Aesthetic Intelligence

Pauline Brown
  • 4.6 (10)
  • Business
  • Updated Biweekly

Since 2017, Pauline Brown, former head of LVMH North America and Harvard Business School professor, has been curating conversations at the intersection of creativity, culture and commerce. Produced by SiriusXM, new episodes drop weekly. Curious to learn more? Join Pauline on Substack at @paulinegarrisbrown.

  1. 2d ago

    How to Human Better: Exploring Energetic Intelligence with Melissa Brough

    What does your body know that your brain may not? And how can you use that intelligence to navigate an increasingly overstimulated world? This week, Pauline sits down with Melissa Brough, founder of the Energetic Literacy Project, to explore the emerging concept of “energetic intelligence”: the capacity to sense, interpret, and respond to what’s happening within ourselves and in the environment around us. Drawing on Melissa’s own journey from a personal health crisis to her study of nervous-system regulation, she explains how bodily attunement can unlock a form of intelligence that our highly cerebral culture overlooks. Together, Pauline and Melissa also explore the connection between energetic intelligence and Pauline’s concept of Aesthetic Intelligence: how art, music, dance, and other aesthetic experiences can enhance our sense of well-being; how the design of a space can energize (or deplete) us; and how the “energy” of a company’s culture can influence the people within it. They also consider what happens when over-stimulation, excessive screen time, and chronic stress pull us away from our physical selves. Ultimately, the conversation turns to a question that’s becoming increasingly critical in the age of AI: How can we become better at being human? For Melissa, part of the answer lies in cultivating forms of intelligence that machines cannot replicate and learning to listen more closely to the intelligence we already carry within us.

  2. Sep 19

    What Does It Mean To Be Rich? A Conversation With Wealth Advisor Mimi Drake

    What does it really mean to be rich? And why do so many people with extraordinary financial resources still feel anxious, vulnerable, or even poor? This week, Pauline sits down with longtime friend and fellow Wharton classmate Mimi Drake to explore the complicated relationship between money, identity, power, and happiness. Mimi is a Partner and Practice Leader at Cerity Partners, one of the nation’s leading wealth management firms. Drawing on her decades of experience advising ultra-high-net-worth families, she shares insights into what wealth reveals about human nature; why money so often becomes a source of power and tension in relationships; and how families can prepare children for privilege without robbing them of purpose. Together, Pauline and Mimi also explore how the aesthetics of wealth are changing, as traditional status symbols give way to less visible forms of luxury, including health, time, access, and ease. But ultimately, their conversation raises a question that goes much deeper than money: What does it mean to live richly?

  3. Aug 23

    Will AI Make Us More Human, Not Less? A Conversation with Entrepreneur & Author Brett Hurt

    What happens to humanity when technology can do most of what we humans once did ourselves? And how can we ensure these extraordinary advances bring out the very best of our humanity, rather than the worst? In this episode, Pauline sits down with serial entrepreneur, investor, and author Brett Hurt to discuss his new book, Love Conquers Fear, and his radical view of our technological future. Together, they explore the relationship between science and spirituality; whether love really can overcome some of humanity’s darker instincts; and, ultimately, which qualities will remain distinctly and irreplaceably human. On a more personal note, Brett also reflects on Austin’s distinctive entrepreneurial culture, what Warren Buffett taught him about the true measures of success, and why he considers the Nvidia chip one of the most beautiful objects ever created. If AI has you feeling more anxious than inspired, tune in for a more hopeful take on how it might actually bring us closer to what matters most: meaning, creativity, and connection.

  4. Aug 22

    The Making of a Home: Craft and Creativity with Diane Le Cornu and Justin Binnix

    What makes a piece of furniture worth keeping? How can you tell the difference between something that’s beautifully made and something that simply looks good online? And, as technology makes it easier and cheaper than ever to furnish a home, how can you make sure your personal spaces still reflect your distinctive taste? In this latest episode, Pauline sits down with longtime furniture and lighting designer Diane Le Cornu and her partner, Justin Binnix, a Vice President at Century Furniture, for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of interiors. Together, they explore how furniture design moves from inspiration to sketch to finished product; what defines quality craftsmanship; and how technology is changing the way furniture is made and marketed. The conversation also touches on consumer trends: the quest for comfort and texture; the growing demand for vintage pieces; and how one-stop shopping contributes to the flattening of style. Ultimately, they conclude that a beautiful home isn’t created by following a formula, but by developing and trusting your own taste and surrounding yourself with the things you truly love.

