The hosts discuss Jose Leonardo Santos’s article on negative public attitudes toward anthropology and the claim that the discipline is struggling, including department closures and doubts about career outcomes. They argue the article mostly compiles familiar viewpoints without enough outside perspectives or practical solutions, and debate whether anthropology and higher education are truly in crisis or whether some critiques rely on weak, clickbait-style data. Much of the conversation centers on academia’s disconnect from CRM work, saying graduates often lack practical skills, critical thinking, and the ability to take feedback, leaving CRM firms to train them from scratch. They compare community college “train-to-standard” education with selective four-year programs and emphasize professional self-improvement, then invite Santos to join the podcast for a Socratic-style discussion.

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/crmarchpodcast/326

Bill White: Succinct Research

Doug Rocks-MacQueen: Doug’s Archaeology

Chris Webster: DIGTECH LLC

Andrew Kinkella

• Kinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)
• Blog: Kinkella Teaches Archaeology

• APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
• APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
• APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
• APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
• APN Shop

• Motion

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In this episode, the hosts discuss the latest U.S. News & World Report university rankings and question their relevance to archaeology and cultural resource management (CRM). They argue that Ivy League prestige and rankings have little to no impact on hiring or success in archaeology, emphasizing that program quality, practical skills, and experience matter far more than a school’s name. The panel shares examples where Ivy League graduates were not stronger candidates and notes that perceived academic “elite” advantages are often statistical noise or social bias. Overall, the episode encourages students and parents to focus on strong, field-relevant programs rather than chasing rankings or prestige.

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/crmarchpodcast/325

• U.S. News & World Report: Best Colleges

Bill White: Succinct Research

Doug Rocks-MacQueen: Doug’s Archaeology

Chris Webster: DIGTECH LLC

Andrew Kinkella

• Kinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)
• Blog: Kinkella Teaches Archaeology

• APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
• APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
• APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
• APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
• APN Shop

• Motion

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode, Heather, Andrew, and Bill share the moments—both as students and professionals—when they realized they were truly archaeologists. Through personal stories from field school, CRM work, and teaching, they explore how confidence, passion, and identity develop over time. The discussion highlights that archaeology is more than excavation, emphasizing problem-solving, people skills, and the many paths a career in CRM can take.

For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/crmarchpodcast/324

Bill White: Succinct Research

Doug Rocks-MacQueen: Doug’s Archaeology

Chris Webster: DIGTECH LLC

Andrew Kinkella

• Kinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)
• Blog: Kinkella Teaches Archaeology

• APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
• APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
• APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
• APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
• APN Shop

• Motion

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.