This is experience by design, a podcast that brings new perspectives to the experiences we have everyday. Does standing in line always have to suck? Why are airports so uncomfortable? What does it mean to be loyal to a brand? Why do you love being connected but dislike feeling tethered to your smart phone? Can we train people to care about the climate? Join Sociologist Gary David and Anthropologist Adam Gamwell on an expedition to the frontiers of culture and business through the lens of hum ...
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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 a ...
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Parenting children is definitely one of the hardest challenges that we can face in life. But as challenging as that is, it is nothing compared to reparenting your inner child. Some of you might be familiar with that turn of phrase. It refers to the process of dealing with childhood trauma, and “short-falls” in the manner in which you were parented …
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Better Sales Experiences with Doug C Brown
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54:02I’m lucky enough to live in a spot where there are a lot of trails that I can enjoy whether running, walking, biking, and even snowshoeing if we get enough snow. No matter what I am doing, I have one simple rule: if there is a friendly dog on the trail, I must stop to pet it. The opportunity to pet and engage with random dogs is one of the things t…
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Stand Out Experiences with Judy Winslow
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1:06:11We are rapidly approaching the end of semester, which can only mean one thing: freedom. The end of the semester is always a weird time. It kind of reminds me of the end of a relationship where both parties have just had enough and know that it is time to move on. Let us conclude the business at hand and get on with our lives. Sure we can stay frien…
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Co-Creating Experiences with Jaime Schwarz
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56:55Springtime in New England is the worst. As I sit here on another cold and rainy “spring” day, I’m reminded of what I was told by someone when I first moved to Boston 25 years ago: “Springs in New England are wonderful.” I never trusted another word that person said after I experienced it for myself. Part of it is the waiting for something better th…
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Designing Aging Experiences with Sheng-Hung Lee
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1:07:08I always feel a bit bad complaining about getting older, because getting older is not a privilege afforded to everyone. At the same time, getting older does present certain challenges. I was able to get a glimpse into aging the other day when I went to get my eyes examined. Turns out that the middle of the day at the eye doctor is peak time for tho…
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Participatory Artistic Experiences with Will Owen
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1:09:11As I’ve mentioned before, one of the great things about doing a show like this is the fascinating people I get to talk to who are coming at experience design from many different approaches, perspectives, and backgrounds. One of the groups that I perhaps enjoy talking to the most (no offense to anyone else) is artists. I’ve always admired the abilit…
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Communicating Diverse Experiences with Teja Arboleda
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1:06:30I made a huge mistake. That statement is not that uncommon for me to say. Mistakes happen with some frequency despite my best efforts. If to err is human, I’m definitely very human. There is an interview that was done back when Adam was still involved that I just came across and realized was never released. And of course that shames me because, des…
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Energy Experiences and Powder Watts with Thomas Clardy
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1:02:30As a person who likes the winter, it can get pretty tiresome listening to people say that they hope there is no snow this winter. In the Northeast and much of the country (if not the world), what is the winter for if not for some snow. A winter without snow is just a brown-infused frigid hellscape. And isn’t there enough hell going around? At least…
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One of the reasons that I originally went into sociology, and doing ethnographic research, is learning about people’s stories. We are a species that likes stories, and likes hearing about people’s stories. I think this is why “human of New York” is as popular as it is. People have their stories rooted in their lives and experiences. And when it com…
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Human Factors and Energy Experiences with Tucker Perkins
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1:01:40I miss my gas stove. I used to have one in a home I first lived in after moving to Massachusetts. There was something about the click-click-click and then the spark of the flame. Being able to see it and adjust it accordingly based on how much heat I wanted to generate for whatever I was cooking. It felt magically. Come to think about it, my love f…
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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 behin…
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Designing for Community with Mack Garrison
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1:01:33Being creative ain’t easy. There is something about putting yourself into your work that can be hugely rewarding, but also massively exhausting. Doing something without putting your heart and soul into it can come with its own drawbacks, but at the end of the day the results of your work are not tied directly into how you see yourself. For people w…
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The Harley-Davidson Experience with Ken Schmidt
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1:07:51I never expected the term “branding” or “brand” to be part of my lexicon, but here we are in 2025 where it seems that “branding yourself” and “what is your brand” are common concepts to discuss. Trying to figure out which version of me will “land” or resonate with not just my “audience”, but anyone. Iconic brands are something that seem to last for…
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Engineering Customer Experiences with Michelle Spaul
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1:11:29The New Year is a great time to reflect on our past, and to think about what we want to accomplish in the upcoming year. After all, it is the season of the Annual Performance Review! Whether in our personal or professional lives, it can be hard to identify what is important in terms of our evaluations. How do we know if we are making progress towar…
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Customer Experience Reckoning with Valerie Peck
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1:07:17One of the ways that I describe experience design, and more specifically for the purposes of this episode customer experience, is by asking people to imagine the worst customer experience that they have had. And unfortunately for all of us, there are a lot of them. It is probably easy to remember the bad experiences. But what about our best experie…
