Aesthetic Intelligence

Pauline Brown

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. 6D AGO

    The Evolution of Aesthetic Tastes through Wine & Spirits

    In this episode, Pauline Brown uncorks the fascinating history of wine and spirits through the lens of societal taste and cultural values, tracing how trends in alcohol consumption have mirrored the aspirations, anxieties, identities, and status symbols of each era. From the secrecy and rebellion of Prohibition era speakeasies to today’s highly curated, Instagram worthy cocktail culture, she reveals that what we choose to drink has always been driven by far more than flavor. During the segment, Pauline explores how alcohol evolved from a moral controversy into a symbol of sophistication, performance, wellness, and self expression, reflecting broader shifts in fashion, luxury, media, nightlife, and consumer culture. Why did martinis define the 1950s? How did Absolut Vodka transform packaging into art? And why are younger generations increasingly drawn to nonalcoholic spirits and what Pauline calls “optimized indulgence”? The conversation concludes with reflections on today’s rapidly evolving landscape, one shaped by wellness culture, hyper personalization, mindful consumption, and identity-driven choices, and examines how these forces are redefining nightlife, rituals, and even the meaning of pleasure itself. Blending cultural analysis, trend forecasting, psychology, and historical storytelling, this episode offers a new framework for understanding not only wine and spirits, but the broader evolution of human taste and what it reveals about who we are still becoming.

    53 min

  2. APR 25

    The Disenchantment of Modern Travel (Part 1 of a 2-Part Series)

    In this episode (the first of a two-part series on travel), Pauline examines how modern travel - once defined by elegance, discovery, and anticipation - has devolved into a series of friction-filled, dehumanizing transactions. She explores the forces driving this decline, including: the financialization of the travel industry, an obsession with price over value, the rise of algorithm-driven processes, and the mounting strain of mass tourism on infrastructure. From crowded airports and invasive security to harsh lighting, industrialized food, and homogenized destinations, nearly every touchpoint seems to have lost its sense of delight. But this segment isn’t just a critique; it’s a call to action. Pauline offers practical, low-lift ways the industry could restore humanity and aesthetic richness to the travel experience. The problem isn’t scale or accessibility; it’s lack of care. With renewed intention, Pauline believes travel can once again become meaningful, memorable, and even magical.

    27 min

  3. APR 25

    The Re-Enchantment of Travel: The Legacy of César Ritz (Part 2 of 2)

    In Part 2 of this series, Pauline shifts from critique to possibility, exploring how the travel experience might be reinvented. She does so by looking back to one of the original architects of luxury travel, César Ritz, founder of The Ritz-Carlton. At a time when travel feels increasingly transactional and depleted, Mr. Ritz remains a powerful and enduring symbol. Rising from humble beginnings in rural Switzerland, he redefined hospitality in the late 19th century by anticipating guests’ needs and elevating service into an art form. Pauline unpacks what made him exceptional. It was not just attention to detail, but his understanding that luxury, at its core, is about feelings and sensations. From lighting and spatial design to social choreography and personalized touches, every element of his hotels was designed to elicit ease, dignity, and delight. But his story also carries a cautionary note. The same sensitivity and perfectionism that made him a visionary ultimately led to burnout and depression, revealing the human cost of his relentless drive and uncompromising standards. Building on the themes from Part 1, Pauline makes the case that restoring beauty, care, and intentionality to modern travel is not about returning to the past, but about reclaiming what made travel magical in the first place.

    27 min

  4. APR 18

    The Blobification of Car Design

    In this solo episode, Pauline takes on an unexpected subject: car design. Drawing on her background in ' the Business of Aesthetics' - and her consulting work with major automakers - she explores what she calls the “blobification” of cars: the growing sameness, softness, and visual boredom of today’s vehicles. Pauline argues that cars have lost much of their emotional and cultural expressiveness, becoming increasingly shaped by engineering efficiency, software logic, and global market convergence rather than bold aesthetic vision. Using a sweeping historical lens, Pauline walks listeners through nine eras of automotive design, from the utilitarian machinery of the original Model T to the flamboyant chrome-and-tailfin exuberance of the 1950s, the rebellious muscle cars of the '60s, the anxious downsizing of the '70s, and the rounded “jelly bean” forms that emerged in the '90s and matured into today’s EV minimalism. Along the way, Pauline discusses how car designs mirror the social mood of their time. But this episode is not just a history lesson; it’s a critique. Pauline examines how the industry’s design culture, long dominated by engineering-driven male archetypes, has flattened distinction across brands, countries, and customer groups. She reflects on the shrinking gap between masculine and feminine preferences, the fading of national design identities, and the way cars today feel less like statements of taste and more like standardized software platforms on wheels. Even color, once a vivid marker of individuality, has largely disappeared into a grayscale landscape. At the same time, Pauline offers a vision for what could come next, calling for cars that feel more human, expressive, emotionally resonant, and inspiring.

