Why blog? An excellent question. It seems to me on the surface to be such a vanity enterprise. My instinct is to resist it. However, “in the parlance of our times” this appears to be a common channel in which to share one’s thoughts and insights about the world around them.
When sociological analysis enters public conversations about policy, governance, and lived experience, it helps move debate beyond slogans toward less biased understanding. #PublicSociology I was recently cited in a national political analysis published by Washington Examiner examining how Gavin Newsom’s response to homelessness may shape broader debates connected to the governing legacy of President Barack... Continue Reading →
Frankie Frisch’s time with the St. Louis Cardinals defined one of baseball’s most chaotic and successful eras. As both a productive player and steady player-manager during the Gashouse Gang years, Frisch blended speed, intelligence, and leadership to anchor an unruly roster and guide the Cardinals to a World Series title. His legacy in St. Louis is less about flash and more about structure, smart, aggressive baseball held together by calm authority.
Discover Miller Huggins’ journey from young St. Louis Cardinals player to Hall of Fame Yankees manager, featuring rare photographs capturing his athletic skill, leadership, and enduring impact on early 20th-century baseball.
Every generation grows up believing the next one is making the world worse — but the real story is far more revealing. Boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z are all shaped by the cultural, economic, and technological shocks of their youth, creating shared patterns that repeat across history. Despite the noise of “generational wars,” the underlying forces shaping our identities are remarkably similar. Understanding these patterns doesn’t just explain why tensions flare up — it shows how social change actually happens.
Extreme wealth at the scale of a trillion dollars is a moral and social crisis. Such wealth concentrate power and influence while billions remain in precarity. Drawing on Marx, Smith, and Christian ethics, this essay argues that unbounded accumulation undermines justice, civic equality, and human flourishing, revealing the moral absurdity of extreme inequality.
The Mirror US News recently asked me how the Trump administration’s portrayal of Antifa reflects a broader sociological pattern of moral panic and political framing.For my contribution, I explained how labeling Antifa as a “shadowy and violent enemy” serves as a strategic political tool undermining left-wing critics, discouraging protest, and legitimizing aggressive law enforcement tactics.... Continue Reading →
Earlier this week, I was quoted in a Truthout (a not-for-profit news organization) for article examining the upcoming “No Kings” protests and the political framing around so-called antifa activity. You can read it here: https://truthout.org/articles/no-kings-protests-set-to-sweep-us-even-as-trump-increases-attacks-on-activists/ In my comments, I tried to draw attention to how political actors use labels to shape the public imagination long... Continue Reading →
When Duke Ellington first composed Mood Indigo in 1930, he described the piece as “a musical statement of depression without words.” It is a song that drifts and soothes all at once. The muted horn lines hang in the air like a lingering fog, a reminder that emotions often come in shades. https://youtu.be/O9jHgGDKDkU?si=3J2HDLO5Pf2BIqIN That same... Continue Reading →
In this article I share with the writer that conspiracy theories and moral panics surge during social change, fueling collective fear, spreading misinformation, fracturing culture, eroding trust, and ultimately threatening democracy and public health worldwide.
Discover the unique interiors of British pubs through photography, from the nooks of Oxford’s Lamb & Flag to the Thatch Tavern in Stratford-upon-Avon and the cellar door at the Cape of Good Hope. Explore pub heritage, culture, and atmosphere through intimate architectural details.
In contributing to Map Reveals States Where Youth Are Most At Risk, I explained how youth risk factors, poverty, education inequality, crime, and limited healthcare access are rooted in structural inequalities, emphasizing the urgent need for policies supporting vulnerable children and communities nationwide.
These photos ethnographically explores British pub signs as cultural markers—capturing history, community, and character, while reflecting how these façades invite us to imagine the life within, whether entered or simply observed.
St. Louis’s riverfront is more than a place . It’s a narrative captured in steel, stone, and water. For anyone traveling through the Midwest or seeking to understand the symbolism of America’s great rivers, the Mississippi in St. Louis is the perfect subject for historical reflection and photography alike.
I'm always grateful when people outside of academia reach out for sociological insights on today’s pressing social issues. Recently, I was asked to weigh in on a question that continues to gain urgency: Why do so many rural young people in the United States feel profoundly disconnected from society? Too often, public conversations default to... Continue Reading →
Discover the beauty of water in and around Oxford and London through a collection of stunning photographs capturing reflections, architecture, and the natural flow of England’s iconic urban and rural waterways.
Southern England is a landscape that holds its own time. During my recent trip to Oxford I used my iPhone11 to serve as my notebook. From train and bus I tried recording the small and large ways the countryside reveals itself. In England, the light is never static. A single hillside can shift from sunlit... Continue Reading →
You may not see it right away, especially if your pint is full, but it’s there. A group of workers ribbing each other in a dialect as thick as the stout they’re drinking. A group of female students talk loudly about boys whose faces you will never see, all while sipping on a variety of... Continue Reading →
Discover how legendary baseball broadcaster Harry Caray got his start in St. Louis. Explore his early career with the Cardinals and how he shaped the future of sports broadcasting.
Explore the vivid legacy of Leo Durocher and the Gas House Gang through newly colorized images of early St. Louis baseball. Discover the grit, glory, and sociocultural impact of a team that defined an era
Baby Boomers and fellow Gen Xers are you feeling pangs of social déjà vu? You’re not imagining things. This week, I had the opportunity to share some sociological insights with Newsweek reporter Melissa Fleur Afshar in her latest piece examining the parallels between our current decade and the turbulence of the 60s and 70s. From... Continue Reading →
I recently shared my sociological insights for this print article of Newsweek magazine (April 18, 2025) which happens to be its cover story exploring shifting trends in birth and fertility rates, as well as how Millennials and Gen Z are redefining marriage and relationships. As a sociologist, it's always encouraging to see national media engage... Continue Reading →
Journey into the world of Dizzy Dean with colorized images that bring early St. Louis baseball to life. Uncover a tale of talent, swagger, and working-class theater at the heart of Depression-era America.
