Best Applied Anthropological Podcasts (2025)

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Bones Tell Stories: The Reach of Forensic Anthropology 28:02

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3d ago28:02

28:02

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Tania Delabarde, leading forensic anthropologist at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Paris, where she has been instrumental since 2013 in the identification of unidentified bodies and coordination of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) protocols. Dr. Delabarde’s career spans some of the world’…

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Social Media Diagnosed Me 26:25

21d ago26:25

26:25

In Breaking the Code's 50th episode, we are joined by our 2025 summer intern, Gabriel Robinson (GR), not to be confused with Gabriel Allen-Cummings (GA). This conversation began because of GR's curiosity about social media being used for self-diagnosis, and it evolved to cover HCPs on social media, generational nuances in social media use, and the …

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Ripped From The Headlines: Everything You Need to Know About the New Breast Cancer Vaccine (Vogue) 30:45

28d ago30:45

30:45

"Ripped From The Headlines" is a new series for Breaking the Code, where Sonika and Gabe react to a news story with a medical anthropology lens. On this edition, they react to Anixa Biosciences' breast cancer vaccine completing phase one of clinical testing. The notion of a cancer vaccine sparked a variety of conversation topics from women's health…

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Cat and Mouse: How Toxicologists Chase Ever-Evolving Designer Drugs 21:20

1M ago21:20

21:20

Send us a text In this compelling episode, Dr. Kayla Ellefsen—Deputy Chief Toxicologist at the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Austin, Texas, United States-offers a rare look into the science of forensic toxicology and its critical role in death investigations. She dismantles Hollywood myths about quick test results and flashy labs, reve…

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Behavioral Inertia: Our Irrational Desire for Comfort 33:38

2M ago33:38

33:38

Behavioral inertia has become a buzzword in marketing, often associated with the stubborn action (or inaction) of a target audience. As anthropologists, Sonika and Gabe are often approached with the challenge of designing interventions that break inertia; however, there's more to inertia than simply recognizing it and knowing how to overcome it. In…

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Seeing People Beyond Their Function 19:54

4M ago19:54

19:54

Thinking holistically is easy to say, but hard to do, especially when designing strategies to change behavior within a specific role like patient, HCP, or caregiver. In this episode, Sonika and Gabe unpack how they disrupt their own thinking to uncover culturally resonant insights and drive more impactful behavioral strategies. Follow us on LinkedI…

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The Zinc Connection: The Pancreas, Diabetes and Beyond 23:58

4M ago23:58

23:58

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the connection between zinc and diabetes, focusing on functions of zinc in the pancreas and for blood glucose control. Using animal models of obesity and prediabetes, researchers investigated how mild zinc deficiency—similar to levels potentially seen in humans—affects the pancreas and regulation of blood …

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From Energy Drinks to Drugs: Uncovering Stimulants 32:40

6M ago32:40

32:40

Send us a text In this episode, forensic toxicologist Dr. Karolina Nowak takes us into the world of forensic toxicology, from the energy drinks we consume daily to the dangerous synthetic drugs on the streets. Dr. Nowak discusses the growing issues surrounding stimulant use, including the rise of synthetic drugs and the overlooked dangers of legal …

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Demystifying Forensic Medicine: Tales from the Morgue 31:31

7M ago31:31

31:31

Send us a text Join us on the Analytical Zen Podcast for an interview with Professor Christopher Milroy, a forensic pathologist and professor based in Ottawa, Canada. Professor Milroy earned his medical degree from the University of Liverpool and trained in pathology in Liverpool, Bristol and London before specializing in forensic pathology in Shef…

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Ginie Servant-Miklos: on the art of messy dreams, how to realize them, and the journey of making and unmaking oneself in the process 52:38

8M ago52:38

52:38

Ginie Servant-Miklos is an engaged environmental educator with fifteen years of experience in education practice, research, and advocacy. She currently holds an Assistant Professorship in behavioural sciences at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Her research and education work focuses on developing…

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GLP-1 Santa?!: The Cultural Shifts Behind St. Nick's Changing Shape 25:12

