The Social Breakdown

By socbreakdown

What's The Social Breakdown about?

The sociology podcast nobody wants, but everybody needs! Come join us as we break down the complex social world one topic at a time using our sociological imagination.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Social Breakdown episodes:

04.26.2023
(Re-release) SOC409 - The PhD's Guide to Getting a Non-Academic Job
Are you a newly minted or almost PhD graduate? Have academic job prospects been stressing you out? Look no further - we may have the solution for you! The academic job market isn't looking too hot right now, so here...
04.12.2023
(Re-release) Breakaway Episode 4: Context Collapse
With all this talk about Tik Tok, we wanted to bring you an oldie-but-goodie from 2018 about Context Collapse, an interesting phenomenon that occurs often on social media when various segments of your social network (friends, family, acquaintances, employers, and...
03.29.2023
(Re-release) SOC506 - Rolling with the Queen: Patricia Hill Collins & Black Feminist Thought
We're honoring the queen of sociology, Dr. Patricia Hill Collins, on this last week of Women's History Month by going deep into higher level theory via Black Feminist Thought (BFT as we like to call it). We discuss the history...
03.15.2023
(Rerelease) SOC211 – “It Ain’t a Rug!”: Edward Said’s Orientalism
We’re getting theoretical this week and tackling Orientalism, a concept and book by the fantastic Dr. Edward Said. If you’re taking a higher-level sociology, anthropology, history, or poli sci class, chances are you’re gonna hear “orientalism” thrown around! What is...
03.01.2023
(Rerelease) SOC109 – Illness & Morality: A Look at Medical Sociology
Is health a privilege or a right? As a society, how do we come to understand health and its social origins and outcomes? Though medicine has been understood as a social science that dates back to Hippocrates–the Hippocratic Oath–medical sociology...
02.14.2023
(Rerelease) SOC118 - Love Struck or Love Sick?
Since it's V-day, we wanted to rerelease one of our first episodes from 2018 about LOVE. In this episode we explore what happens in our brains when we are struck with love, how sociologists like Charles Cooley and Theodore Kemper...
02.08.2023
(Rerelease) SOC119 - Mom is the Panopticon: Modern Day Surveillance
Triggered by "China Balloon Incident" of Feb 2023, we wanted rerelease this episode to consider the questions... with the internet, social media, and all of our new technology, do we have privacy anymore? We start the episode off talking about...
01.25.2023
SOC606 - Culture and Systems: An Intro to Food Studies
If you're like us, you're probably snacking on something right now trying to get through your day. It goes without saying how important food is to our survival, but beyond the biological needs, there is a whole system surrounding food....
12.14.2022
SOC605 - Comedy, Humor, and 'The Souls of White Jokes' (Guest Edition)
What is “humor” and what is “comedy”? Do these terms mean the same thing? Today we answer these questions with the help of Dr. Raul Perez, author of ‘The Souls of White Jokes’ and scholar of what exactly “funny” is...
11.30.2022
SOC604 - The Functions of Workplace Violence
Itʻs strange to say that workplace violence has any place in society. It doesnʻt. But workplace violence does exist, and so today we are going to take a functionalist approach to talk about the functions of workplace violence, particularly in...
11.25.2022
Breakaway Episode 5 – Black Friday and Holiday Shopping (Rerelease)
Are you Black Friday shopper, like Penn? Or are you ambivalent, like Ellen? This week, the ladies of the Social Breakdown get together for a breakaway episode on the history of Black Friday and the many sociological purposes of holiday...
11.16.2022
SOC603 - The Peaks and Valleys of Service Learning (Guest Edition)
More and more today’s educators are encouraged to set up service learning and community-based projects for their students. These are projects that take students out of the traditional classroom, and into the community to ideally be helpful. But, are these...
11.02.2022
SOC602 - The War on Drugs (Guest Edition)
Drugs. Alotta us do them and alotta us are scared of them! There are a ton of topics to cover within the world of sociology, and we have yet to talk about how the discipline discusses drugs, as well as...
10.19.2022
[PILOT] SOCIOLOGY MASTERCLASS
Do you want to be a better Public Scientist? Do you want to enhance your skills in sociological analysis within and outside the academy? Do you want a place to discuss, vent, study, and analyze “graduate school stress” and what...
10.12.2022
Check your boobs: it’s breast cancer awareness month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the time when everything turns pink! We here at The Social Breakdown wanted to remind everyone with breasts (pssst– we ALL have ‘em!) to do all the needed check ups: self-exams, ultrasounds, and mammograms!...
10.05.2022
SOC601 - The Looking Glass Self and Cooley
What makes you, “you”? Well, sociologists love to answer this question by saying that you are a social object– a combination of the environments, people, cultures, social experiences, and structures around you. And no one is more prolific than theorist...
09.21.2022
