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The OD’ing on Movies Podcast returns with a new episode and a special guest. Hosts Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson bring their signature blend of cinema commentary and optometry culture, this time joined by optometrist and creator of Circle of Least Confusion, Dr. Steven Soong.
Fresh off meeting up at Academy and catching a movie together, the trio sits down to talk about the film One Battle After Another, Steven’s path into optometry, sneaker culture, and building one of the most recognizable brands in the profession.
Topics Covered
From Academy to the Big Screen
The episode opens with reflections on their recent Academy meetup. While in Boston, Jacobi, Jacob, Steven, Jacobi’s wife, and their social media manager Kenzie made a late-night trip to AMC to watch One Battle After Another. Despite the long runtime and late showtime, the movie kept everyone locked in.
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a former revolutionary turned anxious, paranoid stoner living off the grid with his teenage daughter. When a ruthless former colonel—played masterfully by Sean Penn—seeks membership in an exclusive far-right men’s club, rumors arise that he may have fathered a child with a Black woman 16 years earlier.
That woman was DiCaprio’s character’s former partner.
When the colonel realizes Leo’s daughter could be his, a chaotic hunt begins.
The doctors praised DiCaprio’s performance, Sean Penn’s unhinged portrayal, and the movie’s surprising political layers. Jacob even manages to sneak in an optometry connection—explaining the rare but documented relationship between sildenafil use and NAION—thanks to one of the film’s more uncomfortable scenes.
Dr. Steven Soong: Private Practice Owner, Sneakerhead, Creative Force
Dr. Steven Soong brings one of the most memorable personal segments the podcast has hosted. Practicing in Chino Hills at Bright Vision Optometry, Steven works alongside his sister Dr. Sophie Soong, who is also the reason he pursued optometry in the first place.
But one fun fact: Steven is a serious sneakerhead.
With over 140 pairs stored at his mom’s house, Steven laughs about how his own home has been unofficially taken over by “wifey and the kids,” while his sneakers remain safely stored where they’ve always been.
This love of fashion ties directly into his growing influence in optometry culture.
Circle of Least Confusion: Community, Creativity, and Giving Back
During the pandemic shutdown, when California clinics were forced to close for months—Steven found himself asking, “If I’m not practicing optometry right now…what else can I create?”
The answer became Circle of Least Confusion
, a lifestyle brand built on clever optometry-themed apparel with a purpose:
Use the proceeds to give back to students and young doctors through grants.
One of the first drops?
The now-iconic “F* Student Loans”** socks.
The mission resonated instantly.
Today, the brand is a staple at Academy and major optometry meetings. Steven’s booth famously draws massive lines, selling out merch while cultivating an unmistakable sense of belonging.
Notably, the brand has already given tens of thousands of dollars in student loan grants—powered entirely by community support and merch sales.
One of Steven’s favorite moments came when legendary SCCO professor Dr. David W. Bai, now in his eighties, bought a visual-field–themed sweater and proudly wore it around the CE event. A symbol of just how far the brand’s reach extends.
One Battle After Another: Final Thoughts
The trio wraps up their film discussion by sharing ratings:
- Jacob: 9/10
- Jacobi: 8–8.5/10
- Steven: 7/10
All agree the film is worth the watch, especially if you’re a Leonardo DiCaprio fan.
