Beauty At Work

Brandon Vaidyanathan
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

  1. AI and the Future of Human Agency with Helen and Dave Edwards - S4E12 (Part 1 of 2)

    4D AGO

    AI and the Future of Human Agency with Helen and Dave Edwards - S4E12 (Part 1 of 2)

    Artificial intelligence is not only changing what we can do, but may be changing how we think. As AI systems increasingly participate in writing, reasoning, and decision-making, it becomes more urgent to ask what it means to retain human agency and ensure we're not losing our fundamental capabilities. My guests today, Helen and Dave Edwards, have been working seriously on this question. Helen and Dave Edwards are co-founders of the Artificiality Institute, a nonprofit research organization that helps people stay human in the age of AI. They explore how AI changes the way we think, who we become, and what it means to be human. Through story-based research, education, and community, they help people choose the relationship they want with machines, so they remain the authors of their own minds. Before founding the Artificiality Institute, they co-founded Intelligentsia.ai, an AI-focused research firm acquired by Atlantic Media. Helen previously led large-scale technology and transformation efforts in critical infrastructure, while Dave spent years shaping creative tools at Apple and investing in emerging technologies as a venture capitalist at CRV and an equity research analyst at Morgan Stanley and ThinkEquity. In this first part of our conversation, we discuss: Helen and Dave's early childhood experiences of beautyThe origin of the Artificiality Institute  How AI is already reshaping the way we reason, write, create, and make decisions What happens to human reasoning and decision-making when AI becomes part of our thinking process The difference between “drift” and intentional authorship when working with AI Cognitive sovereignty as the central challenge of the AI era How can people use AI deeply and skillfully The concept of symbolic plasticity and how AI can reshape the frameworks we use to understand the world To learn more about Helen and Dave’s work, you can find them at: https://artificialityinstitute.org/  Books and resources mentioned: The Artificiality, AI Culture, and Why the Future Will Be Co-Evolution (by Helen Edwards) This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust. Support the show

    39 min
  2. Innovation and Religion with Dr. Marco Ventura - S4E11 (Part 2 of 2)

    MAR 3

    Innovation and Religion with Dr. Marco Ventura - S4E11 (Part 2 of 2)

    Dr. Marco Ventura is Professor of Law and Religion and Religious Diplomacy at the University of Siena in Italy. Trained in bioethics and biolaw at the University of Strasbourg, he has advised the European Parliament, the OSCE, and various governments on the intersection of religion and rights. He directed the Center for Religious Studies at the Fondazione Bruno Kessler in Trento and chairs the G20 Interfaith Working Group on Religion, Innovation, and Technology and Infrastructures. Marco is the author of numerous books, including From Your Gods to Our Gods and Nelle mani di Dio, la super religione del mondo che verrà. Over the past decade, he has helped shape the emerging field exploring the encounter between religion and innovation. In this episode, we explore Marco's work on bioethics and technoscience, their influential position paper mapping out this emerging field of religion and innovation, and what innovation really means in a religious context. In this second part of our conversation, we talk about: 1. The language of innovation 2. How do religious communities decide what kind of change is desirable? 3. Innovation, markets, and technology as rival meaning systems 4. Resistance movements as responses to innovation 5. Politicization and polarization in debates about markets and capitalism To learn more about Marco’s work, you can find him at:  https://credo.unisi.it/about/secretariat-and-experts/person/marco Links Mentioned: Religion, Innovation, Position paper, FBK 2019 - https://isr.fbk.eu/en/about-us/position-paper/ Fondazione Bruno Kessler – https://www.fbk.eu/ G20 Interfaith Forum – https://www.g20interfaith.org/ Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – https://www.osce.org/ This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust. Support the show

    29 min
  3. Innovation and Religion with Dr. Marco Ventura - S4E11 (Part 1 of 2)

    FEB 24

    Innovation and Religion with Dr. Marco Ventura - S4E11 (Part 1 of 2)

    Dr. Marco Ventura is Professor of Law and Religion and Religious Diplomacy at the University of Siena in Italy. Trained in bioethics and biolaw at the University of Strasbourg, he has advised the European Parliament, the OSCE, and various governments on the intersection of religion and rights. He directed the Center for Religious Studies at the Fondazione Bruno Kessler in Trento and chairs the G20 Interfaith Working Group on Religion, Innovation, and Technology and Infrastructures. Marco is the author of numerous books, including From Your Gods to Our Gods and Nelle mani di Dio, la super religione del mondo che verrà. Over the past decade, he has helped shape the emerging field exploring the encounter between religion and innovation. In this episode, we explore Marco's work on bioethics and technoscience, their influential position paper mapping out this emerging field of religion and innovation, and what innovation really means in a religious context. In this first part of our conversation, we discuss: The balance between tradition and contemporary artThe story of St. Francis and “repair my church” as a metaphor for renewalCatholic Church’s response to reproductive technologiesWhy “innovation” was chosen instead of simply “technology.”Distinction between technological innovation and social innovationTwo categories of innovationWhy religious actors want a voice in innovation-driven global agendasThe use of innovation in a religious context To learn more about Marco’s work, you can find him at:  https://credo.unisi.it/about/secretariat-and-experts/person/marco Links Mentioned: Religion, Innovation, Position paper, FBK 2019 - https://isr.fbk.eu/en/about-us/position-paper/ Fondazione Bruno Kessler – https://www.fbk.eu/ G20 Interfaith Forum – https://www.g20interfaith.org/ Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – https://www.osce.org/ This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust. Support the show

