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This Anthro Life

This Anthro Life

Anthrocurious, LLC

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1 Creator

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1 Creator

This Anthro Life is the premiere go-to Anthropology Podcast that fuses human insights with cultural storytelling. We equip you with a deep understanding of the human experience to revolutionize your decision-making strategies and social impact. Head over to https://www.thisanthrolife.org to learn more. Spearheaded by acclaimed Anthropologist Dr. Adam Gamwell, This Anthro Life equips leaders, individuals, and organizations to shape a more compassionate future. We aim to broaden perspectives and fortify decision-making skills by fostering a profound understanding of culture coupled with the transformative power of storytelling. With curated conversations and thought-provoking discussions featuring humanity's top makers and minds, prepare to have your perspective transformed. This Anthro Life delves into various facets of human society—from examining the complexities of cultural identity to understanding the influence of technology on our everyday lives.
🌍 Change Your Perspective
Explore the complexities of life in a simple and engaging way. From AI and robotics revolutionizing the nature of work to emojis changing how we communicate, we delve into the forces shaping our world. No topic is off-limits—fossil fuels and their impact on our planet, the race to find alternative energy solutions, and so much more.
🎙️ Captivating Conversations
Go beyond surface-level discussions with deep dives into fascinating topics. Dr. Adam Gamwell's interviews are thought-provoking, enlightening, and always entertaining. Carefully crafted questions ensure engaging conversations that are free from jargon, making them accessible to listeners of all backgrounds.
✨ Key Takeaways
Gain valuable insights from each episode that you can apply to your own life. Discussing wisdom gained from the edges of society, we extract impactful quotes and actionable ideas from our guests. Expand your horizons and develop a fresh perspective on the challenges we face as individuals and as a global community.
🔊 Join the Community on Substack
Subscribe to "This Anthro Life" now for a weekly dose of eye-opening conversations. Share the podcast with friends and family who crave intellectual stimulation and diverse discussions. Be a part of the movement to change how we approach design, culture, business, and technology.
Beyond offering an engaging outlook on human experiences, This Anthro Life lends its anthropological expertise to businesses, organizations, and individuals. We help them navigate challenges with effective communication techniques and innovative problem-solving strategies rooted in a nuanced understanding of human behavior and social structures. Get in touch.
Join us on this captivating voyage of storytelling at the crossroads of culture, design, technology and business. We're excited to collaborate with you in shaping a more compassionate world through an enriched narrative of the human experience. Experience breakthrough perspectives on human experiences and come away equipped to make enriched decisions that contribute positively to your sphere. Join us as we shape a more connected, hopeful narrative - one human story at a time.
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Top 10 This Anthro Life Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best This Anthro Life episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to This Anthro Life for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite This Anthro Life episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

