Kampfgefuehl Podcast

The bewildering to enchanting feeling of fighting together. With guests. Our monthly podcast explores the emotional sides of martial arts and untold stories. The research field of ‘Martial Arts Studies’ ( Citation: Bowman 2015 Bowman, P. (2015). Martial Arts Studies: Disrupting Disciplinary Boundaries. Rowman; Littlefield International. ) is full of these. It covers a broad interdisciplinary spectrum.

‘Studies of martial arts exist, in a wide variety of disciplines: in history, anthropology, psychology, area studies, sports studies, sociology, literary studies, peace studies, religious and philosophical studies, media studies, and film studies; even political economy and branches of medicine could be said to have a range of versions of martial arts studies.’ ( Citation: Bowman 2015, S. 3 Bowman, P. (2015). Martial Arts Studies: Disrupting Disciplinary Boundaries. Rowman; Littlefield International. )

Beyond this, however, the practice itself is a science in its own right, centred on the eternal struggle with emotions.

‘A boxer must exercise not only a constant inner surveillance over his feelings but also continual ›expressive control‹ over their external ›signaling‹ so as not to let his opponent know if and when punches hurt… ’ ( Citation: Wacquant 2004, S. 79 Wacquant, L. (2004). Body & Soul. Notebooks of an Apprentice Boxer. Oxford University Press. )

Our podcast is devoted to exploring and approaching these themes between field reports and academic analysis.

all episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcast or on our YouTube channel You can also go straight to the Kampfgefuehl RSS feed.

E16 Giovana — Speaking Out to Open a Conversation

Giovana describes her personal experience of regaining trust in her own body through martial arts. The conversation also explores expectations placed on girls in sport and experiences during training. More about E16 Giovana — Speaking Out to Open a Conversation…

E15 WolverineMMA — Looking Beyond Martial Arts Styles

Video podcaster WolverineMMA looks beyond the boundaries of individual martial arts styles. The conversation explores everyday practicality, habits shaped by rules, training goals and the potential usefulness of AI in martial arts. More about E15 WolverineMMA — Looking Beyond Martial Arts Styles…

E14 Huy Do Ngoc — Fighting for Democracy

Huy coaches his grappling group using a participatory approach. This episode of Kampfgefuehl explores what this way of organising training has to do with community, democracy and attitudes. More about E14 Huy Do Ngoc — Fighting for Democracy…

E13 Yvonne Lützkendorf — Developing an Attitude

Dance choreographer and studio director Yvonne Lützkendorf discusses ballet, modern dance and educational attitudes. Bodily experience, shared learning for different body types and elitism in training take centre stage. More about E13 Yvonne Lützkendorf — Developing an Attitude…

E12 Sebastian Otto — Wrestling and BJJ with Foresight

Wrestler and Jiu-Jitsu fighter Sebastian ‘Ottchen’ Otto shares his passion for martial arts. The conversation explores suffering and joy on the mat, continuity, foresight and international connections. More about E12 Sebastian Otto — Wrestling and BJJ with Foresight…

E11 Robert Claus — Regulating Martial Arts?

Robert Claus researches potential risks in sporting and martial arts environments. The conversation explores the instrumentalisation of MMA, European approaches to regulation and the values held by martial arts gyms. More about E11 Robert Claus — Regulating Martial Arts?…

E10 Kevin Körting — From Kickboxing to the Stage

A reunion after more than 25 years: Kevin Körting recalls his youth in the ‘baseball bat years’ and a journey that took him from kickboxing through many stages to theatre in Cologne. More about E10 Kevin Körting — From Kickboxing to the Stage…

E09 Sunny — From Punk Rock MMA to Sumo

Sunny from Attitude Sports discusses martial arts and combat sports grounded in reality. Personal experiences of politically motivated violence shape his perspective on practical application and attitudes in sport. More about E09 Sunny — From Punk Rock MMA to Sumo…

E08 Mestra Lisette Spaargaren — Energy and Structure

Mestra Lisette Spaargaren brings together her experiences in Capoeira and Shaolin Kung Fu with a reflective view of her work. The conversation explores energy, structure and networks of trust and expertise. More about E08 Mestra Lisette Spaargaren — Energy and Structure…

E07 Hans-Jürgen Neumann — Reclaiming Spaces with Capoeira

Hans-Jürgen Neumann describes his social engagement in Thuringia before and after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The conversation explores Capoeira, personal encounters and educational work against far-right radicalism. More about E07 Hans-Jürgen Neumann — Reclaiming Spaces with Capoeira…

E06 Body, Mind and Violence — A Research Topic

An academic lecture on obstacles in martial arts, with an outlook on educational potential and recommendations for action. Christian Köhler-Warmbrunn connects anthropological research with cultural criticism and questions the martial arts scene’s narrowing commercial focus. More about E06 Body, Mind and Violence — A Research Topic…

E05 Sebastian Pahlsberg — Risk, Closeness, Learning Success

PE teacher Mr Pahlsberg challenges Jean-Claude van Damme to a duel! Sebastian Pahlsberg discusses his love of MMA, learning experiences and why martial arts in school lessons could make the world a little better. More about E05 Sebastian Pahlsberg — Risk, Closeness, Learning Success…

E04 Clara-Sophia Müller — Martial Arts, Critical, Clara

A podcast conversation with Clara Sophia-Müller about critical sport, the social influence of martial arts and scholarly analysis. Her field study and a nuanced view of contradictions in martial arts take centre stage. More about E04 Clara-Sophia Müller — Martial Arts, Critical, Clara…

E03 Max Behrbalk — MMA in a Controlled Setting

MMA fighter and coach Max describes his path into what he considers the most complete martial art. The controlled setting of competition contrasts with his childhood experiences. Perseverance also helps him in life. More about E03 Max Behrbalk — MMA in a Controlled Setting…

E02 Dayela — Capoeira, Joy in Movement and Critiquing Hierarchies

Christian and Dayela discuss Capoeira, the power of movement and paths to empowerment. A fierce urge to move and the joy of movement accompany Dayela’s personal struggle to strengthen the ego in order to move beyond focusing on it. More about E02 Dayela — Capoeira, Joy in Movement and Critiquing Hierarchies…

E01 Martin Bissinger — Leaving the Far-Right Scene

Christian meets his first guest on the monthly Kampfgefuehl podcast: Martin Bissinger talks about his far-right past, the lengthy process of leaving an increasingly differentiated scene and the joy of martial arts. _What does the positive feeling ‘on the mat’ have to do with self-reflection? More about E01 Martin Bissinger — Leaving the Far-Right Scene…

Literature

Bowman, P. (2015). Martial Arts Studies: Disrupting Disciplinary Boundaries. Rowman; Littlefield International.

Wacquant, L. (2004). Body & Soul. Notebooks of an Apprentice Boxer. Oxford University Press.