Culture Episodes

Jan. 17, 2024

From Taboo to Understanding: Carol Queen's Advocacy for Sex-Positive …

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...

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Dec. 6, 2023

How to Ensure Human Autonomy in the Age of Algorithms and AI with Bri…

This episode of This Anthro Life explored the intricate relationship between human autonomy and the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. The discussion highlighted the crucial need for diverse voices to champion human well-being, flourishing, and autonomy in the face …

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Nov. 29, 2023

Everyday War: How Small Intimate Moments Shape Wartime Realities in U…

In this episode of This Anthro Life, Greta Uehling delves into the intricate dynamics of civilians' experiences during the Ukraine conflict. The exploration centers on the nuanced interplay between conflict and the pursuit of everyday peace, challenging the conventional belief …

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Nov. 1, 2023

Wisdom from the Edge: Writing Ethnography in Turbulent Times With Pau…

In this episode of This Anthro Life, I am joined by cultural anthropologist and author Paul Stoller. Paul shares his extensive fieldwork experiences among the Songhai people in Niger and Mali, as well as West African migrants in New York …

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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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Sept. 27, 2023

Understanding Tribal Signals: A Conversation with an Evolutionary Ant…

Humans have an innate drive to cooperate and identify with groups, even strangers. This drive, known as tribalism, is essential for building trust and cooperation in large-scale societies. However, in the modern world, tribalism can also lead to division and …

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May 16, 2023

How Disability Teaches Us to Change the World with Brooke Ellison

People with disabilities often face accessibility issues in physical environments, such as a lack of ramps, narrow doorways, and inaccessible transportation. Every barrier is a reminder that designs are choices, ones made without people with disabilities at the decision-making table.

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May 2, 2023

The Complex Roots of Patriarchy with Angela Saini

In this episode, Angela Saini, award-winning science journalist and author of “The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule,” traces the material and social roots of patriarchy with host Adam Gamwell. The duo explores how anthropology can help us better understand …

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April 5, 2023

On Finding Awe and Being a Human in the Cosmos with Sasha Sagan

Daughter of “Cosmos” co-writer Ann Druyan and astronomer Carl Sagan, Sasha talks with host Adam Gamwell about the power of ritual for making meaning across life, death, nature, and more. She also shares how she learned to ask questions, the …

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Jan. 13, 2023

Why the World Needs Tricksters with Shepherd Siegel

Indigenous cultures around the world have a trickster god or figure in their mythos. For example, the Pacific Northwest Native Americans have the Raven, a selfish, hungry, and mischievous figure who transforms the world. Stories tell how the Raven...

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Oct. 26, 2022

How Humans Learned to See the Future with Byron Reese

What makes the human mind unique? How do we know there’s a future, and how do we recall the past? In this episode of This Anthro Life, Byron Reese, serial entrepreneur, technologist, and author of “Stories, Dice, and Rocks That …

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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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May 11, 2022

The Fight to Save Cultural Memory with Charles Henry

Charles Henry is the president of the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), a nonprofit that works with libraries, cultural institutions, and higher learning communities to improve research, teaching, and learning environments. Charles shares how creating new digital technologies …

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March 23, 2022

On Being Heard and Learning to Listen with Nethra Samarawickrema

When we think about social science and social scientists working out in the world, we tend to jump to the science part, you know jobs that focus on research - consumer research, user experience research, or qualitative studies for non-profits. …

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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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