Episode 30: House of the Dragon with Dr. Simone Kolysh

Apr 21, 2023

This month on The Sociologist's Dojo Podcast, we are traveling to Westeros. The host is joined by Sociologist Dr. Simone Kolysh author of Everyday Violence: The Public Harassment of Women and LGBTQ People to talk the Game of Thrones prequel Series: "House of the Dragon". After an engrossing conversation about Dr. Kolysh's book, we dive into the series discussing everything from: Fantasy shows as shields for misogyny and canvas for contemporary criticism, to the power of media to create change, and the cyclical nature of social justice battles...plus dragons :)   

Intro: 0:00-2:08

Basics of Dr. Kolysh: 2:09-6:40

• Background in Medicine and Public Health
• How they found Sociology 

Discussion of 'Everyday Violence' 6:45-38:17

• Research Basics
• Intersectionality and Street Harrassment 
• Being Oppressor and Victim at the same time 
• Compounding and Cumulative Trauma 
• "Weathering"- The Body Keeps Score 
• Validation and Dysphoria through Harrassment 
• Free Speech as a shield protecting Hate and Violence

Basics of 'House of the Dragon' 38:18-41:00

• Dr. Kolysh's experience with the show and GOT

Historical Context: 41:47-57:46

• Fantasy shows a a shield for misogyny 
• Through a 2023 lens 
• Using Characters as discriptors for Current Political Figures 
• The Powerful's use of Pop Culture 

Social Analysis: 58:00-85:54

• Classism: Ruling Class Civil War
• "Men would rather Torch the Relm..."
• The Cyclical Nature of Social Justice Battles 
• The power of the media to make change 
• House Velaryon
• The value in gratuitous birthing scenes 

Outtro: 85:57-90:15

• Plugs 
• Stage of Research for Dr. Kolysh's new book.

Links

• SimoneKolysh.com 
• Follow them on Twitter @SimoneKolysh 
• Follow the Sociologist's Dojo on Twitter: @TheSociologistS
• Read the Blog at The Sociologist's Dojo