Podcast Summary: The Gist – "Pig Sacrifices and Talking Drums: Don't Squeeze the Shaman"

Release Date: May 27, 2025

Host: Mike Pesca
Guest: Manveer Singh, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at UC Davis
Book Discussed: Shamanism: The Timeless Religion

1. Introduction

The episode opens with Mike Pesca addressing the recent decision by the US Mint to discontinue the penny, highlighting its negligible economic impact despite the symbolic gesture. Pesca reflects on his personal advocacy against the penny and the broader implications of such minor policy changes in the face of larger societal challenges.

Notable Quote:

"I have no specific tangible asks of the government... But I did advocate for defunding the smallest of funds, the penny."
— Mike Pesca [02:00]

2. Interview with Manveer Singh

a. Manveer Singh's Book and Fieldwork

Mike Pesca introduces Manveer Singh and his new book, Shamanism: The Timeless Religion. Singh shares his decade-long immersive fieldwork with the Mentawai people of Indonesia, detailing his experiences and the profound impact it had on his understanding of shamanic practices.

Notable Quote:

"It was a world that has really redirected my life and my interests."
— Manveer Singh [10:07]

b. Language Acquisition and Cultural Insights

Pesca delves into Singh's process of learning the Mentawai language, emphasizing the challenges and revelations that come with understanding a completely different linguistic framework. This linguistic journey provided Singh with deeper cultural insights and a nuanced perspective on the community's worldview.

Notable Quote:

"Learning the language has given me insight into a world that I otherwise would not have."
— Mike Pesca [17:11]

c. Role of Shamanism in Mentawai Society

The discussion highlights the centrality of shamanism in the Mentawai community, not only as a spiritual practice but also as a crucial social institution. Shamans serve as healers, mediators, and spiritual intermediaries, playing a multifaceted role in maintaining the community's well-being and social cohesion.

Notable Quote:

"Shamans are very important as mediators, as kind of spiritual intermediaries."
— Mike Pesca [20:06]

d. Analogies Between Shamanism and Western Institutions

Singh draws parallels between shamanic practices and Western institutions such as medicine and corporate leadership. He explores how transformative experiences in shamanism resemble the origin stories of superheroes, highlighting universal themes of transformation and power.

Notable Quote:

"Shamanism is at the nexus of a lot of psychology and social dynamics that are also at play around the world."
— Mike Pesca [25:20]

e. The State of Anthropology

Pesca expresses his skepticism about the rigor of social sciences, particularly anthropology. Singh addresses these concerns by discussing the ongoing schism within the field between its scientific and humanistic branches. He advocates for a synthesis that incorporates quantitative methods while valuing deep, contextual understanding through ethnography.

Notable Quote:

"I think that anthropology can be a science... but also continue to really appreciate... ethnography."
— Mike Pesca [27:26]

3. Police Reform: Five Years Since George Floyd

Transitioning from anthropology, the episode shifts focus to the state of policing in America, marking the five-year anniversary of George Floyd's death. The discussion critiques the progress of police reform, media narratives, and public perception versus actual data.

a. Current Data on Police Killings

Pesca presents statistics indicating that police-involved killings have risen since 2020, contradicting public perceptions fueled by media narratives. He emphasizes the disparity between perceived and actual numbers of unarmed black individuals killed by police each year.

Notable Quote:

"The true answer is that 12, 14, 18, sometimes in the low 20s."
— Mike Pesca [31:21]

b. Media Narratives vs. Reality

The conversation critiques how media narratives during and after George Floyd's murder overshadowed factual data, leading to misconceptions about the prevalence and nature of police violence against black Americans.

Notable Quote:

"Powerful media narratives are powerful, especially during pandemics... it's a recipe for poor decision making."
— Mike Pesca [35:00]

c. Case Studies: Los Angeles, Austin, Minneapolis

Using specific cities as examples, Pesca analyzes the outcomes of police budget cuts and defunding initiatives. He highlights how reduced funding and staffing have correlated with increased crime rates, challenging the efficacy of such reforms.

Notable Quote:

"Defunding happened. It happened plenty. And when it happened and where it happened, the results were disastrous."
— Mike Pesca [37:04]

d. Political Shifts and Public Perception

The discussion explores the political backlash against police reform efforts, attributing rising crime rates to shifts towards fear-based politics rather than solidarity and compassion. Pesca argues that the narrative around policing has been shaped more by fear than by data-driven policies.

Notable Quote:

"Americans want policing to work. They want policing to keep their communities safe."
— Mike Pesca [37:39]

4. Conclusion

Mike Pesca wraps up the episode by reiterating the complex interplay between cultural practices, societal reforms, and public perception. He underscores the importance of grounded, evidence-based approaches in both understanding ancient practices like shamanism and addressing contemporary issues such as policing reform.

Additional Notes:

• Advertisements and Sponsors: The episode features several sponsorship segments, including promotions for Amazon Prime, Hims, Greenlight, US Cellular, and Ray Ban Meta Glasses. These segments are not included in the content summary as per instructions.

• Event Promotions: Mike Pesca mentions his participation in the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival in Seattle, highlighting notable speakers and events related to the podcast.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode, capturing the essence of the discussions between Mike Pesca and Manveer Singh, as well as the broader commentary on police reform in the United States.