As a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria in his early 20s, Phillips Stevens witnessed an act of sorcery that blew his mind. He turned that moment into a 50-year career as a cultural anthropologist at the University at Buffalo, exploring religion, spirituality and the supernatural in cultures across the world. In this episode, Stevens joins host Tom Dinki to share insights from his new book, “Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft: Inherently Human.” He explains why magical thinking isn’t a relic of the past—it’s hardwired into us, a survival strategy that still shapes how we navigate the unknown and process the unthinkable. From common superstitions and religious rituals to conspiracy theories like QAnon, Stevens shows how belief in magic and witchcraft persists, and what makes it inherently human. 

Credits: 
 
Host: Tom Dinki
Guest: Phillips Stevens
Writer/Producer: Laura Silverman
Production and editing by UB Video Production Group 

Coming May 5: Is work stressing you out? Min-Hsuan Tu understands. An expert in the field of human resources and organizational behavior, Tu has researched a range of the challenges found in today’s workplace. She joins Driven to Discover for the last episode of the season to share what she has learned—and what every employee should know.