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Designing Connection through Immersive Experiences with Leigh Sachwitz
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1:21:04Many months ago now, I had the chance to go to the WNDR Museum in Boston. If you google that, it will come categorized as a “tourist attraction.” but it is a lot more than that, especially considering that I wouldn’t classify myself as a “tourist” since I live outside of Boston. More specifically, and even importantly, WNDR is an interactive art mu…
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Stop Chasing Success—Find Fulfillment Instead
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58:56Have 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 ho…
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Urban Visionary: We Need to Redesign Our Cities
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55:41How 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…
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Designing User Experience Ethos with Karen T. Lin
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1:02:09The original goal of those in the field of usability was pretty simple: to make products and environments that were more usable for those who were interacting with them. By looking at how to make better products, there was the potential to make life better as well. If greater profitability could be gained through these efforts, then great. At the s…
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4th Generation Farmer: 45,000 Farms Vanish Every Year, But We Can Change That
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1:15:59How 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, …
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Transform Your Life by Asking Better Questions
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1:01:10Have 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 trans…
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Designing the Future with Donna Dupont
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1:02:25As American troubadour Bob Dylan said, “The times they are a changin’.” I’m recording this one week after the 2024 presidential election. Without delving into the specifics of any particular outcome, one thing that is clear is there are going to be some major changes. Change can produce a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, even when there are positive…
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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 pow…
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Solar-Powered Experiences with Alex Nathanson
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1:01:47Today we have a fascinating discussion lined up with Alex Nathanson, a technologist, artist, and founder of Energy Transition Design LLC. In this episode, we'll explore the intricate challenges and opportunities that come with solar-powered technology, particularly solar roof tiles and the broader adoption of renewable energy solutions. Alex will s…
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Design for the Future: Ethics, Evolution, and Anthropology with Michael Leube
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1:11:19In 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 ethica…
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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…
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Communicating Insights and Experiences with Nick Kindler
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1:05:04When you work in academia, you come across some very smart people. This should be surprising given that academics spend an enormous amount of time exploring whatever topic they study. And people become academic experts by digging into the particulars of areas that can be pretty narrow and focused. This is the nature of academia: develop niche knowl…
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How AI and Technology Are Redefining Work in the Post-Pandemic World with Claudia Strauss
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1:09:27In 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. Dra…
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Disaster Experiences with Patrick Hardy
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1:09:05Maybe it just is the way that I am viewing the world, but it seems like everyday reveals another fresh disaster. It could be that disasters have always been with us, and now we are just more aware of them. Global news at our fingertips doesn’t necessarily help as we can tap into events that occur anywhere at any time. Even with this, it seems like …
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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’…
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Building Inclusive Universities: Lessons from Shaun Carver
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1:10:19Join us in this dynamic episode of This Anthro Life as we sit down with Shaun Carver, CEO of International House at UC Berkeley, to explore the art of building inclusive and vibrant campus communities. Dive into the rich history and transformative impact of I House, where fostering intercultural connections goes hand in hand with managing cultural …
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People-Centered Construction with Jesse Hernandez
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1:12:23There is something about building something with one’s hands that seems to resonate. There is a resilience in being able to bring forth out of different parts and ingredients a thing that is whole and new. Of course, in American culture there is a deep notion of creation and springing forth from hard work, and with experience and knowledge that can…
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Discover what sets the Michigan Wolverines apart in college football. In this episode of This Anthro Life, host Adam Gamwell explores the innovative cultural strategies implemented by head coach Jim Harbaugh that led to the Wolverines' 2024 National Championship victory. Learn how a player-led culture, distributed leadership, and sustainable succes…
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In this episode of This AnthroLife, host Adam Gamwell dives deep into the concept of "cultural moats" and how tech giants like Apple leverage design, technology, and cultural influence to cultivate an intensely loyal customer base. Adam examines the subtle yet powerful symbols Apple uses. This strategy preserves Apple's unique cultural identity whi…
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Intelligence and Algorithms with Tyler Schmoker
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1:08:06I never expected the word “algorithm” to play such a significant role in life and society. Growing up, I thought an algorithm was something that we would leave to math classes. The last time I took a math class to complete my undergraduate degree requirements. After that, I figured I was done with algorithms. But nope. Algorithms have been thrust b…
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Highly Sensitive Entrepreneur Experiences with Heather Dominick
