Best Conversations On Karate Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 93 - Ryuho Ryu with Sensei Scot Mertz 1:21:58

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5d ago1:21:58

1:21:58

In this episode we are joined by Sensei Scot Mertz, practitioner of Goju Ryu, Kojo Ryu, Karate researcher and historian, and the founder of Ryuho Ryu. We dive deep into some Karate myths, styles, kata, curriculum and so much more. Hope you enjoy this one! Socials and Merch https://www.instagram.com/glynham1990 https://www.instagram.com/ conversatio…

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Bridezillas and Quiz Traps 27:49

41m ago27:49

27:49

Ben and Amory share stories about potential pettiness from Reddit. Ben shares a post from r/weddinshaming post about a bride who changed her wedding to a weekday in another state. Amory counters with a teacher who used AI to foil his student's cheating. Petty or just? You be the judge. Credits: This episode was produced by Frannie Monahan. It was c…

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Was Charlie Kirk's Assassination Good for Israel? 36:32

6h ago36:32

36:32

Charlie Kirk’s assassination isn’t just another headline. It’s a political earthquake.And here’s the part no one dares to say out loud: his death was good for Israel. This video unpacks the timing, the foreign interests, and the eerie historical echoes — from JFK’s showdown with Ben-Gurion over Israel’s nuclear ambitions, to today’s convenient sile…

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British Army Colonel Arrested in London, with Chris Romberg 1:31:21

4h ago1:31:21

1:31:21

British Army Colonel, son of Holocaust survivors, was arrested in London for holding a placard that said: ‘I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action. Chris Romberg — 75 years old, former defence attaché in Egypt and Jordan, son of Holocaust survivors — was among the 522 people arrested at a peaceful protest in Parliament Square after the UK gov…

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An Interview with an Old Friend - Sensei Eddie Kiesel 23:37

2d ago23:37

23:37

What fun it is to run into someone you haven't seen in decades. That serendipity led us to this interview where we catch up on old times, look forward, and talk about Martial Arts. It turned out that a kobudo weapon was one of his favorite weapons. We did 3 episodes on Kobudo weapons. Here's the episode where we introduce them: https://www.buzzspro…

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Losing Our Marbles 37:00

5d ago37:00

37:00

In 2020, Jenna Marbles — one of the most popular YouTube creators of all time —posted her last video. Five years later, her devoted fanbase still wonders: where is she, and is she okay? We investigate the mystery behind one of YouTube's biggest disappearances, and why people still care so much. Show notes: r/JennaMarbles (Reddit) The Best, Fakest, …

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Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: Who Really Benefitted? #2 23:29

9d ago23:29

23:29

Charlie Kirk is dead. But the bigger story is what happened in the hours after the shot was fired. Tributes from Trump and Netanyahu rolled out in sync. Israeli media went into overdrive. The White House promised the Medal of Freedom. And suddenly, a fractured American right was re-stitched together under the banner of “shared grief.” This video di…

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Overcome Unkindness with Compassion - Lao Tzu 24:22

10d ago24:22

24:22

Another page from the 365 Days of the Warrior book by Master Kelljchian and Sensei Tracey. (Buy it on Amazon!). This week they reference Lao Tzu. As usual, the conversation goes everywhere. One idea we visit is balance. Here is the episode we did on Master Brown's saying "A karateman's pride is his balance." https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episod…

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WDP 160 - Iryna Zarutska and Charlie Kirk 51:38

11d ago51:38

51:38

I didn't feel like doing this episode, but several of my Patrons contacted me privately and asked me to release it. So here goes. The links I mentioned are at http://www.wimsblog.com/160 Support the podcast and get instant access to dozens of bonus episodes and HUNDREDS of exclusive videos: https://www.patreon.com/wimdemeere New book/video email no…

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Charlie Kirk' Assassinated! Who Benefits? 22:54

13d ago22:54

22:54

Charlie Kirk’s assassination isn’t just a tragedy — it’s a script. Within 20 minutes, Netanyahu had a eulogy online. Within an hour, U.S. media had already pinned blame on the left. Too fast. Too clean. Too rehearsed. This deep-dive connects the dots between Kirk’s killing and a long history of “strategy of tension” politics — from Operation Gladio…

