Beauty At Work

Why is the mockingbird’s song so beautiful and yet so challenging to understand? Biologist and integrative scientist Dr. Dave Gammon discusses his research on the “career-killer” animal, sharing where he finds beauty in his research as well as his teaching. From the musical complexity of mockingbird songs to evolutionary insights about human monogamy to interdisciplinary teaching bridging disciplines, Dr. Gammon reveals how beauty shapes both his research and his classroom.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13501443For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #ScienceAndBeauty #DaveGammon #BrandonVaidyanathan  #MockingbirdMindscapes #BeautyInTheWild #VariationOnATheme #SongsOfScience #ScientificStorytelling #InterdisciplinaryImprov #FromBigBangToUs #FearTheMockingbird #ChorusOfCuriosity #BiologyInHarmonySupport the show

In this compelling episode of Beauty at Work, host Brandon Vaidyanathan sits down with cultural scholar Sheri Parks to explore how aesthetics—often dismissed as trivial—carry profound power.How is aesthetics a tool for social justice? Public intellectual Dr. Sheri Parks shares how her projects harness the powerful beauty of dance, art therapy, indigo dye, and more to transform communities.From healing trauma through art and movement, to restoring economic and cultural dignity through the Indigo Dye Initiative, Parks reveals how beauty functions as a force for resilience, justice, and joy. Learn how aesthetics can reconnect communities, empower Black farmers, and provide meaningful labor for returning citizens.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13387670For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #SheriParks #IndigoDyeInitiative #AestheticHealing #CulturalRevival #BlackFarming #ArtTherapy #SocialImpact #BeautyAndJustice #CreativeEconomy #HealingThroughArt #AestheticsMatter #BaltimoreInitiatives #ReturnToRoots #BeautyForChangeSupport the show

What does it mean to be a “romantic” in business? Tim Leberecht, entrepreneur and co-founder of the House of Beautiful Business, shares the story of how he came to recognize the Romantic ideals behind beautiful business. In this clip, he explains what Romantic business principles are and the impact they have on workplace experience.In conversation with Brandon Vaidyanathan, Tim reflects on his early influences, the cultural disillusionment he experienced in Silicon Valley, and the emergence of a countercultural movement rooted in beauty, emotion, and imagination. He introduces the concept of a “life-centered” economy—one that honors all life within and around us—and shares how the House of Beautiful Business is building spaces for meaningful change across the corporate world.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13304558For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #PodcastEpisode #NewEpisode #TimLeberecht #BrandonVaidyanathan #BeautifulBusiness #RomanticBusiness #LifeCenteredEconomy #WorkplaceWellbeing #BusinessWithSoul #FutureOfWork #HumanizingWork #EmotionalIntelligence #BusinessPhilosophy #MeaningfulWork #LeadershipWithHeart #WorkplaceCultureSupport the show

How does a nomadic lifestyle inspire beauty in architecture? Architect, TEDx speaker, and Forbes-featured entrepreneur Adi Cohen shares how she became a global citizen who travels the world creating beautiful spaces.In this episode of Beauty At Work, Adi joins sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan to reflect on her deeply personal journey through architecture, travel, and human connection. From hitchhiking in India to reimagining a hotel in Japan, she explores how spaces shape our emotions, behavior, and sense of belonging. Drawing from universal patterns of human comfort—like refuge, beauty, and interaction—Cohen invites us to see architecture not as static form, but as a living dialogue with place, culture, and the human spirit.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13220549For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcastHashtags:#BeautyAtWork #ArchitectureAndTravel #AdiCohen #DesignForBelonging #NomadicArchitect #HumanCenteredDesign #GlobalArchitecture #CreativeJourneys #SpacesThatInspire #ArchitectureOfConnection #DesigningBeauty #BrandonVaidyanathan #TedxSpeaker #WomenInDesign #ArchitecturePodcastSupport the show

