People join monasteries thinking they’re escaping the world — but what they really find is more people. In this clip from People Stuff, anthropologists Dan and Michael unpack why monastic life is never truly solitary, and how “DIY monks” living ascetic lives in studio apartments miss the point of community.…
Why do people still believe the razor blades in Halloween candy story? And what do moral panics, political rumors, and deer in suburbia have in common? In this episode, anthropologists Dan Souleles and Michael Scroggins dig into how rumors, myths, and moral panics reveal our fears, social structures, and the…
Ever wondered why men space themselves out at urinals? Dan and Michael break down the unspoken bathroom code — and why violating it feels like a social crisis. 🚽💀 🎙️ From People Stuff, the anthropology podcast about why humans are so wonderfully weird. 🔗 Hear the full episode: www.people-stuff.com #PeopleStuffPodcast,…
This week, anthropologists Dan and Michael explore what happens when places are too perfect, chairs are too familiar, and cemeteries are too haunted (socially speaking). 💭 Questions this episode explores: Why do some “perfect” towns make us feel trapped? What’s up with everyone sitting in the same seat forever? Should…
Turns out, cleanliness isn’t universal — it’s cultural. Anthropologists Dan and Michael dive (ha) into how 17th-century Europeans shocked Indigenous people in the Americas… by never bathing. 🧽💀 This short from People Stuff breaks down the weird history of hygiene, colonial arrogance, and why your bathroom habits are basically anthropology.…
What happens when two anthropologists try to fix everything wrong with society — one bad idea at a time? This week, Dan and Michael tackle: 🧠 Politicians oversharing on social media 💸 Unionized waiters who want to be paid in crypto 💉 Fixing vaccine hesitancy with darts (and cash) 🚪…
In the late 1940s, French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss watched a shaman in the Amazon cure a woman’s trauma — not with medicine, but through symbols, metaphors, and stories. Sound familiar? That’s therapy. In this clip from People Stuff, Dan and Michael explore how modern psychology may just be the latest…
This week, Dan and Michael explore the strange anthropology of refusal — from political polarization to family drama over food. Why do people refuse to engage, comply, or even taste your abuela’s tamales? They unpack listener questions on red-pilling, vaccine skepticism, and cultural food divides, mixing humor, history, and social…
Episode Summary This week on People Stuff, anthropologists Dan and Michael sink their teeth into the strange and the spooky — from vampire lifestyles and Nazi fanboys to the mysterious Jersey Devil lurking in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens. They start with a “What Fresh Hell” segment exploring the surprising backlash…
Dan and Michael discuss whether athletes should keep their politics private. #fandom #sports #society #politics #athlete
Dan and Michael have a theory about why Boomers are so prone to hoarding #boomers #memories #storage #death #hoarder #stuff #capitalism #consumerism
Dan and Michael explain why pork barrel spending should make a comeback. #government #congress #shutdown #bipartisan #corruption
In this episode of People Stuff, Dan and Michael inquire into the health democracy by complaining about techno-fascists, advising a parent to go full ratf!ck on a high school election, and consoling activists about their endless meetings. I’m not sure we would vote for us. But, if you think the…
Dan and Michael are flabbergasted by a recent Gallup poll on American attitudes toward immigration. #politics #immigration #opinionpoll #polling #economy
Takeaways Cleanliness is culturally specific and varies widely. The concept of the Rapture has been a recurring theme in religious discussions. Zen practices can lead to conflicts in communal living situations. Allowance for chores raises questions about parenting and financial education. Hoarding reflects deeper cultural issues related to consumerism and…
Dan and Michael think cross-culturally about raising children. Where do Americans go wrong in raising independent children? #children #parenting #culture #school #japan #crosscultural
Dan and Michael explain why psychology is the go-to discipline of the status quo #podcastclips #work #mentalhealth
Why was the party scene in 19th-century New England so much better than it is today? Dan and Michael ponder why partying is in decline. #party #drinkingbuddies #nofun
Dan and Michael have some regrets #tattoo #chatgpt #regret #future
In this episode, Dan and Michael explore the limits of psychology, the decline of social gatherings among young Americans, and the role of alcohol as a social lubricant. They discuss the rise of chatbot therapy and its implications for self-reflection, as well as the complexities of fandom and the nature…
Dan and Michael debate the merits of making (or not making) your bed #wealth #health #mentalhealth #housekeeping #elonmusk #jordanpeterson
Why is it dangerous when local politicians ignore local issues to parrot national party talking points? Because that is how you end up with Nazis. #politics #localpolitics #nationalpolitics #congress #elections
Dan and Michael discuss the paradox of identity. Is your identity really yours? If so, is it all yours? #shorts #podcast #identity #language #society #culture #psychology
Dan and Michael talk about what future archaeologists might think of our material culture. #plastic #archaeology #materialculture #future