

Beauty At Work
Brandon Vaidyanathan
Beauty at Work expands our understanding of beauty: what it is, how it works, and why it matters. Sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan interviews scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders across diverse fields to reveal new insights into how beauty shapes our brains, behaviors, organizations, and societies--for good and for ill. Learn how to harness the power of beauty in your life and work, while avoiding its pitfalls.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 2, 2025 • 20min
Beauty, Responsibility, and the Future of AI: A Conversation with Brian Mullins of Mind Foundry - Clip From S2E18
In this clip from the episode of Beauty at Work, host Brandon Vaidyanathan sits down with Brian Mullins, CEO of Mind Foundry, a pioneering responsible AI company spun out of the University of Oxford. Brian shares how AI can be built differently—safely, ethically, and in partnership with human insight—for high-stakes, real-world applications. From malaria detection in mosquitoes to the myth of superintelligence, the conversation explores the promises and perils of AI, and how beauty—in simplicity, function, and deep understanding—emerges in the process.Mullins discusses why we’re a long way away from AI transforming into a super-intelligence that truly rivals human intelligence. And, he shares where he finds beauty in his work.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/14500178For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #BrandonVaidyanathan #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #BrianMullins #MindFoundry #Superintelligence #ScienceAndBeauty #UnderstandingAI #AIInnovation #TechForGood #FutureOfAI #EthicalTech #OxfordAI #HumanCenteredAI #ResponsibleAISupport the show

Aug 26, 2025 • 21min
The Sacred Power of Sound: Timothy Myers on Beauty, Community, and the Art of Conducting - Clip From S2E17
Is classical music “entertainment”? Timothy Myers, conductor and music director of the Austin Opera, argues that it’s an antidote to entertainment. Here, he shares his story of how he became a conductor and discusses what he finds inspiring about orchestral performance.In this clip from the Beauty at Work podcast, host Brandon Vaidyanathan speaks with Timothy Myers, acclaimed conductor and Music Director of the Austin Opera. Myers shares deeply personal stories—from his early musical memories at a powwow in Oklahoma to the transformative moment of hearing Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade live. He reflects on the collaborative nature of conducting, the aesthetic principles behind orchestral sound, and why live performance is more than entertainment—it's a sacred act of communal enchantment.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/14411268For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast #TimothyMyers #BeautyAtWork #ClassicalMusic #OrchestralMusic #AustinOpera #LivePerformance #MusicAndBeauty #Conducting #ArtisticLeadership #MusicPodcast #EnchantmentThroughArt #BrandonVaidyanathan #SacredArt #PowerOfSound #MusicalJourney #ModernClassicalSupport the show

Aug 20, 2025 • 20min
Art, Trauma, and the Power of Vulnerability – A Conversation with Wayne Brezinka - Clip From S2E16
How can art heal us? Award-winning artist Wayne Brezinka discusses some of the most meaningful responses to his pieces that he’s received. He also talks about the workshops he leads that focus on using art as a tool to respond to trauma.In this episode of the Beauty at Work podcast, host Brandon Vaidyanathan speaks with Wayne about the role of vulnerability in his creative process, how his artwork opens space for healing conversations, and why untrained hands often produce the most powerful pieces. Wayne also shares what he’s learned from working with veterans, healthcare workers, and others processing deep pain through art.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/14296065For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #WayneBrezinka #BrandonVaidyanathan #ArtHealing #ArtAndTrauma #ArtPodcast #TraumaRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #Inspiration #StoryThroughArt #PodcastEpisode #CreativeExpression #HealingThroughArt #MixedMediaArt #ArtWorkshopsSupport the show

Aug 12, 2025 • 12min
Digital Fashion, Aesthetics, and the Politics of Beauty: Philosopher Michael R. Spicher - Clip From S2E15
What is digital fashion and why pay attention to it? Philosopher Michael R. Spicher shares how his ongoing research on digital fashion shows that we are “aesthetic beings.” He also discusses the relationship between beauty and politics.In this clip from the Beauty at Work podcast, host Brandon Vaidyanathan speaks with Michael about his new co-edited academic book on digital fashion. They explore the origins of digital garments, the impact of virtual try-ons on sustainability, and the deep human drive for aesthetic expression. Michael explains how digital fashion opens up new possibilities for self-expression, challenges traditional fashion norms, and intersects with issues of equity, decoloniality, and even Supreme Court rulings.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/14217467For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast #BeautyAtWork #DigitalFashion #Aesthetics #PhilosophyOfBeauty #MichaelSpicher #VirtualFashion #FashionAndTech #BeautyPolitics #PhilosophyPodcast #BrandonVaidyanathan #SustainabilityInFashion #MetaverseFashion #VirtualTryOn #Neuroaesthetics #BeautyAndJusticeSupport the show

Aug 5, 2025 • 18min
From Beauty to Biophilia: Jennifer Walsh’s Journey from Finance to Wellness Walks™ - Clip From S2E14
Why would someone in the finance industry start an independent makeup line then, years later, begin leading nature walks? Jennifer Walsh, biophilia expert and founder of Wellness Walks™, tells the story of the birth of Beauty Bar and why she founded Wellness Walks.In this clip from the Beauty At Work podcast, host Brandon Vaidyanathan welcomes Jennifer to explore her remarkable journey—from working at Merrill Lynch to becoming a beauty industry pioneer and nature wellness advocate. She shares how early TV appearances and entrepreneurial grit helped launch one of the first apothecary-style beauty boutiques in the U.S., and how her personal healing in Central Park sparked a mission to reconnect people with the natural world.Together, they unpack the science of biophilia, how design impacts well-being, and why walking slowly through nature may be one of the most profound forms of self-care today.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2043099/episodes/14144885For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast #JenniferWalsh #Biophilia #NatureHeals #WellnessWalks #BeautyBar #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #MindfulLiving #BeautyIndustry #BiophilicDesign #HealingWithNature #WalkWithWalsh #BrainOnNature #BeautyAndWellness #PodcastInterview #NatureTherapySupport the show