  5. Aug 3

    The Art of Listening to Your Body and Reinventing Your Life

    After three decades as a highly successful investment portfolio manager, Larissa Roesch made an unexpected decision: she walked away from her career without knowing what would come next. What followed was a "year of listening" that led her to Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old Indian tradition centered on restoring balance, not just treating symptoms. In this episode, Pauline and Larissa explore the courage it takes to reinvent yourself in midlife, why health should be personalized rather than prescriptive, and how modern life disconnects us from the signals our bodies are sending. They also discuss the limits of optimization culture and the links between digestion, sleep, energy, and emotional well-being. Whether you're curious about holistic wellness or contemplating your own next chapter, this conversation is a reminder that the most meaningful step forward often begins with the simple act of listening: to your body, your intuition, and the possibilities around you.

  6. Jul 13

    Inside A. Lange & Söhne: CEO Wilhelm Schmid on Why Mechanical Watches Still Matter

    In this episode, Pauline sits down with Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of A. Lange & Söhne, one of the world's most revered luxury watch brands, for a fascinating conversation about craftsmanship, history, and the enduring appeal of mechanical timepieces. From the company's founding in 1845 in the Kingdom of Saxony, through its expropriation under communist rule, to its remarkable revival after German reunification, Wilhelm shares the extraordinary story of a brand that has become synonymous with precision, craftsmanship, and timeless design. Together, Pauline and Wilhelm explore how German engineering and aesthetics shaped Lange's distinctive identity and how the brand is drawing a new generation of enthusiasts in search of heritage, authenticity, and meaning. They also discuss the impact of AI on the traditional watch industry, the emotional value of objects made by human hands, and why the best investments in luxury are measured not by financial returns but the joy they bring their owners. The conversation offers a rare look inside one of the world's finest watch manufactures along with insights into how a world-class brand can be revived and sustained in the modern era.

  7. Jul 12

    Beyond the Bottle: The New World of Scent with Fragrance Expert Paul Austin

    In this episode, Pauline sits down with fragrance expert and brand strategist Paul Austin for a fascinating conversation about the power of scent and how it can be used to enrich human experience and enhance brand equity. Drawing on more than three decades in the industry, Paul explains how scent has evolved beyond personal fragrance to become an essential part of hospitality, retail, fashion, museums, and other cultural experiences. Together, they explore why fragrance is enjoying such a remarkable renaissance, how our sense of smell uniquely connects to memory and emotion, and why younger generations are embracing fragrance as a form of personal expression and cultural identity. The conversation also examines the rise of niche brands, the art of creating olfactory identities, and the effect of AI on fragrance development and marketing. Along the way, Paul offers sensory interpretations of destinations like Marrakech, Tokyo, New York, and Jaipur, illustrating how scent can capture the essence of a place in ways that words cannot. The episode offers a rare glimpse into one of the world's oldest and most enigmatic luxury sectors, while exploring a core tenet of Aesthetic Intelligence: that our senses profoundly shape how we experience the world, connect with others, and create meaning.

  8. Jun 21

    60 And Still Becoming: A Conversation with Dartmouth Classmates

    What happens when a group of college classmates reunites at age 60? In this special episode, Pauline is joined in the studio by three classmates - Perla Delson, Regina Glocker, and Judith Greenberg - for a candid conversation about identity, aging, friendship, and aspiration. Reflecting on four decades of life since graduation, they explore what it means to enter a new chapter. How their perceptions of themselves and others have changed with age? Which dreams they've fulfilled ... and which ones still beckon? How their families, careers, setbacks, and reinventions have shaped the women they are today? Their stories remind us that aging is not simply about growing older. It's also about becoming more fully ourselves.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Since 2017, Pauline Brown, former head of LVMH North America and Harvard Business School professor, has been curating conversations at the intersection of creativity, culture and commerce. Produced by SiriusXM, new episodes drop weekly. Curious to learn more? Join Pauline on Substack at @paulinegarrisbrown.

Information

  • Creator
    Pauline Brown
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Pauline Brown
  • Show Website
    Aesthetic Intelligence

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