Interested in becoming a doula, marketing your doula business, or what keeps a person (me) motivated and engaged in this work for over 20 years? Join my weekly newsletter on doulas, writing, ponderings on life and whatever is feeding my fire at the time, and get freebies and special discounts on courses.
Just how gullible are you?
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Hi Reader, 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. 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. 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)? 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!). 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. 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? Younger adults are less skilled than older adults at identifying false headlines. And the more time someone spends online recreationally, the less likely they are able to tell real news from misinformation. Read the study here to see which demographics are most vulnerable to misinformation. Then, take the test yourself! 👇 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. 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. 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. 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:
Note: I already know hundreds of birth, postpartum, or death doulas so already have those types of doulas lined up. 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) What are you listening to, reading, or watching that you think I’d like? Reply and let me know. 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! May you approach the world with compassion and discernment. Thanks for reading, Carrie Author, So You Want to Be a Doula P.S. I’ve seen a bunch of you clicking over to check out my friend Destiny’s Self-Care Co. All-Access Pass. If you haven’t grabbed this self-care-on-a-budget deal, get your little tooshie on over there now! 🕒 Only one day left for the All-Access Pass, everything included This pass bundles everything Destiny’s created for 2025 into one low price—no recurring payments. The Pass gives you every course + experience, but it’s only available until midnight, May 8. Get the details here. |
Carrie Kenner
Interested in becoming a doula, marketing your doula business, or what keeps a person (me) motivated and engaged in this work for over 20 years? Join my weekly newsletter on doulas, writing, ponderings on life and whatever is feeding my fire at the time, and get freebies and special discounts on courses.
Hi Reader, Have you been needing to do something for you lately? My friend Destiny’s new All-Access Pass might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a beautifully curated collection of her best self-care courses, challenges, and workshops—all in one place. Self care is something we all need to make more space for (without adding a million things to the to-do list). 👉 Take a look here The Self Caring Co. All-Access Pass includes Destiny’s most loved offerings (like the 14-Day Self-Care Series...
Hi Reader, What is mandatory for doulas and necessary for everyone else? Unfortunately, the word “self care” is so overused and misunderstood that most folks resist it. In fact, as soon as you saw the word, you may have been tempted to close this email. "I don’t have time for self care." "I already do self care." "Self care is only for the privileged." We have been conditioned to believe those ideas but all they do is continue to keep us overwhelmed and depressed. So here’s what I want you to...
Hi Reader, Every May 1, my dad would get up and sing: Hooray, hooray! The first of May! Outdoor screwing starts today! — Vern Dunlap I loved his enthusiasm and cheer (and his unintentional nod to the Beltane ritual) but as a little girl, I was so confused why using screwdrivers outside was such a big deal… Gives me a chuckle every year! 😆 Here’s something you might find confusing… What’s the deal with me and doulas? Why do I talk about them, write about them, and teach about them? I do seem a...