
This Anthro Life
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 PerspectiveExplore 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 ConversationsGo 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 TakeawaysGain 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 SubstackSubscribe 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.
Latest episodes

Jan 28, 2025 • 54min
The Truth About Modern Motherhood
In this engaging discussion, Nancy Reddy, author of "The Good Mother Myth," unpacks the cultural narratives that shape modern motherhood. She highlights the unrealistic pressures faced by parents and critiques social media's influence on parenting advice. Reddy emphasizes the importance of redefining roles, advocating for community support, and understanding historical contexts. The conversation also touches on attachment theory and the need for policy reform to better support mothers. This dialogue challenges conventional beliefs and inspires a healthier approach to parenting.

Dec 2, 2024 • 59min
Stop Chasing Success—Find Fulfillment Instead
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Nethra Samarawickrema, an anthropologist and coach, helps mid-career professionals rediscover meaning in their work. She tackles the disconnect many feel between success and fulfillment. Dr. Nethra emphasizes listening to oneself, small acts of care, and aligning personal values with actions. She also discusses the importance of vulnerability in the workplace and encourages leaders to foster environments where authenticity thrives. Finally, she advocates for patience and connection as key to personal and social impact.

Nov 27, 2024 • 56min
Urban Visionary: We Need to Redesign Our Cities
Vishaan Chakrabarti, an architect and author, discusses how design shapes our lives and addresses climate change and social division. He emphasizes the need for inclusive urban planning that fosters joy and connection. The conversation delves into redefining the American dream, focusing on community and sustainability over material ownership. Chakrabarti advocates for accessible public spaces that enhance social interactions and highlights the importance of investing in neglected areas to rebuild community ties.

Nov 25, 2024 • 1h 16min
4th Generation Farmer: 45,000 Farms Vanish Every Year, But We Can Change That
How are America’s family farms disappearing at such a rapid rate, and what does this mean for the future of our food, families, and rural identity? In this episode of This Anthro Life, Adam Gamwell sits down with Brian Reisinger, author, journalist, and fourth-generation Wisconsin farmer, to explore the hidden struggles of rural America. Together, they discuss the mental health crisis, the pressures on farmers, and the economic despair fueling the loss of 45,000 farms annually.Discover why family farms are the backbone of our communities and how we can fight to preserve them. With heartfelt stories and historical insights, this episode highlights the urgent need to bridge rural and urban divides for a stronger, united future.Learn more about Brian:https://www.brian-reisinger.com/about

5 snips
Nov 19, 2024 • 1h 1min
Transform Your Life by Asking Better Questions
Topaz Adizes, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and experience design architect, shares insights from his book "12 Questions for Love." He discusses the transformative power of asking better questions in relationships, revealing how meaningful conversations create deeper connections. The dialogue touches on fostering empathy, navigating mental health, and the importance of non-verbal communication. Adizes emphasizes creating safe spaces for authentic discussions, allowing for vulnerability and transformative growth in personal and societal contexts.

Nov 11, 2024 • 50min
Stop Chasing Goals – Do THIS Instead
Hey everyone! In this episode of This Anthro Life, I’m thrilled to sit down with Dr. Anne-Laure Le Cunff, neuroscientist, founder of Nest Labs, and author of Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World. We dive into why our approach to goals is broken, how procrastination might actually be trying to help us, and the surprising power of tiny experiments to transform your life. It’s a conversation packed with insights on rethinking success, embracing a cyclical mindset, and finding joy in the present.We're back! After some time away, This Anthro Life returns with fresh episodes and engaging conversations. If you enjoy this episode, we’d love your support.

