It’s no secret that society is consumed with the concept of “gossip” — is it good, bad, or somewhere in between? Kelsey McKinney, host of the massively popular Normal Gossip podcast, joins Chicago Humanities to explore our obsession with gossip, weaving together journalism, cultural criticism, and personal stories. McKinney’s newest book You Didn’t Hear This From Me considers the murkiness of everyday storytelling. Why is gossip considered a sin and how can we better recognize when gossip is being weaponized against the oppressed? Why do we think we’re entitled to every detail of a celebrity’s personal life because they are a public figure? And how do we even define “gossip,” anyway? She dishes on the art of eavesdropping and dives deep into how pop culture has changed the way that we look at hearsay. With wit and honesty, McKinney unmasks what we're actually searching for when we demand to know the truth — and how much the truth really matters in the first place.

Be sure to bring your own pieces of gossip and get ready for McKinney to spill a never-before-heard (in Chicago) story.

Join us early for a free pop-up experience complete with interactive components, knick-knacks, and, of course, plenty of gossip. (A bar will also be available on-site!) This will take place from 6:00pm–7:00pm in the Paradiso room, located just off the main atrium upon entry.

• Chicago Humanities is pleased to partner with Women & Children First, Chicago's feminist bookstore which has celebrated and amplified underrepresented voices since 1979.
• General public tickets include a pre-signed copy of You Didn’t Hear This From Me, which you pick up at the event by showing the book voucher in your receipt. Student, Teacher, and Humanist Circle Member tickets do not include a book, but anyone can add a book to their cart when selecting their tickets.
• If you are purchasing multiple tickets for patrons in the same household, call the box office at (312) 661-1239 for additional information about book bundle exemptions.
• Please visit our FAQ for more information.