How does the interplay between big systems-level questions and fundamental human questions in accessibility, disability rights, and human potential? In this captivating episode of This Anthro Life, we embark on a profound exploration of accessibility, disability rights, and human potential through an enthralling conversation with a distinguished expert who has devoted his life to these pivotal issues. The discussion delves deep into the intricate fusion of macro-level concerns related to policy and governance, seamlessly intertwining with deeply personal inquiries into identity and purpose. Victor Pineda, a multifaceted individual, sheds light on the profound significance of acknowledging and embracing the diverse spectrum of human emotions and experiences. His compelling insights challenge societal preconceptions about disability, advocating for a redefinition of worth that transcends limitations.
The conversation touches upon themes of empowerment, the courage to pose meaningful questions, and the proactive endeavor to craft a better world through the avenues of technology, innovation, and inclusive governance. The far-reaching implications of this dialogue resonate with a compelling call for a societal shift towards inclusivity, diversity appreciation, and the empowerment of all individuals to thrive.
Join us as they explore the themes of accessibility, disability rights, and human potential through the lens of a thought-provoking conversation with Victor Pineda at This Anthro Life and get to know the human potential.
Timestamp
00:00:00 Disability rights, human rights, and personal identity.
00:02:00 Individuality, freedom, and empowerment.
00:08:56 Disability, aspirations, and design.
00:16:01 Objective and subjective experiences of flourishing in a chaotic world.
00:24:56 Playfulness and unlocking human potential.
00:30:05 Using technology for social impact and inclusivity.
00:37:05 Anthropology, accessibility, and governance.
00:40:55 Inclusive design in cities with a focus on accessibility and human rights.
Key Takeaways:
  • Recognition of the tapestry of human emotions and the pursuit of freedom.
  • Challenging assumptions about disability and redefining notions of worth.
  • Empowerment through the courage to ask meaningful questions.
  • Designing a better world through technology, innovation, and inclusive governance.
  • The potential for transformative impact on cities, institutions, and society.
  • Embracing playfulness and curiosity for innovative solutions and positive experiences.
  • The ongoing dialogue for a just and inclusive world amplifies marginalized voices.
Connect with Victor PinedaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorpineda
Website: https://www.pinedafoundation.org/index.html
Connect with This Anthro Life:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/
This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/
Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com
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Reimagining Career Trajectories: Insights from Anthropology, UX, and the Written Word
How can anthropology redefine traditional career paths and foster innovation in diverse professional landscapes?
In this insightful episode of career anthropology, we speak with Amy Goldmacher and Amy Santee, professionals who seamlessly blended anthropology into their careers. Amy Goldmacher shares her journey from UX research to career coaching, using anthropology to empower individuals in communication. Amy Santee discusses transitioning from academia to industry, highlighting anthropology's adaptability in diverse settings. We explore the evolving perception of anthropology in the business world, advocating for increased visibility and mentorship to support aspiring anthropologists in carving out fulfilling career paths. Our dialogue underscores the invaluable contribution of anthropology to various fields and inspires listeners to embrace the multifaceted possibilities within the discipline.
Join us in this enlightening discussion as we uncover the transformative potential of anthropology in shaping meaningful careers and fostering innovation in today's dynamic professional landscape.
Timestamps
0:00 Career pivots and the evolution of anthropology.
6:12 Anthropologists in industry and career growth.
8:45 Anthropology's relevance in a changing business landscape.
12:28 Job market challenges and career evolution in the tech industry.
15:34 Career development for anthropology graduates.
21:04 Career development challenges for academic transitioners.
27:48 Writing nonfiction books and distilling ideas.
31:20 Career paths and defining success.
35:30 Career development and exploration.
38:56 Career development and experimentation.
42:30 Entrepreneurship and career development.
44:00 Strategic career development and time management.
47:33 Career paths beyond traditional anthropology.
51:21 Anthropology career paths and their applications.
Key takeaways
  • Anthropology careers have expanded beyond academia, with opportunities emerging in tech, marketing, and consulting sectors.
  • Communicating the relevance of anthropology skills is vital outside academia, aiding in securing job opportunities across diverse industries.
  • Success is not static but evolves with time, shaped by individual values and goals, highlighting the importance of self-awareness.
  • Strategic planning and experimentation are crucial for navigating career transitions effectively and finding fulfillment in work.
  • Increased visibility and mentorship within anthropology are essential for aspiring professionals to explore diverse career paths and make informed decisions.