SOC600 - Agents of Socialization
What is socialization? And why do we sociologists *love* using the term? This week we're diving into both of these questions, and then exploring how families, educational institutions, peers, and the media act as key agents of socialization. We're guilty...
09.07.2022
Breakaway Episode 11: the Symbolic Meanings of 2022
We’re baaaaacck! Welcome to the start of our 5th school year together. (Yep, you read that right: *fifth* year!) We’re getting things going with a quick talk story session between Omar and Ellen about the symbolic meanings of life in...
04.27.2022
SOC514 - The Senses of Stuffs: Introduction to Material Culture
This week, we’re exploring how sociology makes sense of our material culture. What is the relationship people hold with the tangible objects we collect? What meaning do we attach to these items? And why is it that Penn cares so...
04.13.2022
(Don't) Ask a Sociologist Episode 3: What are norms?
Why can't we pick our nose in public? We're back this week with our series-not-a-series "Don't Ask a Sociologist!" We talk about what norms are - it's a word you hear a lot but Sociology has a specific definition. What...
03.30.2022
SOC513 - Visual Sociology (Guest Edition)
In a world with rapid changes to technology from the advent of photography to camera phones to social media and the Mark Zuckerberg’s “metaverse,” there has also been an emergence of other ways of revealing aspects of our world. One...
03.16.2022
SOC512 - Ministry, Religion, and the Sociological Imagination (Guest Edition)
We’re continuing our trek through religion this week with the help of Carly, a trained theologist with a keen sociological imagination. Carly helps us understand how religion can be applied in our everyday lives, particularly within the realm of higher...
03.04.2022
SOC511 - Intro to Religion: Blame Durkheim!
The gang finally tackles a topic we've been nervous about - religion! We rely on Emile Durkheim's seminal book The Elementary Forms of Religious Life to guide us through this complex but fundamental aspect of human society. We discuss concepts...
02.16.2022
SOC510 - Mail Order Brides and Romance Tourism (Guest Edition)
Hooked on shows like TLC’s “90 Day Fiance” or “90 Days the Other Way”? Well, this episode is for you! Dr. Julia Meszaros from Texas A&M; Commerce joins us to discuss her research on the romance tourism business, more commonly...
02.02.2022
(Don’t) Ask a Sociologist Episode 2: What is Agency?
We’re back with our (Don’t) Ask a Sociologist series, where we try to answer seemingly simple questions from listeners! This week’s question is: What is “agency,” and how is it different from “structures”? These are two words we tend to...
01.12.2022
SOC509 -LGBTQ Caregiving (Guest Edition)
On today’s episode, Ellen and Omar speak with G.J. Hodson M.A. (he/they/she) on LGBTQ caregiving. Those who identify as LGBTQ are a growing segment within the caregiving population, and unsurprisingly little research has been done on them. As GJ takes...
12.22.2021
SOC508 - Changing the Narrative for Native Hawaiian Wellbeing
Aloha mai kākou, we take a local perspective today with special guests, Brandon from Kamehameha Schools and Lisa from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, who walk us through a new radical study aiming to change the traditionally deficits-based narrative about...
12.08.2021
SOC507 - Princess Performers (Guest Edition)
Are you a Disney fan? Have you ever seen a princess in the flesh? Well, this week we are joined by Kristen Newvine of the Social Science Princess Project, who talks with us about this world of character performance. We...
11.24.2021
SOC506 - Rolling with the Queen: Patricia Hill Collins & Black Feminist Thought
We go deep into higher level theory with Black Feminist Thought (BFT as we like to call it) as presented by the one and only Dr. Patricia Hill Collins. We discuss the history of the Frankfurt school of thought and...
11.10.2021
SOC505 - Caste, Class and Masculinities: Exploring the Jatt Community (Guest Edition)
The Indian caste system is regularly brought up in sociology courses as an example of a social structure that prevents mobility. But what if that’s not always the case? We are joined by the soon-to-be-Dr. Navjotpal Kaur to discuss how...
10.20.2021
Check Your Boobs: it's Breast Cancer Awareness month! (Mini-episode)
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the time when everything turns pink! We here at The Social Breakdown wanted to remind everyone with breasts (pssst-- we ALL have ‘em!) to do all the needed check ups: self-exams, ultrasounds, and mammograms!...
10.13.2021
SOC504 - Money and Morals: Judging Creativity in Art (Guest Edition)
Did you know that contemporary and modern art aren't the same thing? Come learn with us about the contemporary art world, how artists judge and value their own art and creative journey, and how artists represent or negotiate their creative...
09.29.2021
SOC503 - Social Problems and Social Causes: We have an episode on it
The gang is back! We tackle a foundational topic in sociology: social problems! Social problems relate to numerous other concepts that we've discussed - inequality, stratification, the social construction of reality, and all the "-isms." Social problems are social in...
09.15.2021
