Newsletter

Consider this your periodic field report from Optimistic Anthropology—featuring fresh blog posts, events worth your time, new additions to our resource collection, and updates on what we're up to.

Newsletter Archive

Volume 048

8 Years of Optimism
8 Years of Optimism

August 2025

Optimistic Anthorpology
Optimistic Anthorpology
Optimistic Anthorpology

Volume 047

Primates, Architecture & New Year Wishes!
Primates, Architecture & New Year Wishes!

December 2024

Optimistic Anthropology
Optimistic Anthropology
Optimistic Anthropology

Volume 046

On Memory Keeping & Emergent Learning
On Memory Keeping & Emergent Learning

October 2024.

Volume 045

Kissing the Future & Creative Resistance
Kissing the Future & Creative Resistance

February 2024

Volume 044

If The Floorboards Are Crooked, You Might As Well Dance!
If The Floorboards Are Crooked, You Might As Well Dance!

August 2023

Field of different colored tulips
Field of different colored tulips
Field of different colored tulips

Volume 043

Let's Go About This Slowly
Let's Go About This Slowly

April 2023

Volume 042

Wishing you a year ahead...
Wishing you a year ahead...

December 2022

Bosnian coffee cups, part of the installation Što te Nema by Aida Šehović, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnian coffee cups, part of the installation Što te Nema by Aida Šehović, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnian coffee cups, part of the installation Što te Nema by Aida Šehović, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Volume 041

Repairing That Hole in the Universe
Repairing That Hole in the Universe

October 2022

Person walking through the Ciglane Tunnel, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Person walking through the Ciglane Tunnel, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Person walking through the Ciglane Tunnel, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Volume 040

I Will Be Here For a Long Time
I Will Be Here For a Long Time

June 2022

Butterfly on a Sunflower at the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, Maryland
Butterfly on a Sunflower at the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, Maryland
Butterfly on a Sunflower at the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, Maryland

Volume 039

The Need for Hope & REALITIES OF PAIN
The Need for Hope & REALITIES OF PAIN

March 2022

Multi-colored illuminated heart at night, location unknown.
Multi-colored illuminated heart at night, location unknown.
Multi-colored illuminated heart at night, location unknown.

Volume 038

Of Mubble Fubbles & Appreciation
Of Mubble Fubbles & Appreciation

December 2021

Vijećnica (Sarajevo City Hall), Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Vijećnica (Sarajevo City Hall), Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Vijećnica (Sarajevo City Hall), Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Volume 037

Dobar dan from Sarajevo!
Dobar dan from Sarajevo!

August 2021

Cactus, Phoenix, Arizona
Cactus, Phoenix, Arizona
Cactus, Phoenix, Arizona

Volume 036

Systems Are made of People like you and Me
Systems Are made of People like you and Me

June 2021

Detail of a painting by Takashi Murakami, Chicago, IL
Detail of a painting by Takashi Murakami, Chicago, IL
Detail of a painting by Takashi Murakami, Chicago, IL

Volume 035

It’s been a minute, or 149,760!
It’s been a minute, or 149,760!

March 2021

"Join the Movement" sign at a Protest, Washington, DC
"Join the Movement" sign at a Protest, Washington, DC
"Join the Movement" sign at a Protest, Washington, DC

Volume 034

Finding Balance Between Engaging & Asserting
Finding Balance Between Engaging & Asserting

December 2020

Pigeons and children in Baščaršija, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Pigeons and children in Baščaršija, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Pigeons and children in Baščaršija, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Volume 033

Building right relationships with one another & Communities
Building right relationships with one another & Communities

October 2020

R.I.P. R.B.G. Wheatpaste by AbsurdlyWell, Washington, DC
R.I.P. R.B.G. Wheatpaste by AbsurdlyWell, Washington, DC
R.I.P. R.B.G. Wheatpaste by AbsurdlyWell, Washington, DC

Volume 032

Change, Loss & RBG
Change, Loss & RBG

September 2020

Plaque of John Lewis's shoe prints, Atlanta, Georgia
Plaque of John Lewis's shoe prints, Atlanta, Georgia
Plaque of John Lewis's shoe prints, Atlanta, Georgia

Volume 031

People on every continent have stood in your shoes
People on every continent have stood in your shoes

July 2020

Robin chick nesting in Washington, Dc
Robin chick nesting in Washington, Dc
Robin chick nesting in Washington, Dc

Volume 030

A culture of love and trust
A culture of love and trust

June 2020

Detail of Petworth Map by Terratorie, Washington, DC
Detail of Petworth Map by Terratorie, Washington, DC
Detail of Petworth Map by Terratorie, Washington, DC

Volume 029

An InEscapable Network of Mutuality
An InEscapable Network of Mutuality

April 2020

Street Art Detail, Location Unknown
Street Art Detail, Location Unknown
Street Art Detail, Location Unknown

Volume 028

The Stress of Disaster Brings People Together
The Stress of Disaster Brings People Together

