https://simplecast.com Why Sociology? “Why Sociology?” is a podcast series for use in sociology classrooms featuring mini-interviews with sociology graduates of all degree levels (AA, BA, MA, PhD) who have taken career pathways beyond academia in applied and clinical careers. The goal of the series is to demonstrate the relevance of sociology to students and to highlight the applicability of the discipline in a variety of occupational fields. 2021 #whysoc en Sun, 22 Mar 2026 19:00:38 +0000 Sun, 22 Mar 2026 19:00:47 +0000 https://why-sociology.simplecast.com Why Sociology? https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/6b0a843c-d8c5-4d11-8a00-bbcdda750c70/ab2f8037-790c-4903-a650-64a674c62ec8/3000x3000/why-soc-general.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://why-sociology.simplecast.com episodic “Why Sociology?” is a podcast series for use in sociology classrooms featuring mini-interviews with sociology graduates of all degree levels (AA, BA, MA, PhD) who have taken career pathways beyond academia in applied and clinical careers. The goal of the series is to demonstrate the relevance of sociology to students and to highlight the applicability of the discipline in a variety of occupational fields. Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins false https://feeds.simplecast.com/GVmUUU_0 applied sociology, clinical sociology, social science careers, sociology, sociology careers Daniela Jauk djauk@uakron.edu a986a19f-2cd5-408e-9992-3185e754a584 Martina Sharp-Grier - Educator and Public Speaker Martina's Contact information : 

Email : mlg16@uakron.edu 

Follow Why Sociology on Instagram : @Whysociologypodcast 

]]> Sun, 22 Mar 2026 19:00:38 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Daniela Jauk) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/martina-sharp-grier-7NoM4cIy Martina's Contact information : 

Email : mlg16@uakron.edu 

Follow Why Sociology on Instagram : @Whysociologypodcast 

]]> Martina Sharp-Grier - Educator and Public Speaker Daniela Jauk 00:23:11 What does it mean to live sociology, rather than just study it? This week, I’m honored to welcome my mentor, Dr. Martina Sharp-Grier, to the mic. We explore her journey into the field, how she translates complex sociological theory into real-world action, and the vital work she’s doing with identity, to create change on a national scale. Tune in to hear how one educator is redefining passion in the classroom and empowering others to see the world—and themselves—differently. What does it mean to live sociology, rather than just study it? This week, I’m honored to welcome my mentor, Dr. Martina Sharp-Grier, to the mic. We explore her journey into the field, how she translates complex sociological theory into real-world action, and the vital work she’s doing with identity, to create change on a national scale. Tune in to hear how one educator is redefining passion in the classroom and empowering others to see the world—and themselves—differently. false full 2 3 1cf974fe-8d69-4d98-ab1c-59cad9cf135f Estrella Lemus - President of AKD Sociology Honor's Society, University of Akron Estrella's Contact Information : 

Email : ekl29@uakron.edu 

Follow Why Sociology on Instagram : @Whysociologypodcast 

]]> Mon, 22 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Estrella Lemus, Angela Adkins, Daniela Jauk) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/estrella-lemus-president-of-akd-sociology-honors-society-university-of-akron-KBv0M7jU Estrella's Contact Information : 

Email : ekl29@uakron.edu 

Follow Why Sociology on Instagram : @Whysociologypodcast 

]]> Estrella Lemus - President of AKD Sociology Honor's Society, University of Akron Estrella Lemus, Angela Adkins, Daniela Jauk 00:14:51 In this season premiere, student guest host Estrella is introduced, as she will be hosting this season. She shares her academic background in sociology, highlighting the projects and research that have shaped her perspective. Estrella then outlines her goals for the season, aiming to leverage the podcast as a platform for scholarly discussion and accessible learning. A central theme of her introduction is a passionate argument for the relevance of sociology in understanding everyday life and broader societal structures. In this season premiere, student guest host Estrella is introduced, as she will be hosting this season. She shares her academic background in sociology, highlighting the projects and research that have shaped her perspective. Estrella then outlines her goals for the season, aiming to leverage the podcast as a platform for scholarly discussion and accessible learning. A central theme of her introduction is a passionate argument for the relevance of sociology in understanding everyday life and broader societal structures. false full 1 3 a7c29dcf-c1e9-454c-904f-b9dd1f1024a3 Hannah Horrigan - Educational Initiatives Supervisor at AHMA Thu, 22 Feb 2024 19:24:42 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Daniela Jauk) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/hannah-horrigan-educational-initiatives-supervisor-at-ahma-h83jR8Ao Hannah Horrigan - Educational Initiatives Supervisor at AHMA Daniela Jauk 00:21:34 Hannah Horrigan is an Educational Initiatives Supervisor at the Akron Housing Metropolitan Authority and a proud zippie. Explore her interesting journey, starting with an interest in lock-picking via sociology and moving to skillful and compassionate leadership in our community. Hannah Horrigan is an Educational Initiatives Supervisor at the Akron Housing Metropolitan Authority and a proud zippie. Explore her interesting journey, starting with an interest in lock-picking via sociology and moving to skillful and compassionate leadership in our community. false full 2 2 fa679078-1fb4-4603-af3b-3dab13a44ceb Alex Leake - UX and Market Research Alex is a researcher and strategist who helps companies understand people and markets in order to solve problems and make consumer lives better. Alex graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin for a Masters degree in Advertising. Alex has over 10 years of experience working in Market Research using different research methods to help inform product development, product positioning, strategy and marketing across multiple industries.  

