When I first started writing popular press essays in 2018, I wanted them to aid larger academic publications I would eventually or potentially write. Since then, and particularly during recent reflections on my sabbatical, I have come to view those essays, collectively, as serving additional functions. Functions that may be useful for other academics who operate or are considering operating in this space. Some have a build function, some have a simmer function, and some have a test function.

There is only so much a constitution or shared normative structure for and by humans can do to address the social fact of superheroes, as they are metahumans. So if working together, as President Ross asks Sam Wilson/Captain America to do, is really possible, it would need to be under a new constitution or shared normative structure that updates what it means—for humans, metahumans, and the state—to have responsibilities, rights, and recourse.

He shared with me how artists and producers sometimes (or often) create soundscapes aimed toward communicating a certain mood, sentiment, or theme. Some examples he gave were recording the sounds (1) of everyday activity while walking around town, (2) snowboots make when walking in the snow (for a song related to the winter), and (3) of making beats on a classroom desk (for a song about high school). Through these examples, I interpreted the notion of a soundscape as akin to a sort of sound ecology or sound outline, where the artist or producer wants to usher in or invite listeners into a particular sound environment in a structured or semi-structured way.

Given my interests in connecting certain features of superhero narratives to civic understanding [Black Panther (2021); Social Superheroes (2024); Luke Cage (In Progress)], I am surprised I did not look for a podcast like this sooner. But I am glad I found it last month, as it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Especially considering civics was not my thing in primary or secondary school. One series I am currently enjoying is on the founding documents, which jives well with my interests in how humans understand and apply certain principles to govern our shared lives. I recently wrote a little about this while reflecting on Captain America: Brave New World (2025).

A very cool podcast that is both brief and illuminating, the podcast explores everyday science questions with the aid of scientists throughout the world.

One of the coolest and thoughtful podcasts out there when it comes to analysing popular culture, this podcast dives into the psychology of characters within superhero media. Initially focusing on the characters of Gotham, the series has since expanded to analyze other popular culture properties.

The big takeaway, when it comes to my own scholarship, is that U.S. Christianity, broadly speaking, is a multifaceted mixture of various perspectives and influences. Some of these perspectives and influences are germane to scripture and biblical antiquity, and some are not. As a result, this podcast encourages us Christians to thoughtfully reflect on what about our faith is scriptural and thus independent of the U.S., and what is so intimately tied to being an American, it raises some challenging and uncomfortable questions. Indirectly, then, the podcast reminds me of the importance of intellectual humility and the complexity of social life, particularly in that Christian communities are not immune to the complex challenges of working alongside and at times, as state actors.

During my sabbatical, as I have reflected more on the influence of hip-hop music on my development and the progression of my scholarship since 2018, I have, in typical Justin fashion, been exploring potential connections across these two influential areas or domains of my life. Namely, that there are parallels between how different music elements are modified and combined and how different ideas and analytical frameworks or perspectives are brought to bear in (my) academic writing. And by “music” I am referring to the elements related to the (1) track itself, (2) lyrics and rhyming style (e.g., the use and combinations of words, ideas, etc.), and (3) synchronization of (1) and (2).

This is a podcast dedicated to exploring ethical and moral considerations in everyday life. It is one of my favorite podcasts, probably in the top 2. Given its emphasis on ethics and morality, many of the episodes have at least some general relevance to something I study and/or teach. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving. I also appreciate the seriousness they give religious/theological considerations and influences on moral thinking, articulation, and behavior.

My biggest takeaway from the series is that it prompts us to think about the things we “leave behind” for others. Both in terms of material and immaterial objects. I think this question (and related ones) provides a useful context to compare and contrast socialization and constructivist approaches to moral development. Something I do in my Perspectives on Moral Development course. I am currently working on a popular press essay exploring this idea. Stay tuned…

Through contrasting the perspectives of Matt and Frank, we gain a better understanding of what it means to remain within a system desperately needing change and what it means to opt out of that system altogether. Decisions that, taken together, clarify their respective orientations toward justice and others as Daredevil and the Punisher, while simultaneously encouraging us to reflect on the nature of our own lives as co-creators of our social existence.