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The Sublime

A podcast where the real philosophy happens.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes266Founded6 years ago
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EducationPhilosophySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

You are wearing an outfit right now. Maybe you chose it deliberately this morning, or maybe you grabbed it off the floor, but either way it is currently saying things about your class, your gender, your politics, your relationship to the very idea of... more

There are plenty of ready-to-hand moral sanctions for lies told and promises broken. We know how those wrongs work, we know what the apologies sound like, and we know, more or less, how to move on from them. Betrayal is different. Ask anyone who has ... more

At the beginning of April, the Wall Street Journal published an op-ed from Ben Appel titled "I'm Gay, but That Doesn't Make Me Queer." On the last day of Pride Month 2026, the New York Times followed with an op-ed by Matthew Vines titled "I'm Gay, No... more

We live in an age with a curiously cheerful relationship to failure.  But that optimism was built for a world that no longer quite exists. For three generations now, doing everything right-- getting an education,  holding down a full-time job, follow... more

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Recent Guests

Jon Ivan Gill
Philosopher, author, and artist exploring process philosophy, race, Afrofuturism, and hip hop
Aesthetic Religion Records and Text (co-owner) / Bloomsbury (publisher)
Episode: Multi/Race/Less/Ness (with Jon Ivan Gill)
Nathan Widder
Author of Deleuze and the Concept of Sense
Royal Holloway, University of London (based on context)
Episode: Gilles Deleuze and the Philosophy of Sense (with Nathan Widder)
Perry Zurn
Associate Professor of Philosophy, American University
American University
Episode: Disorienting Cisgender (with Perry Zurn)
Bob Valgenti
PhD in philosophy from DePaul; professor of food studies at the Culinary Institute of America
Culinary Institute of America
Episode: REPLAY: Food (with Bob Valgenti)
Jeff Bernstein
Professor, Holy Cross; specializes in political philosophy and the intersection of German philosophy and Jewish thought
Holy Cross
Episode: Strange Bedfellows: Adorno and Strauss (with Jeffrey Bernstein)
Justin Smith-Ruiu
PhD from Columbia University; professor of the history and philosophy of science
Université de Berry-Cité
Episode: Philosophy on Drugs (with Justin Smith-Ruiu)
Simon Critchley
Hans Jonas Professor of Philosophy at the New School; author and public philosopher
New School
Episode: Against the Future (with Simon Critchley)
Dr. Kiran Bhardwaj
Philosophy Department Chair at Phillips Andover
Phillips Andover
Episode: Family "No Contact" (with Kiran Bhardwaj)
Dr. Tamara Fakhoury
Philosopher and author of the essay on Quiet Resistance
Episode: Quiet Resistance (with Tamara Fakhoury)

Hosts

Jen Kling
Host with long-running involvement in the show, often guiding discussions and shaping episode flow.
Bob Velier
Co-host frequently contributing bar-side banter and philosophical framing.
Lee Johnson
Co-host with Gregarious banter and analytical balance to discussions.
Leigh Johnson
Host of Hotel Bar Sessions and frequent contributor to philosophy-focused topics.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 150 ratings
  • Always thought provoking

    Not a podcast junkie but when I tune in, HBS is always my first stop. Leigh has nailed this medium, curating the best cohost (and guest) combos. It takes a lot of willpower not to pull up to the bar with these wise philosophers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Philosopher in exile
    United States9 months ago
  • First time listening

    I turned in bc I’m a fan of Stephen Asma. I enjoyed the episode, though my knowledge of philosophy is limited. I will definitely listen again, due to the casual, affable nature of the dialogue. Enlightening and fun!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sarastawberry
    United States10 months ago
  • Great—even for non-philosophers!

    If you want to be entertained and laugh like crazy together with the hosts of this brilliant and truly educational podcast, give it a try.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    monika-polka
    United States3 years ago
  • Discussion among liberal professors

    Liberal professors - say no more. Little traction, no reviews. Time to hang is up and gallop into the sunset.

    Charter schools FTW

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    HaydayRay
    Canada3 years ago
  • Funny & engrossing

    Funny, deeply smart, and full of meaningful, nuanced disagreements. A gift to anyone wanting a deeper take on some of our biggest questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Socrates' Daimonion
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the balanced, bar-talk approach to heavy topics.
High-quality discussions that remain entertaining and insightful.
Some episodes feel partisan at times but maintain curiosity and nuance.
Consistently educational and entertaining for non-philosophers.
Very thoughtful and accessible philosophy with engaging guests.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Multi/Race/Less/Ness (with Jon Ivan Gill)
Q: What does Whitehead bring to this question of the category or the concept of race for you?
Gill argues that process philosophy, especially Whitehead, helps reconceptualize existence as flux and creativity, linking race to religion and culture within a dynamic, non‑static framework.
Multi/Race/Less/Ness (with Jon Ivan Gill)
Q: And you argue that race is trauma. Can you talk us through that a little bit?
Gill explains that race is a traumatic process starting with renaming and continuing as names are used, with trauma shaping access to resources and identity, which motivates the argument for moving beyond race as a fixed category.
Disorienting Cisgender (with Perry Zurn)
Q: Why did you choose a genealogical method and why include voices outside the academy?
To honor the origins, credit early thinkers and activists, and destabilize a single authoritative account, showing how cisgender has developed through diverse, lived experiences and global contexts.
Disorienting Cisgender (with Perry Zurn)
Q: Can you give our listeners a brief lesson in cisgender?
Cisgender names the opposite of transgender, referring to alignment between one's sex assigned at birth and one's gender identity, while acknowledging that gendered life is shaped by social norms and expectations.
Gilles Deleuze and the Philosophy of Sense (with Nathan Widder)
Q: What are the three senses of sense that Deleuze engages with, and why are they important?
The three senses are meaning, affect (sensations), and direction. They are important because they show how sense is not a fixed property but a dynamic, immanent process that arises from encounters, intensities, and the way events push thinking in multiple directions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Hotel Bar Sessions

What is Hotel Bar Sessions about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A bar-side philosophy talk that stitches rigorous ideas to everyday life, featuring three regulars and occasional guests who unpack big questions with humor and accessible reasoning. Recent episodes cover failure, race, autonomy at the end of life, rules, Deleuze, gender politics, sports, and AI ethics, all through lively debate, personal stories, and practical takeaways. The format tends to blend continental and analytic insights, making dense theories approachable while highlighting real-world implications for culture, policy, and technology. A standout aspect is the mix of guest experts, playful banter, and a willingness to tackle timely, controversial topics without losing nuance or wit.

Where can I find podcast stats for Hotel Bar Sessions?

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How many listeners does Hotel Bar Sessions get?

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What are the audience demographics for Hotel Bar Sessions?

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How many subscribers and views does Hotel Bar Sessions have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Hotel Bar Sessions has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Hotel Bar Sessions?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hotel Bar Sessions:

1. New Books in Critical Theory
2. What's Left of Philosophy
3. Tech Won't Save Us
4. Culture, Power, Politics » Podcast
5. Overthink

How many episodes of Hotel Bar Sessions are there?

Hotel Bar Sessions launched 6 years ago and published 266 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Hotel Bar Sessions?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Hotel Bar Sessions?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Hotel Bar Sessions from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Hotel Bar Sessions?

Recent guests on Hotel Bar Sessions include:

1. Jon Ivan Gill
2. Nathan Widder
3. Perry Zurn
4. Bob Valgenti
5. Jeff Bernstein
6. Justin Smith-Ruiu
7. Simon Critchley
8. Dr. Kiran Bhardwaj

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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