Today we have a very special guest, Naomi Oreskes, a historian of science and professor at Harvard University whose work has fundamentally changed how we understand the relationship between science, truth, and public trust. She is best known as the co-author of Merchants of Doubt, the widely influential book that exposed how a small group of scientists and institutions deliberately obscured scientific truth across issues like tobacco, climate change, and acid rain. With over one hundred thousand copies sold and a documentary adaptation, her work continues to shape conversations among policymakers, journalists, and scientists around the world.
In this episode
We unpack how Merchants of Doubt came to life, starting from Naomi’s early research into climate science and the unexpected backlash that followed. She explains how misinformation is constructed, why the same arguments keep appearing across different issues, and how to recognize credible science in a world filled with noise. We also explore the deeper motivations behind these campaigns, including the role of ideology, freedom narratives, and economic interests. The conversation then shifts into how Naomi approaches writing and communication, from simplifying complex ideas to thinking of writing as speaking to a real person. On the marketing side, she shares how saying yes to every opportunity, traveling widely, leveraging podcasts, and writing timely op-eds helped her book grow steadily over time rather than relying on a single launch moment.
Tune in to hear how the same misinformation tactics show up across decades, how to recognize credible science in a noisy world, and how Naomi approached writing a book grounded in evidence that continues to stand the test of time.
Learn more about Naomi Orekes’ research, background, and academic work here: https://histsci.fas.harvard.edu/people/naomi-oreskes
You can get a copy Merchants of Doubt, The Big Myth, and all of Naomi’s books on these platforms:
Amazon: https://a.co/d/08u9qrz7
→ Available on Bookshop, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers
—
Take a second to follow, review, or share this with someone who might find it useful. Your support helps more people discover the show.
—
Get the popular weekly book marketing 3-2-1 and get access to our $299 Amazon Ads course when you subscribe to our newsletter here: https://getshelflife.com/category/newsletter/
Head to our new website for more content and updates: www.getshelflife.com
If you’re interested in connecting further or have any questions, feel free to email me at Alex@getshelflife.com