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The Sublime

A podcast where the real philosophy happens.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes254Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureEducationPhilosophy

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Latest Episodes

We tend to think of art as something you look at — a canvas on a wall, an object behind velvet rope, something that holds still while you decide what you think of it. But a tradition in contemporary art has spent the better part of sixty years insist... more

The HBS co-hosts are diligently at work prepping for Season 16 so, in the meantime, enjoy this "Minibar" episode from Jennifer Kling explaining the merits and demerits of employing Hanlon's Razor in our everyday lives!

Full episode notes available ... more

While our co-hosts are on a short break between seasons, enjoy this REPLAY episode of one of our favorite conversations from Season 15 with  Dr. Robert T. Valgenti, philosopher and professor at the Culinary Institute of America, who dropped by the ho... more

What does it mean to say that visibility is a trap? Why does the simple awareness that we might be watched work on us so effectively that we end up policing ourselves better than any guard ever could? And if disciplinary power now operates through ev... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Laura K. Field
Associate with the Illiberalism Studies Program at George Washington University, non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institution, and visiting scholar in residence at American University.
Princeton University Press
Episode: Furious Minds (with Laura K. Field)
Stephen T. Asma
Philosopher at Columbia College, author of works on imagination and evolution.
Columbia College in Chicago
Episode: Imagination (with Stephen T. Asma)
Mark Balaguer
Professor of philosophy at Cal State LA and author known for his work in metaphysics.
Cal State LA
Episode: Free Will (with Mark Balaguer)

Hosts

Jen Kling
Host with a focus on bar‑style philosophical discussion and guest coordination
Leigh Johnson
Co-host known for guiding debates and keeping conversations accessible
Bob Velier
Co-host with a focus on philosophy and guest interactions

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 143 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 States6 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 States7 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.

Guests and hosts are commended for deep yet relatable explorations of complex topics.
Audience appreciates the balance of humor and intellect.
The format is seen as thoughtful and engaging, even for non-philosophers.
Shows with guests who bridge academia and applied philosophy are especially valued.
Listeners consistently praise accessible but rigorous discussions.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

REPLAY: Food (with Bob Valgenti)
Q: Do recipes function as texts or as cultural memes, and how does improvisation fit in?
Recipes can be seen as scripts or memes that carry knowledge across time; improvisation is a valid approach in cooking, but reading and understanding recipes remains a crucial skill for culinary literacy.
REPLAY: Food (with Bob Valgenti)
Q: What is the philosophy of food, and what kinds of questions does it explore?
It covers ethical questions about what we should eat and how we treat workers, as well as ontological and aesthetic questions about whether food can be considered art and what it reveals about human existence and social life.
Against the Future (with Simon Critchley)
Q: Is hope compatible with a rigorous understanding of the future?
Hope is discussed as potentially energizing and political, but the speakers warn it can be used ideologically; a courageous, historically informed disposition toward the future is favored over naive optimism.
Against the Future (with Simon Critchley)
Q: What role does history play in shaping our orientation toward the future?
History provides a grounding against amnesia; by reading past narratives and outcomes, we can better orient our present actions toward more nuanced futures rather than blindly chasing a single narrative.
Against the Future (with Simon Critchley)
Q: How should we think about the future—as determined, open, or probabilistic?
The hosts present a spectrum: the future can be seen as determined, open, or probabilistic, and the discussion leans toward keeping an open, historically informed stance while recognizing probabilistic forecasts influence present actions.

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 thoughtful, barroom-style philosophy show that blends rigorous ideas with playful banter. Conversations frequently orbit ethics, politics, technology, and culture as hosts and guests interrogate how concepts like food, anonymity, surveillance, metrics, and family shape everyday life. Episodes pair rigorous argument with accessible storytelling, often weaving contemporary issues (privacy, education, social media, international law) into classic philosophical debates. A standout pattern is the mix of guest‑experts and regular hosts who bring broad interdisciplinary perspectives, making abstract questions feel practical and engaging for curious listeners who appreciate lively, human-centered discourse.

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How many subscribers and views does Hotel Bar Sessions have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Hotel Bar Sessions?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Hotel Bar Sessions:

1. What's Left of Philosophy
2. Acid Horizon
3. Tech Won't Save Us
4. This Machine Kills
5. Why Theory

How many episodes of Hotel Bar Sessions are there?

Hotel Bar Sessions launched 5 years ago and published 254 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?

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What guests have appeared on Hotel Bar Sessions?

Recent guests on Hotel Bar Sessions include:

1. Bob Valgenti
2. Jeff Bernstein
3. Justin Smith-Ruiu
4. Simon Critchley
5. Dr. Kiran Bhardwaj
6. Dr. Tamara Fakhoury
7. Laura K. Field
8. Stephen T. Asma

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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