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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 ...
info_outline
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_outline
Episode 52: The Rambo Franchise Part I with Dr. Ted Preston
The 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_outline
Episode 51: Madame Grey's Fifty Shades of Web with Dr. Ellen Meiser
The 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_outline
Episode 50: The Dojo's 2025 State of Cinema Address
The 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_outlineThis month on The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, we are celebrating the season with our first annual Holiday Episode. To that end, every year we will be talking Winter Holiday content. This year, Dr. Liz Faber, Assistant Professor of English and Communication at Dean College and Recipiant of the Emily Toth Award for best Best Single Work in Women's Studies for their first book: The Computer's Voice From Star Trek to Siri, graciously comes back on the pod to kick off this anaugral yultide swaray with an analysis of the 1984 Christmas/Horror Classic: Gremlins. Get ready for a onversation that spans a variety of subjects: alegorical childhood, cauthionary tales, What makes a Christmas Movie?, Dark 80's Children's stories, and of course: bright lights, water, and midnight snacks. Enjoy!
Production Notes:
Intro: 0:00-2:59
- Value of a Vest
Dr. Faber's Research Update: (3:00-22:30)
- Dr. Faber's Upcoming Second book: Robot Suicide (2023)
- Dr. Faber's Upcoming Third book: Under the Misiletoe: Holiday Romance and Pop Culture (2024)
- Holiday Movie Plot similarities
- Dr. Faber's Chapter on Christmas Horror Tropes
- Criteria for Christmas Films vs. Films Set at Christmas
- Dr. Fber's Holiday Film Rankings
Basics of Gremlins: (1984) (22:31-42:39)
- Plot Summary
- Trivia from IMDB
- General Themes
- Bagging on Gremlins 2
Historical Context: (42:40-65:08)
- Biographical History with the Film
- "Dark" 80's Children's Films
- Gremlins as a manifestation of 1950's Xenophobic Anxieties
- Racist orientalism and Assimilation Narratives
- The Film's mixed messages on Capitalism
- The "Spielbergization" of Nostalgia
Social Analysis: (65:09-98:43)
- Gremlins as an allegory for Childhood Part 1
- The Gender Politics of Gremlins
- Gremlins as an allegory for Childhood Part II
- Learning From Pop Culture
- Predictions for Gremlins 3
- Attacks on Representation
- Racist Orientalism Part II
- "We are all Gremlins,"
Outtro (98:44-103:39)
- Plugs
- Socials
Stick Around For:
- The Continued Bagging on Indiana Jones ( See Blackbeard/Cutthroat Island Episode)
- Another NFT Rant ( See The Matrix Francise Episode)
- Brian and Dr. Faber Canceling Themselves, and trying to cover it up ;) LOL
Links:
- Dr. Faber's Twitter @LizWFab
- Buy their Award Winning Book: The Computer's Voice: From Star Trek to Siri
- Dr. Faber's Website
- Dr. Faber's First Apperance: Episode 6: Star Trek: First Contact ( Where we talk about The Computer's Voice)
- Dr. Faber's Second Apperance: Episode 16: The Terminator Franchise ( Where we talk about Robot Suicide)
- Dr. Faber's Third Apperance: Episode 22: Dr. Liz and Dr. Leigh's Star Trek Academy Featuring Dr. Leigh McKagen
- Follow the Blog and Podcast @thesociologistS
- The Sociologist's Dojo Blog
All Audio Clips were used under Faire Use for Comment and Criticism
- Simpsons "See My Vest"
- Anna and the Apocalypse " Turning my Life Around"
- Muppet Christmas Carol " It Feels like Christmas"
- The Gremlins suite
- Gremlins film clips: Billy's mom v. Gremlins, Gerald in the bank, Mrs. Deale Death, The Bar Scene
- Everything Everywhere All At Once Clip " The Parking Lot Scene"
- Ferrell and Reily as Bowie and Crosby singing " Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy"