Episode 10: The Godfather Saga with Dr. Ellen Meiser
The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
Release Date: 07/29/2021
The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast we are capping off the end of the year with another "best of List." This episode is designed to be a companion piece to my Final essay for 2025 on the blog: The Dojo's Top Ten Films that Encapsulate 2025. As with the list on the blog, this episode's list is not a list of the films that are the most Sociologically relevent, but rather, the films that I saw in 2025 that I gave 4 stars and above to on Because of the function of lists, I will not be including detailed production notes for the episode as that will inevitably spoil the...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast Dr. Rebecca Gibson returns to the podcast to talk about the sapphic, Sci-Fi, Shakespearean, trans-inclusive, time-bending novel: . by Amal El-Mothar and Max Gladstone. Dr. Gibson and the host discuss gender fluid narratives, neurodivergent masculinity, and the cultural impact/importance of reading. Enjoy! Production Notes: Intro: 0:00-2:57 Update on Dr. Gibson's work: 2:58-10:35 Paris Trip Dr. Gibson's upcoming books The Basics of the book 10:36-21:15 Plot Synopsis Trivia Historical Context...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of Dr. Jaime Hartless Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Farmingdale State College returns to discuss the beauty and body horror of Coralie Fargeat's . The Host and Dr. Hartless talk Cronenberg, The 'Me Too' movement, the imposed shame/horror of the female body by patriarchal systems, and of course, the intersecting evils of Capitalism. Enjoy! Production Notes Intro: 0:00-2:55 Update on Dr. Hartless's research 2:56-5:13 Chapter 22: "From "Born This Witch" to "Bad Bitch Witch": A History of Witch Representation in...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, we're going back to school with the John Hughes 80's Classic: The Breakfast Club. joins the host to talk about high school cliques, peer group socialization, the criteria of an 80s teen comedy, "The John Hughes Effect", "The Brat Pack" and a lot more. It's time to stay after class, because we all have detention... (Yes, We know in the film it takes place on a Saturday!) Enjoy! Production Notes: Intro: 0:00-2:05 Basics of Shelley B. Woke 2:06-14:40 What they 'stan' for in Popular...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's guestless episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, The Host rounds out the 2025 Summer Movie season with the near 20 films they saw in the theater between the begining of May through the beginning of August 2025. Listen, as a raging metaphorical dumpster fire is miraculously saved by three films from Pedro Pascal, and a few hidden gem honorable mentions on select streaming services. Enjoy! Production Notes: Because this episode contains a list of films that will be gone over in detail, the usually meticulous production notes will be suspended. Note: All of the films...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, Dr. Hattie Earle, Senior Lecturer in English and Creattive Writing at Sheffield Hallam University and the author of the new book: joins the host for a frank discussion of Militarism in Comics. Discussion topics include: The importance of comics as a medium, the racialization of "the enemy other", and why Frank Castle, and those that emulate him, are simply...the worst. Enjoy! Production Notes: Intro: 0:00-2:10 The Basics of Dr. Earle 2:11-31:42 Dr. Earle "stans" for early Simpsons episodes ...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On This month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, Dr. Ted Preston Philosophy Professor at Rio Hondo College and the Host conclude their two-part discussion on John Rambo and The Rambo Franchise. Here in Part II The Host and Dr. Preston conclude their discussion on "The politics of The Rambo Franchise" asking the question "What makes Rambo, Rambo?" Before diving into the masculine representation of the iconic character, then looking into the franchise's legacy and its overall cultural relevance. Enjoy! Production Notes: Intro: 0:00-2:55 "Previously on The...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, return guest Dr. Ted Preston, Professor of Philosophy at Rio Hondo College and the host begin their two part discussion of John Rambo and The Rambo franchise. Here in Part 1, we first get an update on Dr. Preston's research before diving into the films. This first half focuses on their discussion of the basics of the films, franchise trivia and the first bit of historical relevance for the character and the series. The episode asks the question about what makes an 80's action film, how Rambo fits that criteria, and provides the...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this Month's Episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast Dr. Ellen Meiser, friend of the pod, Co-host of , Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and author of the new book: joins the host in discussing the dismal Dakota Johnson duology of 2015's Fifty Shades of Grey and 2024's Madame Web. We talk bad scipts, worse BDSM representation and why you should never trust fan fiction, or an IP cash Grab Production Notes: Intro: 0:00-2:24 Update on Dr. Meiser's work: 2:42-12:03 Her Piece in "The Conversation" Making it: Success in Commercial...
info_outlineThe Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, the Host gives their 2025 "State of Cinema Address". Topics include: The recinding of "The Paramount Decree" and its effect on the film industry, the 2025 Oscar Nominations, and an outlook into what listerners can expect through the rest of 2025. Enjoy! Production Notes Intro: 0:00-2:33 The New Studio System 2:34-25:12 The 2025 Oscar Nominations 25:13-31:07 50 Episodes of the Podcast 31:08-35:10 Outtro 35:11-37:08 Links
info_outlineOn this Month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, we are tackling Frances Ford Coppola The Godfather Saga with return guest, Dr. Ellen Meiser of The Social Breakdown Podcast. We talk about her recent publication in the Journal of Interpersonal violence titled "The Normalization of Violence in Commercial Kitchens through Food Media." with her Co-host Penn Pantumsinchi before going through each film of Coppola's Magnum Opus. We go through a lot of trivia, analysis of film culture, and a variety of historical events to answer the question whether or not this 'Saga' is a true trilogy, or more like a duology + an epilogue. Stick around for a variety of rants and a Sneek Peek at Dr. Meiser's Next Episode!
Production Notes:
Intro: (0:00- 2:14)
Basics of Dr. Meiser (2:15-11:00)
- The Newly Minted "Dr. Ellen"
- Discussion of Ellen's recent article
The Godfather Basics: (11:03-16:28)
- Production
- Awards
- Trivia
- Plot
The Godfather Historical Context: (16:32-27:26)
- 1970's New Wave of Film
- "Which Pacino, is YOUR Pacino?"
The Godfather Social Analysis (27:36-38:19)
- Version of King Lear
- Masculine Bible for Agro-Douche Bags
- Italian Immigration Representation
The Godfather II Basics: (38:37-43:27)
- Production
- Trivia
- Awards
- Plot
The Godfather II Historical Context: (43:42-55:03)
- McCarthy Hearing Parallel
- Short-term Historical Memory
- Reforming Political Monsters
- The Mob and Vegas
The Godfather II Social Analysis: (55:18-63:05)
- Solidifying the Italian American Stereotype
- Film becomes Aspirational Masculinity
- Do Creator's have the Burden of Interpretation?
- Celebrities and Alcohol
The Godfather III Basics: (63:20-75:15)
- Production
- Trivia
- Plot
- "Grape Squisher Scheme"
- "Don't You Remember me? I'm your Cousin."
The Godfather III Historical Context: (75:30-79:21)
- Pop Culture's Shaping of our Perceptions of History
The Godfather III Social Analysis: ( 79:39-89:03)
- "Pop Culture is Soft Power" Refresh
- "The Roshomon Effect"
Outro: (89:04-93:56)
- Ellen's Rankings
- Plugs
Links:
All Audio clips used under "Fair Use"