Episode 63: The Karate Kid Franchise Part I with Dr. Ted Preston
The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
Release Date: 05/22/2026
Episode 64: The Karate Kid 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 Professor of Philosophy at Rio Hondo College and the Host conclude their discussion of "The Miyagi-verse" and The Karate Kid Franchise. Listen to Here in Part II: The Host and Dr. Preston discuss the 80's commodification of the series, Terry Silver's embodiment of 80's Cocaine-fueled corporate villainy, and the depictions of Vietnam before looking at the displays of masculinity, and the representations of social class and parental/mentor forms of socialization. We lock-in during this second Part. Enjoy. ...
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Episode 63: The Karate Kid Franchise Part I with Dr. Ted Preston
The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast
On this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, Dr. Ted Preston, Professor of Philosophy at Rio Hondo College returns for another Franchise deep-dive. This time, our sights are set on The Karate Kid. Here in Part 1, of this two part episode, we catch up with Dr. Preston's teaching/research and take a biographical detour or two as we discuss the Franchise's basics, its contribution to the 80's "Karate Craze" and its surprising representation of the consequences of Japanese Internment during WWII in earlier installments. This first episode has a long runway and can meander a bit. But...
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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...
info_outlineOn this month's episode of The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, Dr. Ted Preston, Professor of Philosophy at Rio Hondo College returns for another Franchise deep-dive. This time, our sights are set on The Karate Kid.
Here in Part 1, of this two part episode, we catch up with Dr. Preston's teaching/research and take a biographical detour or two as we discuss the Franchise's basics, its contribution to the 80's "Karate Craze" and its surprising representation of the consequences of Japanese Internment during WWII in earlier installments.
This first episode has a long runway and can meander a bit. But the conversation is so good that you'll find it worthwhile.
The conclusion of this conversation will be released with Part II in Mid-June. Stay Tuned.
Production Notes:
Intro: 0:00-4:18
- Producer's Note- A two-part episode
- Recording Date Jan 2026
Catching up with Dr. Preston's work 4:19-7:17
- Practical Stoicism
The Basics of The Karate Kid Franchise 7:18-28:50
- Disclaimer: We're Academic Fans not published schloars on The Karate Kid
- The Components of "The Miyagi-verse"
- Tangent 1 "Legacy Franchises"
- The Soft Power of the Franchise
- Cinematic catnip for mediocre, middle aged, straight white men.
Historical Context (Part 1) 28:51-122:09
- Biographical Context: Dr. Preston: Karate on the Playground
- Tangent 2 "The Problem with Streaming Content and escalation of the films and series"
- Biographical Context: Brian's Frenetic Franchise viewing order
- A Karate Soap Opera ( A WWE Comparison)
- Tangent 3 "Daniel misinterpreting Miyagi's lessons"
- A Gap in Storytelling between the Original films and Cobra Kai
- The inception and creation of Cobra Kai: a cultural product
- Tangent 4 "The Martial Arts of the Show"
- The Film's impact on "The 80's Karate Craze"
- Reckoning with Japanese Internment in an underdog film about bullying
Outtro 122:10-122:54
- Next Episode: Episode 64: The Karate Kid Franchise Part II with Dr. Ted Preston
All clips used under Faire Use
Links:
- All the Franchise Trailers
- "Sweep the Leg" No Nore Kings
- Bro Mitzvah episode "HIMYM"
- Daniel is the Real Bully video essay
- The Karate Kid Cartoon Opening
- Van Damme Scream Bloodsport
- The Karate Kid clips: Clip 1 Clip 2 Clip 3 Clip 4
- Wax On: 'The Karate Kid' and Me by Ralph Macchio