About This Anthro Life This Anthro Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the human side of technology, culture, and business. Hosted by Adam Gamwell, we unravel fascinating narratives and connect them to the wider context of our lives. Tune in to https://thisanthrolife.org and subscribe to our Substack at https://thisanthrolife.substack.com for more captivating episodes and engaging content.
Connect with Amy Goldmacher:
Website: https://www.amygoldmacher.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amygoldmacher/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/solidgoldmacher
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solidgoldmacher/
Connect with Amy Santee:
Website: https://www.amysantee.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysantee/
Connect with This Anthro Life:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/
This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/
Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com
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Today we talk with Voltage Control president Douglas Ferguson and we're taking you beyond the prototype. If you ever run a design sprint, or even if you simply sat down at your desk to think through a really cool idea for a product or a new podcast or how do we improve something in your neighborhood. You started the design process. The question is, how do you go from a good idea to putting something out into the world? Douglas helps us find out.
"You gotta slow down to go fast" - Douglas Ferguson
Voltage Control president, design thinking facilitator and innovation coach Douglas Ferguson recently published a book called Beyond the Prototype that aims to help teams and organizations (and individuals!) go from generating awesome ideas to implementing them. Over the course of our conversation we cover:
the power of systems thinking
seeing variables in the design ecosystem
facilitation as model through systems thinking
The connections between organizations and society.
HR departments using design thinking to point the lens inward
Caution that when we compress ideas there is opportunity to meaning to be lost
Why facilitation is such a crucial role
for example, realizing if you’re using one word to mean two things, or two words to mean the same thing - skilled facilitating brings these discrepancies and differences in meaning into focus for teams to help them overcome roadblocks in understanding
Why so many start up founders get stuck on the idea of scale rather versus pursuing a smaller, but passion-driven idea
How design facilitation sessions are about harnessing the power of the child’s mind - playful energy
and debriefing as a crucial stage in any process: can you answer the question of why did we did this?
Links and Resources mentioned in today's episode
voltagecontrol.com
beyondtheprototype.com
startwithin.com
Beyond the Prototype book
Jake Knapp - Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days
Greg Satell - Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change
David Epstein - Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
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Storyslamming Anthropology Series, Story 2. Written and Performed by Taylor Genovese
In recent years, the terms Public and Anthropology have been paired with more frequency. Yet, what this seemingly suspect partnership is, how it could function, and what goals it could have are still in relative formation. Today, public anthropology might mean several different things ranging from jargony lectures that are “open to the public”, digital media (like blogs, videos, or podcasts) that are generally accessible online, or presentations given to an informant public on work produced by a researcher. Large voids remain. We ask, then, why not turn to already publicly oriented writing for inspiration? What if “Guns, Germs and Steel” (Diamond 1999), “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind”, (Harai 2015) or “Freakonomics” (Levitt and Dubner 2009) were written by anthropologists?
What if we told you that once upon a time, they were? When Margaret Mead wrote “Coming of Age in Samoa” in 1928, anthropologists and non-anthropologists alike flocked to her work because of its accessibility - and felt topical relevance. Could such an achievement be attainable today?
While some scholars might reject an approach based on “popular” writing, we argue that the enormous success of the above books (as well as the podcasts, YouTube videos and Netflix series based on them) demonstrates a general interest in theories of humankind, what it means to be human in the contemporary world, and throughout history. We ask why have anthropologists not followed suit? Despite the massive amount of scholarship published each year by anthropologists, none seem to crack that elusive space between rigorous research and “pop-science.” While there are trade offs between academic complexity and writing for a lay audience, the theme of the 2017 American Anthropological Association conference, "Anthropology Matters!" speaks to our need to talk across (and storytell) different worlds. Our goal with this experimental panel was to invoke the public spirit of Franz Boas, Margaret Mead, Melville Herskovits and others to speak to 21st century concerns from a comparative perspective in clear language. We picked papers that revealed juxtapositions, seemingly counter- or non- intuitive links between subjects, objects, ideas, emotions, practices, or traditions that we felt can intrigue, educate, and delight participants. The goal of this series of to expand our genres of sharing ethnographic and anthropological insight. We hope you enjoy!
Story 1: #MeToo: Stories in the Age of Survivorship by Emma Backe
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This Anthro Life - The Hidden World of Sh*t (a farewell to 2020)
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01/01/21 • 28 min

