
The Deep Dive
The Deep Dive is a culture and insights podcast with Philip McKenzie, an anthropologist who uses his expertise in culture to advise organizations on how best to thrive in an increasingly challenging and uncertain environment. Every week, Philip goes below the surface with the people who matter the most.
Latest episodes

Jun 26, 2025 • 59min
Episode 228: A Nonlinear Life w/ Kevin Bethune
Philip welcomes back designer/author Kevin Bethune to discuss his latest book Nonlinear: Navigating Design with Curiosity and Conviction. Using Kevin’s career and life they trace the importance of accepting a nonlinear path that can provide opportunities, alternatives and solutions that might otherwise be missed.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
Captain America: Brave New World (Disney+)
Kevin’s Drop:
1Q84 – Haruki Murakami

Jun 19, 2025 • 1h 2min
Episode 227: Private Equity and the Demise of the American Dream w/ Megan Greenwell
Philip welcomes journalist/author Megan Greenwell to discuss her book Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream. In their conversation, they explore how private equity has effected almost every facet of American industry and what have been the implications of the financialization of whole economies.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
Killers of The Dream – Lillian Smith
Megan’s Drop:
There is No Place for Us – Bryan Goldstone

Jun 12, 2025 • 56min
Episode 226: We Just Build Hammers w/ Coraline Ada Ehmke
Philip welcomes Coraline Ada Ehmke, author of We Just Build Hammers. In their conversation, they discuss how the analogies and stories we tell ourselves about our technological past impacts and shapes our future.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
We Are Ladyparts (Peacock)
Coraline’s Drop:
Fediverse
Death (proto-punk band)
Witch

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 225: Futures Literacy in a Volatile World w/ Donna Dupont
Philip welcomes Donna Dupont, Founder, Purple Compass to the show. In their conversation, they discuss the current landscape of future(s) and foresight practices and how various methodologies and perspectives can generate viable solutions.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
Lucy Rose – This Ain’t the Way You Go Out
Donna’s Drop:
Dan Gilbert – TED “The Psychology of your Future Self” Special Guest: Donna Dupont .

May 15, 2025 • 1h 4min
Episode 224: Gaia Wakes & Emergent Planetary Intelligence w/ Topher McDoughal
Philip welcomes Topher McDoughal, author of Gaia Wakes: Earth’s Emergent Planetary Consciousness in an Age of Environmental Devestation to The Deep Dive. In their conversation, they discuss the meaning of intelligence and how it connects to a living planetary system.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
The Captive’s War – James.S.A Carey
Topher’s Drop:
Staying with the Trouble – Donna J. Haraway
Gnomon – Nick Harkaway

May 8, 2025 • 1h 15min
Episode 223: Words as Violence w/ Alia Dastagir
Philip welcomes journalist Alia Dastagir, author of To Those Who Have Confused You to Be a Person: Words as Violence and Stories of Women’s Resistance Online. In their conversation, they discuss the harm and violence that women encounter online and how it effects our digital and cultural spaces.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
North of North (Netflix)
Alia’s Drop:
There Are No Girls on the Internet
Spitfire News
1883
1923 Special Guest: Alia Dastagir.

May 1, 2025 • 1h 16min
Episode 222: Making Futures Work w/ Phil Balagtas
Philip welcomes “fellow Phil” Phil Balagtas, author of Making Futures Work to the show. In their conversation, they discuss the myriad ways in which Futures has evolved as a discipline, what role strategy plays in future making and why are we fascinated by flying cars?
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop: Fannie Lou Hamer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiApoSpxbz0
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/freedomsummer-hamer/
Phil’s Drop: Darryl Anka/Bashar
https://www.instagram.com/basharchanneling
https://www.bashar.org/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHo5pAZyeMw/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH5dVSnikJ7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

9 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 51min
Episode 221: Everyday Habits and Radical Engagement w/ Adam Kahane
Adam Kahane, a renowned facilitator based in Montreal and author of 'Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems,' joins for an enlightening talk. He delves into how true transformation often defies conventional expectations. Kahane emphasizes the power of everyday habits in fostering systemic change and the importance of collaborative efforts across diverse groups. He critiques traditional competitive mindsets and examines the complexities of navigating power dynamics in politics. Their conversation also reflects on the significance of recognizing 'cracks' in systems as opportunities for growth.

Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 9min
Episode 220: Research for Designers w/ Gjoko Muratovski
Gjoko Muratovski, editor of 'Research for Designers: A Guide to Methods and Practices,' discusses the evolution of design research and its critical role in tackling global challenges. He emphasizes curiosity as a driving force for innovation, advocating for human-centric strategies in design. The conversation delves into the misinterpretations of design thinking in business and underscores the value of ethnographic research. Reflecting on the Challenger disaster, Gjoko critiques decision-making failures, urging a focus on improving life on Earth.

Mar 27, 2025 • 1h 10min
Episode 219: The Rise of the Alt-Reich w/ Nafeez Ahmed
Philip welcomes Nafeez Ahmed, author of Alt Reich: The Network War to Destroy the West From Within to the show. In their conversation they discuss the rise of the modern right and how the legacy of fascism forms the foundation for their ideology.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
The Knick (Max)
Hitler’s American Model: United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law – James Q. Whitman
Nafeez’s Drop:
Foundation (Apple+)
Dave Troy – America 2.0
Jim Stewartson – Mind-War
Planetary Phase Shift paper – Nafeez Ahmed