9M ago25:12

25:12

The biggest health story of the year has been how GLP-1s like Ozempic are reshaping everyday life. As the holidays approach, we take a closer look at an unexpected cultural shift—the shape of Santa Claus. For nearly a century, Santa has been celebrated as a holly jolly figure with a long white beard and a big round belly. But this year we've seen d…

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Paper-Based Electrochemical Biosensors for a Smarter World: From Health to the Environment 36:46

9M ago36:46

36:46

Send us a text What if you could transform the way we gather and interpret critical data in resource-limited settings? Join us on the Analytical Zen podcast as we chat with Professor Stefano Cinti, a trailblazer in the realm of sensors and biosensors. Stefano's journey from hesitant beginnings to becoming a passionate advocate for analytical chemis…

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Equity in Action PART 1: Understanding the Hearts and Minds of Multicultural Patients ft. Eirásmin Lokpez-Cobo 48:13

9M ago48:13

48:13

In this episode, we are joined by Eirásmin Lokpez-Cobo, EVP of Brand Strategy at República Havas Health, to dive into the insights from her team's recently published white paper, Equity in Action: Mapping the Multicultural Patient Journey for Inclusive Strategies (link below). This insightful paper sheds light on the systemic barriers and health-re…

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Using Smart Devices in Your Kitchen: Are Phones and Tablets a Recipe for Contamination? 11:29

9M ago11:29

11:29

Send us a text Can smartphones contribute to food safety risks in home kitchens? Join Dr. Mairead McCann from SafeFood as she examines the role of smart devices in household food safety. Drawing on research conducted by Queen's University Belfast and commissioned by SafeFood, Dr. McCann provides evidence-based insights into how technology, integral…

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Jesse Dart on Anthro to UX with Matt Artz 31:45

10M ago31:45

31:45

In this Anthro to UX podcast episode, Jesse Dart speaks with Matt Artz about his journey into UX research. Jesse shares his path from anthropology to UX research, highlighting his unique experience studying food and organizational anthropology in tech companies. He discusses his transition from academia to UX research through an agency in Rome, and…

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Forensic Toxicology Preventing Mishaps: How Drug Testing Became a Workplace Essential 17:13

11M ago17:13

17:13

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of forensic toxicology and workplace drug testing. From naval mishaps to train collisions, discover the pivotal incidents that have shaped workplace drug testing policies and why they matter. Join us as we chat with Steve Korkoneas as he sheds light on the widespread practice of workplace drug testing. Whether you'…

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Jennifer Studebaker on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz 36:04

11M ago36:04

36:04

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Jennifer Studebaker speaks with Matt Artz about her career as a business anthropologist. The conversation focuses on Jennifer’s journey from academia to applied anthropology, her experiences in various roles, including project management and market research, and her recent work on the Career …

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Women, Sports, and Leadership: The Evolution of Female Success ft. Claire Knapp and Denise Melone 44:32

11M ago44:32

44:32

Women's professional sports are "having a moment", but this did not happen in a vacuum nor did it happen overnight. In a highly anticipated episode (for us), we finally got a chance to sit down with Claire Knapp (CEO of Havas Lynx) and Denise Melone (Managing Director of Havas Life San Francisco) to discuss the implications of the growth of women's…

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Francesco Bravin: on radical imagination, learning interventions and the cultivation of the non-judgemental mind 34:06

11M ago34:06

34:06

Francesco Bravin is a cultural anthropologist and the president and founding member of the Cultural Association Antropolis in Milan. He has a Bachelor's degree in Intercultural Communication at the University of Turin, a Master's degree in Anthropology at the University of Milan Bicocca and a PhD in Anthropology at the University of Genoa. He resea…

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Do GLP-1s Change the Meaning of "Obesity"? 43:34

11M ago43:34

43:34

With the advent of GLP-1 drugs, it was only a matter of time before Brad and Gabriel dove into a discussion about this controversial drug class and the equally contentious disease, obesity. In this episode, they explore a range of topics—from the history of obesity and its recognition as a disease to how GLP-1s like Ozempic are influencing the conv…