SOC502 - Gentrification: Movement in Neighborhoods (Guest Edition)
Our first guest of the season is one we’re all fans of: Dr. Tanya Golash-Boza!! Tanya joins us to talk about a new project that explores the gentrification of her hometown located in the outskirts of Washington D.C. How do...
09.02.2021
SOC 501 - "You're a donkey!": Food Media and Violence in Kitchens
Food media is relatively new, but you can’t deny its popularity. Hit food shows such as Hell's Kitchen have propelled chefs to fame, but at what cost? In this episode, Ellen and Penn discuss their recent viral (can we use...
06.30.2021
SOC419 - A Better Life: Higher Education and Anti-Black Racism (Guest Edition)
The pursuit of a college education is often seen as a surefire path to a better life and social mobility. Yet for black families the story is not so straightforward. When selecting a college, black families utilize a number of...
06.16.2021
(Rerelease) SOC216 – Feminist & Critical Criminology (Guest Edition)
We've got a throwback for you from our second season! Dr. Nicholas Chagnon joins us to get into the nitty gritty of critical feminism and feminist criminology. We untangle the many aspects of feminism, and learn how these perspectives analyze...
06.09.2021
(Rerelease) SOC121 – ‘X’ Number of Asians: The Model Minority Myth
With the #StopAsianHate movement, we wanted to bring back an episode from our first season about the Model Minority Myth. It’s important to break down this myth, because we live in a world of identity politics where we fight over...
05.12.2021
SOC418 - We Watch the Watchmen: Are We Superheroed Out? (Guest Episode)
‘Watchmen,’ the 1980s comic, has been adapted into a television series on HBO and a film. Which one is better? Brian Brutlag, from the Sociologist’s Dojo, joins our debate and explains how the comic has shaped the imagery and storylines...
04.28.2021
SOC311 - Intro to Popular Culture: "It's all about popular"
We’re getting light-hearted in these crazy times and introducing you to the sociology of pop culture! In this episode, we use Dr. David Grazian’s work to explore what popular culture is and how it’s different from high culture. Then we...
04.14.2021
SOC417 - Sports, Violence Against Women, and Celebrity (Guest Edition)
Violence against women in sports is a common topic in the news nowadays, with allegations of abuse and misconduct coming to light. Criminal and deviant behaviors in sports, from basketball to the NFL, happens more often than you think but...
03.31.2021
SOC416 - Venice and The Venetian: A Sociology of Tourism (Guest Edition)
Is the COVID-19 pandemic the death of tourism? Is the Venetian in Vegas authentic? We have a guest episode for you today with Marta Soligo, who will take us on a tour of the sociology of tourism, the creation of...
03.17.2021
Breakaway Episode 10 - Girl Power and the Vampire Slayer
We're back with a fun breakaway episode talking about monster artists and girl power! In light of recent revelations about Joss Whedon, we breakdown classic feminist girl power TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Is it really about female empowerment?...
03.03.2021
SOC415 - 2020 LookBackStage
We're flashbacking to everyone's favorite year - 2020! The three of us get together to reflect on 2020, how it affected us, and discuss how we think it'll affect society moving forward. The pandemic that froze the world is one...
02.24.2021
SOC117 - The Forgotten Founding Father: W.E.B. Du Bois
Ever wonder why sociology emphasizes fieldwork, quantitative research, and participant observation? Or who challenged the notion of the ‘armchair theorist’? In recognizing Black History Month, we pay homage to the often ignored, great modern sociologist, W.E.B. Du Bois. Using the...
02.17.2021
SOC414 - "I just see blue': What is art? (Guest episode)
What is art? What is the value of fine art? In this week's episode, Anina Englehardt joins us to explore how sociology understands the world of contemporary fine art, from its hierarchical and exclusive nature to the meaning-making process of...
02.10.2021
SOC116 - Constructing Race and Black History Month
February is Black History Month (BHM), which means… we gotta talk about it! This week we dig into the history behind BHM, talk about the founder of the holiday (the fascinating Dr. Carter Woodson), and tackle the many critiques and...
02.03.2021
SOC413 - Firearms in America (Guest episode)
Guns are a hot button topic. They are imbued with politics, religion, masculinity, danger, safety, emotions, and more. Ellen was lucky enough to sit down with Dr. Benjamin Dowd-Arrow, Visiting Assistant Professor of Public Health at Florida State University, and...
01.16.2021
SOC412 - Student Loans (Guest Edition)
Ahh, student loans… who doesn’t have ‘em nowadays? Today, we’re diving into the complex world of education-based debt with the help of our guest, Sam. How does student loan debt influence major life decisions, like starting a family or buying...
12.23.2020
SOC113 - Christmas Rituals & Traditions: Mariah Carey VS Chipmunks (re-release)
We’re returning to our first Christmas with you all with this re-release! Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, it’s hard to avoid it. Not only is it a day of celebration for Christian religions, but it has become commercialized and...

