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The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast

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  2. Episode 63: The Karate Kid Franchise Part I with Dr. Ted Preston

Episode 63: The Karate Kid Franchise Part I with Dr. Ted Preston

May 22, 2026

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 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 

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