Professional Development Episodes

Dec. 2, 2024

Stop Chasing Success—Find Fulfillment Instead

Have you ever felt successful on the outside but empty on the inside? In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell speaks with Dr. Nethra Samarawickrema about the struggles of modern work-life, the tension between authenticity and belonging …

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May 23, 2024

What is Forensic Psychiatry? with Mark Levy

Join us for an intriguing discussion on the connection between law and human behavior with Dr. Mark, a distinguished forensic psychiatry specialist. I'm Adam, your host, and in this episode, we explore forensic psychiatry—a medical field that bridges...

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April 3, 2024

Reimagining Career Trajectories: Insights from Anthropology, UX, and …

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 …

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March 27, 2024

The Anthro Poet: How Adrie Kusserow Weaves Stories with Science

In this captivating episode of This Anthro Life, we engage with Adrie Kusserow, an esteemed anthropologist who brings a unique poetic perspective to her work. We delve into the essence of anthropology, emphasizing the transformative power of storytelling and its …

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March 14, 2024

An Anthropologist's Perspective on Nonviolent Communication Through A…

In this compelling episode of This Anthro Life, the discussion delves into the multifaceted world of anthropology, academia, and personal development. Nethra Samarawickrema shares her perspective on topics ranging from the origins of anthropology to the challenges of fieldwork and …

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March 7, 2024

Investigating Superorganisms and The Collective Intelligence of Humans

In this episode, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Byron Reese about the concept of superorganisms. Reese draws parallels between the structure and behavior of bees in a hive and the potential for humanity to function as a superorganism.

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Feb. 22, 2024

The Impact of Community-Centered Preservation on Micronesian Culture

In this episode of This Anthro Life, we delve into the intricate duties of a cultural anthropologist in Micronesia. Using ethnographic approaches, cultural heritage is documented and safeguarded while meeting community requirements.

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Dec. 20, 2023

The Search for Dignity and Respect: An Exploration of Human Universals

In this episode, we discover how stories shape our understanding of shared human desires for dignity and respect. Michele Lamont argues that narratives focusing on "ordinary universalism," our common human experiences, can bridge cultural divides and fulfill these fundamental needs. …

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Oct. 10, 2023

Navigating the Labyrinth of Perception: Wisdom, Language, and Post-Tr…

in this new exciting episode, we explore the profound influence of language on our perception of experiences. We also tackle the intricate process of navigating trauma and uncovering growth in the face of adversity. Our guest, Amrita Subramanian, an esteemed …

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Aug. 1, 2023

Anthropology Meets Journalism: How Two Fields Can Save Each Other

Intro: In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell talks with Emily Kennedy about the intersection of journalism and ethnography. They explore how ethnographic methods can help address challenges faced by journalists, such as trust, online harassment, and …

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March 7, 2023

Creating Anthropologists on the Public Stage with Elizabeth Briody & …

In today’s episode of This Anthro Life, anthropologists Elizabeth Briody and Phil Surles join host Adam Gamwell to discuss their latest project: Anthropologists on the Public Stage, a self-paced video course for social scientists who want to increase...

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July 26, 2022

Growing Roots as a National Cultural Anthropologist with Ashley Mered…

Ashley Meredith serves as the National Cultural Anthropologist and Deputy National Historic Preservation Officer for the Federated States of Micronesia. Micronesia is a sovereign island country in Oceania situated northeast of Australia and Papua New Guinea and consists of 600 …

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Dec. 15, 2021

Build Better Worlds: Anthropology for Game Design, Film and Writing

Today we're diving into world building, the process of creating realized worlds for (mostly) fictional stories and how anthropology could literally change the game. Michael Kilman and Kyra Wellstrom stop by to discuss to their new book on anthropology for …

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Nov. 15, 2021

Podcasting and the Other Side of Storytelling - Reflecting on TAL's 8…

This Anthro Life turned 8 years old in October 2021. That's a long time for a podcast. When recently invited to share what I've been working on for a newsletter, TAL's 8th birthday got me thinking about what I've learned …

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Sept. 17, 2021

Don't Sell Yourself Short: How to Create a Career Plan

A job search strategy is essential, but what if you don’t even know what to look for or what you want to do? A career plan is something you can do before job searching to define the kind of work …

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