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.