Beauty At Work

What does it mean to be a “romantic” in business? Tim Leberecht, entrepreneur and co-founder of the House of Beautiful Business, shares the story of how he came to recognize the Romantic ideals behind beautiful business. In this clip, he explains what Romantic business principles are and the impact they have on workplace experience.In conversation with Brandon Vaidyanathan, Tim reflects on his early influences, the cultural disillusionment he experienced in Silicon Valley, and the emergence of a countercultural movement rooted in beauty, emotion, and imagination. He introduces the concept of a “life-centered” economy—one that honors all life within and around us—and shares how the House of Beautiful Business is building spaces for meaningful change across the corporate world.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13304558For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #PodcastEpisode #NewEpisode #TimLeberecht #BrandonVaidyanathan #BeautifulBusiness #RomanticBusiness #LifeCenteredEconomy #WorkplaceWellbeing #BusinessWithSoul #FutureOfWork #HumanizingWork #EmotionalIntelligence #BusinessPhilosophy #MeaningfulWork #LeadershipWithHeart #WorkplaceCultureSupport the show

How does a nomadic lifestyle inspire beauty in architecture? Architect, TEDx speaker, and Forbes-featured entrepreneur Adi Cohen shares how she became a global citizen who travels the world creating beautiful spaces.In this episode of Beauty At Work, Adi joins sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan to reflect on her deeply personal journey through architecture, travel, and human connection. From hitchhiking in India to reimagining a hotel in Japan, she explores how spaces shape our emotions, behavior, and sense of belonging. Drawing from universal patterns of human comfort—like refuge, beauty, and interaction—Cohen invites us to see architecture not as static form, but as a living dialogue with place, culture, and the human spirit.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13220549For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcastHashtags:#BeautyAtWork #ArchitectureAndTravel #AdiCohen #DesignForBelonging #NomadicArchitect #HumanCenteredDesign #GlobalArchitecture #CreativeJourneys #SpacesThatInspire #ArchitectureOfConnection #DesigningBeauty #BrandonVaidyanathan #TedxSpeaker #WomenInDesign #ArchitecturePodcastSupport the show

How can science speak to our deepest spiritual yearnings? In this captivating panel discussion held at NeueHouse Manhattan, five prominent scientists and thinkers explore how different ways of knowing—from physics to medicine, from spirituality to ethics—can build meaningful bridges between worlds often seen as separate.The panelists are:Dr. Alan Lightman (physicist and Professor of the Practice of the humanities at MIT, and author of numerous books including most recently, the The Miraculous from the Material) - he was a guest on Season 3Dr. Neil Theise (professor of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, pioneer of adult stem stell plasticity and the interstitium, and author of "Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being,”)Dr. Scarlet Soriano, Executive Director at Duke Health & Well-Being, whose work focuses on the development of equity-based and community-grounded health and well-being interventions;and Dr. Katy Hinman is the Director of Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion (DoSER) program at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAAS),The panel was moderated by Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn, who is the creator, writer, host and executive producer of Closer To Truth, the long-running public television series and leading global resource on Cosmos, Life, Mind, and Meaning.Together, they discuss: Can spirituality coexist with scientific rationality? How do love, consciousness, and our connection to the universe shape our understanding of life's purpose?This event, sponsored by The John Templeton Foundation and produced by Rohan Routroy and Thirty Eight, explores and debates diverse approaches to consciousness and spirituality in an age of science.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iaUV4QWbZcI#ScienceAndSpirituality #ScienceAndReligion #MeaningOfLife #CloserToTruth #Consciousness #AlanLightman #NeilTheiseSupport the show

How can artists and scientists collaborate to envision the future? Biologist Dr. Rob Dunn discusses the art-science collaboration projects he's working on that do just this. Brandon and Rob Dunn explore how blending science with art and storytelling can help us better understand the future — from climate change and food to microbiomes and imagination.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13121277For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#BeautyAtWork #ScienceAndArt #FutureThinking #ClimateChange #SpeculativeFutures #Interdisciplinary #Microbiome #ScienceCommunication #ArtAndScience #RobDunnSupport the show

