

The Deep Dive
Philip McKenzie
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 8min
Episode 232: What Might Be w/ Susan Sturm
Philip welcomes Prof. Susan Sturm, author of What Might Be: Confronting Racism to Transform Institutions. In our conversation, we discuss how important it is to honestly confront racism and how movements can grow in times of rising authoritarianism.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
Malcolm- Jamal Warner
Susan’s Drop:
Blue Special Guest: Susan Sturm.

Jul 24, 2025 • 1h 18min
Episode 231: Creating a Care Economy w/ Tim Jackson
Philip welcomes back Tim Jackson to the show to discuss his latest book, The Care Economy. In their conversation, they breakdown how care is essential to building a society where all of us can prosper.
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 Pitt (HBO Max)
Parks & Recreation (Peacock) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266020/
Tim’s Drop:
True Detective – Season 1 – (HBO Max)
Extractive Capitalism – Laleh Khalili
In a Different Voice – Carol Gilligan Special Guest: Tim Jackson.

Jul 17, 2025 • 1h 1min
Episode 230: Money, Lies and God w/ Katherine Stewart
Philip welcomes journalist and author Katherine Stewart to The Deep Dive to discuss her latest book Money, Lies and God. In their conversation, they chart the rise of Christian Nationalism and how it influences government through a network of money, influencers and the pulpit and the disastrous effect this has had on American democracy.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
Number One on the Call Sheet (Apple TV)
Mr. McMahon (Netflix)
Katherine’s Drop:
Hound Dog – Big Mama Thornton
Hey Joe – Billy Roberts
I Can’t Stand the Rain – Ann Peebles

Jul 10, 2025 • 51min
Episode 229: The Crisis Within Foster Care w/ Claudia Rowe
Philip welcomes Claudia Rowe, author of Wards of the State: The Long Shadow of American Foster Care. In their conversation, they explore the deep crisis within the foster care system and how it adversely effects the children it is attempting to serve.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
Secrets We Keep (Netflix)
Claudia’s Drop:
Sinners (HBO Max)
Adolescence (Netflix)

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.