Hotel Bar Sessions

Who gets to decide who we are?In this episode, Rick Lee and Devonya Havis pull up a chair with philosopher and political theorist Falguni Sheth to talk about the ways identity is shaped, claimed, and—more often than not—forced upon us. From census categories and legal definitions to personal choices and political struggles, they dig into the tensions between how we see ourselves and how we’re seen by others. What does it mean to be recognized—or misrecognized—by the state? How do institutions decide which identities “fit” and which ones have to be managed, disciplined, or erased? And when does refusing to conform become its own form of power?With insights from Sheth’s work on race, law, and political power, this conversation moves between philosophy, history, and the headlines of today. The hosts talk about the state’s obsession with controlling identity, from laws targeting Muslim women to the racial bias baked into facial recognition software. But they also ask whether there’s room for resistance—whether refusing to be easily categorized might be a way to push back. By the time last call rolls around, they’re raising a glass to the troublemakers, the misfits, and the ones who just won’t play by the rules.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/episode-173-unruly-identity-with-falguni-sheth-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions!Follow us on Twitter/X @hotelbarpodcast, on Blue Sky @hotelbarpodcast.bsky.social, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When nothing is clear, how do we decide?Many people prefer their morality to be straightforward—right or wrong, good or bad, clear as day. But more often than not, human life is a mess of contradictions, competing values, and gray areas. In this episode of Hotel Bar Sessions, Rick, Leigh, and Devonya wade into the murky waters of ambiguity—what it means, how we experience it, and why we’re often so uncomfortable with it. From moral dilemmas and political rhetoric to aesthetics and queer theory, the hosts explore how ambiguity can be both a site of oppression and a tool of resistance.Is ambiguity a lack of knowledge, or does it open the door for deeper understanding? How does power exploit uncertainty to maintain control? And why do we crave clarity in some parts of life but celebrate ambiguity in art, music, and literature? With philosophical insight, a dash of humor, and a deep appreciation for the chaotic bartender that is moral life, the hosts wrestle with the question: Can we ever truly escape ambiguity—or do we just have to learn to live with it?Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/episode-172-ambiguity-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions!Follow us on Twitter/X @hotelbarpodcast, on Blue Sky @hotelbarpodcast.bsky.social, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This discussion dives into the intricate nature of trust in everyday life, blending humor with deep philosophical insights. The hosts explore the emotional fallout from broken trust, both personally and in societal contexts. They tackle the profound crisis of trust in institutions and democracy, questioning whether it can be restored. Philosophical views from Hobbes and Rousseau shed light on authority and governance. Throughout, the conversation emphasizes the importance of community, accountability, and navigating mistrust in a complex world.

Who gets to judge right and wrong? And on what grounds?In this episode of Hotel Bar Sessions, Leigh, Rick, and Devonya talk about judgment—what it is, when we need it, and whether it’s a skill or just a faculty of reason. They start with Aristotle’s distinction between knowledge and judgment, move through Kant’s ideas about moral and aesthetic judgment, and consider how judgment functions in ethical reasoning, political life, and even artificial intelligence. The conversation raises questions about whether judgment is simply applying rules or if it requires something more—something closer to discernment, habit, or lived experience.Can a decision be right or wrong if we can’t fully predict its consequences? Do moral rules always apply, or do some situations require exceptions? What happens when judgment operates within systems of power? These questions lead to reflections on everything from friendship to legal pardons to the ethics of AI. Whether you think of yourself as someone with good judgment or someone just trying to make better choices, this episode gives plenty to think about.Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/judgment-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions!Follow us on Twitter/X @hotelbarpodcast, on Blue Sky @hotelbarpodcast.bsky.social, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

How, and for what, are we responsible?What does it even mean to be responsible? Is it about blame? Credit? Or something else entirely? Leigh, Devonya, and Rick hash it out over drinks, tackling everything from personal accountability to collective responsibility, and digging into big questions about freedom, moral agency, and how our social and political systems shape what we’re capable of doing—and not doing.This week’s conversation covers some heavy ground: systemic racism, climate change, and whether collective responsibility can actually lead to change (or if it’s just another way of avoiding blame) —and, because it wouldn’t be a Hotel Bar Sessions episode without it, there’s a Star Trek tangent in there, too!Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/responsibility/-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions!Follow us on Twitter/X @hotelbarpodcast, on Blue Sky @hotelbarpodcast.bsky.social, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The podcast dives into the evolving notions of authority and authorship in a digital world. It questions whether AI, like ChatGPT, is diminishing the power of human authors or simply acting as a tool. Discussions highlight the challenge of originality in art and music, and the implications for creativity. The hosts also explore AI's role in education, addressing academic integrity and genuine learning. Overall, it’s a fascinating exploration of how technology reshapes our understanding of credibility and ownership in culture.

