This Anthro Life1 Nov 2023

Wisdom from the Edge: Writing Ethnography in Turbulent Times With Paul Stoller

Are you curious about the untapped wisdom that exists outside of traditional academic knowledge? Do you want to learn how stories, dialogue, and sensory experiences can enhance our understanding of the world? In this episode of This Anthro Life, we dive into the fascinating world of anthropology with esteemed anthropologist and author Paul Stoller.
Paul shares his fascinating experiences studying healing practices and encountering unexplainable phenomena in Niger. We delve into the importance of storytelling, deep listening, and the need for ethnography to engage all senses. Paul further emphasizes the power of evocative writing, the value of passing down knowledge through generations, and the profound wisdom we can gain from unexpected sources. Tune in to discover the transformative potential of anthropology and how it can shape our understanding of the human condition.

Key takeaways:

Learn how immersive fieldwork pushes boundaries of understanding and challenges preconceptions through lived experiences in other cultures.
Explore how storytelling is a core way that cultures transmit knowledge, values, and traditions across generations through oral histories.
Discover how "deep listening" goes beyond words to sense meanings through tone, expression, and being to understand another person truly.
Immerse yourself in vivid place descriptions that evoke memory and enhance the reader's experience of ethnographic scenes.
Develop your skills in bringing field research to life through techniques like constructing compelling characters and authentic dialogue.
Appreciate how wisdom exists in unexpected places beyond academic frameworks through the practical knowledge of indigenous elders.
Understand how long-term relationships in the field unlock hidden dimensions of cultural knowledge only revealed through deep trust over time.

Key Topics of this Podcast:

00:01:30 Wisdom lies beyond comprehension.
00:09:18 Ethnography helps understand troubled times.
00:10:11 Lack of social trust and disrespect for nature have consequences.
00:17:45 Indigenous wisdom is valuable.
00:21:17 Writing ethnography with vivid descriptions.
00:29:39 Deep listening enhances storytelling experience.
00:32:06 Storytelling connects and reveals humanity.
00:36:42 Ethnography's unique value proposition.
00:41:03 Ethnography preserves and passes knowledge.
00:44:02 Embrace vulnerability for deeper wisdom.
00:47:33. Embrace sensory approach to engage.

Our incredible guest, Paul Stoller, is an anthropologist who has spent years conducting fieldwork in West Niger. Through his experiences as an apprentice to healers in the region, Stoller has conducted anthropological research in West Africa for over 30 years, focusing on Songhai religion and spirit possession. Since 1992, he has also studied West African immigrants in New York City, exploring informal economies and immigration politics. Stoller has published 11 books, including ethnographies, biographies, memoirs, and novels. As a custodian of wisdom from the edge, Stoller emphasizes the importance of listening to knowledge and learning from it. With his unique perspective, he offers invaluable insights into the human condition, social relations, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

About This Anthro Life: This Anthro Life is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the human side of technology, culture, and business. Hosted by Adam Gamwell, we unravel fascinating narratives and connect them to the wider context of our lives. Tune in to https://thisanthrolife.org and subscribe to our Substack at https://thisanthrolife.substack.com for more captivating episodes and engaging content.

Connect with Paul Stoller
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-stoller-0135a57a/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sohanci
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sohanci2/
New Book: Wisdom from the Edge (Get it from the TAL Affiliate Bookstore.org and support the show and independent bookstores!)

Connect with This Anthro Life:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisanthrolife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisanthrolife
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/this-anthro-life-podcast/
This Anthro Life website: https://www.thisanthrolife.org/
Substack blog: https://thisanthrolife.substack.com

About This Anthro Life:
This Anthro Life is your podcast for thought leadership at the intersection of culture, work, and storytelling. We bring you interviews and insights for business leaders, design thinkers, researchers, and anyone curious about how culture shapes our lives.

Explore more episodes and subscribe to our newsletter at thisanthrolife.org and join our Substack community at thisanthrolife.substack.com.

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