Stop Chasing Goals – Do THIS Instead

Are you a parent navigating the overwhelming world of modern motherhood and parenting myths? In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell speaks with Nancy Reddy, author of The Good Mother Myth, to explore the cultural narratives shaping our ideas about motherhood, parenting, and family life.Nancy dives into the history and science behind these pervasive myths, offering insights into how societal expectations often create unrealistic pressures on mothers and fathers alike. Together, they discuss the importance of redefining parenting roles, embracing support systems, and unlearning outdated ideas to create healthier relationships with our children—and ourselves. Whether you're a parent, future parent, or simply curious about the cultural forces shaping family life, this episode offers valuable perspective and hope.Links:https://www.thisanthrolife.org/ https://thisanthrolife.substack.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/ https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life/ About Nancy Reddy:https://www.instagram.com/nancy.o.reddy/ https://nancyreddy.substack.com/ https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-good-mother-myth-9781250336644/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabLBMgSEZBaxgx0ax-1d9mYu-VenwY5qprtUDMkOy5BnEZagOHVpDNwogQ_aem_jrxfpR3OiSq12FGNrfoiPw

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, and why many of us feel disconnected from our careers.Dr. Nethra shares actionable insights on how small daily actions can spark big changes, the importance of value-aligned work, and how leaders can foster environments where employees truly thrive. If you’re looking to transform your relationship with work, this episode is for you.Links:https://www.thisanthrolife.org/https://thisanthrolife.substack.com/https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolifehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life/

How do our physical spaces shape the way we live, connect, and thrive? In this episode of This Anthro Life, we delve into how design and the built environment impact today’s biggest challenges—climate change and social division. Featuring Vishaan Chakrabarti, architect and author of The Architecture of Urbanity, we explore how rethinking our spaces can foster joy, connection, and inclusivity.Discover why our housing and public spaces matter more than ever in rebuilding our social fabric. From suburbs to cities, and rural America to bustling urban centers, this is a conversation about the role design plays in creating a better, more sustainable future.Follow Vishaan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishaan-chakrabarti-faia-a004b9113/

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

Have you ever thought about the power of questions in shaping your relationships? In this episode of This Anthro Life, we explore how Emmy-winning filmmaker Topaz Adizes uses questions to create connection, trust, and clarity in relationships. From reframing daily thoughts to navigating life’s challenges, learn how asking better questions can transform the way you interact with the world.Discover how focusing on the right questions can unlock deeper conversations, foster empathy, and inspire personal growth. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on the transformative power of questions.

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. 

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/

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

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/

In this episode of This Anthro Life, we’ll dive into how anthropology is reshaping tech investment by examining human culture and its influence on innovation. You'll discover how the deep study of culture helps forecast market trends, understand AI (artificial intelligence) and its cultural implications, and inform smarter investment decisions. We’ll explore why private equity firms are hiring anthropologists and why venture capital should follow suit. With insights into consumer behavior, organizational dynamics, and cultural change, this episode delves into how ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies are influenced by anthropological intelligence. We also cover the role of business strategy in navigating today’s technological landscape, exploring how cultural anthropology can reveal the symbolic value and market intelligence that form a company’s cultural moat. Featuring renowned anthropologists Genevieve Bell and Gillian Tett, we uncover why cultural intelligence is essential in our fast-evolving world.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 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/ Culture Capitalisthttps://culturecapitalist.substack.com/