What's The Social Breakdown about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Social Breakdown episodes:

(Re-release) SOC409 - The PhD's Guide to Getting a Non-Academic Job

(Re-release) Breakaway Episode 4: Context Collapse

(Re-release) SOC506 - Rolling with the Queen: Patricia Hill Collins & Black Feminist Thought

(Rerelease) SOC211 – “It Ain’t a Rug!”: Edward Said’s Orientalism

(Rerelease) SOC109 – Illness & Morality: A Look at Medical Sociology

(Rerelease) SOC118 - Love Struck or Love Sick?

(Rerelease) SOC119 - Mom is the Panopticon: Modern Day Surveillance

SOC606 - Culture and Systems: An Intro to Food Studies

SOC605 - Comedy, Humor, and 'The Souls of White Jokes' (Guest Edition)

SOC604 - The Functions of Workplace Violence

Breakaway Episode 5 – Black Friday and Holiday Shopping (Rerelease)

SOC603 - The Peaks and Valleys of Service Learning (Guest Edition)

SOC602 - The War on Drugs (Guest Edition)

[PILOT] SOCIOLOGY MASTERCLASS

Check your boobs: it’s breast cancer awareness month

SOC601 - The Looking Glass Self and Cooley

SOC600 - Agents of Socialization

Breakaway Episode 11: the Symbolic Meanings of 2022

SOC514 - The Senses of Stuffs: Introduction to Material Culture

(Don't) Ask a Sociologist Episode 3: What are norms?

SOC513 - Visual Sociology (Guest Edition)

SOC512 - Ministry, Religion, and the Sociological Imagination (Guest Edition)

SOC511 - Intro to Religion: Blame Durkheim!

SOC510 - Mail Order Brides and Romance Tourism (Guest Edition)

(Don’t) Ask a Sociologist Episode 2: What is Agency?

SOC509 -LGBTQ Caregiving (Guest Edition)

SOC508 - Changing the Narrative for Native Hawaiian Wellbeing

SOC507 - Princess Performers (Guest Edition)

SOC506 - Rolling with the Queen: Patricia Hill Collins & Black Feminist Thought

SOC505 - Caste, Class and Masculinities: Exploring the Jatt Community (Guest Edition)

Check Your Boobs: it's Breast Cancer Awareness month! (Mini-episode)

SOC504 - Money and Morals: Judging Creativity in Art (Guest Edition)

SOC503 - Social Problems and Social Causes: We have an episode on it

SOC502 - Gentrification: Movement in Neighborhoods (Guest Edition)

SOC 501 - "You're a donkey!": Food Media and Violence in Kitchens

SOC419 - A Better Life: Higher Education and Anti-Black Racism (Guest Edition)

(Rerelease) SOC216 – Feminist & Critical Criminology (Guest Edition)

(Rerelease) SOC121 – ‘X’ Number of Asians: The Model Minority Myth

SOC418 - We Watch the Watchmen: Are We Superheroed Out? (Guest Episode)

SOC311 - Intro to Popular Culture: "It's all about popular"

SOC417 - Sports, Violence Against Women, and Celebrity (Guest Edition)

SOC416 - Venice and The Venetian: A Sociology of Tourism (Guest Edition)

Breakaway Episode 10 - Girl Power and the Vampire Slayer

SOC415 - 2020 LookBackStage

SOC117 - The Forgotten Founding Father: W.E.B. Du Bois

SOC414 - "I just see blue': What is art? (Guest episode)

SOC116 - Constructing Race and Black History Month

SOC413 - Firearms in America (Guest episode)

SOC412 - Student Loans (Guest Edition)

SOC113 - Christmas Rituals & Traditions: Mariah Carey VS Chipmunks (re-release)