Hi Reader,

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I was talking with a friend recently about how misinformation has turned our world upside down. Sure, there have always been liars and charlatans, cheaters and fearmongers. But since the advent of the internet and social media—where everyone and anyone can instantly create something and post it as fact— the impact of lies has been widespread.

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When I was studying world history in junior high, I was fascinated by propaganda. My textbook showed images of buildings in China plastered with brain-washing slogans, pictures glorifying Hitler and other authoritarian leaders, and posters doing their best to convince the U.S. public that things during wartime were A-okay when they clearly weren’t.

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I couldn’t understand how people fell for such tactics. Wasn’t it obvious that someone was trying to force them to believe something that wasn’t real (otherwise, why would their government try so hard)?

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Before the internet, people were exposed to a limited number of bad actors. Even if everyone in their circle was a liar and thief, that still only amounted to a few dozen people. Now, someone can be exposed to hundreds of deviants in a day (just read the Comments in a contentious Facebook post!).

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My friend and I talked about how we have free access to just about any information we want to find, and how that feels juxtaposed with the abundance of deception (and now, unchecked AI-generated content). This situation has led to a whole generation of people bombarded with false information and a lack of discernment.

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So imagine my delight when I heard about a test to determine one's susceptibility to misinformation! The Misinformation Susceptibility Test (MIST) is based on a study conducted by the University of Cambridge which assessed over 66,000 people from 24 countries to find out who is likely to fall prey to misinformation. What did they find?

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Read the study here to see which demographics are most vulnerable to misinformation. Then, take the test yourself!

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The MIST is now available to anyone. People from around the world can take the test, receive personalized feedback, and add their data to the research. Take the test here.

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Speaking of misinformation, I think I know why doulas are so misunderstood: very few people have used a doula. People think they know what a doula is or does based on exaggerated TV characters or stories from friends. But most people lack direct exposure.

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That’s why I wrote So You Want to Be a Doula. I wanted to inform people about what doulas really do, how they work, and all the ways to be a doula (over 20 doula roles are defined) so aspiring doulas would go into the field fully informed. If you aren’t sure about all the ways doulas work, get your copy today.

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For my next book, I'm looking for doulas to interview

My next book promotes the doula role to helping and healing professionals, either as a career to pursue or a set of skills to add to their work. I’m looking for doulas to interview for stories to include in my book. If you are, or know of, the following types of doulas and would be willing to talk with me, please reach out at carrie@carriekenner.com:

• Divorce doula
• Menopause doula
• Fertility doula
• Abortion doula
• Antenatal doula
• Transgender doula
• Psychedelic doula
• Cancer doula
• Surgery doula
• Dementia doula

Note: I already know hundreds of birth, postpartum, or death doulas so already have those types of doulas lined up.

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What I'm listening to, reading, and watching:

​The Telepathy Tapes — This week, it’s not music I’ve been listening to, it’s a podcast. And it’s rocking my world! Dive into the fascinating, misunderstood, and oppressed world of non-speaking people with autism who use telepathy (and other skills) to access information, connection, and experiences neurotypical people only fantasize about.

​The Fifth Sacred Thing — Starhawk. I read this book twenty years ago and it’s as prophetic now as it was then. Want to see where divisive politics, authoritarianism, war, and religious fundamentalism will take the U.S.? And more importantly, want to see what it takes to create a sustainable society in its midst? See how one activist author works out these problems in the future that is now today.

​Dying for Sex — Based on the true story of a woman with Stage 4 cancer and her devoted friend who sees her through her last year of life, this one-season-only series is based on the podcast they created together. When faced with death, Molly leaves her husband to explore her sexuality and her identity while she still has time. Two characters really delighted me: the social worker portrayed by the fantastic Esco Jouley, and the death-embracing hospice worker. Check it out. (Hulu; content warning for lots of sex talk, kink, and sexual abuse)

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What are you listening to, reading, or watching that you think I’d like? Reply and let me know.

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Let me know if there's anything special you'd like to hear about in the coming weeks. Just reply and I'm on it!

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May you approach the world with compassion and discernment.

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Thanks for reading,

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Carrie

Author, ​So You Want to Be a Doula​​

​​​Website​​​​

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