On the latest episode of Anthropuzzled we talk with Michael Tomiak the head of digital programming at the new museum of West African Art and a consultant at Quercus Heritage. Michael discusses how new technology could benefit the world of cultural heritage management.

Michael shares how emerging technologies are transforming cultural heritage management, a field dedicated to safeguarding land, objects, and knowledge of cultural significance. With roots in history, physics, and technology, his journey has been shaped by diverse internships and fieldwork, leading him to innovative ways of preserving heritage.

Viewing cultural heritage as an environmental resource, Michael works to mitigate threats from construction and climate change, ensuring that history endures for future generations. Central to his work is GIS (Geographic Information Systems), a tool that provides spatial context to artifacts and heritage sites, accelerating research and protection efforts.

Tune in to hear how digital tools are redefining the way we understand and preserve cultural heritage.

AnthroPuzzled turns one! In this special anniversary episode, host Abby Letsinger reflects on a year of curious conversations, unexpected discoveries, and the winding path that brought this podcast to life. What began as a personal search for direction has grown into a space for real stories, honest questions, and diverse perspectives on what anthropology can look like beyond the classroom. Tune in as we celebrate one year of puzzling through anthropology—and look ahead to what’s next.

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On this episode of AnthroPuzzled, we’re joined by Grace Penry, a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Arkansas. With a bachelor’s in anthropology and creative writing, she is now pursuing a master’s in translation and creative writing. Grace shares how her lifelong passions for storytelling and connecting with people drew her into both anthropology and writing, and how the observational skills she gained as an anthropologist continue to shape her creative work.

Her interests also extend into languages, she minored in Spanish, spent time studying abroad in Argentina, and now works on translating stories across languages, gaining fresh perspectives on culture and communication. In addition to her studies, Grace has always felt called to teaching, from her time in elementary classrooms to now leading university-level creative writing courses. She talks about the joy she finds in encouraging students and sharing her love of writing.

Tune in to hear Grace’s journey through higher education, the intersections of anthropology and creative expression, and the lessons she’s carrying forward as both a writer and teacher.

In this episode of AnthroPuzzled, we talk with Mary-Caitlyn Valentinsson, Manager of Ethnographic Research for Universal Destinations and Experiences in Orlando, Florida. Mary-Caitlyn explains how anthropology and UX research come together in her work to understand the guest experience from a truly holistic perspective. Using interviews, focus groups, and structured observations, she studies leisure and tourism with the knowledge that a vacation begins long before visitors arrive at the park gates. Her research sometimes explores different things like the “sociology of cool,” guest beliefs and ideologies, and the breadcrumb-style questions that can lead to product-focused insights.

Mary-Caitlyn shares how she adapts research methods on the fly when conditions shift, navigates the unique ethics of corporate research, and works to help others understand the value of qualitative research. She reflects on her career path—originally aiming for a tenure-track academic position—before deciding to make the leap into this industry. Now, she uses her anthropological training in a direct, tangible way every day, blending creativity and rigorous methodology to capture the human side of the Universal experience.

Tune in to hear Mary-Caitlyn’s journey, the challenges of doing fieldwork in a bustling theme park, and how ethnographic research shapes unforgettable guest experiences.

In this episode of AnthroPuzzled, I speak with Eleanor Snowden, a research consultant whose work is deeply rooted in applied anthropology. Eleanor specializes in “story surveys,” a method that invites people to share everyday experiences and interpret the meaning of their own stories—challenging traditional research models that often remove this agency. Her approach focuses on unearthing small, often hidden narratives that emerge naturally in conversation, especially those that reveal how people make sense of the world around them. By working alongside changemakers and socially conscious organizations, Eleanor uses anthropological thinking to support projects that aim to create meaningful, human-centered change.

We explore how her work is guided by multi-perspective storytelling, and how core anthropological concepts like positionality, power dynamics, and humility are central to the way she engages with research. Eleanor shares how anthropology offers no simple answers—just more questions—and why that open-endedness is a strength, not a weakness. She also reflects on a piece of advice from her father that shapes her approach: always make space for the new and novel.

Tune in to hear how narrative-based research is reshaping the field of anthropology, why small stories matter, and what it means to truly listen as both a researcher and a human being.

In this episode of AnthroPuzzled, we talk with Kevin Gidusko, a Cultural Resource Manager at Ardurra with a background in anthropology. Kevin explains how anthropology informs his work in cultural resource management (CRM)—a field focused on preserving and protecting historical and archaeological sites during modern development. He breaks down what CRM looks like in practice, from navigating legal frameworks to working with communities and developers.

Kevin also shares how studying human history and culture helps him advocate for the past in a fast-paced, ever-changing world. He reflects on how, when he entered the field, most universities didn’t offer dedicated CRM courses—so he had to learn the ropes on his own. Today, that’s changing, with more programs offering degrees and training tailored to CRM work. His story highlights the evolving landscape of the profession and the growing recognition of CRM as a vital career path for anthropologists.

Tune in to hear Kevin’s journey, the challenges and rewards of CRM work, and why protecting the past matters more than ever.

In this episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with Michael Thomas, Senior VP at Space Doctors, a cultural consulting firm. Michael shares how his background in cognitive anthropology shapes his work, first designing trucks at Ford, then applying ethnographic methods to global branding and consumer insight. His first experience with fieldwork, interviewing truck drivers, revealed just how wrong industry assumptions can be, and ignited his passion for anthropology.

We explore how anthropology helps consultants better understand human behavior, cultural signals, and how products can communicate meaning. Michael explains how culture shapes perception, from what we value to how we make decisions, and how ethnographic research brings those hidden layers to light.

He also critiques the tendency to reduce culture to surface-level traits like fashion or music, arguing for a deeper view that recognizes complexity and difference. Anthropology, he says, is essential to challenging stereotypes and understanding people beyond broad categories.

Tune in to hear how anthropology expands what’s possible in the world of consulting, and how it offers powerful tools for seeing people, culture, and communication in a whole new way.

On this episode of AnthroPuzzled, we sit down with Shane Townsend, a storyteller, diplomat, and lifelong public servant whose career has been guided by a deep commitment to helping others. His advice? Write down what you truly want, not what others expect of you. Then go after it with intention.

Shane says he feels most alive when he's listening to or sharing stories—and he's built a career doing exactly that. Growing up in a close-knit community that valued storytelling and mutual support, Shane developed strong values that carried him into college, where studying anthropology gave him a powerful lens for understanding how culture shapes everything we do. More importantly, it connected him with a mentor who helped him turn those values into action.

Shane has held a wide range of roles—from Peace Corps volunteer to Foreign Agricultural Service Officer. In the Peace Corps, he received intensive language and cultural training that prepared him to live and work in communities around the world, building lifelong friendships and learning to adapt with care. As a Foreign Service Officer with the USDA, Shane listens to the needs of communities abroad and works to match local challenges with U.S. policy solutions—guided always by the stories people share.

Tune in to hear how anthropology, storytelling, and a heart for service shaped Shane’s global journey.