The HBS co-hosts savor the complexities of a dish best served cold.Is revenge ever ethical? Can it be a form of justice, or is it always about personal satisfaction? In this episode, Rick Lee, Leigh Johnson, and Devonya Havis take a deep dive into the philosophy of revenge. From the timeless allure of stories like Kill Bill and The Count of Monte Cristo to the rise of cancel culture and online harassment, the hosts explore how revenge plays out in both individual and collective contexts. They tackle big questions about power, helplessness, and the difference between avenging a wrong and simply lashing out.They also consider the role of technology in making vengeful acts easier—and more public—than ever before. Leigh reflects on the satisfaction we feel from justice-oriented narratives, while Devonya highlights the deeper systemic issues that revenge often overlooks. Rick weighs in on the distinction between personal vendettas and social movements like #MeToo, asking whether collective action can transform personal grievance into meaningful justice.Whether you're a fan of revenge thrillers or just curious about the ethical limits of payback, this episode will leave you questioning the line between retribution and justice. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation that’s equal parts philosophy and pop culture!Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/episode-167-revenge/-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions!Follow us on Twitter/X @hotelbarpodcast, on Blue Sky @hotelbarpodcast.bsky.social, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Is "virtue" an outdated concept? And why is there a bear in this classroom?!This week at the hotel bar, Rick, Devonya, and Leigh are digging deep into the idea of virtue. What does it mean to be virtuous? How do we cultivate virtues? Are they timeless ideals or shaped by culture and history? We talk about Aristotle, sure, but we’re also unpacking modern critiques of virtue and asking how power and privilege shape what counts as “virtuous” in the first place.In a world that seems more focused on personal success and convenience than moral character, is virtue still worth striving for—or do we need to rethink what it even means?Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/episode-166-virtue/-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotelbarsessions!Follow us on Twitter/X @hotelbarpodcast, on Blue Sky @hotelbarpodcast.bsky.social, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week's episode is a REPLAY of a previously-aired episode from Season 9.  HBS will return with all new episodes on January 10, 2024. Stay tuned!The HBS hosts wonder how a hard heart is melted and mended.In a world often colored by misunderstandings, hurtful actions, and lingering grudges, the concept of forgiveness emerges as a beacon of hope and healing. For some, its transformative power to mend relationships, free us from the shackles of resentment, and grant us the gift of emotional liberation make forgiveness a moral imperative. Forgiveness is not merely an internal journey; it's also a dynamic force that shapes societies and mends the fabric of communities torn apart by conflict and strife.  But what does it mean to forgive? What does forgiveness do, and for whom? Does forgiveness require the forgetting of wrongs done? Is real forgiveness even possible?Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/episode-107-forgiveness-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotebarsessions!Follow us on Twitter @hotelbarpodcast, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!      ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This week's episode is a REPLAY of a previously-aired episode from Season 9.  HBS will return with all new episodes on January 10, 2024. Stay tuned!The HBS hosts dig into Jacque Derrida's philosophy to see if it really is responsible for everything that's wrong with the world.There are very few philosophies that are blamed for so much as deconstruction. Introduced by Jacques Derrida in the late 60s, deconstruction rose to popularity in the late 70s and 80s, fought a real battle to be accepted as something other than a “fad” in the early 90s, and really built up steam in the late 90s, after having been adopted by other humanities disciplines as a method of analysis and exposition. However, by the end of the 21st century aughts, deconstruction was already being edged out of favor by many of its critics and some of its heirs. Today, in 2024, deconstruction has been refigured and disfigured so dramatically that it has become a chimera. One of its faces is reductive and banal, but mostly harmless, as seen in so-called “deconstructed” dishes or clothing on reality TV. The other face, though, is hyperbolically menacing: distorting reality, poisoning discourse, undermining traditional values, and sneakily turning all of us into nonsense-babbling relativists.So what is deconstruction all about?Full episode notes available at this link:https://hotelbarpodcast.com/podcast/episode-122-deconstruction-------------------If you enjoy Hotel Bar Sessions podcast, please be sure to subscribe and submit a rating/review! Better yet, you can support this podcast by signing up to be one of our Patrons at patreon.com/hotebarsessions!Follow us on Twitter/X @hotelbarpodcast, on Facebook, on TikTok, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!   ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★