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Message In A Laptop 24:24

12d ago24:24

24:24

What is your relationship with the trash heap of digital history? Can you still connect your old hard drives? Still sifting through your old photos in the cloud? Do you ever low key snoop in the old electronics of other people, searching for treasure? That's what Noah Simmons was doing a while back when he discovered something compelling in its sim…

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How Katana are Made 22:39

16d ago22:39

22:39

We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed earning about it and sharing it with you. With Sensei Derek's help, we cover the making of katana - everything from history to parts to quotes. Of course we mention our episode on the katana. Here it is in case you missed it: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/4878146 And, like every…

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Encore: The Internet's Most Hated Bird 39:47

19d ago39:47

39:47

As summer fades away, we bring you an encore episode about you shoreline companions and occasional bullies — gulls. Gulls are not beloved creatures. Consult social media, where they are deemed relentless, dirty pests who steal our food and crowd our beaches. As one TikTok user puts it, "Seagulls are the worst animals to ever exist." Such hatred ove…

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Was JFK’s Assassination Good for Israel? Ken McCarty on Hidden History & Zionist Power 1:31:35

21d ago1:31:35

1:31:35

🚨 What if JFK had lived? Would America’s relationship with Israel—and the Middle East—be unrecognizable today? Ken McCarty’s explosive research argues Kennedy’s assassination was good for Israel 🇮🇱, erasing his resistance to Zionist extremism and paving the way for policy shifts… and cover-ups like the USS Liberty ⚓. In this hard-hitting interview,…

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From the Code of the Samurai to Modern Warrior Philosophy - An Archived Episode 22:23

23d ago22:23

22:23

In this episode from 2020 we laugh more than we should as we tackle the idea that the code of behavior for ancient warriors still applies to karateka today. It turned out to be so much information than we expected. So we had to add a part 2. Click here to hear part 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/3753623 And we refer to the very first…

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Episode 92 - Evolution 50:46

25d ago50:46

50:46

In this episode it’s a throw back to the early days as Greg and Sue chit chat about anything and everything, including how Greg has evolved as a martial artist over the years since the podcast started. Socials and Merch https://www.instagram.com/glynham1990 https://www.instagram.com/ conversations_on_karate https://twitter.com/convokarate?s=21 http…

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Introducing "Jaws Island" 31:46

26d ago31:46

31:46

Dun dun... This week, on Endless Thread... dun dun... something new is here... dun dun dun dun... a podcast mini-series about the 50th anniversary of the cinematic classic... DUN dun dun dun DUN dun dun dun..."Jaws!" Part 1 of this mini-series, Jaws Island, is right here, right now, and it's all about the "finatics" (yes, that's what they call them…

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Life in the West Bank: Culture, Survival & the Threat of Settler Violence 1:15:01

28d ago1:15:01

1:15:01

🔔 A 93-year-old Palestinian woman tells the story of an entire people. Born in Jaffa before the Nakba, she has lived through exile, war, and decades of Israeli occupation. She’s a pianist, composer, educator, and cultural leader—yet every step outside her home in Ramallah carries the risk of being targeted, whether by soldiers in uniform or by arme…

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A Fun Interview with Elba "Cookie" Melendez 23:33

30d ago23:33

23:33

One of the great parts of recording this podcast is the amazing people we meet. Hanshi Melendez is a perfect example. She was So much fun to talk with. We met her through Hanshi Seymour. Jic you missed Hanshi Seymour's interview back in January, here it is: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/16424997 In the beginning of the show, we say tha…

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AI and Relationships, Part 2: AI Therapists and Bot Boyfriends 30:12

1M ago30:12

30:12

What happens when we outsource aspects of our most personal moments to machines? In the second installment of our two-part series on AI and relationships, we hear from Rhiannon Williams, a reporter for MIT Technology Review who spoke to people all over the world about how they're using AI to relate to their loved ones, including a man who turns to …

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An Israeli Daughter Confronts Her Father’s Role in the Tantura massacre from 1948 - with Yael 1:02:25