Manager, Marketing Business Insights & Research

aleake@mozilla.com

]]> Mon, 21 Nov 2022 21:17:39 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/alex-leake-2Rjq_LDU Alex is a researcher and strategist who helps companies understand people and markets in order to solve problems and make consumer lives better. Alex graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin for a Masters degree in Advertising. Alex has over 10 years of experience working in Market Research using different research methods to help inform product development, product positioning, strategy and marketing across multiple industries.  

Manager, Marketing Business Insights & Research

aleake@mozilla.com

]]> Alex Leake - UX and Market Research Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins 00:13:26 In this first episode of season #2, we talk with Alex Leake (she/her), who currently leads the Marketing Research & Insights team at Mozilla, working to identify market opportunities and consumer pain points for future marketing and product development. She has used her sociological research skills in corporate settings for 10+ years (energy, tech UX research) and recommends getting involved during your undergrad to understand the applicability of sociology. In this first episode of season #2, we talk with Alex Leake (she/her), who currently leads the Marketing Research & Insights team at Mozilla, working to identify market opportunities and consumer pain points for future marketing and product development. She has used her sociological research skills in corporate settings for 10+ years (energy, tech UX research) and recommends getting involved during your undergrad to understand the applicability of sociology. marketing, ux research, mozilla, research, sociology false full 1 2 5f6c394f-2aba-409a-aec7-0489c8e4049f Megan Delong - Neighborhood Network Coordinator Here is a bio Megan shared with us:

My name is Megan Delong and I am a 2018 Sociology Alum from the University of Akron. I am currently working in the non-profit sector at Habitat for Humanity of Summit County as Neighborhood Network Coordinator. Neighborhood Network focuses on the Middlebury and University Park neighborhoods here in Akron – I’m so happy to be a resident of the Middlebury neighborhood! My favorite past times are painting, watching a new movie with homemade popcorn, and taking a walk through the community with my fiancé Sam. I am so grateful for my Sociology experience at the University of Akron and can’t wait to see more Sociology grads come from UA!

Important links: 
neighborhoodnetworkakron.org
facebook.com/NeighborhoodNetworkAkron/
instagram.com/neighborhoodnetworkakron/

And my email megand@hfhsummitcounty.org is available and open for all!

]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:12:36 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Daniela Jauk, Megan Delong) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/megan-delong-neighborhood-network-coordinator-NHKp35Ml Here is a bio Megan shared with us:

My name is Megan Delong and I am a 2018 Sociology Alum from the University of Akron. I am currently working in the non-profit sector at Habitat for Humanity of Summit County as Neighborhood Network Coordinator. Neighborhood Network focuses on the Middlebury and University Park neighborhoods here in Akron – I’m so happy to be a resident of the Middlebury neighborhood! My favorite past times are painting, watching a new movie with homemade popcorn, and taking a walk through the community with my fiancé Sam. I am so grateful for my Sociology experience at the University of Akron and can’t wait to see more Sociology grads come from UA!

Important links: 
neighborhoodnetworkakron.org
facebook.com/NeighborhoodNetworkAkron/
instagram.com/neighborhoodnetworkakron/

And my email megand@hfhsummitcounty.org is available and open for all!

]]> Megan Delong - Neighborhood Network Coordinator Daniela Jauk, Megan Delong 00:24:00 Megan Delong is the Neighborhood Network Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, Ohio. Megan Delong is the Neighborhood Network Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Summit County, Ohio. false full 7 1 907ddd7a-89fb-403e-b8c6-477b5ec1a480 Brett Heller - Assistant Director of Event Planning Brett Heller, M.S., is the Assistant Director of Scheduling and Events at the University of Akron. He double majored in Psychology and Sociology (Stony Brook University, 2014) and went on to do his Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration (Illinois State University, 2016). He loves to serve the community around him and believes in getting engaged in as many extracurricular offers as you can. His favorite thing about the University of Akron is how his career allows him to serve the broader community and how motivated the students are when it comes to creating their own positive experiences.

He is available if you want to find out more about him or his career at bheller@uakron.edu.

]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:09:35 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Brett Heller, Angela Adkins, Daniela Jauk) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/brett-heller-assistant-director-of-event-planning-JmlrEyWH Brett Heller, M.S., is the Assistant Director of Scheduling and Events at the University of Akron. He double majored in Psychology and Sociology (Stony Brook University, 2014) and went on to do his Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration (Illinois State University, 2016). He loves to serve the community around him and believes in getting engaged in as many extracurricular offers as you can. His favorite thing about the University of Akron is how his career allows him to serve the broader community and how motivated the students are when it comes to creating their own positive experiences.

He is available if you want to find out more about him or his career at bheller@uakron.edu.

