between.
But seriously, how do you stay present when your to-do list looks like a novel? Britt’s got three no-nonsense tips to help you hit pause on the chaos and refocus on the here and now.
Books mentioned:
• “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
Are Narcissism and Narcissistic abuse major problems in society today?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years – you’ve likely heard some of the discourse around both.
Never fear – we’ve got THE definitive take - It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People - from author and PHD haver: Ramani Durvasala – an expert on both narcissism and narcissistic abuse; particularly within interpersonal relationships.
On this upside of Book Wise, host Britt Brewer AKA “Dr. Books” will answer these three questions:
1. How do you know someone is a narcissist?
2. What does narcissistic abuse feel like?
3. And finally, how do you get out of it?
And this one goes so in-depth, we made it a two-part barn burner!
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
Are Narcissism and Narcissistic abuse major problems in society today?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years – you’ve likely heard some of the discourse around both.
Never fear – we’ve got THE definitive take - It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People - from author and PHD haver: Ramani Durvasala – an expert on both narcissism and narcissistic abuse; particularly within interpersonal relationships.
On this upside of Book Wise, host Britt Brewer AKA “Dr. Books” will answer these three questions:
1. How do you know someone is a narcissist?
2. What does narcissistic abuse feel like?
3. And finally, how do you get out of it?
And this one goes so in-depth, we made it a two-part barn burner!
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
Everybody is talking about Ozempic, Wegovy, and other weight loss drugs, but what’s the truth behind the hype?
On this episode of Book Wise, host Britt Brewer AKA Dr. Books will cover everything you need to know about these weight loss drugs. How they came to be? How they work? And, what are a few of the major risks associated with them?
We’ve got the definitive take from one of the most trusted voices in the field, Johann Hari from his new book: "Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs."
Books mentioned:
• “Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs” by Johann Hari
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
On this, *errr,* rather *steamy* episode of Book Wise, host Britt Brewer AKA Dr. Books takes on the topic of intimacy in long term relationships.
Citing well-researched and thoughtful insights from author and renowned sex educator Emily Nagoski’s latest book, "Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections," Dr. Books will reveal just what it takes to reignite the boudoir flame.
So if you and your loved one have found yourselves in the ol’ “eating pants+pizza n’ ice cream DoorDash order+midAFNetflix series” rut -- you’re not alone! But never fear, there’s hope for you to turn that hashtag couch life into a sexy new wave French cinema montage. So grab a beret and a pack of Gauloises, and as Victoria Beckham once sang, “people of the world, spice up your life!”
Books mentioned:
• “Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections” by Emily Nagoski
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
What does it mean to bear witness to injustice? Never before have humans had such access to firsthand accounts of global resistance due in large part to social media and technology.
But for award-winning American poet and editor Carolyn Forché — witnessing injustice first hand meant being in the fog of war herself, as it unfolded before her in real time.
On this episode of Book Wise, our host Britt Brewer AKA Dr. Books explores themes of injustice, resistance, and compassion by taking us through Forché’s extraordinary, best-selling book, “What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance.”
You’ll learn the importance of trusting your gut, self-reliance, the courage of a few brave souls, and the revolutionary act of compassion.
For those who seek justice in a world of injustice — this episode is for you.
Books mentioned:
• “What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance” by Carolyn Forché
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
Have you ever found yourself lying in bed, doom-scrolling through TikTok, wondering why the heck you’re still awake at 3 am looking at Caesar salad wrap recipes?
Well, my friend, you're not alone—and it turns out there's a whole generation feeling this way. On this episode of Book Wise, Britt Brewer a.k.a. Dr. Books dives into Jonathan Haidt’s eye-opening bestseller “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” to examine how social media is rewiring the young minds of today, leading to some not-so-fun stuff like mental health decline, body image issues, and (ugh) cyber bullying.
But don’t worry, this isn’t a total downer of an episode! Dr. Books will also be sharing four practical steps that you can take to help combat the chaos of being “too online,” especially for young folks. So close that Insta tab for a sec, put down the phone, and get ready to dive deep into the swirling vortex of modern technology and its impact on mental health.
Books mentioned:
• “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
Have you recently found yourself at a company offsite thinking …. Am I about to be indoctrinated into some freaky cult as soon as we circle back from this deep dive thought shower slash mandatory team yoga?
The answer, to quote the title of a super mid rom com starring Ryan Reynolds, is…. Definitely Maybe.
On this episode of Book Wise, host Britt Brewer AKA Dr. Books sheds a light on the cult-like attributes of modern society through the lens of Amanda Montell’s thoroughly enjoyable book, “Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism.” Dr. Books will highlight a few cult-y red flags planted throughout regular, everyday life, such as work, self-help/wellness, and online communities.
Don’t be scared! But do get educated! And remember, if a poor man’s Steve Carrell invites you to a weird upstate compound and simply insists you play volleyball with him at 10pm — just say no!
Books mentioned:
• “Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism” by Amanda Montell
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
On this episode of Book Wise, host Britt AKA Dr. Books delves into the shelves of Taylor Swift’s bookcase, to discuss T Swi’s fave 3 books based on the real lives of real people.
Part armchair therapist, part soothsayer, part pop culture historian — Dr. Books entertains a few working theories around just WHY Taylor might love these books.
We’re talkin’ tabloid marketing, bucking societal norms, rock star myth making, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and an online movement known as “Gaylor Swift.”
Yup, much like Degrassi, the Canadian soap starring a young Drake, it goes there.
Books mentioned:
• “Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century” by Sam Kashner & Nancy Schoenberger
• “Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me” by Pattie Boyd and Penny Junor
• “Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Unlock unlimited learning for your team. Learn more at bookclub.com.
