In this episode, we chat with Samuel C. Spitale, author of How to Win the War on Truth. We cover the history of propaganda, the creation of Public Relations, and the rise of think tanks in our politics. Samuel walks us through the history of psychology of misinformation in the US and helps us understand what we can do it about it. We hope you enjoy!

Check out How to Win the War on Truth here:

https://villagewell.com/item/SbFnEzAaxwfbggoETgjPQA

And check out Samuel's recommendation for Economix here:

https://villagewell.com/item/yw4NwECvkwLFSnpnnaucvQ

The Village Well Podcast is brought to you by Village Well Books & Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in downtown Culver City, CA. Each episode, we interview authors and readers about books that capture our imagination. New episodes every Wednesday.

If you'd like to get in touch, you can email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@villagewell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you love the show and want us to keep creating, please consider subscribing on YouTube or leaving us a review wherever you listen.

In this episode, Jen and Shira sit down with DEI consultant Monique Marshall for a conversation about identity and belonging. Monique shares some excellent children's book recommendations for sparking conversations around identity with kids. She also discusses her own journey and offers suggestions for teaching children about DEI topics.Check out Monique's WebsiteMonique’s Recommendations- Our Skin by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Isabel Roxas- All the Colors We Are by Katie Kissinger- The Colors We Share by Angélica DassThe Village Well Podcast is brought to you by Village Well Books & Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in downtown Culver City, CA. Each episode, we interview authors and readers about books that capture our imagination. New episodes every Wednesday.If you'd like to get in touch, you can email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@villagewell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.If you love the show and want us to keep creating, please consider subscribing on YouTube or leaving us a review wherever you listen.

On this special holiday episode, the staff of The Village Well recommends gifts for 2025! See what we picked out below:

Fiction

• King Sorrow by Joe Hill
• The True True Story of Raja the Gullible by Rabih Alameddine
• Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

Nonfiction

• Empire of AI by Karen Hao
• Stitching Freedom by Gary Tyler
• The Dry Season by Melissa Febos

Kids/YA

• Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
• Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell

The Village Well Podcast is brought to you by Village Well Books & Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in downtown Culver City, CA. Each episode, we interview authors and readers about books that capture our imagination. New episodes every Wednesday.

If you'd like to get in touch, you can email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@villagewell.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

If you love the show and want us to keep creating, please consider subscribing on YouTube or leaving us a review wherever you listen.