Rephonic
Artwork for The Object
Minneapolis Institute Of Art
Art
Claude Monet
Dragons
Paris
Wanda Gág
Ameriprise Financial
Joe Minter
Frida Kahlo
Icarus
Impressionism
Gift Giving
Bob Thompson
Civil Rights Movement
Santiago Rusiñol
Millions Of Cats
Daedalus
Renaissance
The Great Gatsby
Minneapolis

”The Object” podcast explores the surprising, true stories behind museum objects with wit and curiosity. An object’s view of us.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes128Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsHistory

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Artwork for The Object

Latest Episodes

Free tickets are now available for the next live taping of The Object podcast on Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m. in the historic Pillsbury Auditorium at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. With special musical guest Chastity Brown, 'Wait Wait Don't Tell... more

Free tickets are now available for the next live taping of The Object podcast on Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m. in the historic Pillsbury Auditorium at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. With special musical guest Chastity Brown, 'Wait Wait Don't Tell... more

Free tickets are now available for the next live taping of The Object podcast on Sunday, November 15, at 2 p.m. in the historic Pillsbury Auditorium at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. With special musical guest Chastity Brown, 'Wait Wait Don't Tell... more

In 1950, Robert Doisneau takes one of the most iconic photographs of Paris—a young couple kissing on the street—that eventually becomes a global symbol of romance, spontaneity, joie de vivre. But the real story is only now coming to light, a story ab... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Andreas Marks
Curator of Japanese and Korean art and author of more than 20 books about Japanese art and culture
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Episode: The Dead Can Dance
Valeria Piccoli
Curator of Latin American art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Episode: There's Something About Virgin Mary
Galina Olmsted
Associate Curator of European Art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Episode: Encore Episode: The Painting of Endless Summer
Max Bryant
Curator of European Decorative Arts
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Episode: Two Poets Go To Hell
Eric Kelsey
Writer and journalist who explores family history and art
Episode: The Woman in Black
Philip Brunelle
Conductor and founder of VocalEssence
VocalEssence
Episode: The Object LIVE! Talk Dürer to Me!
Katie Luber
Museum director and president; scholar of Albrecht Dürer
Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA)
Episode: The Object LIVE! Talk Dürer to Me!
Noam Siena
Historian of Jewish and queer culture
Independent scholar
Episode: Encore Episode: What Happened to the First Gay Art Star?
Rachel McGarry
Curator of European art at the museum
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Episode: The Object LOVE! Don't Go Breaking My Art!

Hosts

Tim Gearing
Host of The Object with frequent involvement in the museum setting
Tim Gihring
Host of The Object

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 226 ratings
  • Art

    Great podcast! I learned a lot!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jonteacher
    United States5 months ago
  • Beautifully written stories about art and life

    My favorite podcast ever . So well written and produced. I episodes were more frequent. Do good!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MinnetonkaSunshine
    United States9 months ago
  • Wonderful podcast!

    Informative, soothing narration. I LOVE this podcast so much.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ragtaghorde
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent Podcast!!

    I love this podcast so much!! Thank you for sharing the beautiful pieces at Mia and the fascinating history and context behind each. I feel like I’m getting a little “tea” in each episode, as well. Love Tim’s intelligent and slightly gossipy (in the best way) vibe.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LisaO30
    United States2 years ago
  • Good content, but…

    There’s a lot to like about this podcast, but the unfortunate verbal tic of the narrator saying “Right” 12-15 times an episode is just too distracting.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    kkjjjo7
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The host brings warmth and a sly sense of humor that makes art history feel accessible.
Artful, informative storytelling that makes museum objects come alive.
High-quality guests and well-researched episodes, though some listeners note pacing could vary.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#173
Ukraine/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Dead Can Dance
Q: Do we know how Japan came to have such a rich relationship with the supernatural and these sort of fantastical beings? Is there something in the culture or the religion or... You mentioned the geography even, that potentially could come into play.
Marks points to cultural influence from China, religious traditions, and Japan's mountains and seas. People used supernatural beings to explain disappearances and dangers associated with the natural environment.
The Dead Can Dance
Q: How would you describe this phenomenon? And can you give us a sense of the scale of the supernatural in Japanese culture?
Marks says Japanese supernatural traditions include many kinds of demons and ghosts. Some scrolls name as many as 58 demons, while Toriyama Sekien described 200, possibly inventing some.
The Object LOVE! Don't Go Breaking My Art!
Q: What finally allows Eros and Psyche to live happily ever after?
Zeus grants Psyche ambrosia to become a goddess, allowing her to be with Eros permanently.
The Object LOVE! Don't Go Breaking My Art!
Q: Why didn't Venus and Adonis last as a couple?
The audience answered that Adonis was often off hunting, which was correct.
That Got Weird: The Renaissance You Never Knew
Q: What is the Renaissance at first?
The Renaissance is described as a revival of the classical world focusing on beauty, idealism, and the rediscovery of antiquities.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Object

What is The Object about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program offers art- and history-forward storytelling anchored in museum objects, blending deep contextual research with accessible narration. Across recent episodes, listeners encounter art histories, patronage networks, and cultural myths—often tied to European masterworks, Renaissance tapestries, modernist movements, and cross-cultural exchanges—delivered with warm humor and a museum insider's perspective. Noteworthy elements include lively live formats, expert guests from curatorial roles, and a knack for linking objects to broader social histories, memory, and identity. The show tends to attract listeners who love richly detailed art histories presented with personality and narrative flair, and who enjoy seeing how objects illuminat... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Object?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Object:

1. Articles of Interest
2. This American Life
3. Fresh Air
4. NPR's Book of the Day
5. The Atlas Obscura Podcast

How many episodes of The Object are there?

The Object launched 8 years ago and published 128 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Object?

Recent guests on The Object include:

1. Andreas Marks
2. Valeria Piccoli
3. Galina Olmsted
4. Max Bryant
5. Eric Kelsey
6. Philip Brunelle
7. Katie Luber
8. Noam Siena

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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