These Fists Break Stereotypes: How Martial Arts Films Changed Pop Culture, Hip Hip, Film, and Who Kids Saw as Heroes

What do Bruce Lee, Saturday morning cartoons, bootleg VHS tapes, and the birth of hip hop all have in common?Today on Up+Adam, we go full roundhouse into the cultural explosion that was the kung fu movie craze, and the two men who’ve written the definitive, illustrated, and absolutely jaw-dropping story behind it. Adam is joined by Grady Hendrix, bestselling author and co-founder of the New York Asian Film Festival, and Chris Poggiali, film historian and editor of the legendary Temple of Schlock, to talk about their new book: These Fists Break Bricks.From CIA-funded karate flicks to 10th-grade Black belts starring in Hong Kong films, from Enter the Dragon to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this convo is equal parts history lesson and nostalgic joyride. Even if martial arts movies weren’t your thing growing up, trust us, this one will hit you somewhere surprising. We talk pop culture, identity, myth-making, and the hidden heroes who helped build an entire genre, one flying kick at a time.• Grab the Book: These Fists Break Bricks – Revised & Expanded Hardcover Edition (2025) thesefistsbreakbricks.com• Follow the Authors: Grady Hendrix: @gradyhendrix  Chris Poggiali: Temple of Schlock Blog********Listen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Window Coverings By DesignWe Help You LegalGeneral Store Paso RoblesDaou VineyardsWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com