How can science speak to our deepest spiritual yearnings? In this captivating panel discussion held at NeueHouse Manhattan, five prominent scientists and thinkers explore how different ways of knowing—from physics to medicine, from spirituality to ethics—can build meaningful bridges between worlds often seen as separate.The panelists are:Dr. Alan Lightman (physicist and Professor of the Practice of the humanities at MIT, and author of numerous books including most recently, the The Miraculous from the Material) - he was a guest on Season 3Dr. Neil Theise (professor of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, pioneer of adult stem stell plasticity and the interstitium, and author of "Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being,”)Dr. Scarlet Soriano, Executive Director at Duke Health & Well-Being, whose work focuses on the development of equity-based and community-grounded health and well-being interventions;and Dr. Katy Hinman is the Director of Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion (DoSER) program at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS),The panel was moderated by Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, who is the creator, writer, host and executive producer of Closer To Truth, the long-running public television series and leading global resource on Cosmos, Life, Mind, and Meaning.Together, they discuss: Can spirituality coexist with scientific rationality? How do love, consciousness, and our connection to the universe shape our understanding of life's purpose?This event, sponsored by The John Templeton Foundation and produced by Rohan Routroy and Thirty Eight, explores and debates diverse approaches to consciousness and spirituality in an age of science.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iaUV4QWbZcI#ScienceAndSpirituality #ScienceAndReligion #MeaningOfLife #CloserToTruth #Consciousness #AlanLightman #NeilTheiseSupport the show

How can artists and scientists collaborate to envision the future? Biologist Dr. Rob Dunn discusses the art-science collaboration projects he’s working on that do just this. Brandon and Rob Dunn explore how blending science with art and storytelling can help us better understand the future — from climate change and food to microbiomes and imagination.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13121277For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #ScienceAndArt #FutureThinking #ClimateChange #SpeculativeFutures #Interdisciplinary #Microbiome #ScienceCommunication #ArtAndScience #RobDunnSupport the show

Are architecture, beauty, and spirituality related? Yes, says award-winning architect Rachael Grochowski. In this clip from our podcast conversation, she shares the story of how she became an architect and how her design integrates spirituality. From the influence of her grandparents' cottage to her evolution as a designer, Rachel explores how architecture can shape our relationships, enhance well-being, and connect us to nature. She talks about the ways thoughtful design can create peaceful, harmonious spaces that honor both the material and spiritual worlds.For the full interview see:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13028725For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#Architecture #BeautyAndSpirituality #ThoughtfulDesign #SpiritualArchitecture #DesignWithPurpose #WellBeing #ArchitecturalDesign #HarmonyInDesign #NatureAndDesign #AwardWinningArchitect #RachaelGrochowski #PeacefulSpaces #SpiritualityInDesignSupport the show

How does aesthetic intelligence contribute to success in business? Pauline Brown, leader in luxury goods and Columbia Business School professor, discusses the power and ethics of aesthetic intelligence. Brandon and Pauline discuss how aesthetic intelligence shapes company culture and customer relationships. They explore its impact on branding, hospitality, and ethics, with examples like Starbucks, and highlight the responsibility of businesses to make authentic, meaningful connections.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/12950416 For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#AestheticIntelligence #CorporateCulture #BusinessSuccess #LuxuryGoods #HospitalityIndustry #Branding #CustomerRelationships #BusinessEthics #AuthenticityInBusiness #MeaningfulConnections #Starbucks #CreativeLeadership #PaulineBrown #BusinessInnovationSupport the show

A conversation at the New York Encounter 2025 on loneliness and malaise in today’s society with Robert Putnam, Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University, and Sherry Turkle, Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, moderated by Brandon Vaidyanathan, Professor of Sociology, The Catholic University of AmericaThere is no doubt that loneliness and a widespread malaise characterize the lives of young and not-so-young generations. The speakers have dedicated their professional careers to studying societal changes and will look at the root causes of this unease. They will also discuss the impact of social media on human identity and relationships and reflect on ways to address them.Support the show

A conversation at the New York Encounter 2025 on loneliness and malaise in today’s society with Robert Putnam, Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University, and Sherry Turkle, Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, moderated by Brandon Vaidyanathan, Professor of Sociology, The Catholic University of AmericaThere is no doubt that loneliness and a widespread malaise characterize the lives of young and not-so-young generations. The speakers have dedicated their professional careers to studying societal changes and will look at the root causes of this unease. They will also discuss the impact of social media on human identity and relationships and reflect on ways to address them.Support the show