New Books in Sociology

In this discussion, Tom Waidzunas, an associate professor at Temple University, joins recent PhD graduate Brandon Fairchild and sociologist Ethan Czuy Levine to explore LGBTQ inclusion in STEM fields. They reveal how the pursuit of inclusion has shifted from activism to assimilation within neoliberal frameworks. Personal anecdotes highlight the challenges LGBTQ professionals face, from navigating corporate environments to balancing authenticity and acceptance. The conversation advocates for a transformative ‘queer STEM’ to challenge ongoing inequalities and foster genuine inclusivity.

Edward Tenner, an independent writer and Distinguished Scholar at the Smithsonian, brings fascinating insights into technology and its unintended consequences. He discusses how lifeboats, introduced after the Titanic disaster, inadvertently led to another tragedy. Tenner explores the role of wild animals as investors and the historical significance of the tab as a visual metaphor. He also highlights Amish artisans' impact on technology and reflects on the effects of AI on creativity, urging a cautious approach to its integration in academia.

In this episode, New Books Network host Nina Bo Wagner talks to Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling about his recently published book The Ghost Lab: How Bigfoot Hunters, Mediums, and Alien Enthusiasts Are Wrecking Science (PublicAffairs, 2025). They talk about the process of writing the book, including delving deep into the local paranomal community in New Hampshire. The book contrasts profound institutional distrust effecting higher education policy and scientific literacy, with a desperate grapple for community through paranormal beliefs. It portrays the Kitt Research Initiative, established in 2010, with the mission to use scientific method to document the existence of spirits. Founder Andy Kitt was unafraid — perhaps eager — to offend other paranormal investigators by exposing the fraudulence of their less advanced techniques. Kitt’s efforts attracted flocks of psychics, alien abductees, witches, mediums, ghost hunters, UFOlogists, cryptozoologists and warlocks from all over New England, and the world. Hongoltz-Hetling brings our attention to the exponential growth of new age beliefs in the United States, with the potential to be the largest religion in the nation by 2050 at current rates. He argues that it is time for institutions in both science and policy to sit up, take notice, and engage with paranormal beliefs instead of marginalizing, or worse, ostracizing them. Wagner and Hongoltz-Hetling touch on mental health, domestic violence, satanic panic and capturing paranormal orbs. The conversation is sure to provide fascinating insight into unconventional and riveting science journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Myles Lennon, a Dean's Assistant Professor at Brown University, dives deep into the complex relationship between solar energy and racial capitalism. He argues that while solar initiatives promise equity, they often overlook the exploitation of marginalized communities. Lennon critiques the allure of 'screen work' in renewable energy, emphasizing the need for sensory engagement with local environments. He also highlights the decentralization dilemma, urging a more human-centered approach to energy governance that supports blue-collar workers and fosters authentic community activism.

Bruce Springsteen was keenly aware and excited by the sounds of the CBGBs scene during the Seventies. With his own bands, the Boss performed in the same venues associated with punk rock and ultimately wrote songs for Patti Smith and the Ramones. Yet Springsteen’s sound has remained distinct from punk rock as it emanated from New York. In the seventh episode of Soundscapes NYC, host Ryan Purcell talks with Bruce Springsteen biographer Jim Cullen and Melissa Ziobro the head curator of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University about Springsteen’s complicated relationship with punk rock in 1970s New York. As an NJ native, the Boss was a so-called “Bridge-and-Tunnel-Boy” but that socio-cultural infrastructure worked both ways. By the end of the Seventies, Springsteen did not need to travel to New York to engage with the punk sound. Punk culture was traveling to Asbury Park, NJ. Jim Cullen is a historian of American popular culture and has taught at several colleges and universities, including Harvard, Brown, and Sarah Lawrence College. He was a longtime faculty member and History Department chair at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York before moving to the recently founded Greenwich Country Day School in 2020. Cullen is the author of multiple award-winning book books on music including Born in the USA: Bruce Springsteen and the American Tradition (Harper Collins, 1997). His latest book, Bridge and Tunnel Boys: Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and Metropolitan Sound of the American Century (Rutgers University, 2023), compares the musical careers of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. Melissa Ziobro is a Professor of Public History at Monmouth University where she is currently the Head Curator for the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. Former editor of New Jersey Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Ziobro is deeply committed to documenting New Jersey history with the broader context of the American story. She curated a traveling exhibition called Music America: Iconic Objects from America’s Music History which is now on display at the Grammy Museum in Mississippi and is expected to return to Monmouth University for the opening of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music in Spring 2026.  Contact Soundscapes NYC Here Support the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Joseph Darda, an Associate Professor of English at Michigan State University, dives into the intricate relationship between race and sports in his book, exploring how notions of 'gift' and 'grit' shape societal perceptions. He discusses the moral obligations placed on gifted athletes and the historical evolution of athletic perceptions, highlighting figures like LeBron James and Muhammad Ali. Darda also critiques how these dynamics reflect broader issues of race, ability, and labor, ultimately revealing the deeper narratives behind athletic success and societal advantage.

Kelsea Best, an assistant professor at The Ohio State University specializing in climate impacts and adaptations, joins the discussion about migration and displacement amid climate change. She explores how climate-induced events cause both voluntary and forced relocations, sharing insights from regions like coastal Bangladesh and Hurricane Katrina. The role of place attachment in post-disaster decisions offers a poignant view of emotional ties to home. Best also addresses the urgent need for equitable adaptation strategies, especially for marginalized communities facing the brunt of climate crises.

Ezra Glinter, a writer and biographer known for his work at the Yiddish Book Center, dives into the complex life of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the last Lubavitcher rebbe. The discussion highlights how Schneerson revitalized the Chabad-Lubavitch movement and became one of the most controversial rabbinic figures of the 20th century. Glinter also addresses the challenges in interpreting Schneerson's legacy and the broader implications of his messianic beliefs, exploring themes of faith, identity, and the ongoing quest for redemption within the Jewish community.

Daanika Kamal, a Lecturer in Law at Royal Holloway University, focuses on gender law and domestic violence in Pakistan. She discusses how societal labels of 'bad' and 'mad' women undermine the credibility of victims in the legal system. Through her research, she reveals the cultural narratives and legal challenges faced by women seeking justice. Kamal addresses the gap between legal protections and actual policing practices, highlighting the biases in courtroom dynamics and the need for a broader understanding of domestic violence that includes psychological harm.

Hans Joas, a leading sociologist at Humboldt University, and Matthias Bormuth, a professor specializing in intellectual history, dive deep into Karl Jaspers’ influential philosophy. They discuss Jaspers’ connections with pivotal thinkers like Max Weber and Hannah Arendt, explore his insights on the Axial Age, and examine his critiques of tyranny. The conversation also touches on Jaspers’ views on religion, capitalism, and existentialism, showcasing his enduring relevance in contemporary philosophical discourse and the challenges of modernity.