    30 min
  4. Can AI Replace Human Connection? with Dr. Allison Pugh and Louis Kim - S4E10 (Part 2 of 2)

    FEB 17

    Can AI Replace Human Connection? with Dr. Allison Pugh and Louis Kim - S4E10 (Part 2 of 2)

    Dr. Allison Pugh is Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and author of The Last Human Job, winner of the 2025 Best Book Award from the American Sociological Association. Her work examines how automation, efficiency, and quantification reshape work that relies on presence, dignity, and visibility. She introduces the concept of connective labor—the mutual, human work of recognizing another person and reflecting that understanding to them. Louis Kim is a former Vice President at Hewlett-Packard, where he led teams in developing AI-enabled technologies for healthcare and other industries. After decades in corporate leadership, he is now pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School, focusing on hospice and palliative care. Alongside his theological training, Louis participates in Vatican-sponsored conversations on principled AI in healthcare, exploring where technology can assist care and where it must not replace human presence. In this second part of our conversation, we talk about: Why calling AI “inevitable” can obscure human agency and choiceThe rapid adoption of AI scribes in medicineTwo aspects of the inevitability of AI AI and ethical dilemmas in healthcare ethicsThe limits of “better than nothing” as a moral framework for AIThe painful beauty of unpredictability in human relationshipsShame, vulnerability, and why AI feels easier than peopleThe risk of bypassing growth through technological shortcuts Safeguarding dignity and belonging for the future of work To learn more about Allison’s work, you can find her at:                                            https://www.allisonpugh.com/ To learn more about Louis’s work, you can find him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisjkim/ Books and Resources Mentioned: The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World (by Allison Pugh)This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust. Support the show

    35 min
  5. Can AI Replace Human Connection? with Dr. Allison Pugh and Louis Kim - S4E10 (Part 1 of 2)

    FEB 10

    Can AI Replace Human Connection? with Dr. Allison Pugh and Louis Kim - S4E10 (Part 1 of 2)

    Dr. Allison Pugh is Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and author of The Last Human Job, winner of the 2025 Best Book Award from the American Sociological Association. Her work examines how automation, efficiency, and quantification reshape work that relies on presence, dignity, and visibility. She introduces the concept of connective labor—the mutual, human work of recognizing another person and reflecting that understanding to them. Louis Kim is a former Vice President at Hewlett-Packard, where he led teams in developing AI-enabled technologies for healthcare and other industries. After decades in corporate leadership, he is now pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School, focusing on hospice and palliative care. Alongside his theological training, Louis participates in Vatican-sponsored conversations on principled AI in healthcare, exploring where technology can assist care and where it must not replace human presence. In this first part of our conversation, we discuss:  What in-depth interviewing reveals about being truly seen How experiences of death shape our understanding of accompaniment The difference between emotional labor and connective labor How automation and standardization threaten dignity and belonging Why institutions rely on checklists, data, and control The factors driving institutional challenges to connective labor Why human connection is defined by unpredictability The role of moral formation in resisting depersonalization To learn more about Allison’s work, you can find her at:                                            https://www.allisonpugh.com/ To learn more about Louis’s work, you can find him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisjkim/ Books and Resources Mentioned: The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World (by Allison Pugh)This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust. Support the show

    38 min
  6. Innovations in Spiritual Care with Dr. Wendy Cadge & Dr. Michael Skaggs - S4E9 (Part 2 of 2)

    FEB 3

    Innovations in Spiritual Care with Dr. Wendy Cadge & Dr. Michael Skaggs - S4E9 (Part 2 of 2)

