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.