“Dr. Akbari always makes me better. She has this extraordinary gift for making it all make a little more sense, for rounding up the random and then grounding it all down to earth. Because that’s what she is: an intellectual angel who’s loving and human.”
— Tre, subscriber
Why subscribe?
Are you fascinated by culture and love to analyze it?
Do you love social scientific theories but are too busy to read all the heady books and studies?
Do you love to have cool and provocative conversation starters to bring up at parties / amongst colleagues / on social media?
Do you understand the value of observing and tweaking your own behavior as a way of creating a happier, more successful, more satisfying life?
Do you have a sense of humor about the absurdity of everyday life?
THEN HAVE I GOT A SUBSTACK FOR YOU!
As a sociologist, my professional preoccupation is observation. But in our everyday lives, it’s easy to go on autopilot and take the things we do, see, and experience for granted. This Substack encourages you to rest your attention on a broad range of topics, some of which may operate at the core of your life, others of which may be hiding. You’ll be invited to examine everyday life from a place of playful wonder, while also peeling back the layers through analysis and constructive criticism.
I believe everyone can be the sociologist of their own life, making meaning of the ordinary and sparking thought-provoking conversations about overlooked patterns and peculiarities. In part due to all the endless digital distractions, it’s harder than ever to bear witness to your own life. I hope you’ll think of The Sociology of…Everything as an escape back to yourself; a portal into exploring the life you already live, and perhaps, a passage into imagining a new one.
So what can you expect?
A monthly theme, explored from a sociological angle. The Sociology of…Creativity, of… Underdogs, of…Technology, of…Relationships, of…Dating, of…Travel, and so much more. I’m focusing on themes, because endless, scattered content just isn’t my style. Let’s go deeper and get juicier with each topic. I’m also resting my attention on sociological thinkers that inspire me and whose writing and ideas can be applied to everyday life, personal growth, and just about every social experience.
Long-form written articles that help you frame and interrogate the monthly topic in a theoretical way, along with real-world applications for how to integrate that theory into your own life — and hopefully leave some lingering questions and observations for you to contemplate as you go about your days. And if those ideas seep into some of your real-world conversations with other humans, that’s a win for me, for you, and for humanity. Because more thoughtful conversations = a better world.
A video podcast. I’ll ask someone interesting / fun / knowledgeable to join me in conversation about the month’s topic. Some of these people you’ll recognize, some you won’t. I’m not looking to interview them in a way that might mimic the other thousands of podcasts they’ve appeared on. Rather, the aim here is to ask them to comment specifically on the current topic in light of their unique background and experience. Authors, actors, academics, artists, comedians, scientists, executives, entrepreneurs, athletes, politicians — a bit of everything.
An audio advice column. You’re invited to submit questions describing whatever it is you want my advice or thoughts on, and I’ll verbally record a response to as many as possible. I’m also answering your AMA questions. Chances are, if you are experiencing it, someone else out there is, too. This ensures we aren’t just speaking in the theoretical, but applying this knowledge and these observations to the here and now. These ideas should be as practical as they are inspiring. Submit your questions / ideas here.
A playlist of SOE-themed anthems. Life demands many soundtracks, and we’ll co-create them together. Some months, I’ll compile and send out a Spotify playlist inspired by the month’s theme; I also welcome submissions from you.
Conversation threads. I don’t want to just talk at you; I want to connect with you. And that starts with hearing how these themes and topics manifest in your everyday life. What challenges do they pose? What opportunities do they present? In addition to participating in the comments section of each post, you can join theme-specific conversation threads that facilitate a dialogue with other members of the Sociology of… Everything community.
(Bonus!) content: This might include My Current Cultural Diet (a list of what I’m consuming and thoughts on how it’s relevant to the Sociology of… Everything themes); one-off Sociology of… articles; extra playlists and video chats; and much more.
One final note: I’m a fan of the “slow content” approach to creating and consuming information/ideas. No one needs more noise, and this Substack is looking to enrich you — not distract you. The very deliberate drip of weekly content related to The Sociology of…. Everything will hopefully provide an arsenal of awareness and deeper consciousness around the life you’re living / aspire to live. So expect consistency, as well as mindfulness, in all of my communication.
POSTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Posts generally go out weekly, often on Tuesdays or Wednesday (with some exceptions). Subscribe to get notified of new posts, and since this is a reader-supported labor of love, if you feel the work I’m doing is valuable, consider a paid subscription (or a 7-day free trial) to also get access to the full archive (along with my gratitude).
Who am I?
I’m Anna Akbari, a sociologist, writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and thought leadership advisor. I’m the author of There Is No Ethan: How Three Women Caught America’s Biggest Catfish, amongst other books, including collaborations with a wide cross-section of authors ranging from celebrities to executives.
In my previous life, I was a professor in the department of Media, Culture, and Communication and the Visual Culture MA program at New York University, as well as at Parsons School of Design. My research focused on visual and virtual self-presentation, identity construction, technology and human intersects, and happiness and well-being.
I frequently speak and write across a number of topics and have appeared in outlets like The New York Times, CNN, Forbes, The Atlantic, TIME, The Economist, Financial Times, TED, Vulture, Bulletproof Executive, Psychology Today, Vogue, People, Refinery29, Google Talks, SiriusXM, and dozens more.
Defining one’s identity is a complicated thing (and the topic of my dissertation), but I think I’m best described as a free-range global citizen who wanders extensively and plays outside and sings karaoke as much as humanly possible. You can follow me on Instagram or Threads, if you’re into that, and learn more about my work via my website.
Submit your questions!
I answer questions related to each month’s themes in an audio advice column and will also answer your AMA questions. Submit both here.
Stay up-to-date
Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.
Join the crew
Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.
