This week, Dan and Michael accidentally dismantle the U.S. economy with the help of linguistic anthropologist Steve Black. We talk about why everyone thinks a new car should cost $30k (it shouldn’t), why letters of recommendation are medieval hazing rituals, and why quitting your job feels like a moral test instead of a labor decision. Plus: sorority-rush consultants, academic-publishing slop, and a brief cameo from an AI-generated rat with an alarming anatomy. People Stuff: because the economy is just vibes in a spreadsheet.

“Why are the horses allowed to hit us?”

Anthropologists Dan and Michael take on workplace personality tests, IQ tracking, and pop psychology’s obsession with turning people into types.

Dan and Michael welcome genetic counselor and professional vegetarian Saanchi Shah to explore why humans attach so much identity to food — from paleo diet mythologies to prepper gardening obsessions to the gym bro who thinks raw meat makes you a better person. Also: a stolen 18-karat gold toilet, fixing public restrooms, and whether one can literally become pizza.

This week on People Stuff, anthropologists Dan and Michael get very, very lost — in Carmel-by-the-Sea, at the dinner table, and even among the dead.

In this episode of People Stuff, anthropologists Dan and Michael tackle the order of things — from Zen monks who don’t clean corners to kids demanding cash for chores to dads who can’t let go of their stuff. They explore how cleanliness, clutter, and money all reveal what we value (and what we avoid). Along the way, Michael “fixes” Congress, Dan questions enlightenment, and both get a little dusty. Smart, funny, and deeply human — it’s anthropology for everyone who’s ever swept something under the rug.

In this episode of People Stuff, Dan and Michael explore various themes surrounding parenting, cultural differences in child-rearing practices, the rise of TikTok detectives, privacy in the digital age, and the complexities of gender identity. They discuss the nuances of disciplining other people's children, the societal expectations surrounding gender roles, and how these factors influence parenting styles. The conversation is rich with humor and anthropological insights, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. In this conversation, Dan and Michael explore the complexities of education, gender identity, and public perception of immigration. They discuss how children form their identities through social interactions and cultural influences, the ongoing debate about the nature of gender identity, and the shifting attitudes towards immigration in the U.S. The episode also touches on the phenomenon of imaginary friends and how cultural interpretations shape our understanding of childhood experiences.

This week on People Stuff, Dan and Michael grab their metaphorical couch and ask: Why does psychology have such a hold on how we think about ourselves? From men outsourcing their mental health to chatbots, to the moral contradictions of being a baseball fan, to the question of what people did before “therapy” was even invented — it’s an episode about the strange modern faith in psychology, and whether it’s helping us or just keeping us company.

In this encore episode of People Stuff, Dan and Michael check to see whether the truth is out there by boosting a UFO conspiracy, endorsing the use of body doubles as a high school teaching technique, and offering relationship advice to help you avoid serial killers in the Pacific Northwest. It remains to be seen whether there is any truth out there. Still, if you’re curious to see what’s on the other side, this episode is for you.

In this encore episode of People Stuff, Dan and Michael venture into the wicked and unknown by riffing on the admirable traits of vampires, parsing the stupidity of Nazi stans, and sending a love letter to the Jersey Devil. If your heart lives in the Pine Barrens, this episode is for you.

In this episode of People Stuff, hosts Dan and Michael explore profound questions about the human condition, individuality versus societal influence, the role of family in human development, and future anthropological perspectives. They engage with questions from a class at Georgia State University, discussing the complexities of identity, the significance of childhood, and the implications of our current societal structures for future generations.

As we are in between seasons, we present this encore presentation of Dan and Michael Go To Ikea. People Stuff is a write-in anthropology podcast. In this episode, Dan and Michael go to Ikea and give advice on furniture shopping and relationships, whether you should make your bed, and how best to bring an urn to your in-laws. They also talk about the great chicken war, fix the Olympics, and shill for flat-pack coffins.

Dan and Michael demand to know why everyone is taking pictures of themselves standing in line these days. If you pine to be seen being seen, this episode is for you.

Dan gives an update on the end of Season 1 and previews what to expect in Season 2 of People Stuff. A big thanks to those of you who submitted questions! Expected to hear your questions and our answers in the upcoming season. As always, you can leave a question at: https://www.people-stuff.com/

Why your neighbor’s parking spot is sacred, your Uber is feudalism, and the Hyperloop is a cult.

Halloween myths, indirect political speech, and deer in the suburbs — all through the lens of anthropology and humor.

This week on People Stuff, anthropologists Michael and Dan take a wrecking ball to democracy itself — from Curtis Yarvin’s neo-monarchist fantasies to student-body elections gone full Nixon. In this episode: What Fresh Hell: The Texas Lottery “rigging” that proves math isn’t the problem — lazy officials are. The Big Question: Is democracy actually broken? Michael and Dan unpack the anti-democracy ideas of Curtis Yarvin, the myth of the “CEO king,” and why liberal democracy still matters (plus, what’s more important — air conditioning or AI?). High School Power Plays: When student-body elections turn into campaign nightmares, what’s a parent to do? Hint: Go negative. Hard. Fixing Shit: Dan redesigns airline boarding for a more egalitarian sky, while Michael says the real fix is fewer flights — and fewer heat domes. Freedom and the Endless Meeting: Activism and consensus — when “everyone has a say” means you never leave the meeting. Plus, a fake sponsorship you’ll wish was fake: Technofascism™ — available wherever super yachts are sold.

Dan and Michael get abducted — by ideas, conspiracies, and maybe aliens. This week, your favorite anthropologists of everyday life tackle UFOs, body doubles, and murder in the Pacific Northwest. From backyard sightings and drone swarms to doppelgängers in Ohio high schools, to true crime in the long dark winters of Washington, the guys explore why we believe what we believe — and how myths help us make sense of mystery. Along the way: The uncanny prediction of the Titanic disaster in 1898 What UFOs reveal about secrecy and American mythmaking Why your high school teacher might (not) be a body double Ostracism, Greek democracy, and why Dan wants to bring it back How to tell if your boyfriend is a serial killer (or just really into Nordic noir) If you like anthropology, philosophy, and the absurdity of human behavior, you’ll love this one.

Dan and Michael explore why names matter — from doomed bars to militias — and how our labels reveal who we think we are.

Do you need a degree—or just a wrench and some grit? Dan and Michael take on higher education, factory floors, and the future of labor.