1M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

❓What happens when the daughter of an Israeli soldier involved in one of Palestine’s most harrowing massacres decides to speak out? 👩‍⚕️ Yael is a psychologist living in self-imposed exile in London. Her journey is unlike any other: from growing up inside the heart of Israeli society, to experiencing a profound break with Zionist ideology — a shift…

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Kids Taught Us More Than We Taught them; A Master Kelljchian Adage 22:27

1M ago22:27

22:27

This adage from Master Kelljchian himself, and written in his book 365 Days of the Warrior, spoke to me, Sensei Jackie and Sensei Lydia - so we had to visit it in a little detail. It's jam packed with stories and what each one of us think he meant when he shared it with us. After you listen, share your thoughts with us. (And your stories from teach…

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YOU are the Target in NATO's Cognitive Warfare Program - with Thomas Fazi 1:24:52

1M ago1:24:52

1:24:52

🧨 He’s being silenced—for opposing NATO’s war narrative. Now he speaks out. Journalist and political analyst Thomas Fazi is one of the few public intellectuals in Europe willing to expose how NATO, the EU, and Western governments are manufacturing consent for endless war—and how dissenters like him are targeted, digitally suffocated, and defamed. 🎯…

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AI and Relationships, Part 1: Into the Woods 28:12

1M ago28:12

28:12

Amir Mizroch spent years deconstructing fairy tales for his children — and thinking that maybe, he could create something out of his analysis and storytelling for a wider audience. In the first episode of our two-part series on AI and relationships, we hear what Amir finally created, and explore the questions it raises about connection in the digit…

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Aircraft of WW1 22:02

1M ago22:02

22:02

How lucky to have both Sensei Jay (the voice of the opening and closing) and Sensei Landyn join myself and Sensei Jackie today. I learned so much. We refer to our episode on Pappy Boyington (from WW 2). In case you missed it, here's a link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/16773944 And at the very start of the show, we mention an episode …

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WDP 159 - Maija Soderholm 1:29:26

2M ago1:29:26

1:29:26

Maija Soderholm is the lineage holder of the Visayan Style of Maestro Sonny Umpad, a Bagua Zhang teacher and author of multiple books. We first talk about how to get along in these polarized times but also cover the books she wrote since last we spoke. Part 2 with Patreon members Q&A is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/136043693 Enjoy! Support t…

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Bootcamp for Men: from betas to alphas 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

In the past few years, videos from a new kind of camp have begun circulating the internet. They feature men participating in a variety of bizarre activities: from aggressively digging holes under floodlights, to collectively wailing in a pool of water. These are man camps, where men can pay up to $18,000 to undergo extreme boot-camp-like conditioni…

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The American Empire Is Losing Control - with Scott Horton 1:34:34

2M ago1:34:34

1:34:34

They say America’s greatest export is freedom—but Scott Horton would argue it’s war, wrapped in freedom's packaging and sold at gunpoint. In this rare and unfiltered conversation, Scott takes aim at the bipartisan machine of empire: how the U.S. is barreling toward war with China 🇨🇳, why “unintended consequences” are always the point, and what happ…

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Episode 91 - Legends of Karate Roundtable with Hanshi Patrick McCarthy & Sensei Joe Swift 3:29:39

2M ago3:29:39

3:29:39

We are honoured to be joined in this episode by not one but two legends of Karate in this special roundtable discussion! Hanshi Patrick McCarthy and Sensei Joe Swift join us to chat about Karate history, rare kata, martial arts research and much much more. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did! Socials and Merch https://www.instagram.com/gly…

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Interview with Ellen Kanner - Author of Miami Vegan 23:54

2M ago23:54

23:54

Last year we aired a couple of episodes on nutrition. Since then, we've been hoping to get a vegan point of view. Boy did we get lucky to be introduced to Ellen Kanner. (Thanks Sensei Tracey) She's funny, knowledgeable and full of great ideas. If you love cooking - you'll be surprised at all the options. Even if you have no interest in becoming a p…

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Kisscams, ratcams, Barbra Streisand 24:45

