About

The Sophia Club is a new program of cultural events in New York, London and Melbourne.

Our events showcase Live Philosophy.

At the Sophia Club, you’ll enjoy a spirited conversation between a speaker and the evening’s host centered around a theme, woven together with captivating performances by musicians and other artists. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with food and drink available and the freedom to mingle and converse.

After a sellout season in early 2022 the Sophia Club is back with an ongoing program in London, New York and Melbourne. Sign up to our newsletter and be the first to hear when tickets are on sale.

The Sophia Club is a new venture from Aeon Media, the publisher of Aeon and Psyche magazines.

Philosophy is for everyone. We all have a stake in making sense of the world and puzzling over what it means to live a good life. What I love about philosophy is the freedom it gives us to ask the big questions and take a panoramic view of life. For me it is the most encompassing of disciplines: as interested in poetry as it is in science; as alive on the high street as it is in the university. The Sophia Club reflects my belief that we can all be the philosophers of our own lives. I hope you will join us.
— Paul Hains, Founder & CEO

Our people

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Brigid Hains
Editorial Director

Brigid Hains is the editorial director of Aeon Media. An environmental historian by training, she is driven by a deep curiosity about the natural and human worlds. The Sophia Club is a chance for Brigid to express her love of beauty and the arts and to share the heartfelt dimensions of her intellectual life.

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Sophia Brous
Artistic Director

Sophia Brous is a multidisciplinary performer and curator based between New York and Melbourne. She is a resident artist of the Brooklyn Academy of Music and was curator at the Adelaide Festival and Melbourne International Jazz Festival, before founding Supersense: Festival of the Ecstatic at Arts Centre Melbourne.

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Kirsten Freeman
Chief Operating Officer

Kirsten Freeman is the chief operating officer of Aeon Media. She oversees the practical delivery and promotion of the Sophia Club, with our dedicated and talented team. She is excited to be taking what we do in our magazines ‘off the page’ and into the vibrant cities of New York, London and Melbourne with a bold and unique series of live events.

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Rosie Black
Manager, Sophia Club

Rosie Black is a Melbourne-based producer and is excited to be bringing to life the unique experience offered by the Sophia Club, to add to Melbourne’s re-emerging and vibrant cultural scene. She is looking forward to transforming perspectives through philosophical and artistic conversation.

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Nigel Warburton
Editorial Curator

Nigel Warburton has devoted much of his adult life to promoting public philosophy through his books, newspaper and magazine articles, radio programmes, the highly successful Philosophy Bites podcast, and as a consultant senior editor at Aeon+Psyche. He is delighted to be hosting Sophia Club live events in London.

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Sam Dresser
Editorial Curator

Sam Dresser is a senior editor at Aeon+Psyche. He enjoys, to a fault, taking interminable train rides and drinking good Scotch, both of which pair beautifully with what we do at Sophia Club New York: talk about meaningful ideas in a lively, playful way.

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Olivia Hains
Media Manager

Olivia is media manager and video programmer at Aeon+Psyche with a professional background in screen-editing and producing. The Sophia Club marries two of her favourite things: conversation and performance, and she looks forward to the many spirited evenings ahead that bring these two elements to life.

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Sami Pyne
Producer, New York

Sami Pyne is a New York-based independent producer, and is passionate about decluttering and demystifying the production process for creators. She’s had the pleasure of working with folks including 600 HIGHWAYMEN, Arts & Climate Initiative, The Prelude Festival, The Exponential Festival, Clubbed Thumb, and Evan Bernardin Productions.

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Lucy Hall
Producer, London

Lucy Hall is a London-based event and show producer. She specialises in facilitating creative partnerships between the arts, public and corporate worlds, through immersive performance, stage shows, festivals and brand experiences.

The Sophia Club is a new venture from Aeon Media, the publisher of Aeon and Psyche magazines.

Aeon is based in Melbourne, Australia and we respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which our Melbourne events take place, the Wurundjeri people of the Woiworung language group of the Kulin Nation.
We value the knowledge traditions and rich practice of philosophy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia, and all First Nations peoples around the world.