In the annals of American baseball history, the 1930s St. Louis Cardinals’ “Gas House Gang” burned like a fire in a depression era boxcar. They were grimy, relentless, and magnetic of the times. Among their ranks was a player who embodied the era’s blend of working-class grit and athletic brilliance. Joe “Ducky” Medwick. 1932 -... Continue Reading →
I haven’t been painting much lately. Instead, my creativity has shifted toward writing. Over the few years, I’ve published several essays and have been increasingly asked to share my sociological expertise with various media outlets. These requests often require in-depth research and writing. Typically these requests lead me to writing 650-1,000 word responses, that are... Continue Reading →
This week, I had a unique opportunity to blend teaching with #publicsociology. About 30 minutes before my morning Research Methods class, I received a media query from Newsweek asking why Gen Z experiences a greater sense of hopelessness compared to past generations. https://www.newsweek.com/are-young-people-lazy-hopeless-2037840 Rather than answering alone, I decided to turn my class (22 students,... Continue Reading →
When fans think of Cy Young, they usually picture him as the dominant pitcher for the Cleveland Spiders or the Boston Americans (later Red Sox). However, his brief tenure in St. Louis from 1899 to 1900 is a lesser known chapter in his career. April 20, 1900 - St. Louis Post Dispatch To understand why... Continue Reading →
Max Weber's landmark work, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905), offers profound insights into the interplay between religious belief systems and economic behavior. Central to Weber's argument is the connection between Calvinism, a form of Protestantism, and the rise of capitalism. But how did religious ideals influence economic practices? Let’s delve into... Continue Reading →
The author expresses gratitude for being featured in the Hindustan Times, discussing Debrina Kawam's tragic case and the 'bystander effect'. The article emphasizes the complexities of human behavior in crises and underscores the importance of societal awareness and intervention. The author is affiliated with Maryville University.
Lost to many is the fact that Charles Albert Comiskey, one of the most influential figures in baseball history, got his initial baseball start and grooming in the great 19th century American city of St. Louis. While his larger legacy as the owner of the Chicago White Sox may dominate the narratives about his life,... Continue Reading →
In an age when baseball was both a pastime and a morality tale acted out on the diamond, John Leonard Roosevelt “Pepper” Martin strode onto the stage like a honky-tonk chord in a symphony. Born in the sweltering rural Temple, Oklahoma in 1904, Martin was a rare spirit who defied the laws of physical limitation... Continue Reading →
This past summer as I noted in an earlier post, I had the privilege of leading a study abroad program with Maryville University of Saint Louis and Maryville University Online Our location was Oxford, England where we explored the rich sociological surroundings of local pubs. Our time in Oxford was insightful, as we visited nearly... Continue Reading →
Rube Waddell was born George Edward Waddell on October 13, 1876, in Bradford, Pennsylvania. From 1897 to 1910 he played Major League Baseball, with his final years in St.Louis. 1898 1899 Columbus 1902 Growing up his focus was said to often wander , and he was known for skipping school or work to play ball.... Continue Reading →
I’m not sure how I feel about the operating title of this piece. I was nevertheless happy to have the opportunity to share my sociological insights with Newsweek. It was on a recent study examining the role of ideology in influencing where we live. Is this the next criteria for residential segregation? Read more here... Continue Reading →
I had the opportunity to share my sociological thoughts with a non-English speaking audience regarding a recent Pew study concerning the state of the American Middle Class. Elements of our conversation also delved into what the implications of its findings will have on the up coming election, and some of Vice President Harris policy proposals.... Continue Reading →
Pubs across London, Brighton, and Oxford offer a vivid snapshot of English culture, each city contributing its own unique flair to this time-honored institution. Interiors of some Oxford Pubs London - 2024 In London, the pubs reflect the city’s dynamic blend of tradition and modernity. Historic interiors often coexist with contemporary touches, creating spaces that... Continue Reading →
During my recent travel to Oxford I was able to escape to other parts of England. I was captivated by the historical landmarks which created picturesque landscapes, but something often overlooked is the story of random signage and graffiti that adorns many English streets. Oxford- 2024 Oxford - 2024 London - 2024 Brighton - 2024... Continue Reading →
I recently had the opportunity to live in Oxford for four weeks. Known globally for its prestigious educational institutions, Oxford’s long history makes it a city just waiting to be explored. The block that many Maryville students and faculty resided (Juxson & Walton streets) I have tried to embark here in sharing some of that... Continue Reading →
London, England, is a city where history and modernity dance together across its skyline and streets. I went there three different times this summer. The first was on July 5th, the day after their general election. After witnessing the peaceful transfer of power, I wandered some the streets surrounding the Westminster neighborhood. I say wander... Continue Reading →
Nestled on the banks of the River Thames, Windsor, England, is a town that blends Western history and culture. I think it is an under-discussed natural beauty beyond the touristy castle. Away from the castle is a captivating subject for photography. At the heart of Windsor stands the obvious iconic Windsor Castle, a fortress that... Continue Reading →
I decided to take a recent trip to Brighton, a coastal town in England that perfectly marries historic charm with modern vibrancy. This bustling seaside destination is known for its eclectic mix of culture, art, and endless opportunities to capture memorable moments. The unmistakable energy of Brighton immediately envelops you after a quick 8 minute... Continue Reading →