March 2020

Welcome to Optimism House Sign and 3 succulents, Washington, DC
Welcome to Optimism House Sign and 3 succulents, Washington, DC
Welcome to Optimism House Sign and 3 succulents, Washington, DC

Volume 027

The Human Connection is the Value
The Human Connection is the Value

February 2020

Drombeg Stone Circle, Ireland
Drombeg Stone Circle, Ireland
Drombeg Stone Circle, Ireland

Volume 026

On Community and Our New Home Base
On Community and Our New Home Base

January 2020

Butterly Effect: Migration is Beautiful Installation in 2019 at the Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC
Butterly Effect: Migration is Beautiful Installation in 2019 at the Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC
Butterly Effect: Migration is Beautiful Installation in 2019 at the Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC

Volume 025

Mr. Rogers and the Butterfly Effect
Mr. Rogers and the Butterfly Effect

November / December 2019

Sunset in Scottsdale, Arizona
Sunset in Scottsdale, Arizona
Sunset in Scottsdale, Arizona

Volume 024

A Hat Full of Sky
A Hat Full of Sky

October 2019

Detail of Mural on Klingle Road, Washington, DC
Detail of Mural on Klingle Road, Washington, DC
Detail of Mural on Klingle Road, Washington, DC

Volume 023

A Confident Relationship with the Unknown
A Confident Relationship with the Unknown

September 2019

Detail of the Memorial to Children Killed in the Siege of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Detail of the Memorial to Children Killed in the Siege of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Detail of the Memorial to Children Killed in the Siege of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Volume 022

Sarajevo Calling
Sarajevo Calling

August 2019

Postojna Caves, Slovenia
Postojna Caves, Slovenia
Postojna Caves, Slovenia

Volume 021

Whirlwind of Emergence
Whirlwind of Emergence

July 2019

Origami swans, Hiroshima, Japan
Origami swans, Hiroshima, Japan
Origami swans, Hiroshima, Japan

Volume 020

White Lies and Timeless Truths
White Lies and Timeless Truths

June 2019

Reflecting Motion by: Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics, a public art installation in Kansas City, Missouri
Reflecting Motion by: Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics, a public art installation in Kansas City, Missouri
Reflecting Motion by: Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics, a public art installation in Kansas City, Missouri

Volume 019

Lessons in Community Engagement from a Thai Artist
Lessons in Community Engagement from a Thai Artist

May 2019

Napoleon Bridge Over the Soča River, Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Napoleon Bridge Over the Soča River, Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Napoleon Bridge Over the Soča River, Triglav National Park, Slovenia

Volume 018

What’s the Opposite of a Gatekeeper?
What’s the Opposite of a Gatekeeper?

April 2019

Street Art Heart in Phoenix, Arizona
Street Art Heart in Phoenix, Arizona
Street Art Heart in Phoenix, Arizona

Volume 017

Oh the Humanity!
Oh the Humanity!

March 2019

Floating Torii Gate in Miyajima, Japan
Floating Torii Gate in Miyajima, Japan
Floating Torii Gate in Miyajima, Japan

Volume 016

Intentionality & Japan, Integrating Work & Travel, and 40 New Opportunities
Intentionality & Japan, Integrating Work & Travel, and 40 New Opportunities

February 2019

Paint Pigment Powders, Tokyo, Japan
Paint Pigment Powders, Tokyo, Japan
Paint Pigment Powders, Tokyo, Japan

Volume 015

Trust & Gratitude, Favorite Podcasts of 2018, and 40+ New Opportunities!
Trust & Gratitude, Favorite Podcasts of 2018, and 40+ New Opportunities!

January 2019

"Culture is Power" image from the 2018 Facing Race Conference in Detroit, Michigan
"Culture is Power" image from the 2018 Facing Race Conference in Detroit, Michigan
"Culture is Power" image from the 2018 Facing Race Conference in Detroit, Michigan

Volume 014

Being With My Tribe, Breaking Bread in 2019 & 20+ New Opportunities!
Being With My Tribe, Breaking Bread in 2019 & 20+ New Opportunities!

November 2018

"Pumpkins for the People" painted stencil, Washington, DC
"Pumpkins for the People" painted stencil, Washington, DC
"Pumpkins for the People" painted stencil, Washington, DC

Volume 013

Happy Halloween! Fear, Courage, Community & 25+ New Opportunities!
Happy Halloween! Fear, Courage, Community & 25+ New Opportunities!

October 2018

Jackets at the Mauerpark Flea Market, Berlin, Germany
Jackets at the Mauerpark Flea Market, Berlin, Germany
Jackets at the Mauerpark Flea Market, Berlin, Germany

Volume 012

The Power of Questions, #GoodReads & #GoodListens, & 25+ New
The Power of Questions, #GoodReads & #GoodListens, & 25+ New

Septembere 2018

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany
Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany

Volume 011

Hope from Berlin, #GoodReads & #GoodListens, & 35+ New Opportunities!
Hope from Berlin, #GoodReads & #GoodListens, & 35+ New Opportunities!