2M ago24:45

24:45

On this week's Endless Thread, host Ben Brock Johnson and producer Grace Tatter bring us two stories about the power of livestreams – one from the Coldplay concert box seats, and another from a notorious rat corridor in Brooklyn, NYC. Show notes: What's the deal with "Astronomer" CEO and CPO affair? (Reddit) A Crown Heights Building's Rat Infestati…

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How America is Preparing for War with China - with fmr. Foreign Minister of Malta Evarist Bartolo 1:20:57

2M ago1:20:57

1:20:57

⚠️ Evarist Bartolo — veteran Maltese diplomat, educator, and former Foreign Minister — joins us for a rare, wide-ranging conversation on global power, quiet diplomacy, and the unique position of small states in a world dominated by giants. From his front-row seat in Malta’s complex balancing act between NATO, the EU, and constitutional neutrality, …

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Disagree With the Government? Say Goodbye to Your Money! 39:03

2M ago39:03

39:03

🧠 They’re building a new financial control system—and you are already in it. In this deep dive, I expose how Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), AI-powered surveillance, and silent financial blacklists are merging into a new system of control—one that punishes not what you do, but what you think and believe. You’ll see how dissent is being pri…

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Patience as a Super Power 24:29

2M ago24:29

24:29

Anytime we get to spend a few minutes with our friend Hanshi TD McKinnon, life is special. In this episode, his words on patience are truly inspiring. If you don’t know Hanshi McKinnon, check out these links. The first one is our introduction to him back in 2021: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/8625686 And this episode features Hanshi di…

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Nick's Back! 1:37:42

2M ago1:37:42

1:37:42

After our little (!) hiatus, Nick Regnier (Aikidoka and returning Karateka) and Craig catch up on all the things that have happened with Nick since the initial Nick/Craig Budo Etc. Podcast three part series a few years ago. Check out Nick @aspireaikidolondon on Instagram, https://www.aspireaikidolondon.co.uk/ and, of course, his YouTube channel htt…

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Thinking Outside the Dox: What 'consensual doxing' can teach us about internet privacy 29:34

2M ago29:34

29:34

Kristen Sotakoun (@notkahnjunior on TikTok) says she has always been 'the FBI of the friend group' – that person you can count on to dig up the juicy details on anyone's social media. It's a skillset that has earned her millions upon millions of views on TikTok in a series she has dubbed 'consensual doxing.' In her videos, Kristen completes challen…

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Censored Truth: An Investigative Journalist Is Under Fire for His War Reporting - with Patrik Baab 1:23:08

2M ago1:23:08

1:23:08

📥 Investigative journalist Patrick Baab walks straight into the eye of the storm—reporting from war zones, challenging Western orthodoxy, and paying the price for it.In this explosive interview, we discuss: * His independent reporting from Russia and Ukraine * The political backlash he’s facing in Germany * NATO’s quiet march toward confrontation w…

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How Trump Prepares America For War With China 47:50

2M ago47:50

47:50

The U.S. says it doesn’t want war with China. But the trillion-dollar budgets, the arms deals, the troop deployments, and the rising drumbeat of “deterrence” say otherwise. In this exposé, we cut through the Pentagon press releases and media talking points to ask the real questions: 📌 Who's driving this new Cold War—and why? 📌 Why are think tanks, …

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Rumble in the Bronx - Movie Review 22:07

2M ago22:07

22:07

Summer fun is here and we're going to the (home) movies. Spoiler Alert - we recommend this movie even though it is 30 years old. First, I want to give credit to the Fushu Daiko Drummers for the change in the opening sounds. We recommend you follow them on Facebook and experience them live. They're amazing. Listen to our Fushu Daiko interview here: …

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There's a new emoji for sadness :( 24:11

2M ago24:11

24:11

What does the thumbs-up emoji mean to you? Or the wilted rose? The meanings of emojis are limitless and can differ across social groups or generations. On this episode of Endless Thread, Ben and Amory discuss two stories about how certain emojis have taken on surprising meanings. Show notes: * Here’s why the Aerial Tramway Emoji is suddenly in ever…

