The Morbid Anatomy Transmission

This episode's guest, Divya Anantharaman, is an artist and taxidermist located in Brooklyn NY. She takes commissions, but also crafts her own personal brand of fantastical taxidermy, both of which you can see at d-i-v-y-a.com. Listen to find out more about this delicate art (including how you yourself can do it).

On this episode I talk with social psychologist Michael Johns about terror management theory, a principle developed by psychologists Jeff Greenberg, Sheldon Solomon, and Tom Pyszczynski off the works of anthropologist Ernest Becker. The theory connects humans' fear of death with our cultural values (very interesting stuff, may make you question your own worldview, listen with caution).

Note: this episode lists the museum's email address incorrectly! Please send all correspondence to [email protected] to avoid losing it to the aether.

Wondering what the Morbid Anatomy Museum is/does? Listen to this! Founder, director, and generally fascinating human being Joanna Ebenstein describes what happens at the museum. We also talk about Victorian death practices and her dream exhibition item.

Note: this was recorded in the museum's basement and event space, so you'll hear some authentic Morbid Anatomy ambience. It's like you're really there!

Another note: this episode lists the museum's email address incorrectly! Please send all correspondence to [email protected] to avoid losing it to the aether.