Are architecture, beauty, and spirituality related? Yes, says award-winning architect Rachael Grochowski. In this clip from our podcast conversation, she shares the story of how she became an architect and how her design integrates spirituality. From the influence of her grandparents' cottage to her evolution as a designer, Rachel explores how architecture can shape our relationships, enhance well-being, and connect us to nature. She talks about the ways thoughtful design can create peaceful, harmonious spaces that honor both the material and spiritual worlds.For the full interview see:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/13028725For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#Architecture #BeautyAndSpirituality #ThoughtfulDesign #SpiritualArchitecture #DesignWithPurpose #WellBeing #ArchitecturalDesign #HarmonyInDesign #NatureAndDesign #AwardWinningArchitect #RachaelGrochowski #PeacefulSpaces #SpiritualityInDesignSupport the show

How does aesthetic intelligence contribute to success in business? Pauline Brown, leader in luxury goods and Columbia Business School professor, discusses the power and ethics of aesthetic intelligence. Brandon and Pauline discuss how aesthetic intelligence shapes company culture and customer relationships. They explore its impact on branding, hospitality, and ethics, with examples like Starbucks, and highlight the responsibility of businesses to make authentic, meaningful connections.For the full interview see: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/episodes/12950416 For the broader project, visit: https://www.beautyatwork.netSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcastSupport the show

A conversation at the New York Encounter 2025 on loneliness and malaise in today's society with Robert Putnam, Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University, and Sherry Turkle, Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, moderated by Brandon Vaidyanathan, Professor of Sociology, The Catholic University of AmericaThere is no doubt that loneliness and a widespread malaise characterize the lives of young and not-so-young generations. The speakers have dedicated their professional careers to studying societal changes and will look at the root causes of this unease. They will also discuss the impact of social media on human identity and relationships and reflect on ways to address them.Support the show

A conversation at the New York Encounter 2025 on loneliness and malaise in today's society with Robert Putnam, Professor of Public Policy, Harvard University, and Sherry Turkle, Professor of the Social Studies of Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, moderated by Brandon Vaidyanathan, Professor of Sociology, The Catholic University of AmericaThere is no doubt that loneliness and a widespread malaise characterize the lives of young and not-so-young generations. The speakers have dedicated their professional careers to studying societal changes and will look at the root causes of this unease. They will also discuss the impact of social media on human identity and relationships and reflect on ways to address them.Support the show

A discussion at the New York Encounter 2025 on the role of wonder in scientific research with Martin Nowak, Professor of Mathematics and Biology, Harvard University, and Rob Phillips, Professor of Biophysics, Biology, and Physics at the California Institute of Technology, moderated by Evelyn Tang, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Rice UniversityIt has become increasingly difficult to pay attention to what is in front of us. We have lost the habit of marveling at things and are thus often deprived of a fundamental human experience. The speakers dialogue on the essential role that attentive observation and wonder play in scientific research and education. They also address how the practice of science, starting from the experience of awe and curiosity about nature, can evoke existential questions that lead to ultimate meaning.This panel is sponsored by the Meaning and Mystery in Science initiative funded by the John Templeton Foundation.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iaUV4QWbZcISupport the show

A discussion at the New York Encounter 2025 on the role of wonder in scientific research with Martin Nowak, Professor of Mathematics and Biology, Harvard University, and Rob Phillips, Professor of Biophysics, Biology, and Physics at the California Institute of Technology, moderated by Evelyn Tang, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Rice UniversityIt has become increasingly difficult to pay attention to what is in front of us. We have lost the habit of marveling at things and are thus often deprived of a fundamental human experience. The speakers dialogue on the essential role that attentive observation and wonder play in scientific research and education. They also address how the practice of science, starting from the experience of awe and curiosity about nature, can evoke existential questions that lead to ultimate meaning.This panel is sponsored by the Meaning and Mystery in Science initiative funded by the John Templeton Foundation.Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iaUV4QWbZcISupport the show

