AnthroPuzzled

Abby Letsinger
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Careers
  • Updated Biweekly

AnthroPuzzled is designed with the goal to help recent graduates and curious minds discover the exciting opportunities that a degree in anthropology can offer, even in the most unlikely of places. Each episode, we'll sit down with professionals from all four branches of anthropology—cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological—as they share their stories of how they carved out unique and fulfilling careers. We'll hear firsthand how they apply their anthropological training in surprising ways, whether they're working in corporate environments, non-profits, education, or even creative industries. Let's embark on this journey together and uncover the endless possibilities that await you in the world of anthropology. Tune in, get inspired, and start piecing together your own career puzzle.

  1. 1d ago

    Vocational Pathways w/ Dena Michele Rosko

    On the latest episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with Dr. Dena Michele Rosko, an ordained minister, author, publisher, educator, and story systems anthropologist whose work bridges theology, creativity, organizational systems, and anthropology. With a PhD in Organizational Systems and graduate studies in communication and leadership, Dena shares how anthropology shapes her understanding of storytelling, compassion, identity, and community transformation. Dena reflects on her dissertation research exploring organizational compassion, Victor Turner's concept of communitas, and the ways marginalized experiences can lead to transformation and "complex wholeness." Through narrative methods, photography, and storytelling, she examined how communities, churches, and organizations can better support people navigating hardship and change. The conversation also explores liminality, creativity, motherhood during doctoral studies, and how systems and structures can either nurture or interrupt human connection and healing. We also dive into Dena's work as an author and publisher, including her growing imprint Dogwood Group and her nine-book Heritage Chronicles series, which blends theology, fantasy, memoir, caregiving, and poetry to explore themes of identity, heritage, resilience, and belonging. Along the way, Dena offers candid advice about graduate school, networking, academic systems, and building a meaningful career rooted in passion, creativity, and service. Listen now to explore storytelling, organizational compassion, liminality, higher education, and how anthropology can help create more compassionate and human-centered communities.

    54 min

  2. May 15

    Business Anthropology w/ Melissa Vogel

    On the latest episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with Melissa Vogel, a business anthropologist, corporate research leader, and founder of Great Heron Insights. With a PhD in anthropology and a career spanning academia, UX research, and organizational consulting, Melissa shares how anthropology can transform workplaces, improve business decision-making, and help people better understand one another. Melissa reflects on her journey from archaeology and Peruvian fieldwork to founding Clemson University's Business Anthropology Program and later leading qualitative and UX research in corporate environments. She discusses the realities of academia, navigating career pivots, and the challenges anthropologists face when translating their skills into the private sector. Along the way, she emphasizes the value of cultural understanding, adaptability, and anthropological thinking in solving real-world business problems. The conversation also dives into artificial intelligence, workplace culture, and the future of anthropology beyond academia. Melissa shares insights from her current AI research projects, discusses how anthropologists can critically engage with emerging technologies, and explains why anthropology is more relevant than ever in an increasingly interconnected world. Listen now to explore business anthropology, career pivots, AI in research, and how anthropology can create more human-centered workplaces and communities.

    1h 6m

  3. May 1

    Anthropology Meets Math w/ Stephen Paff

    On the latest episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with data scientist and entrepreneur Stephen Paff who blends anthropology, math, and machine learning to understand people through data.     With a background in both anthropology and mathematics, he approaches data science as a social science at its core, using technical tools to answer questions about human behavior, decision-making, and culture. His work spans high-stakes environments, from analyzing data during COVID-19 in a New York hospital system to leading large-scale insights work at Google.     Now, as the founder of Idea Corner LLC, he applies a bottom-up, anthropological approach to building products, focusing on what people actually need rather than forcing top-down solutions. He also breaks down misconceptions about math and programming, emphasizing that these are learnable skills and encouraging students to explore data science in accessible ways before committing to advanced degrees.      Listen now to explore how anthropology is reshaping data science, and why understanding people is at the center of it all.

    58 min

  4. Apr 17

    Technology Strategist w/ Minakshi Das

    On the latest episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with a technology strategist who blends anthropology with tech to guide organizations in making smarter, people-centered investments. With a background in both technology and anthropology, Minakshi uses ethnographic interviews to uncover the real challenges teams face, going beyond surface-level needs to understand workplace culture, internal dynamics, and decision-making processes. Her approach prioritizes people over technology, ensuring that solutions are built around human experiences rather than imposed systems. Working primarily in risk and compliance, her role focuses on shaping long-term technology strategies, from annual planning to multi-year investment decisions. By applying anthropological thinking throughout the process, Minakshi helps organizations anticipate challenges, reduce friction, and build systems that actually work for employees. Listen now to explore how anthropology is transforming the way we build, implement, and think about technology.

