Episode 20: The Nic Cage Episode with Dr. Courtenay Stallings
The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
Release Date: 06/23/2022
Episode 62: The Zone of Interest with Dr. Courtenay Stallings
The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast Dr. Courtenay Stallings of Pepperdine University returns to discuss Jonathan Glazer's 2023 Harrowingly dramatic period piece, The Zone of Interest. Discussion topics include: 'death thrifting' the banality of evil and historical parallels with the current political climate Enjoy! Production Notes: Intro: (0:00-2:13) On the Death of David Lynch: (2:14-12:39) Grief and parasocial relationships Eulogizing David Lynch through Qualitative Research Update on Dr. Stallings Work (12:40-18:05) Other...
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Episode 61: Mountainhead with Dr. Ellen Meiser
The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this Month's Episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, we tackle the Succession-like satire, Mountainhead. Return guest and friend of the pod Dr. Ellen Meiser and the host discuss masculinity, AI generated dystopias-how these things impact the perception of intellegence and our ability to critically think. Enjoy! Production Notes Intro: 0:00-2:28 Update on Dr. Meiser's Research 2:29-7:55 Discussion Kitchen Capital Basics of the Film 7:56-12:31 Production Plot Synopsis ...
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Episode 60: The Dojo's 2026 State of Cinema Address
The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, the Host gives their 2026 "State of Cinema Address". Topics include: AI in Filmmaking, the 2026 Oscar Nominations, and an outlook on the rest of the upcoming 2026 film slate. Enjoy! Production Notes Intro: 0:00-1:09 Basics of the Address 1:10-3:32 AI in Filmmaking Analyisis 3:33-31:46 The 2026 Oscar Nominations 31:47-46:27 The rest of the 2026 Film Slate 46:28-53:36 Outtro 53:-37-55:00 Notes '
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Episode 59: The Dojo's Top Ten Films of 2025
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...
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Episode 58: This Is How You Lose The Time War with Dr. Rebecca Gibson
The 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...
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Episode 57: The Substance with Dr. Jaime Hartless
The 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...
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Episode 56: The Breakfast Club with Shelley B. Woke
The 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...
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Episode 55: The Dojo's 2025 Summer Movie Round-Up
The 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...
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Episode 54: Militarism in Comics with Dr. Hattie Earle
The 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 ...
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Episode 53: The Rambo Franchise Part II with Dr. Ted Preston
The 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_outlineThis month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast we embrace the Chaos of Nic Cage. Dr. Courtenay Stallings of Pepperdine University and I talk through the cultural icon of Nic Cage by curating three unique films from his long and varied career. We talk about the difficulty of Parenting, The Rape Culture, and the healing from Grief, loss, and Trauma. Enjoy!
Intro and Format specifications (0:00-4:00)'
- Disclaimer and set up
Dr. Stallings and Brian's Relationship with Cage (4:12-12:12)
- 'Raising Arizona' as an Inception point
- Naturalism vs. Nicolas Cage
- From Hate to Love
- "The Contest"
- Mandy Love
Cultural Context of Nic Cage (12:13-23:27)
- The Cultural consumption of an Icon
- From Meme to Movies
- Persona creation and Consumption
- Nic Cage is Cinema
Raising Arizona 24:10-47:32
- Basic Plot
- Parenting, Childcare and the Formula shortage paralell
- Does Comedy dilute Social messages
- Coens and Cage
- Best Scenes
Vampire's Kiss (47:55-73.06)
- Basics of the Film
- WTF?
- Meme Generator
- Experimentation
- Double Feature with American Psycho
- Nic Cage and the Rape Culture
- Brian's 10 min rule for Nic Cage Films
- Best Scenes
Pig (73:40-95:04)
- Assumptions of Plot
- Subverting expectations
- The Subtle Cage
- Healing from Grief Loss and Trauma
- Best Scenes
Final Takaways (95:05-100:23)
- Honorable Mentions
Plugs and Outtro (100:24-102:13)
All clips were used under fair use.
Links
Dr. Stallings on Twitter @CourtenayCal
National Treasure: Nicolas Cage by Lindsy Gibb
The Age of Cage by Keith Phipps