Best Sociology Blogs, Podcasts and Channels to Follow
For learners, teachers, and curious readers in Canada and beyond
Sociology today is more accessible than ever. In 2025, the best blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels make it easy to explore how people, culture, and systems shape everyday life, and Canadian universities now offer flexible online courses for those who want to study it seriously.
Whether we’re scrolling through social media, thinking about who gets left out of progress, or noticing how technology changes how we connect – it’s all sociology. It helps us see the patterns behind what feels normal and understand the forces that shape our world.
“Sociology is about learning to look twice at what feels ‘normal.’ The more we understand society, the better we can shape it.”
Now, you don’t need a university library card or conference badge to dive in. Leading sociologists share their work through open blogs, podcasts, and video lectures. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to learn, listen, and watch, plus a few Canadian programs for anyone ready to turn curiosity into study.
Top Sociology Blogs to Read
Everyday Sociology Blog
Think of this as sociology’s open door. Edited by sociologist Karen Sternheimer, Everyday Sociology Blog connects big ideas to the little things in life, from TikTok trends and body image to family dinners and pop culture.
It’s popular among students because it’s written by professors who actually teach and care about making the subject understandable. Posts are short, relatable, and often start with something familiar (“Ever wonder why people overshare online?”) before revealing the social patterns behind it.
✅ Simple explanations, grounded in real life.
Social Science Space
Run by SAGE Publishing, SocialScienceSpace.com is less a blog and more a community. It features interviews, op-eds, and reports that show how research influences real-world decisions, from climate action to AI ethics.
The tone is serious but readable. You’ll see experts unpacking issues like data privacy, housing inequality, and how evidence-based policy can actually work.
✅ It connects sociology to public policy, tech, and innovation – the bigger picture stuff that shapes our future.
The Society Pages (TSP)
If sociology had a newsroom, this would be it. Created by the University of Minnesota, The Society Pages publishes “There’s Research on That” – quick explainers that translate studies into short, news-style stories.
It’s a mix of opinion pieces, podcasts, and data visualizations. The topics range from gender norms and global migration to how memes reflect social values.
✅ Perfect for people who want bite-sized sociology with substance and no academic jargon.
Contexts
Published by the American Sociological Association, Contexts is what happens when scholars decide to write like journalists. Each issue includes essays and photo essays that explore identity, race, education, and technology (often in collaboration with public writers).
In recent issues, you’ll find articles on AI and inequality, global protest culture, and the future of education. It’s serious sociology, told simply.
✅ Accessible and visually engaging. Sociology that meets you where you are.
Best Sociology Podcasts to Tune Into
We all multitask – driving, walking, doing dishes – so why not learn something meaningful while we’re at it? These podcasts make sociology portable and personal.
SAGE Sociology Podcast
Hosted by SAGE Publications, this podcast brings together the authors behind new studies from journals like Teaching Sociology and Social Psychology Quarterly.
Each episode feels like a mini university lecture, except shorter and far more conversational. Recent topics have covered “ungrading” in classrooms, racial justice, and how inequality affects health outcomes.
✅ Credible insights, explained in plain English. Perfect for teachers, students, or anyone curious about the research behind social change.
BBC Radio 4’s Thinking Allowed
If sociology had a voice, it might sound like Laurie Taylor. His long-running show on the BBC dives into topics that range from “Dogs and Human Bonds” to “Russian Propaganda” and “The Politics of Motherhood.”
The conversations are sharp but not intimidating — more like listening to a lively dinner discussion where everyone actually knows their facts.
✅ Smart, balanced, and quietly funny. You’ll end up learning about the sociology of things you never even noticed before.
The Social-Engineer Podcast
This one’s a curveball, but a fascinating one. Hosted by Chris Hadnagy and Dr. Abbie Marono, it blends sociology, psychology, and cybersecurity.
Episodes explore topics like persuasion, communication, intuition, and deception – all through the lens of real human behaviour. It’s used by cybersecurity teams, but also educators and business leaders who want to understand influence and trust.
✅ It shows sociology’s relevance in modern work, relationships, and digital ethics.
New Books Network (NBN)
Imagine a global book club where the authors are your guests. The New Books Network hosts long-form interviews with sociologists about their new releases.
Recent episodes include “You Must Become an Algorithmic Problem” by José Marichal, exploring AI and democracy, and “Dalit Ecologies” by Mukul Sharma on caste and environmental justice.
✅ Ideal for students, readers, and professionals who want to explore serious ideas in depth, straight from the researchers themselves.
Channels Bringing Sociology to Life
YorkU Sociology (YouTube)
Sociology doesn’t have to live in books. The York University Department of Sociology in Toronto proves that with its public video library through the Resource Centre for Public Sociology (RCPS).
The channel features full lectures, workshops, and conversations – everything from “Marx’s Late Writings” to “Teaching Qualitative Interviewing Differently.”
✅ You get real classroom content without the tuition. Plus, it highlights global voices and practical research skills, from grant writing to data visualization.
Where to Study Sociology Online in Canada
For anyone ready to go from listener to learner, Canadian universities offer flexible online programs, whether you want to earn a degree or just test the waters.
| Institution | Program | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Athabasca University (Alberta) | Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (3-year or 4-year) | Fully online, start anytime, no admission requirements. Focus on globalization, inequality, and technology. |
| Acadia University (Nova Scotia) | Open Acadia – Online Sociology Courses | Learn at your own pace. Courses include Sociology of Aging, Education, and Magic and Religion. |
| Queen’s University (Ontario) | SOCY 122 – Introduction to Sociology | Covers sociological theories and how to analyze Canadian society. Great for beginners. |
| Algonquin College (Ontario) | Sociology and Deviance (COR1928) | A practical course on inequality, culture, and deviance – useful for law or social service students. |
| Thompson Rivers University (British Columbia) | SOCI 1111 – Introduction to Sociology I (Open Learning) | Self-paced course using open textbooks, focused on Canadian issues and critical thinking. |
Tip for learners:
“If you’re new to the subject, start with one short course. Online learning platforms let you balance study with work, and many Canadian schools accept transfer credits if you continue later.”
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Quick Links
📘 Sociology Blogs
- Everyday Sociology Blog – Real-life stories explained through sociology.
- Social Science Space – Research, policy, and social science impact.
- The Society Pages (TSP) – Sociology news, explainers, and podcasts.
- Contexts – Sociology for the public, published by the American Sociological Association.
🎧 Sociology Podcasts
- SAGE Sociology Podcast – Research-based conversations with authors.
- BBC Radio 4 – Thinking Allowed – Weekly show on society, culture, and ideas.
- The Social-Engineer Podcast – Behaviour, psychology, and trust in a digital world.
- New Books Network – Sociology – In-depth interviews with authors of new sociology books.
🎥 YouTube Channels
- YorkU Sociology (YouTube) – Workshops, lectures, and research talks from York University in Toronto.
🎓 Online Sociology Courses
Disclaimer
CSAA.ca is an independent educational and informational website focused on sociology, anthropology, and Canadian society. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Canadian Sociological Association (CSA-SCS) or any other organization.
Content on this site is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the views of individual contributors, not official institutions.