    33 min

  5. Apr 3

    Archaeology for Wellbeing w/ Celia Orsini

    On the latest episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with Celia Orsini, an archaeologist and writer with a PhD in early medieval archaeology from the University of La Sorbonne and the founder of Archaeology for Well-Being. Celia applies archaeological knowledge, heritage, and material culture to support mental health, connection, and team cohesion in contemporary workplaces. Through immersive workshops, she uses the past to help individuals and teams reflect on identity, belonging, and well-being in ways that are accessible, inclusive, and grounded in shared human experience. Rather than treating archaeology as something confined to museums or academic research, Celia's work reframes it as a practical tool for addressing modern challenges such as stress, isolation, and disconnection. Her sessions draw on universal themes like landscape, food, and healing, using storytelling, sensory engagement, and reflection to foster curiosity, empathy, and a stronger sense of community. Her work bridges archaeology and well-being, translating insights from past societies into meaningful practices for the present. Listen now to learn how archaeology can support well-being and why the past still matters in shaping healthier, more connected lives.

    43 min

  6. Mar 20

    Anthropology Archives & Libraries w/Celia Emmelhainz

    On the latest episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with Celia Emmelhainz, an anthropologist, librarian, and archivist whose work focuses on preserving, managing, and ethically sharing anthropological knowledge. With graduate training in anthropology and library science, Celia has worked at institutions including UC Berkeley, Harvard, and the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, supporting researchers, communities, and collections across libraries, archives, and museums. Celia's work bridges qualitative research data management and anthropological archiving, from helping scholars securely organize and describe their digital field materials to stewarding paper records, photographs, audio, and film from earlier generations of anthropologists. A central part of her approach is ensuring that descendant and Indigenous communities can access their own cultural materials in respectful, community-driven ways, while navigating issues of digitization, data sovereignty, and emerging technologies like AI. She also reflects on how anthropological training shapes archival practice, bringing attention to complexity, ethics, power, and absence in systems that often demand neat categorization. Listen now to learn how anthropology lives on through archives, and why preservation, access, and care matter for the future of the discipline.

    43 min

  7. Mar 6

    The Business of Culture w/ Abdulrahman Alyousef

    On the latest episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with Abdul Alyousef, an anthropologist and interdisciplinary consultant whose work brings cultural heritage and social insight into business and development. Trained across construction management, anthropology, and international development, Abdul is the founder of Seventh Bridge Consulting, a cultural heritage consultancy that works with developers, organizations, and institutions on projects ranging from property development to global expansion. At Seventh Bridge, Abdul leads teams of anthropologists, archaeologists, and development experts to integrate cultural knowledge into strategy from the very beginning. Rather than treating culture as a constraint or risk to manage, his work positions lived experience, history, and community values as essential foundations for sustainable growth. Through ethnographic and heritage-based research, he helps clients understand how communities will engage with, resist, or reshape development initiatives. Abdul also reflects on the ethical responsibilities of applying anthropology in commercial contexts, emphasizing reciprocity, accountability, and community benefit. Listen now to hear how anthropology, heritage, and strategy come together to shape more ethical, effective, and culturally grounded development.

    32 min

  8. Feb 20

    Holistic Healing in Community w/ Heather Smith

    On the latest episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with Dr. Heather Smith, a cultural anthropologist, public scholar, and digital nomad whose work centers on disaster research, mental wellness, and community care. Trained at American University, Heather's ethnographic research examines how emergency managers, first responders, and victim advocates navigate the social and emotional aftermath of natural disasters in the United States. Drawing on her personal background and fieldwork with practitioners, Heather highlights the often-overlooked mental health impacts of disasters, both on affected communities and on those tasked with responding to crises. Her postdoctoral work extends this focus to mental wellness among marginalized communities, including low-income populations, women, and children. Committed to public anthropology, Heather works outside traditional academic spaces to make anthropological knowledge accessible through writing, teaching, volunteering, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She also reflects on nontraditional academic paths, working full time while earning a PhD, and the importance of networks like the Bill Anderson Fund in supporting underrepresented scholars in disaster research. Listen now to learn how anthropology informs disaster response, mental wellness, and community resilience beyond the university.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

AnthroPuzzled is designed with the goal to help recent graduates and curious minds discover the exciting opportunities that a degree in anthropology can offer, even in the most unlikely of places. Each episode, we'll sit down with professionals from all four branches of anthropology—cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological—as they share their stories of how they carved out unique and fulfilling careers. We'll hear firsthand how they apply their anthropological training in surprising ways, whether they're working in corporate environments, non-profits, education, or even creative industries. Let's embark on this journey together and uncover the endless possibilities that await you in the world of anthropology. Tune in, get inspired, and start piecing together your own career puzzle.

Information

  • Creator
    Abby Letsinger
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    AnthroPuzzled

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