Temple of Sociology Podcast

Episode #49: Spencer Case Talks about Jazz

In part 2 of our discussion with philosopher Spencer Case, we turn to the most American of art forms - jazz. ++++ Buy these books The Dual Layer Theory of the Art Worl

Episode #48: Spencer Case Talks About Patriotism

Philosopher Spence Case is on the podcast to talk about his new book. It’s OK to be Patriotic. Enjoy! ++++ Buy these books The Dual Layer Theory of the Art World Soci

Episode #46: Abigail Saguy Talks about Gender Flashpoints

Abigail Saguy of UCLA sociology talks about her new book Gender Flashpoints. Why do people get so upset about gender? What are the political stakes in various debates abo

Episode #45: Jukka Savolainen talks about sociology's public crisis

In this episode, Jukka Savolainen talked at length about the current moment in sociology: public attacks like the Wall Street Journal, the Sociologists for Palestine deba

Episode #44: Kevin McAfree Talks About Theory and Society and his Vision of Sociology

In this interview, Kevin McAfree, co-editor of Theory and Society, discusses his vision for the journal and what sociology might look like. ++++ Buy these books The Du

Episode #43: Real Talk about Minorities in Academia

People ask, why don’t we have more minority professors? Here’s my tough love answer. SHOUT OUT: Thanks for our newly paid subscribers Joe, Kady, and Tom. You rule! ++++

Episode #42: Great Movie Review - Calle Málaga

In this week’s podcast, I’ll tell you about the very wonderful film, “Calle Málaga.” ++++ Buy these books The Dual Layer Theory of the Art World Sociology and Classi

Episode #41: Should you boycott the ASA?

There’s calls for boycotting ASA. Should you do it? Here are my thoughts on the topic. ++++ Buy these books! The Dual Layer Theory of the Art World Sociology and Clas

Episode #40: Ashley Rubin Talks about Ideologically Driven Research in Criminology

Ashley Rubin, associate professor at the University of Hawaii, discusses her 2025 Theory and Society article arguing that politically charged buzzwords and assertions hav

Episode #39: Phil Magness Talks about Post-Liberalism

Shout out: I wanted to thank our recent paid subscribers Tom, “Lunchtime News,” and Wredpath. You guys are awesome! In this episode, Phil Magness of the Independent Ins

Episode #38: Sociology's Low Status in the American Intellectual Landscape

Yes, we need to talk about sociology’s eroding status as an intellectual field. I review three issues: sociology has few allies as the Florida debacle shows, we have decl

Episode #37: Anti-Bourdieu

In this episode, I talk about why Bourdieusian sociology has some problems and I suggest two alternatives, liminality and pragmatism. For theory nerds only. ++++++ Buy

Episode #36: Abolish ICE and Let's Do Open Borders

People are starting to ask again if we need to abolish ICE. The answer is yes. In this podcast, I review the basics of the open borders position. ++++++ Buy these books

Episode #35: The University of Austin Should Have Called Me

There has been conflict at the recently founded University of Austin. In this podcast, I review a recent article at Politico that discusses the conflicts and then compare

Episode #34: A Discussion with David Stewart on Black Power, the Antiwar Movement, and Sociology

In 2011, David Stewart of the Interchange program at WFHB radio in Bloomington recorded this interview with me. I obtained a copy from WFHB and I am happy to share it wit

Episode #33: Miles Davis and Me

In this podcast, I explain how the music and leadership style of Miles Davis has affected my own life. +++++++ Buy these books! Sociology and Classical Liberalism (Op

Episode #32: Achille Mbembe's Necropolitics in Today's America

This podcast discusses the political theory of Achille Mbembe as a way to help us understand how the political violence of today’s America. This podcast refers to his boo

Episode #31: When to Cut Academic Programs

In this episode, I talk about recent policy changes at Indiana University regarding the viability of programs. Recent legislation requires state schools to reform or cut

Episode #30: Adam Szetela Talks about Wokeness and Sensitivity in the Publishing Industry

In this episode, Adam Szetela talks about his new book That Book Is Dangerous! How Moral Panic, Social Media, and the Culture Wars Are Remaking Publishing. We also mentio

Episode #29: George Yancey and Hayoung Oh Talk about Antiracist Ideology

In this episode, George Yancey and Hayoung Oh delve into Who is an Antiracist? Also mentioned in this episode: Musa al Gharbi’s We Were Never Woke, Fabiano Silva’s, Irene