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Gifted, Neurodivergent, or Nerd: The Highs and Lows of Growing up Tagged as 'Gifted' 49:57

12M ago49:57

49:57

Our fascination with neurodivergence continues as we are joined by PsyD, Dr. Matt Zakreski to breakdown the semantics of giftedness, and inclusive design for neurodivergent people in a variety of public spaces. The term "gifted" was of particular interest of us and our guest because at one point in each of our lives we had been called out of the cl…

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The Arcana of Inquiry: Navigating Ethnography through Tarot as a Playful, Disruptive, and Subversive Practice 38:33

12M ago38:33

38:33

The Ethnographic Tarot Project intertwines the magic and mystery of tarot with the depth of anthropological inquiry. This initiative seeks to develop a distinctive tarot deck infused with ethnographic and anthropological themes, serving not only as a medium for reflection and divination but also as an innovative teaching tool aimed at enlightening …

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Unpacking the Rituals of Barbecues and Health: How we Give Structure and Meaning to an Unstructured World 22:47

1y ago22:47

22:47

In this episode, recorded right before the Labor Day weekend, Brad and Gabe have one thing on their minds... barbecuing! More specifically, they're thinking about barbecuing as a ritual, a set of behaviors with rules, inversions of norms, specific settings and a meaning that goes beyond its function. In health, rituals are overlooked, but they're a…

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Sonja Hodgson on Anthro to UX with Matt Artz 29:37

1y ago29:37

29:37

In this Anthro to UX podcast episode, Sonja Hodgson speaks with Matt Artz about her journey into UX research. Sonja shares her path from anthropology to UX research, highlighting the transferable skills from her anthropological background. She discusses her experiences in various roles, including medical interpretation, program evaluation, market r…

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From Lab Coats to Leading Labs: How a Work Placement Ignited Global Impact 48:52

1y ago48:52

48:52

Send us a text What if a simple work placement could transform your entire career? Join us on the Analytical Zen Podcast as we sit down with Dr. Simon Elliott, a forensic toxicologist with over 30 years of experience. Simon shares memorable cases and pivotal experiences, including his work with the designer drug 4-Methylthioamphetamine (4-MTA) in h…

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Tim Malefyt on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz (Interview 2) 30:33

1y ago30:33

30:33

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Timothy Malefyt speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. The conversation focuses on Tim's new book, Business Anthropology: The Basics. They explore how anthropology can be applied within business contexts, making it a powerful tool for understanding organizational…

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Bridging Minds: Autism, Neurodivergence, and Inclusive Communication in Advertising 35:35

1y ago35:35

35:35

The term "neurodiversity," introduced 25 years ago by autistic Australian sociologist Judy Singer, marked a milestone in our understanding of autism and the appreciation of "difference, not deficit" in how brains work. More than a buzzword, neurodiversity describes a growing population whose brains work differently from the "neurotypical," and whos…

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From Pharmacy to Forensics 1:01:25

1y ago1:01:25

1:01:25

Send us a text In this episode, we discuss the critical importance of detecting Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Delta-9 THC and Delta-10 THC along with the challenges associated with analysing heart blood in forensic toxicology. We delve into Professor Ashraf Mozayani’s remarkable journey through the dynamic field of forensic toxicology, focusi…

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Defeating Cancer’s Hero Trope: Cancer Doesn’t Make Humans Super - It Makes Them More of Who They Already Are 25:54

1y ago25:54

25:54

A cancer diagnosis is a "moment of truth" that brings an undeniable shift to someone's identity. Faced with one's own mortality, a concerted effort may be required to overcome the dissonance between "who I was" and "who I am now". When communicating to patients diagnosed with cancer, we often attempt to address this new-found perspective by creatin…

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Drugs and Deep Thoughts: A Philosophical Look Beyond the Lab Results 51:00