    What does innovation look like in the field of spiritual care, when fewer people belong to congregations, yet more people still need meaning, accompaniment, and spiritual support? My two guests today have been researching this question extensively. Wendy Cadge is President of Bryn Mawr College and a nationally renowned sociologist of religion and spirituality. She is the founder of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, which brings together chaplains, educators, and social scientists to study and support spiritual care across public institutions and community settings. Her work focuses on religious diversity, spirituality, and the role of chaplaincy in contemporary society. Michael Skaggs is Director of Programs and Co-Founder of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab. A historian of American religion based at the University of Notre Dame, his research explores interfaith dialogue, maritime and port chaplaincy, American Catholicism, and emerging models of spiritual care. He oversees education, professional development, and public-facing initiatives for the Lab. In this second part of our conversation, we talk about: The biggest challenges facing chaplaincy and spiritual care todayBusiness models and sustainability in spiritual care workBarriers faced by spiritual care providers from minority faith traditionsWhat the “spiritual infrastructure of the future” really meansHow congregational closures are reshaping where people find meaning and careThe promises and dangers of AI in spiritual care To learn more about Wendy and Michael’s work, you can find them at: Wendy Cadge: https://www.brynmawr.edu/inside/people/wendy-cadge Michael Skaggs: https://chaplaincyinnovation.org/team/michael-skaggs-phd  Links Mentioned: Chaplaincy Innovation Lab – https://chaplaincyinnovation.org/ Templeton Religion Trust – https://templetonreligiontrust.org/  This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust. Support the show

    26 min
  7. Innovations in Spiritual Care with Dr. Wendy Cadge & Dr. Michael Skaggs - S4E9 (Part 1 of 2)

    JAN 27

    Innovations in Spiritual Care with Dr. Wendy Cadge & Dr. Michael Skaggs - S4E9 (Part 1 of 2)

    What does innovation look like in the field of spiritual care, when fewer people belong to congregations, yet more people still need meaning, accompaniment, and spiritual support? My two guests today have been researching this question extensively. Wendy Cadge is President of Bryn Mawr College and a nationally renowned sociologist of religion and spirituality. She is the founder of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab, which brings together chaplains, educators, and social scientists to study and support spiritual care across public institutions and community settings. Her work focuses on religious diversity, spirituality, and the role of chaplaincy in contemporary society. Michael Skaggs is Director of Programs and Co-Founder of the Chaplaincy Innovation Lab. A historian of American religion based at the University of Notre Dame, his research explores interfaith dialogue, maritime and port chaplaincy, American Catholicism, and emerging models of spiritual care. He oversees education, professional development, and public-facing initiatives for the Lab. In this first part of our conversation, we discuss: The origins and mission of the Chaplaincy Innovation LabTraditional and emerging models of chaplaincy and spiritual careThe blurry boundaries of chaplaincyReal applied value of good social, scientific, and historical researchPublic perceptions of chaplains versus how chaplains describe their workChaplaincy as religious leadership in the futureThe role of chaplains in addressing loneliness and isolationSpiritual care beyond formal religionCommunity-based and workplace chaplaincy models To learn more about Wendy and Michael’s work, you can find them at: Wendy Cadge: https://www.brynmawr.edu/inside/people/wendy-cadge Michael Skaggs: https://chaplaincyinnovation.org/team/michael-skaggs-phd  Links Mentioned: Chaplaincy Innovation Lab – https://chaplaincyinnovation.org/ Templeton Religion Trust – https://templetonreligiontrust.org/  This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust. Support the show

    25 min
  8. Disruptive Innovations with Scott D. Anthony - S4E8 (Part 2 of 2)

    JAN 20

    Disruptive Innovations with Scott D. Anthony - S4E8 (Part 2 of 2)

    Scott D. Anthony is a globally recognized expert on navigating disruptive change and a passionate optimist about humanity’s capacity to adapt in a constantly evolving world. He is a Clinical Professor of Strategy at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, where he teaches courses on leading disruptive change, horizon scanning, and AI-enabled decision-making. Scott’s work builds on more than two decades of field research and close mentorship under Clayton Christensen, spent over 20 years at Innosight, and is the author of several influential books, including his latest, Epic Disruptions. In this second part of our conversation, we talk about: The three clear patterns of disruptionWhat Shiseido’s transformation reveals about balancing heritage and reinventionModels of social generativityRelationship between change and discomfortThe invisible “ghosts” that haunt organizationsCompeting against non-consumption and why “something is better than nothing” drives disruptionThe systemic dimension of innovationThe three shadows of innovationWhat past disruptions can teach us about governing AI responsiblyWhat disruptive innovation might look like in religious and spiritual communities To learn more about Scott’s work, you can find him at:  https://www.innosight.com/  Books and resources mentioned: Epic Disruptions (by Scott D. Anthony)The Innovator’s Dilemma (by Clayton M. Christensen)The First Mile (by Scott D. Anthony) This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust. Support the show

    33 min
See All (141)

Trailer

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Brandon Vaidyanathan
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    141
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beauty At Work
  • Show Website
    Beauty At Work

You Might Also Like