Rephonic
Artwork for The Object
Minneapolis Institute Of Art
Art
Claude Monet
Dragons
Wanda Gág
Joe Minter
Icarus
Impressionism
Gift Giving
Bob Thompson
Civil Rights Movement
Ameriprise Financial
Millions Of Cats
Daedalus
Minneapolis
Tibetan Buddhism
Dogs
Black Codes
School Shootings
Segregation

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes117Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryArts

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Artwork for The Object

Latest Episodes

It is one of the greatest artworks of the Italian Renaissance, and for the better part of a century it was rolled up in storage. A tapestry—the art form of popes, kings, and emperors—bigger than any painting that has ever come to America from 16th-ce... more

Journalist Eric Kelsey was already familiar with "Sonja," the enigmatic portrait sometimes called the German Mona Lisa: a woman in black with short hair and cigarettes, sitting in a cafe. An iconic image of free-spirited Weimar Berlin almost since it... more

This electrifying, sold-out live show of The Object podcast was recorded May 21, 2026, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art with host Tim Gihring and very special musical guests from the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers with Philip Brunelle conducting an... more

Simeon Solomon—bold, dashing, and openly gay—is a rising star in the Victorian art world when a scandal in 1873 supposedly forces him into obscurity, a cautionary tale for fans like Oscar Wilde. But the truth is more complicated and only now coming t... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

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!
Jeremy Messersmith
Musician known for blending themes of love and death in his songs
Episode: The Object LOVE! Don't Go Breaking My Art!
Lizzi Ginsberg
Arts writer who narrates Wanda Gág's story and artistic legacy
Episode: Encore Episode: A Woman Called Wanda
Chan Poling
Musician, founding member of The Suburbs, and creator of multiple musical projects
The Suburbs
Episode: The Object LIVE! Great Gatsby's Ghost!
Lori Williamson
Curator of the Gatsby at 100 exhibit
Episode: The Object LIVE! Great Gatsby's Ghost!

Host

Tim Gihring
Host of The Object Podcast, Minneapolis Institute of Art

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 223 ratings
  • 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 States5 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 Statesa year 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
  • Mesmerizing storytelling

    I absolutely love this podcast. Every episode is well written and the narrator’s voice and pacing makes listening quite enjoyable. The background information as well as the description of the art is so detailed I am able to picture it in my mind, but at the same time I’m drawn to seeing it in person. Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MoSync
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the writing and narration as immersive and informative.
Several reviews call out factual depth and museum alignment as a strength.
Many hear a strong, human storytelling voice that makes art history feel alive.
Audience notes occasional narration quirks but still highly engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#54
Singapore/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#105
Israel/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Object LIVE! Your Lobster is Ringing!
Q: How do you think about staying between the lines and the risks and rewards of choosing a lane?
Dessa discusses the balance between artistic expression and commercial endeavors, expressing her internal conflict about crossing genres and the implications for both artists and the art they create.
The Object LIVE! Your Lobster is Ringing!
Q: What gets you excited about surrealism?
Dessa shares her initial interest in Dalí and how surrealism is particularly resonant for young minds, referencing her own experiences with his art that impacted her perspective and creativity.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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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?

A narrative-focused art history show that unpacks the stories behind museum objects, blending rigorous research with witty, accessible storytelling. Each episode centers a single piece or artist—revealing historical contexts, cultural meaning, and the human lives connected to objects in a way that's informative yet entertaining. Notable strengths include strong narration, deep archival detail, and a museum-backed perspective that invites listeners to view familiar artifacts in new, often surprising lights. It likely appeals to curious adults who enjoy learning about art, history, and biography through storytelling that marries scholarship with personality and humor.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Object?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Object. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Object and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Object get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Object?

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How many subscribers and views does The Object have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Object 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 The Object?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Object:

1. Fresh Air
2. This American Life
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. Throughline
5. Radiolab

How many episodes of The Object are there?

The Object launched 7 years ago and published 117 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 The Object?

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 The Object?

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What guests have appeared on The Object?

Recent guests on The Object include:

1. Eric Kelsey
2. Philip Brunelle
3. Katie Luber
4. Noam Siena
5. Rachel McGarry
6. Jeremy Messersmith
7. Lizzi Ginsberg
8. Chan Poling

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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