August 2018

The Upper West Tower Charlottenburg Neighborhood, Berlin, Germany
The Upper West Tower Charlottenburg Neighborhood, Berlin, Germany
The Upper West Tower Charlottenburg Neighborhood, Berlin, Germany

Volume 010

When Collaborations Fail, #GoodReads & #GoodListens, Racial Equity Here, and 35+ New Opportunities
When Collaborations Fail, #GoodReads & #GoodListens, Racial Equity Here, and 35+ New Opportunities

July 2018

Poppy, Findhorn, Scottland
Poppy, Findhorn, Scottland
Poppy, Findhorn, Scottland

Volume 009

Everything You Feel Can Be Fuel, Proven Methodologies in New Contexts, 21 Great Job, Consulting, and Fellowship Opportunities!
Everything You Feel Can Be Fuel, Proven Methodologies in New Contexts, 21 Great Job, Consulting, and Fellowship Opportunities!

June 2018

Bride, Groom, Kum, and Kuma in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bride, Groom, Kum, and Kuma in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bride, Groom, Kum, and Kuma in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Volume 008

Announcing Our New Job Opportunity Round-Up, Lessons from Sabbatical One Year Later, and the Royal Wedding
Announcing Our New Job Opportunity Round-Up, Lessons from Sabbatical One Year Later, and the Royal Wedding

May 2018

Detail of Foldhoaus Collective's Shrumen Lumen at the Art of Burning Man Exhibit, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC
Detail of Foldhoaus Collective's Shrumen Lumen at the Art of Burning Man Exhibit, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC
Detail of Foldhoaus Collective's Shrumen Lumen at the Art of Burning Man Exhibit, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC

Volume 007

Spots, Cross-Sector Collaborations & Comic Books
Spots, Cross-Sector Collaborations & Comic Books

April 2018

Headress by Miss G Designs at the Art of Burning Man Exhibit, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC
Headress by Miss G Designs at the Art of Burning Man Exhibit, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC
Headress by Miss G Designs at the Art of Burning Man Exhibit, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC

Volume 006

Portraits of Women, In Praise of Process, & Podcasts to Inspire the Adjacent Possible
Portraits of Women, In Praise of Process, & Podcasts to Inspire the Adjacent Possible

March 2018

Murmuration of birds street art in Phoenix, Arizona
Murmuration of birds street art in Phoenix, Arizona
Murmuration of birds street art in Phoenix, Arizona

Volume 005

Emergent Learning, Sabbatical Design Services, Cross-Sector Collaboration Training
Emergent Learning, Sabbatical Design Services, Cross-Sector Collaboration Training

February 2018

Street Art, Phoenix, AZ
Street Art, Phoenix, AZ
Street Art, Phoenix, AZ

Volume 004

New year, new ideas for shaping a brighter future
New year, new ideas for shaping a brighter future

January 2018

Protect Yo Heart Sidewalk Art, New York, NY
Protect Yo Heart Sidewalk Art, New York, NY
Protect Yo Heart Sidewalk Art, New York, NY

Volume 003

The openness equation & life sabbatical-ing at home
The openness equation & life sabbatical-ing at home

November 2017

Jack-o-lanterns, Washington, DC
Jack-o-lanterns, Washington, DC
Jack-o-lanterns, Washington, DC

Volume 002

Halloween, life, sabbatical, blog series, new workshop & more!
Halloween, life, sabbatical, blog series, new workshop & more!

October 2017

Street Art in Highlandtown, Baltimore, Maryland
Street Art in Highlandtown, Baltimore, Maryland
Street Art in Highlandtown, Baltimore, Maryland

Volume 001

Welcome to OA!
Welcome to OA!

August 2017

Subscribe to Optimistic Anthropology Newsletter

Sign up for a periodic field report from Optimistic Anthropology—featuring fresh blog posts, events worth your time, new additions to our resource collection, updates on what we're up to, and an occasional photo of our office mascot, Dimi the wonderdog!

Shaping knowledge, process, and culture for a more positive future.

Let's Meet

All photos are by Alison Gold, unless noted otherwise. Content on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License. For permissions, visit https://www.optimisticanthro.com/contact-us.

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Subscribe to Optimistic Anthropology Newsletter

Sign up for a periodic field report from Optimistic Anthropology—featuring fresh blog posts, events worth your time, new additions to our resource collection, updates on what we're up to, and an occasional photo of our office mascot, Dimi the wonderdog!

Shaping knowledge, process, and culture for a more positive future.

Let's Meet

All photos are by Alison Gold, unless noted otherwise. Content on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License. For permissions, visit https://www.optimisticanthro.com/contact-us.

Made by

Subscribe to Optimistic Anthropology Newsletter

Sign up for a periodic field report from Optimistic Anthropology—featuring fresh blog posts, events worth your time, new additions to our resource collection, updates on what we're up to, and an occasional photo of our office mascot, Dimi the wonderdog!

Shaping knowledge, process, and culture for a more positive future.

Let's Meet

All photos are by Alison Gold, unless noted otherwise. Content on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License. For permissions, visit https://www.optimisticanthro.com/contact-us.

Made by