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We Provoked Putin: How the UK Sabotaged Peace with Russia - with Ex UK diplomat Ian Proud 1:00:42

2M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

In this frank interview, Ian Proud, former UK diplomat and author of A Misfit in Moscow, takes us deep inside the corridors of power—and dysfunction—during Britain’s tense standoff with Russia between 2014 and 2019. Proud reveals how misguided Western diplomacy, arrogant posturing, and a refusal to engage seriously with Moscow helped set the stage …

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Episode 90 - The return of KEN FU 2:09:41

2M ago2:09:41

2:09:41

There have been many returns in pop culture over the years, the Jedi, the King, the living dead….but none of them compare to the return of our dear friend Ken of Kenfu TV! Not only is Ken back on the podcast but he’s back on YouTube as well. In this one we chat about everything Ken’s transformative year dealing with dojo changes, training adjustmen…

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Unheard Till Now - Mistakes, Stories and Surprises 21:44

3M ago21:44

21:44

In earlier episodes we called these our blooper reels. They have grown into a place where we revisit friends and subjects we covered in the last 6 months. This summer is a blockbuster, as they say. So many excuses to look at episodes you might have missed. For example we talk about our episode on Wabi Sabi. We did 2 episodes on it. Here's the lates…

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WDP 158 - Prof. Eric Parsons 1:21:43

2M ago1:21:43

1:21:43

Eric Parsons is a professor of economics. We talk about how economics works and how the average citizen can benefit from understanding it. He also shares his experience as a Goju Ryu Karate black belt teaching in Africa. The links mentioned are here at the shownotes page: http://www.wimsblog.com/158 Part 2 with Patreon members Q&A is here: https://…

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How Europe Is Preparing for War 34:19

3M ago34:19

34:19

⚠️ What if Europe’s biggest threat isn’t Moscow or Beijing—but Brussels? In this explosive video, we unpack how unelected EU officials like Kaja Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen are dragging Europe into a two-front confrontation—with Russia in Ukraine and China in the Pacific—without any serious democratic debate, public mandate, or exit strategy. W…

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Why it feels like it rains every weekend 21:37

3M ago21:37

21:37

If you feel like it's been raining a lot on the weekends this summer, you're not alone. A couple months ago, we noticed a thread on r/boston asking why? So, we enlisted the help of one of our WBUR colleagues, Climate and Environment Corespondent Barbara Moran to clear things up once and for all. Show notes: Rain Every Weekend??? (Reddit) OMG, why i…

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Expelled, Arrested, Charged: What Happens When You Criticize Power 1:04:00

3M ago1:04:00

1:04:00

🔥 Tony Greenstein: From Labour Expulsion to Terror Charges — What the Media Won’t Tell You In this explosive and frank conversation, I sit down with veteran activist Tony Greenstein—co-founder of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, long-time anti-Zionist, and a relentless critic of both Israeli apartheid and British political cowardice. Tony walks u…

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Samurai Armor 22:31

3M ago22:31

22:31

Welcome to the second episode on Armor. Today it is Samurai Armor. Of course Sensei Jackie, Sensei Landyn and I had so many tangents while discussing this subject. Mostly about weapons through the centuries. And of course we've done episodes on so many of the weapons. Let's start with the swords. Here's a link to our first episode on swords. (There…

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Episodes We Love: How to Fight a Shark 37:08

3M ago37:08

37:08

This episode originally aired on July 12, 2024. It has been updated to more clearly represent communication with Kayleigh Grant about a conversation with Kristian Parton. When Endless Thread producer Grace Tatter heard a friend assert that she could ward off a shark because of TikTok, Grace was both concerned for her friend's safety, and curious. W…

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Episode 89.5 - All star conversations (Part 1) with Randel Davis 1:58:08

3M ago1:58:08

1:58:08

Today we're joined once again by one host of the Kung Fu Conversations podcast, Randel Davis. We talk curriculum, training, teaching and Superman! Keep an eye out for part 2 coming soon when we have Randel again to review the upcoming Superman movie. Hope you enjoy this one! Check out Randel on his Instagram and his podcast! https://open.spotify.co…