Oct 7, 2024 • 1h 11min
Design for the Future: Ethics, Evolution, and Anthropology with Michael Leube
In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell talks with anthropologist and design educator Michael Leube about how design, ethics, and anthropology intersect to shape the future of human behavior and culture. They dive deep into how design influences human decision-making, the role of evolutionary theory in design thinking, and the ethical responsibility of designers to consider sustainability and long-term consequences. Leube shares insights from his book The Future Designer, exploring topics like planned obsolescence, behavioral design, and the power of making sustainability both convenient and desirable.I'm Adam Gamwell, a cultural anthropologist and award-winning media creator, specializing in human-centered storytelling and experience design. With a background spanning startups, nonprofits, and global organizations, I apply anthropological insights to drive sustainable design solutions, ethical innovation, and business success. You can learn more about my work and get in touch for future projects through my website: https://www.anthrocurious.com/.About Michael Leube:Learn more about Michael Leube: https://anthropologylens.com/The Future Designer: https://books.google.com.ar/books/about/The_Future_Designer.html?id=KWIHEQAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=yAbout This Anthro Life: This Anthro Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the human side of design, culture, and business. Join us as we connect the dots between anthropology, technology, and the creative industries. Tune in to https://thisanthrolife.org and subscribe to our Substack at https://thisanthrolife.substack.com for more captivating episodes and engaging content.Follow This Anthro Life:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life/Website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/Substack: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolifeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/

Sep 28, 2024 • 9min
Best of Cultural Capitalist series
Today, we’re excited to bring you something a little different. Recently, we've been sharing a lot of episodes and shorts inspired by the work I’ve been doing alongside my colleague, Phil Searles, for Cultural Capitalist. In this special episode, we’ve compiled a "best of" collection, featuring full episode highlights and impactful quotes that have resonated with our audience and shifted their perspectives.We’ve selected key concepts that stood out to us and brought them together to showcase how these ideas intersect and build on one another. We hope you enjoy this curated episode, highlighting some of our most thought-provoking content.Full Episodes Included:What Makes Apple, Apple? The Michigan Wolverines Cultural Advantage The Value of Anthropology to Tech Investors About This Anthro Life This Anthro Life is a podcast that delves into the human side of technology, culture, and business. We explore captivating stories and connect them to the bigger picture of our lives.For more thought-provoking episodes and content, visit thisanthrolife.org and subscribe to our Substack at thisanthrolife.substack.com. To know more about the work of This Anthro Life host Adam Gamwell, visit anthrocurious.com.Follow This Anthro Life: Website: thisanthrolife.orgSubstack: thisanthrolife.substack.com Twitter: @thisanthrolifeInstagram: @thisanthrolife

Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 9min
How AI and Technology Are Redefining Work in the Post-Pandemic World with Claudia Strauss
In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell talks with anthropologist Claudia Strauss about how #AI, #technology, and the #postpandemic world are reshaping the nature of work in America. They explore crucial topics such as the impact of declining birth rates, an aging population, and restrictive immigration policies on labor markets. Drawing from Strauss’s book, What Work Means Beyond the Puritan Work Ethic, they discuss changing worker attitudes, the rise of #remotework and the #gigeconomy, and challenge the conventional narratives around the #workethic. Together, they delve into how anthropology provides unique insights into #workplaceculture, the human side of technology, and the evolving definition of a "good job" in the modern economy.I'm Adam Gamwell as a cultural anthropologist and award-winning media creator, I specialize in storytelling. My diverse background spans startups, nonprofits, cultural organizations, and Fortune 1000 companies, focusing on applied strategy, experience design, and human insights. My approach blends experiential research, like engaging with Peruvian quinoa farmers for climate change initiatives, with cutting-edge tools like AI and trends foresight. By leveraging big data alongside traditional ethnography, I align human needs with business goals, ensuring projects resonate profoundly.About Claudia Strauss:https://www.claudiastrauss.org/ https://www.pitzer.edu/faculty-staff-directory/claudia-strauss https://soundcloud.com/1869thecuppodcast/1869-ep-150-claudia-strauss https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudia-strauss-94723835/ https://btlonline.org/author-asks-do-we-work-to-live-or-live-to-work/ About This Anthro LifeThis Anthro Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the human side of technology, culture, and business. 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.Follow This Anthro Life:https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life/https://www.thisanthrolife.org/ https://thisanthrolife.substack.com/ https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/

Sep 13, 2024 • 6min
The Value of Anthropology to Tech Investors
Explore how anthropology is reshaping tech investment. Discover the significance of cultural understanding in predicting market trends and consumer behavior. Learn why private equity firms are hiring anthropologists to enhance decision-making. Insights into AI's cultural implications reveal a deeper understanding of technological impact. The role of ESG strategies is discussed, showcasing how cultural intelligence drives smarter investments. Join renowned anthropologists as they highlight the importance of cultural intelligence in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
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