]]> Brett Heller - Assistant Director of Event Planning Brett Heller, Angela Adkins, Daniela Jauk 00:19:10 Assistant Director of event planning and event management at the University of Akron/OH. Assistant Director of event planning and event management at the University of Akron/OH. false full 6 1 157a3e03-c64c-4a24-b73d-a644034688f2 Kelly Roach - Victim Advocate Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:09:13 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Kelly Roach, Angela Adkins, Daniela Jauk) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/kelly-roach-victims-advocate-y0gw79IH Kelly Roach - Victim Advocate Kelly Roach, Angela Adkins, Daniela Jauk 00:11:13 Victim Advocate for a Police Department/OH. Offers emotional support, victims' rights information, and help in finding needed resources. Victim Advocate for a Police Department/OH. Offers emotional support, victims' rights information, and help in finding needed resources. false full 5 1 18de56fc-9099-4bfc-ae01-30a562f06b7f Kim Foreman - Executive Director of Environmental Health Watch Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:08:48 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Kim Foreman, Angela Adkins, Daniela Jauk) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/kim-foreman-VJIFDk28 Kim Foreman - Executive Director of Environmental Health Watch Kim Foreman, Angela Adkins, Daniela Jauk 00:25:01 Executive Director, Environmental Health Watch (www.ehw.org), Cleveland/OH. Community organizer, home inspector homes for health hazards and public policy consultant. Executive Director, Environmental Health Watch (www.ehw.org), Cleveland/OH. Community organizer, home inspector homes for health hazards and public policy consultant. false full 4 1 1eed9e48-b07d-401a-a419-4738d848ff43 Liza Grossman - Director of Research and Evaluation Dr. Liza Grossman is the Director of Research and Evaluation at a dynamic nonprofit, Stark Education Partnership (edpartner.org), working to elevate education, learning, programs and all students' success through data and data-driven decision-making. She is a trained sociologist from the University of South Carolina and the University of Akron and is honored to be a part of a vibrant community of life-long learners and collaborators in Stark County, Ohio. There is nothing like working with talented and caring professionals across the spectrum who partner together to continuously work to provide all students with education and career success. 

Dr. Grossman can be reached at Liza.Grossman@edpartner.org. 

]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:08:24 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins, Liza Grossman) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/liza-grossman-rvLtEH3V Dr. Liza Grossman is the Director of Research and Evaluation at a dynamic nonprofit, Stark Education Partnership (edpartner.org), working to elevate education, learning, programs and all students' success through data and data-driven decision-making. She is a trained sociologist from the University of South Carolina and the University of Akron and is honored to be a part of a vibrant community of life-long learners and collaborators in Stark County, Ohio. There is nothing like working with talented and caring professionals across the spectrum who partner together to continuously work to provide all students with education and career success. 

Dr. Grossman can be reached at Liza.Grossman@edpartner.org. 

]]> Liza Grossman - Director of Research and Evaluation Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins, Liza Grossman 00:21:11 Dr. Liza Grossman is the Director of Research and Evaluation for Stark Education Partnership Dr. Liza Grossman is the Director of Research and Evaluation for Stark Education Partnership false full 3 1 dc7fdf03-4068-411e-b013-ea975de3d5e3 Davishay Lawrence - Mortgage Loan Originator Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:01:29 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins, Davishay Lawrence) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/davishay-lawrence-FuvlZAPv Davishay Lawrence - Mortgage Loan Originator Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins, Davishay Lawrence 00:19:16 Davishay Lawrence is Mortgage Loan Originator, but also has worked as a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist in a nonprofit community corrections agency. Davishay Lawrence is Mortgage Loan Originator, but also has worked as a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist in a nonprofit community corrections agency. false full 2 1 02f1d935-b30f-4131-9409-7b8987db7b4d Michael Rickles - VP of Research at Sharecare Here are some links Dr. Rickles shared for further research: 

CWBI link to primary project: https://wellbeingindex.sharecare.com/

Contact: michael.rickles@sharecare.com

Dr. Rickles is happy to work with students in his available capacity.  For those in/around Atlanta, there may be internship opportunities for upper-level undergrads and grad students.

 

]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:01:10 +0000 djauk@uakron.edu (Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins, Michael Rickles) https://why-sociology.simplecast.com/episodes/michael-rickles-pclOVZLl Here are some links Dr. Rickles shared for further research: 

CWBI link to primary project: https://wellbeingindex.sharecare.com/

Contact: michael.rickles@sharecare.com

Dr. Rickles is happy to work with students in his available capacity.  For those in/around Atlanta, there may be internship opportunities for upper-level undergrads and grad students.

 

]]> Michael Rickles - VP of Research at Sharecare Daniela Jauk, Angela Adkins, Michael Rickles 00:24:58 Michael Rickles, the VP of Research at Sharecare, is a sociologist and epidemiologist working to bring data-informed solutions to community and population health issues, with a specific focus on improving health equity and resiliency. Michael Rickles, the VP of Research at Sharecare, is a sociologist and epidemiologist working to bring data-informed solutions to community and population health issues, with a specific focus on improving health equity and resiliency. research, clinical sociology, applied sociology, medical sociology false full 1 1