1y ago51:00

51:00

Send us a text Imagine a young driver under the influence of multiple substances—what societal factors contribute to such dangerous behavior? In this episode, we explore the case of a young driver found with cocaine, diazepam, and fluoxetine in their system. We delve into trends among young drivers in Switzerland, draw parallels with other regions …

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Making Sense Of "Trigger Warnings": Stigma, Taboo, and Trauma 32:35

1y ago32:35

32:35

Correction: In this episode, we mention that Anna Calix had a miscarriage. Anna actually had a 40 week stillbirth. Miscarriage (spontaneous abortion) is a fetal demise in utero at less than 20 weeks of pregnancy, and stillbirth (fetal death) is a spontaneous fetal demise in utero at 20 weeks or more of pregnancy. The two have very different experie…

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Intimate Contamination: The Kissing Defense and The Sex Defense in Sports Doping 41:20

1y ago41:20

41:20

Send us a text What if an athlete could test positive for a banned substance through no fault of their own? As Wimbledon and the UEFA European Championships grace our TV screens currently, and with the 2024 Olympic Games set to begin in Paris, France at the end of July, The Analytical Zen Podcast turns its focus to the role of forensic toxicology i…

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Fatimah Richmond on Anthro to UX with Matt Artz 39:23

1y ago39:23

39:23

In this Anthro to UX podcast episode, Fatimah Richmond speaks with Matt Artz about her UX journey. Fatimah shares her journey from computer science to anthropology and how she found her passion for human-computer interaction. She discusses the evolution of UX research and the importance of research maturity within organizations. Fatimah highlights …

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Uncomfortable Conversations Save Lives: The Surgeon General Weighs In On The Risks of Social Media 33:51

1y ago33:51

33:51

In this episode, Brad and Gabe delve into the US Surgeon General's proposal to introduce warning labels on social media platforms, aimed at highlighting their impact on young people's mental health. In the US, the surgeon general is seen as a moral authority who looks at social issues through a health-first lens from the dangers of social media to …

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Career Spotlight on Professor Hans H. Maurer 23:54

1y ago23:54

23:54

Send us a text Episode 1 features a career spotlight on esteemed toxicologist Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. (UGent) Hans H. Maurer. He is an Emeritus Professor and the former Head of the Department of Experimental and Clinical Toxicology at the Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany. This reno…

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This is not a Drill: Cervical Cancer is Curable, but Treatment is Often Too Painful to Survive 48:20

1y ago48:20

48:20

In this episode, we’re joined by Eve McDavid and Dr. Onyinye Balogun, founders of Mission Driven Tech, a Cervical Cancer innovation company. Their story is an inspirational application of Breaking the Code's themes of inclusive design, varied expressions of pain, and uncomfortable conversations that save lives. Our discussion delves into women's he…

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If Everything is 'Healthy', Nothing is 23:53

1+ y ago23:53

23:53

In a world of ubiquitous marketing, figuring out what supports a "healthy lifestyle" can be challenging. Marketers have picked up on the cultural trend towards wellness branding, and are enthusiastically, if somewhat disingenuously, leaning into claims that are technically true but not very helpful--"no added sugar", for example, is true, but irrel…

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Jay Hasbrouck on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz 30:19

1+ y ago30:19

30:19

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Jay Hasbrouck speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. They also discuss the evolving role of anthropology and insights in business, the second edition of his book Ethnographic Thinking: From Method to Mindset, and how ethnographic thinking can help organizations n…

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Ensuring the Customer is Always Right: A Brand's Role in Consumer Health Decisions 35:34

1+ y ago35:34

35:34

As people become more conscious and more knowledgeable about their health, it's on brands and health institutions to become more intimately aware of their consumer's (or patient's) health needs and goals. Someone who "does their own research" isn't operating in a silo - they still rely on the opinions of others, friends, influencers, health profess…

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Skip the Chocolates, Bring out the Blindfold: ParkinSex & Putting Intimacy At the Forefront 34:06

