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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. FEB 9

    The Sisterhood That Built Beauty: Inside the Cosmetic Industry’s Most Powerful Women’s Network

    In this episode, Pauline sits down with two dynamic leaders from the beauty industry for a wide-ranging conversation about women, visibility, and leadership. She is joined by Carlotta Jacobson, former President of Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW), and her successor, Elana Szyfer, a longtime industry leader who has just taken the reins at CEW and is laying out a bold vision for its next chapter. Together, they discuss how CEW built something truly special: a sisterhood where fierce competitors come together as allies, where leadership is defined by achievement, and where visibility supports advancement. The conversation looks both backward and forward, reflecting on the founding of CEW more than a half-century ago, while examining how careers are changing, how professional communities are evolving, and how the new generation of leaders is reshaping the industry. If you’re curious to learn how one group of women transformed an entire industry - and, along the way, expanded the opportunities for countless other women - this episode is a must-listen.

    53 min
  6. A Century of Style, Struggle and Survival: The Neiman Marcus Story

    FEB 8

    A Century of Style, Struggle and Survival: The Neiman Marcus Story

    This is the third installment of Luxe Stories, a standalone podcast series (distinct from Pauline’s regular show) that takes a deep look at the remarkable histories of iconic luxury brands and how they evolved over time. In this episode, Pauline explores the story of America’s leading luxury department store, Neiman Marcus. Drawing on her own experience as a longtime vendor, partner, and former board member, she examines the company not just as a retailer, but as a cultural force that helped shape how luxury has been perceived and experienced here in the United States. The episode traces Neiman Marcus’s journey from its origins in early-1900s Dallas to its place in today’s rapidly changing landscape. At the heart of the story are the elements that define every great, enduring brand: the cultural context in which it was born, the people who built it, and the ideas that shaped it. Listeners are introduced to Neiman's three founders: Herbert Marcus, his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman, and her husband, Abraham Lincoln Neiman. Pauline focuses primarily on Carrie, whose instinct for style, quality, and innovation laid the foundation for modern American fashion. Carrie's influence, together with Herbert’s operational discipline, transformed the retailer from a single successful store into a nationally recognized commercial and cultural institution. The episode also examines pivotal moments that could have ended the business but instead made it stronger - from a devastating early fire to decades-later mergers that reshaped its structure and leadership. Through each era, Neiman Marcus showed how creativity, resilience, and agility allowed it to adapt to changing circumstances, while its heritage and culture preserved its core values. The story of Neiman Marcus offers lessons not only for luxury marketers, but for anyone interested in how organizations evolve and endure across generations. More than a corporate history, Luxe Stories asks a larger question: what allows a brand to outlive its founders, its owners, and even its original business model? And why, despite decades of upheaval, the Neiman Marcus legacy still matters today? While this episode does not explore the company’s current bankruptcy, it leaves listeners wondering whether today’s owners and leaders can summon the same creativity, discipline, and judgment that once enabled Neiman Marcus to overcome its greatest challenges.

    53 min

  7. JAN 25

    The Politics and Personality of Fonts: A Conversation with Graphic Artist Andrew Theodore

    In this episode, Pauline dives into the surprisingly powerful world of typography with Los Angeles–based art director and type specialist Andrew Theodore. Together, they explore how fonts signal trust, authority, and “expensive” and discuss the different effects of serif vs. sans serif, round vs. angular forms, and digitally generated vs. handwritten type. The conversation concludes with simple, practical ways listeners can sharpen their “type eye” and learn to decode what brands are saying before they say a word.

    53 min

  8. JAN 7

    Why Libraries Still Matter: A Conversation with NYC's Chief Librarian Brian Bannon

    On this episode, Pauline sits down with Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian of New York City (yes, he oversees 88 branches across all five boroughs) for a fascinating look at how libraries are being reinvented - and why they may be more important today than ever. Together, they unpack the library as today’s ultimate “third space”: part community hub, part cultural institution, part digital lifeline. Brian shares how great branches are designed not just to function well, but to feel welcoming and how collections are curated to reflect both cultural conversation and what readers genuinely devour, from romance and fantasy to literary fiction. They also dive into one of the most timely debates in modern reading: audiobooks. Brian explains why listening to a book isn’t “cheating,” how neuroscience supports reading with our ears (and even our fingers, through braille), and why audio may be key to rebuilding a culture of deep reading in an otherwise distracted world. Plus: the “Amazon effect,” the rise of BookTok and book influencers, surprising things libraries lend beyond books, and a forward-looking case for why libraries remain one of the last free, public spaces built for learning, creativity, and real human connection.

    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
    78
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Pauline Brown
  • Show Website
    Aesthetic Intelligence

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