    53 min

  5. MAR 29

    Barbie and the Making of a Myth: A Conversation with Author Tarpley Hitt

    In this episode, Pauline sits down with Tarpley Hitt, author of Barbie Land: The Unauthorized History, to unpack the cultural staying power of America’s most famous doll. What begins as a conversation about Barbie’s origins leads into a broader discussion about aesthetics, archetypes, and why certain icons endure long after their commercial peak. Together, Pauline and Tarpley explore how Barbie became more than a toy: it's a symbol of commodified femininity, and the enduring power (and contradiction) of myth-making in a consumer-driven world. Tarpley shares the surprising backstory behind Barbie’s creation, including the doll’s roots in a German predecessor and the outsized role of Mattel’s ambitious and controversial leadership. The conversation traces Barbie’s evolution from a highly stylized adult doll into a sprawling lifestyle brand, revealing how much of her success came not from the doll itself, but from the endless world of accessories, identities, and aspirations built around her. The episode also examines how Barbie reflects broader social currents - from feminism and body image to consumer culture and global manufacturing - and they consider why and how she has survived cultural backlash, shifting norms, and changing retail landscapes in a way few other brands have. By the end, the discussion becomes a larger meditation on dolls, projection, aspiration, and identity - why humans have always made miniature versions of themselves, and what those figures reveal about the societies that create them.

    53 min

  6. MAR 22

    Ice Cream Inc.: A Conversation with David Stein and Sasha Grutman on Branding, Culture, and Connection

    In this episode, Pauline dives into the sweet world of ice cream - an industry that's far more complex than it appears. Joined by longtime ice cream entrepreneur David Stein and discerning foodie Sasha Grutman, the conversation explores how frozen desserts evolved from local dairy byproducts into a multi‑billion‑dollar business shaped by shifts in branding, packaging, communications, and culture. The discussion traces the breakthrough innovation in 1973 by Steve Herrell, founder of Steve’s Ice Cream, whose mix‑in concept revolutionized the category, and how Ben & Jerry’s later amplified that idea with playful flavor names and an iconic visual identity. Together, they discuss how ice cream grew from a childhood treat into a social experience - one that thrives on creativity, novelty, and storytelling. The episode also examines the rise and fall of “better‑for‑you” brands like Halo Top and the growing influence of plant‑based and artisanal brands, highlighting how consumer tastes continue to evolve. Tune in to discover why ice cream is more than a dessert; it's a reflection of our never-ending craving for joy, fun, and connection.

    53 min

  7. MAR 7

    How Heat (and Sweat) Can Transform Our Health: A Conversation with Science Writer Bill Gifford

    Pauline welcomes bestselling health & wellness writer Bill Gifford (co-author of Outlive) to discuss his latest book, Hotwired: How the Hidden Power of Heat Makes Us Stronger. In this conversation, Bill makes the case that sweating is an evolutionary superpower and explains why our modern, climate-controlled lives may be undermining our overall wellbeing. The conversation moves beyond health fads and clichés and dives into the science of heat exposure - from saunas and hot baths to hot yoga - explaining why and how it supports cardiovascular health and improves mental health. Pauline and Bill also explore the aesthetics of heat rituals, from contemporary bathhouses and sauna design to long-standing traditions like Japanese onsen, Moroccan hammams, and Native American sweat lodges. And yes, Bill offers a candid critique of the cold-plunge trend, along with a practical litmus test for navigating wellness hype. (Hint: start with what’s free, foundational, and already built into our biology.) Tune in and heat up your own approach to better living.

    53 min

  8. FEB 21

    The Art and Science of Curating Your Closet: A Conversation with Caroline Gardner of The RealReal

    In this episode, Pauline sits down with longtime friend Caroline Gardner, Head of Integrated Brand Marketing at The RealReal, to explore what happens when we treat our closets less like storage units and more like living archives of identity. Together, they unpack the hidden logic of luxury resale: why certain items retain value (and most don’t); how cultural relevance and condition affect pricing; and how generational shifts are elevating the desirability of “secondhand” fashion. They conclude with practical (and surprising) advice for aligning who you with how you present yourself; for distinguishing taste vs. trend, and for curating your own “aesthetically intelligent closet."

    53 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 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
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Pauline Brown
  • Show Website
    Aesthetic Intelligence

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