Jul 29, 2025 • 17min
How Fashion Changed My Life: Ean Williams on Identity, Rejection, and Founding DC Fashion Week - Clip From S2E13
In this clip from the Beauty At Work podcast, host Brandon Vaidyanathan talks with fashion designer and DC Fashion Week founder Ean Williams about his unexpected journey from shy, style-conscious teen to fashion model, Air Force intelligence specialist, and eventually a leading force in the fashion world. Ean shares candid reflections on how fashion shaped his identity, the challenges of modeling, his father's lessons on hard work, and how a problem-solving mindset led him to build a platform for emerging designers. He also talks about the dynamics of personal rejection in a modeling career and shares the story of how his fashion career came to be.This conversation explores the deeper power of fashion—not just as an industry, but as a transformative, expressive force in our lives.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/14060070For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #DCFashionWeek #EanWilliams #CreativeJourneys #FashionJourney #ModelLife #FromRejectionToSuccess #EngineeringMeetsFashion #FashionAndIdentity #ConfidenceThroughStyle #BehindTheScenes #DesignWithPurposeSupport the show

Jul 22, 2025 • 13min
Reweaving Community Through Beauty: Chris Everett on Art, Healing, and Sacred Space - Clip From S2E12
How did a barn on a Minnesota farm turn into a space where people from diverse backgrounds could experience beauty? Musician, designer, and arts non-profit co-founder Chris Everett recounts how the artist retreat was born and shares the story of a particularly beautiful moment there.In this clip from the Beauty At Work podcast, host Brandon Vaidyanathan talks with Chris Everett about how he and his husband transformed an old farm into Everwood, an artist retreat rooted in nature, creativity, and community. Chris reflects on the healing power of the arts, his mission to support artists, and how beauty can open hearts—even across ideological divides.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13967102For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #ChrisEverett #ArtsRetreat #CreativeHealing #EverwoodFarm #ArtAndCommunity #BeautyInDiversity #ArtistSupport #MusicForHealing #PodcastClips #TransformThroughArt #BrandonVaidyanathan #SacredSpaces #ArtsNonprofitSupport the show

Jul 15, 2025 • 16min
Building a Beautiful Workplace Culture (Esther Blázquez Blanco) - Clip From S2E11
What does it mean for a business to have a beautiful culture? Leadership coach and consultant Esther Blázquez Blanco offers some advice for leaders.In this clip from the Beauty At Work podcast, host Brandon Vaidyanathan is joined by Esther Blásquez Blanco for a profound conversation on what it truly means to create a "beautiful" culture within an organization. Esther challenges the idea of perfection, emphasizing that beauty in culture lies in commitment, honesty, and human connection. From resisting copy-paste culture fixes to nurturing safe mental spaces, she shares real-life insights, practical advice, and a refreshing approach to leadership. A must-listen for leaders, consultants, and anyone passionate about workplace transformation.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/2043099/episodes/13877333For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast #CompanyCulture #BeautifulLeadership #OrganizationalChange #WorkplaceWellbeing #EstherBlazquezBlanco #BeautyAtWork #LeadershipDevelopment #HumanCenteredWork #CultureConsulting #BrandonVaidyanathan #SafeSpacesAtWork #ConsciousLeadership #WorkplaceTransformationSupport the show

Jul 8, 2025 • 21min
From Fragility to Flourishing: Social Cohesion and Joyful Communities (Dr. Seth Kaplan) - Clip From S2E10
What makes a society fragile? Fragile states expert Dr. Seth Kaplan shares the story of why he started researching the relational underpinnings of societies and how they contribute to societies’ fragility and flourishing. He also discusses what a beautiful neighborhood looks like and why they’re so important.In this clip of Beauty At Work episode, hosted by Brandon Vaidyanathan, Dr. Kaplan reflects on his intellectual journey—from global exploration and entrepreneurship to the study of fragile states and American communities. Drawing from his book Fragile Neighborhoods, he emphasizes the foundational role of social relationships in national stability and personal well-being, and explores how neighborhood-level vitality holds the key to reversing societal decline.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13769256For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#SethKaplan #PoliticalScience #FragileStates #BeautyAtWork #PodcastEpisode #BeautyAtWork #BrandonVaidyanathan #NeighborhoodsMatter #ThrivingCommunities #BeautifulNeighborhoodsSupport the show

Jul 1, 2025 • 15min
From Opera to Asanas: Sean Vigue on the Beauty of Movement (Sean Vigue) - Clip Fro S2E9
In this inspiring episode of Beauty At Work, host Brandon Vaidyanathan sits down with Sean Vigue, a renowned online yoga and Pilates instructor, to explore his journey from musical theater and opera to becoming a global fitness educator. What motivates a musical theater professional to become a personal trainer and Pilates instructor? From dancing on stage to teaching at Disney and building a massive online following, Sean reveals what it means to find harmony between art, fitness, and personal growth.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13682599For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #SeanVigue #YogaLife #PilatesInstructor #FromStageToStudio #MovementAsArt #FitnessJourney #TheaterToWellness #MindBodyConnection #PilatesLife #YogaForEveryone #ArtAndDiscipline #WellnessWisdomSupport the show