Language warning. We use the word sh*t a lot in this episode, since it is, in fact all about poop.
To wrap up this crappy, some may even say shitty year, host Adam Gamwell and intern Elizabeth Smyth discuss the origin of the word shit, how the way we defecate is culturally constructed, what our poop reveals about us, and so much more in this New Year’s Eve mini-episode of This Anthro Life. Farewell 2020, it’s been real.
In this episode we dig into:
What poop tells us about culture and our biology
Whether to sit or squat?
Poop’s superpower for healing gut microbiota and potential energy source
How poop in space might tell us if we are, in fact, extraterrestrials ourselves
Also check our new blog Voice and Value where we dive deeper into all things human: Voice and Value – Medium
Articles referenced:
The History of Poop Is Really the History of Technology
Poop Worlds: Material Culture and Copropower (or, Toward a Shitty Turn)
Poop (Somatosphere)
How Fossilized Poop Gives Us The Scoop on Ancient Diets
Watching What We Flush Could Help Keep a Pandemic Under Control https://nyti.ms/2J2MJaa
Human feces from the developing world could power millions of homes
Follow this Anthro Life on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram!
Twitter: This Anthro Life Podcast (@thisanthrolife) / Twitter
Instagram: This Anthro Life Podcast (@thisanthrolife) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast
Website: This Anthro Life
Music: Epidemic Sounds
No Regrets - Guy Trevino
Basmati - Farrell Wooten
Episode Art: Liz Smyth
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Hey Listeners! Adam and Ryan are back from their brief summer hiatus (a time filled with fieldwork, dissertation writing, and travels abound) with new content, a fresh Patreon campaign, lined up interviews, an upcoming limited series on diversity in the university setting and much more! Support our new campaign on Patreon! Go ahead a click that nice image to visit our new page, to read about what we want to do, and how you can give securely. Just a dollar a month makes a huge difference for us!
Kicking off the new season, Adam and Ryan dive into a new FreeThink episode, in the style and length of our Conversations. In this episode, they continue to make the case for why the world needs anthropology and social science thinking more than ever. They also speak in favor of interventionist anthropology in recognition of the plethora of social issues, subaltern experiences, cultural miscommunications, and civil tensions which are in the media’s focus more than ever.
With This Anthro Life’s new season we really want to emphasize the importance of our Patreon campaign. Through Patreon, Adam and Ryan will engage listeners more directly through new content, special episodes, video, and more. For the last 5 years, TAL has been almost entirely self-funded (though a huge thanks to the few folks who have so generously contributed to the cause) and this reality makes it difficult to produce the quality content you, our listeners, have come to expect. But, we’re dedicated to persevering and continuing because we believe in the anthropological focuses we discuss, the content we produce, and in you, our listeners. We’re incredibly humbled by the fact that we are soon to celebrate our 30,000th subscriber and that our community continues to grow. We want to celebrate this with you. Please take a moment to view our Patreon page and choose which bracket is best suited for you. With any donation you make, know that you are directly contributing to TAL and your support means the world to us. TAL could not be produced without you and it will continue to grow because of you.
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Welcome listeners to the second installment of our Diversity and Inclusion crossover series, bringing together This Anthro Life with Brandeis University. For those of you who are new to the show, This Anthro Life (TAL) was launched as a scholar-practitioner program designed to bring anthropological and social science research and thinking to interdisciplinary and public audiences. The original idea behind the podcast is to use our skill sets and toolkits as anthropologists to translate and socialize data, cultural patterns, and research into accessible open format dialogues and conversations that provided solutions for social impact and actionable insight.
On this episode, TAL hosts Adam Gamwell and Ryan Collins are joined by Dr. Janine de Novais of the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) to expand on the ideas behind “Brave Community” (discussed in episode 1 of the Diversity + Inclusion in Higher Ed series) and to understand the major hurdles she finds with diversity and inclusion in higher education today. With her dissertation Dr. de Novais explored the ways in which classroom experiences in higher education do and do not contribute to deep learning that influences students understandings of race. Dr. de Novais’ scholarship also focuses on a practice-based question: what kind of learning about race do college students need given our racially diverse and deeply unequal society? Her answer: Brave Community–a pedagogy that relies on academic grounding, the distinctive culture of a classroom, to support students. As we learned in our interview, much of Dr. de Novais’ interests today are influenced from life experiences.
Read more here on thisanthrolife.com
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When we think of robots, we tend to think of things like R2-D2, the Terminator skeleton, or a piece of machinery that automates the construction of goods in an assembly line. But that’s not all there is to robots — something anthropologist and roboticist entrepreneur Lora Koycheva understands perfectly well. In this episode, Lora shares her unique perspective on the intersection of anthropology and cyber-physical systems with host Adam Gamwell. She also discusses how anthropology can shed light on what robots afford human bodies, why the physical side of robots is just as important as their operating systems, and how robots can potentially reshape the human condition.
Episode Highlights:
  • [03:03] How Lora brought together entrepreneurship, innovation, anthropology, and robotics
  • [08:24] On-demand infrastructure and how it empowers robotics in the urban realm
  • [11:59] How we can get comfortable with the physical side of robotics
  • [18:28] How Lora came up with the idea of rebuilding the human condition in a world of robots
  • [22:52] How and why Lora set up the Green Like a Robot project and why it matters for scholarship and society
  • [27:04] Questions worth tackling when working with robots
  • [35:51] Lora’s experience working with engineers
  • [40:10] Commonalities between anthropology and engineering worth cultivating
  • [45:06] Why embodiment is difficult to innovate through digital means
Links and Resources:
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This Anthro Life - Ebola: The Passion and the Politics (Virology pt 2)
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12/01/14 • 42 min