1+ y ago34:06

34:06

In honor of Parkinson's awareness month, we're joined by Howard Lenn, EVP, Executive Creative Director at Havas Health Plus, to discuss his team's approach to the work on the "The Kama Sutra of Parkinson's", ParkinSex. Couples that include someone with Parkinson's are more likely to separate than couples that don't. Howard talks about the massive s…

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The Pain We Feel: Culture in Storytelling and The Learned Expression of Emotions 33:45

1+ y ago33:45

33:45

Something that has fascinated us recently is the role culture plays in the emotional aspects of storytelling. The emotional response, its justification and the words used to describe it all are heavily influenced by an individual's identity and how they've learned to express themselves. In this episode, we discuss some of the culture differences wh…

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Matthew J Hill on Anthropology in Business with Matt Artz 33:12

1+ y ago33:12

33:12

In this episode of the Anthropology in Business podcast, Matthew J Hill speaks with Matt Artz about his career as a business anthropologist. Matthew details his transition from the fields of chemistry and philosophy to anthropology and its application in the business context. He highlights his early experience with design anthropology and its influ…

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Nurses are HCPs too: Honoring the Beating Heart of the Healthcare System 36:34

1+ y ago36:34

36:34

Too often in our industry, when we say "healthcare professional" what we really mean is ONE healthcare profession, the prescribing Medical Doctor. However, nursing is and always has been a part of the healthcare professional team, and today more than ever the roles nurses play in providing care are exactly those we cannot do without. Nursing is imp…

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A Chance to Stand Out: Does The SAT Do More Good Than Harm? 37:55

1+ y ago37:55

37:55

Recently, a number of prestigious U.S. universities have talked about reinstating The Scholastic Aptitude Test, more infamously known as The SAT, for applicants to their undergraduate programs. The SAT was once mandatory for college applications, but has become optional and then not used at all in progressive stages over the past two decades. Howev…

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Do Superbowl Ads Do the Job?: Singing Busts, Resilient Athletes, & Family Photos with the Visually Impaired 54:25

1+ y ago54:25

54:25

Do you know anyone who just watches the Superbowl for the love of the game anymore? As TV viewers decline across the board, the Big Game on the second Sunday of February remains a must watch event in sports, entertainment, and advertising, hooking the attention from everyone from die-hard sports fans to Swifties. In this special episode, the full t…

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Let's Think Zebras: Understanding Rare Disease Through the Lives of Those it Affects 38:48

1+ y ago38:48

38:48

A rare disease diagnosis is the beginning of a journey of unknowns. From an HCPs ability to treat, to a caregivers' emotional burden, to a patient's sense of identity, there are a variety of factors that remain uncertain or unclear which makeup the unique challenge of having a rare disease. Despite the challenge, people living with rare disease per…

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Uncomfortable Conversations Save Lives: Gardasil, "The Sex Vaccine" 30:56

1+ y ago30:56

30:56

With January being Cervical Health Awareness month, we felt that this was a great time to breakdown the discussion around Gardasil, an HPV vaccine that can play a major role in curbing the incidence rates of cervical and a variety of other cancers. With that fact alone, Gardasil seems like a no-brainer, but as we explained in a previous episode, it…

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Medicine at a Crossroads: Doctor Distress, Medical Culture, And "Healing The Healers" 29:33

1+ y ago29:33

29:33

Doctors are in distress, and pandemic is not the only cause. For decades, the role of the healer has been evolving (or devolving, depending on whom you ask), both in our imaginations and in the literal conditions of labor for doctors. For the first episode of the new year, Sonika and I sit down with Vernon Bainton MD, Chief Medical Officer of Havas…

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Poetry: When You Turned… 1:39

1+ y ago1:39

1:39

By Paschal_the_Yobi

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Tariq Rahman on Anthro to UX with Matt Artz 37:05

1+ y ago37:05

37:05

In this Anthro to UX podcast episode, Tariq Rahman speaks with Matt Artz about his UX journey. He discusses his fieldwork in Pakistan's real estate market and how it allowed him to explore the intersection of anthropology and UX research. He also highlights his UX internships at Zameen.com and Nike and discusses how his strategy consulting internsh…