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A podcast where the real philosophy happens.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes275Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationPhilosophySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

We recorded this episode of Hotel Bar Sessions podcast on the eve of the midterm elections, so the ballot is never far from the conversation and  these questions reach well past any single election. However, we did not know how dramatic November 2, 2... more

In July 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in Trump v. United States that a president cannot be prosecuted for official acts, and it drew the boundaries of “official” wide enough that the federal cases against Donald Trump were simply dropped after the el... more

Most of us know what it’s like to want to do something good and then, on realizing we can’t do it perfectly, do nothing at all. You put off calling a struggling friend until you can give them your undivided attention, and the call never happens. In t... more

In early September, OpenAI released GPT-6 Astra. Most of the headlines were about benchmarks and the model's unsettling talent for finding and exploiting security flaws on its own. A smaller story got far less attention. Days before its launch,The In... more

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Recent Guests

Jacob Abolafia
Political thought scholar and author of The Prison Before the Panopticon
American University
Episode: Elite Impunity (with Jacob Abolafia)
Keshav Singh
Philosopher specializing in Sikh philosophy
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Episode: Sikh Ethics (wtih Keshav Singh)
Landon Frim
PhD and co-author of Confidence Men
Stony Brook University / co-author of Confidence Men
Episode: Confidence Men (with Landon Frim)
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)

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 152 ratings
  • An easy listen

    ... to good people with intelligent thoughts on serious topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    public4jbh
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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
    Canada4 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.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#226
Norway/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Elite Impunity (with Jacob Abolafia)
Q: Why do you go somewhere else?
Abolafia says mass incarceration is indefensible in a democracy, but asks what punishment should look like under democratic principles rather than assuming punishment must disappear. He argues for addressing social causes of crime while directing criminal law more seriously toward powerful people whose actions threaten self-government.
Elite Impunity (with Jacob Abolafia)
Q: So why do you think the government lost that argument before they even started?
Abolafia says the Supreme Court appeared to favor immunity and justified it through executive energy, the idea that the president must be able to act decisively in exceptional circumstances. He argues that this reasoning places the executive above criminal law and leaves existing checks inadequate.
Confidence Men (with Landon Frim)
Q: Why are there so many Confidence Men and not as many Confidence Women, according to the guest?
The guest argues there is a gendered dimension tied to social and economic contexts, but also notes exceptions and emphasizes that the field is shaped by broader cultural and economic pressures that normalize this kind of confidence-based approach across actors, not just men.
Confidence Men (with Landon Frim)
Q: And so, given the enormous pool of grifters, why focus on Musk, Peterson, and Tate as opposed to other figures?
Because they illustrate a consistent through line: a willingness to deny objective truth while presenting a confident, appealing narrative that resonates with broad audiences, making them ideal case studies for analyzing the mechanics of modern grift.
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.

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.

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How many listeners does Hotel Bar Sessions get?

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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. New Books in Critical Theory
3. Acid Horizon
4. Culture, Power, Politics » Podcast
5. Know Your Enemy

How many episodes of Hotel Bar Sessions are there?

Hotel Bar Sessions launched 6 years ago and published 275 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?

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What guests have appeared on Hotel Bar Sessions?

Recent guests on Hotel Bar Sessions include:

1. Jacob Abolafia
2. Keshav Singh
3. Landon Frim
4. Jon Ivan Gill
5. Nathan Widder
6. Perry Zurn
7. Bob Valgenti
8. Jeff Bernstein

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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