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59:32When I was growing up, it was not uncommon to hear someone being told “Don’t be so sensitive.” Typically this was said when a person was being accused of reacting too strongly to some minor action. Another similar statement could be “why are you so sensitive?” Sensitive skin is referred to as being problematic and requiring special care. A sensitiv…
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A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future with Carissa Carter & Scott Doorley
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58:41In this episode of Anthro Life host Adam engages in a fascinating discussion with Chris Carter, a geoscientist-turned-design-educator, and Scott Dorely, a filmmaker-turned-design-educator. They explore how design and anthropology intersect to shape the future. Key Topics: -Holistic Design & Speculative Fiction: Discover the valuable lessons from sp…
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Communication and Healthcare Experiences with Jessica Mudry
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56:30There is a saying that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes. Clearly, there is a lot more certain in life, with perhaps the most important one being healthcare. Healthcare is something that we all encounter throughout our lives. Health is something that many of us may take for granted, but is always something that is in flux. We might pon…
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Careers in Anthropology: Corporate Consulting
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7:42Join me in a captivating new series on This Anthro Life as I explore the diverse career paths for anthropology graduates, emphasizing the immense value of anthropological skills in consulting roles. In this episode, "Careers in Anthropology: Corporate Consulting," I delve into the unique expertise we anthropologists offer—such as ethnographic resea…
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Inclusive User Experience with Oak Theory
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1:11:26One of the central questions in experience design is how to not only engage the audience for whom we are designing, but also how do we best include them in the process of design. But such a statement can sound more like a platitude than an actual instruction. It is one thing to say “be inclusive”, but another to be truly inclusive. This can seem ch…
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How to Heal Through Ayahuasca with Austin Mao
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1:01:30Join us on "This Anthro Life" podcast for an enlightening episode titled "How to Heal Through Ayahuasca" with special guest Austin Mao, co-founder of Ceremonia and entrepreneur. Dive into the resurgence of psychedelic therapies and modern spiritual practices as Austin shares his journey from tech entrepreneurship to founding an entheogenic church. …
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The Future of Reading: AI and Literature with Vihar Desu
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44:19Join us on This Anthro Life podcast for an engaging discussion on The Future of Reading: AI and Literature with Vihar Desu, an entrepreneur and engineer at Tempus and the creator of summaries.co. Vihar shares his expertise in cancer genomics and AI, revealing the technical intricacies of developing accurate summaries and the challenges and opportun…
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Designing Reverent Spaces with Jonathan Cohen
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1:12:07In today’s episode of Experience by Design, we welcome Jon Cohen, an expert in transformative experience design from G&A, an experience design company. We do a deep dive into the potential risks and implications of emerging technologies, particularly the Apple Vision Pro, and its impact on distraction and deployment in various settings, including m…
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Neuroplasticity: Transforming Learning Methods with Wynford Dore
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55:15Join us on This Anthro Life podcast for an enlightening conversation with Wynford Dore, a pioneering researcher in neuroplasticity. I'm Adam, your host, and in this episode, we explore Wynford's transformative journey, driven by a personal family tragedy that sparked his mission to understand and enhance brain function. Discover the remarkable powe…
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What is Neurodiversity? The FIGHT for Integration with Ludmila Praslova
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1:02:03Join us for a captivating conversation on neurodiversity in the workplace with Ludmila Praslova the author of 'The Canary Code.' I'm Adam, your host, and in this episode, we delve into the cultural and societal implications of neurodiversity, offering practical tools for leaders to foster inclusive work environments. We explore innovative strategie…
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Matt B Davis and Experiencing Obstacles
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1:08:09I’ve been involved in the creation and promotion of a number of athletic events, more specifically a cycling discipline called cyclocross. I’ve also participated in my fair share of events, from local road running races to Ironman and the Boston Marathon. I like to think that I have a decent understanding on the design of sporting events from the p…
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Deconstructing Masculinity with Ruth Whippman.
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1:14:06Join us for a discussion on raising boys in today's world with a renowned journalist and author. I'm Adam, your host. In this episode, we explore masculinity, gender roles, and societal changes. Ruth Whippman explores the challenges of nurturing boys in today's society. We delve into topics like Me Too's effect on male socialization, emotional vuln…
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Join us for an enlightening discussion on the transformation of digital news consumption with Alex, the visionary founder of Other Web. I'm Adam, your host, and in this episode, we dive into the innovative strategies that Other Web is implementing to reshape how we interact with online news and information. Alex shares his journey, inspired by his …
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Curiosity Creation and Museum Experiences with Sitara Systems
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1:04:40The field of education and learning is shifting in a lot of ways. Some of this is related to the new technologies, and the opportunities that are created through them. At the same time, we can see the duplication of traditional approaches through new technologies. Afterall, what does PowerPoint really accomplish if all we do is just put our lecture…
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What is Forensic Psychiatry? with Mark Levy
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1:15:17Join us for an intriguing discussion on the connection between law and human behavior with Dr. Mark, a distinguished forensic psychiatry specialist. I'm Adam, your host, and in this episode, we explore forensic psychiatry—a medical field that bridges legal systems and mental health. Dr. Mark explains the differences between treating psychiatrists a…
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