Join us for part two in our series on Ebola. This episode we discuss recent moves and displays by journalists and media outlets to cover various parts of the Ebola epidemic, the use of Ebola as a trope in political culture, and fear and hope in the face of a global virus. Ebola and Virology, part 2, Episode 47
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Have you considered the untold stories in our perceptions of sexuality? How do community strength, the role of play and toys in sexual exploration, and the promotion of sex positivity, as seen through Carol's insights, contribute to fostering a more inclusive society?
In this captivating episode of This Anthro Life, we engage in a captivating conversation with Carol Queen, a renowned sexologist and advocate for sex positivity. Carol delves into her personal journey within the realm of sexology, emphasizing the imperative nature of embracing and understanding our sexuality. She unravels the historical influences on societal attitudes towards sex and passionately advocates for open discussions on sexual orientation, pleasure, and diversity.
This episode explores the impact of shame on limiting our comprehension of diverse sexual experiences and underscores the power of community, the role of play and toys in sexual exploration, and the overarching importance of a sex-positive mindset for a more inclusive society.
Join me in this thought-provoking conversation with Carol Queen as we explore the history of sexology and the power of sex positivity. Learn how embracing diversity and pleasure can lead to a more compassionate and understanding society. Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and background of guest
05:19 - Guest's journey into the world of sexology
12:30 - Importance of connecting with others and forming communities
19:34 - Navigating personal identity in relation to societal norms
27:31 - Breaking down shame and the importance of open conversations
33:16 - Suggests taking a class to learn about sexuality and gender
40:44 - Discusses the importance of understanding history in relation to sexuality and gender
48:27 - Highlights the need to address shame and engage in open conversations
56:24 - Emphasizes the relevance of anthropology and sociology in addressing societal issues
1:04:07 - The societal control and diverse perspectives on sex, partnership, and identityKey Takeaways:
  • Embracing and understanding our sexuality is essential for personal growth and well-being.
  • Historical influences significantly shape societal attitudes towards sex and sexual orientation.
  • Shame can impede open conversations about sex, restricting our acceptance of diverse sexual experiences.
  • Sex positivity fosters a healthy and inclusive approach to sex, prioritizing pleasure, consent, and diversity.
  • Play and toys are valuable tools for sexual exploration and self-discovery, contributing to a fulfilling and enriching sexual journey.
Connect with Carol Queen:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolq1
Website: https://carolqueen.com/
Her Book: Good Vibrations Sex Doctor, Staff Sexologist Dr. Carol Queen - GoodVibes.com Connect with This Anthro Life:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/
This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/
Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com
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FAQ

How many episodes does This Anthro Life have?

This Anthro Life currently has 228 episodes available.

What topics does This Anthro Life cover?

The podcast is about Podcasts, Social Sciences, Science and Business.

What is the most popular episode on This Anthro Life?

The episode title 'Death Work: The Life and Culture of Forensics with Lilly White' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on This Anthro Life?

The average episode length on This Anthro Life is 46 minutes.

How often are episodes of This Anthro Life released?

Episodes of This Anthro Life are typically released every 11 days, 1 hour.

When was the first episode of This Anthro Life?

The first episode of This Anthro Life was released on Feb 25, 2014.

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