In this episode we discuss our varied experiences of and relationships with nature. We pay particular attention to inter-generational similarities and differences, and geographical/ cultural differences of understandings of nature. We are joined by Christina Elvira Dahl, a research assistant, and Mathilde Hansson, a student in the Market & Management Anthropology Bachelor’s program, both from the University of Southern Denmark. They share their research on evolving garden practices in Denmark and indigenous strategies for dealing with waste in Hawaii, respectively. References in this epi ..read more

In this season finale, Anuja and Alev talk about their love for movies and the movie theater (despite the logistical challenges of using the bathroom). Their guest, Professor Finola Kerrigan, chimes in to talk about storytelling, representation, and marketing in a globalized (but still imbalanced) movie industry and also shares with us the joys of using personal stories as teaching materials ..read more

Are chihuahuas real dogs? Have you ever been to a Victorian cat tea party? How do dogs motivate us to be better? Anuja and Alev and their guests, Zeynep Arsel and Ghalia Shamayleh, a supervisor-PhD student team from Concordia University challenge the animal-human binaries in this episode and go to the cats & dogs. Reading suggestions for this episode: Abidin, C. (2015). Micromicrocelebrity: Branding babies on the internet. m/c Journal, 18(5). Austin, J., & Irvine, L. (2020). “A Very Photogenic Cat”: Personhood, Social Status, and Online Cat Photo Sharing. Anthrozoös, 33(3), 441-450 ..read more

In this episode, Alev and Anuja cover a broad range of topics ranging from whether Backstreet Boys has ever been cool, to Bollywood music in the UK, and to the politics of Kurdish music in Turkey. SDU MMA student Maria Seitjen Reiss joins them with insights into flamenco as local heritage as well as tourist spectacle in Andalusia. Guest researcher Alex Skandalis from Lancaster University sheds light on the intersections of taste, place as well as gender in the fields of Indie and Classical music consumption. Reading list and notes: Alex’s research on music, taste, and place: Skandalis, A ..read more

In this episode Lez Trujillo Torres from the University of Illinois, Chicago shares her research on complex emotions and family dynamics involving covid 19 vaccines. We also discuss, more generally, how consumption gets complicated when multiple actors experiencing varied emotions negotiate rules of engagement and boundary-making. References in this episode: Mimoun, L., Trujillo-Torres, L. and Sobande, F., 2021. Social emotions and the legitimation of the fertility technology market. Journal of Consumer Research ..read more

We are joined by Tanvi Gupta and Rupali Kapoor from the Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur to discuss the interrelationships between food practices, nationhood, memory and brands. Tanvi and Rupali share their research on Cadbury’s Bournvita drinking chocolate and how this brand as well as product has been central to many Indian consumers’ associations of childhood. We also touch upon the postcolonial associations of certain brands and how their significations change over time. Recommended reading: Wilk, R.R., 1999. " Real Belizean food": building local identity in the transnational carib ..read more

'Celebrating' one year of Covid-19, researchers Anuja Pradhan and Alev Kuruogly talks about the changes in consumer culture inflicted by the pandemic. We talk about ritualization, how spaces have changed and the dilemma of liberalism vs. responsibilization. References and reading suggestions for this episode: Symbolic Boundaries: Dirty-Clean: Douglas, M. (2003). Purity and danger: An analysis of concepts of pollution and taboo. Routledge. Covid Disruptions & responsibilization: Utoft, EH. ‘All the single ladies’ as the ideal academic during times of COVID‐19? Gender Work Organ. 2020 ..read more

In this episode, we try to understand how technological entanglements have been shaping contemporary family life and question our imaginings of the “normal,” happy and child-centered family. Our two guests, Lydia Ottlewski (University of Southern Denmark) and Karin Brondino-Pompeo (Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing, São Paulo) share their research on online platforms through which users form parenting arrangements in Germany (Lydia) and through which parents produce and curate child-centered content in Brazil (Karin). We also ponder upon the role (and responsibilities) of platforms a ..read more

Fashion is a system that organises most of our lives. In this episode, Anuja Pradhan and Alev Kuruoglu talk about fashions impact through mass media, and fashion as a system of distinction as well as its ethical contentions. Notes, links and references for this episode: Our Guest Erika’s Research: Kuever, E. (2014). Mapping the Real and the False: Globalization and the Brand in Contemporary China. In Consumer Culture Theory. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Kuever, E. (2019). “If the People Do Not Raise the Issue, the Officials Will Not Investigate”: Moral Citizenship among China’s Fake-F ..read more

In this episode we are joined by Domen Bajde from the University of Southern Denmark to discuss sports consumption. We being with a conversation around our personal interests in sports viewing and how political issues influence sports and athletes in different ways. Then Domen talks us through his project on NFTs and questions whether consumption is really changing from ‘solid to liquid’ or are we just seeing new forms of the desire for ownership. Some references: Fletcher, T., 2012. ‘Who do ‘‘they” cheer for?’Cricket, diaspora, hybridity and divided loyalties amongst British Asians. Internat ..read more