Beauty At Work

Is a “theory of everything” worth pursuing? According to award-winning physicist and author Dr. Marcelo Gleiser the answer is no. In this clip, he explains why the pursuit of unity in science can be misleading. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/12246525     For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Beaut...

When it comes to science education, why should teachers care about beauty? Award-winning educator and public speaker Dr. Punya Mishra says its because it can help nurture the sense of wonder that’s vital for science. In this clip, he discusses ways to cultivate curiosity through a more aesthetic approach to science education. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/12150983...

Awe is a universal human emotion. But we often think of it as ineffable. So can it be scientifically studied? Berkeley psychologist and author Dacher Keltner does just this. In this clip, he discusses his research on the nature of awe, how it varies (or doesn’t) between cultures, and how it’s related to both beauty and science. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/1203372...

What is mimetic desire, and what does it have to do with status and success? Entrepreneur and author Luke Burgis talks about René Girard’s theory of mimetic desire and how it illuminates our actions across various contexts, from Silicon Valley to academia, what mimetic desire has to do with beauty. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/11945506 For the broader project, vis...

Does nature have a preference for symmetrical shapes? And if so, does that mean beauty is a reliable guide to scientific truth? Here’s what Oxford physicist Ard Louis has to say about these questions. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/11860976 For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast...

Is beauty a matter of nature or nurture? Is it hardwired in the brain or conditioned by culture? Neuroscientist Dr. Anjan Chatterjee challenges this dichotomy. In this clip, he points out that although “beauty is in the brain of the beholder,” our brains are more similar than they are different. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/11785200 For the broader project, visit:...

How is beauty relevant when it comes to innovation? Cultural historian Dr. Luca Cottini uses examples from Italian culture’s focus on creativity and relationality to explain how beauty promotes innovation and industry. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/11687933 For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/B...

Is there beauty in psychiatry? In this clip, Dr. Eloise Ballou, a Canadian psychiatrist with a special interest in integrating humanities into her work, shares how a key aesthetic principle of claritas—in this case, applied to the clarity of seeing a person as they are—drives her work. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/11576417 For the broader project, visit: https://w...

What makes beauty relevant to science? In this clip, Cambridge Philosopher Dr. Milena Ivanova shares the story of how she came to study the intersection of aesthetics and science, and what she's learned in the process. For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/11497942 For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.net Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon....

Philosophers throughout the centuries have been trying to define beauty. And I’m not sure anyone has succeeded. But we can identify a few essential aspects of it in particular domains. In this clip, astrophysicist and author Dr. Mario Livio explains how these aspects of beauty are especially important in physics. For the full interview see:   https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/11403924 For the bro...

Brian Mullins is the CEO of Mind Foundry, an Oxford University company operating at the intersection of innovation, research, and usability. Brian has been at the forefront of how technology can positively change people’s lives throughout his career. He has over a decade of experience in high-growth technology companies across industries such as Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and Robo...

Timothy Myers is one of America’s most versatile and innovative conductors. He is a frequent collaborator with leading opera companies and orchestras, and serves as the Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Director at Austin Opera where, in addition to leading performances, he participates in the artistic strategy and development of the Company. He is also the Music Director of the Spoleto Festival USA O...

Wayne Brezinka is an award-winning artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. Wayne’s signature style of art incorporates detailed mixed media and assemblage techniques applied to discarded and repurposed materials. He has been a contributing artist to numerous publications, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, POLITICO Europe, and others. In this episode, we talk about:  Challenging soci...

Michael R. Spicher, PhD is a public philosopher and creator of Aesthetics Research Lab. He writes and speaks about aesthetics in professional and academic contexts. He is a regular contributor to BeautyMatter, a resource for the beauty industry. Michael lectures at both Boston Architectural College and Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He co-edited a forthcoming volume with Bloomsbury Visua...

Jennifer Walsh is an acclaimed entrepreneur, author, and media figure who has spent over 25 years working at the intersection of beauty, retail, nature, and neuroscience to help people flourish. She pioneered America’s first experiential retail brand, Beauty Bar, in the 1990s, integrating biophilic design long before mainstream. Her trailblazing brand earned her regard as a “Beauty Futurist”. In 2...

Ean Williams is a former National Security Agency intelligence analyst in the United States Air Force and professional model and actor (America’s Most Wanted, A Man Called Hawk, and Anacostia). He is also a multi-award-winning event producer and fashion designer of two labels, Magnum Underwear and Corjor International. Featured in British Vogue, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Washingto...

Chris Everett is a seasoned facilitator of transformative experiences for individuals and organizations. He is a musician, artist, designer, strategist, coach, farmer, and co-founder of an arts nonprofit in western Wisconsin. With over three decades in brand expression and strategy, he is a master at using beauty as a powerful medium for transformation. From his early days in graphic design to dee...

Esther Blázquez Blanco works with leaders, teams, and organizations crafting businesses that speak human. She does this by revealing the human connection and the emotional intimacy that exists in life. She works as a Company Culture and Leadership Consultant, Speaker, Executive Coach, and systemic Facilitator.  Esther helps companies find the truth behind the role and develop the relationship betw...

Seth D. Kaplan is a leading expert on fragile states. He is a Professorial Lecturer in the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, Senior Adviser for the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), and consultant to multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, and OECD as wel...

Sean Vigue is one of the most followed yoga, Pilates, power yoga, flexibility training and performance enhancing instructors in the world with millions of followers in every corner of the world from beginners to elite professional athletes. He is a bestselling author of titles such as “Pilates for Athletes”, “Power Yoga for Athletes”, “Pilates for Men” and enjoys creating books which are accessibl...

Pallavi Dean plays at the intersection of design and entrepreneurship.  She founded her design firm Roar in 2013. A trained architect and sustainability specialist, she has won multiple awards for work across a range of sectors including commercial, hospitality, and residential. Recent work includes The Accor House of Original in Dubai, Sensasia Spa at Kempinski Dubai, and Mckinsey HQ in Doha.   ...

Dr. Dave Gammon is an integrative scientist who builds bridges beyond traditional scientific communities. Since 2006 he has taught mostly interdisciplinary science and general education courses at Elon University, where he is currently a Professor in Biology. His research projects in birdsong and in SoTL have become increasingly more interdisciplinary. He also performs a lot of science outreach, i...

Sheri Parks, Ph. D. is a public intellectual, strategist, senior higher education professor, administrator, and author, working to bridge the wisdom of communities and the academy to address urgent societal challenges. Her positions have included Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Maryland Institute College of Art and Associate Dean for Research, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, and Prog...

Tim Leberecht is a German-American author and entrepreneur, and the co-founder and co-CEO of the House of Beautiful Business, a global think tank and community with the mission to make humans more human and business more beautiful. Previously, Tim served as the chief marketing officer of NBBJ, a global design and architecture firm. From 2006 to 2013, he was the chief marketing officer of product d...

Adi Cohen is the founder of The New Movement, an architecture studio that designs one-of-a-kind projects worldwide. She is the host of the podcast ‘Go Out and Talk to Strangers’, TEDx speaker, Forbes-featured, passionate creator, and free thinker. Adi is on a mission to create ‘the most inspiring places on earth’, with the intention of using the built environment as a tool to help people thrive. A...