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The Sublime

A podcast where the real philosophy happens.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes260Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophyEducationSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

When Leigh's cat Sugar was dying of congestive heart failure, the vet's office offered her something almost no human being will ever be offered: the chance to hold her, to tell her she was loved and thank her, and to be present while a doctor helped ... more

What's the difference between a rule that describes the world and one that governs it? Leigh, Jen, and Bob start with a complaint about Robert's Rules of Order and end up in the deep end: the categorical imperative, the social contract, the rule of l... more

Gilles Deleuze is multifaceted and his works seemingly heteroclite, which has made it difficult to assess what a “Deleuzian” philosophy may be, even if there are a host of philosophical concepts that bear his signature.  Most secondary works on him t... more

We are living through the most intense public argument about gender in living memory, and somehow managing to conduct it without agreeing on what the most basic terms mean. The word cisgender — or just cis — is either standard vocabulary on HR onboar... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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)
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)

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 148 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 States8 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 States9 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.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#59
Philippines/Education
Apple Podcasts
#94
South Africa/Education

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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.

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. What's Left of Philosophy
2. Podcast – Culture, Power, Politics
3. New Books in Critical Theory
4. Know Your Enemy
5. Acid Horizon

How many episodes of Hotel Bar Sessions are there?

Hotel Bar Sessions launched 5 years ago and published 260 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. Nathan Widder
2. Perry Zurn
3. Bob Valgenti
4. Jeff Bernstein
5. Justin Smith-Ruiu
6. Simon Critchley
7. Dr. Kiran Bhardwaj
8. Dr. Tamara Fakhoury

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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