Send us a textHow do you find true love—within yourself and in your relationships? To answer this question, we're joined by Francesca Hogi, a love coach, TED speaker, and host of the Dear Franny Podcast. Francesca's journey from corporate lawyer to internationally recognized dating and relationships expert is nothing short of inspiring. With her upcoming book, How to Find True Love, releasing in April 2025, Francesca shares how self-love, compassion, and humility are essential for attracting the love you deserve.Francesca's work has been featured on The Today Show, Marie Claire, and The New York Times, and she's the founder of The True Love Society—a community for those seeking deeper romantic and self-love. In this episode, Francesca dives into the transformative power of self-love and how it shapes our ability to form healthy relationships.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:Importance of VulnerabilityLove ConfidenceBreaking Negative Dating PatternsCommitment and Cultural ConditioningShifting Negative Beliefs About LoveTune in for an episode that will empower you to nurture love in every aspect of your life.To learn more about Franscesca visit these links:Francesca on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny?igsh=bmNqZWNycHh1OThi How to Find True Love by Francesca Hogi - https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/francesca-hogi/how-to-find-true-love/9781538769577/?lens=balance Dear Franny Podcast -https://pod.link/1475127865 Francesca's TED Talk - https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny?igsh=bmNqZWNycHh1OThi This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/ )Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Tags:#LoveCoach #FindingLove #TrueLove #SelfLove #DatingTips #RelationshipAdvice #HealthyRelationships #DearFrannyPodcast #SelfCompassion #Confidence #SpiritualConnection #ValentinesDay #Matchmaking #JourneyToLoveSupport the show

Send us a textHow do you find true love—within yourself and in your relationships? In this Valentine's Day episode, we're joined by Francesca Hogi, a love coach, TED speaker, and host of the Dear Franny Podcast. Francesca's journey from corporate lawyer to internationally recognized dating and relationships expert is nothing short of inspiring. With her upcoming book, How to Find True Love, releasing in April 2025, Francesca shares how self-love, compassion, and humility are essential for attracting the love you deserve.Francesca's work has been featured on The Today Show, Marie Claire, and The New York Times, and she's the founder of The True Love Society—a community for those seeking deeper romantic and self-love. In this episode, Francesca dives into the transformative power of self-love and how it shapes our ability to form healthy relationships.In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:Love is an Active Practice, Not Just a FeelingThe Dangers of the "Fairy Tale" NarrativeSelf-Love as a Foundation for Healthy RelationshipsRejection and its Impact on Self-WorthAttraction Shifts as You Grow in LoveTune in for an episode that will empower you to nurture love in every aspect of your life.To learn more about Franscesca visit these links:Francesca on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny?igsh=bmNqZWNycHh1OThi How to Find True Love by Francesca Hogi - https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/francesca-hogi/how-to-find-true-love/9781538769577/?lens=balance Dear Franny Podcast -https://pod.link/1475127865 Francesca's TED Talk - https://www.instagram.com/dearfranny?igsh=bmNqZWNycHh1OThi This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/ )Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Tags:#LoveCoach #FindingLove #TrueLove #SelfLove #DatingTips #RelationshipAdvice #HealthyRelationships #DearFrannyPodcast #SelfCompassion #Confidence #SpiritualConnection #ValentinesDay #Matchmaking #JourneyToLoveSupport the show

Send us a textHow do we foster healing in communities impacted by trauma? And how can leaders and educators adopt a healing-centered approach to their work?  In this episode, we're joined by Deepa Gulrukh Patel, a creative facilitator blending arts, sciences, and social justice. Her work spans refugee camps, cultural diversity, bereavement support, and contemplative education, collaborating with organizations like the UNHCR, the London College of Fashion, and the Fetzer Institute to build healing-centered, sustainable initiatives.  We're also joined by Dr. Angel Acosta, a leader in mindfulness, social justice, and healing-centered education. With a doctorate in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, Angel creates transformative frameworks like the Contemplating 400 Years of Inequality Experience to address structural inequities and foster restorative practices.  Together, Deepa and Angel share profound insights on healing trauma, supporting frontline workers, and building resilience through mindful education and community-centered approaches.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:Becoming wounded healersThe importance of listening and presenceResilience for frontline workersBurnout in caregiving jobsAgency over labelsTo learn more about Dr. Angel Acosta and Deepa Gulrukh Patel follow these links:Deepa:Jordan Refugee Camps - https://www.dress4ourtime.org/Center for Sustainable Fashion- https://www.sustainable-fashion.com/vital-signsInayitiyya Org - https://inayatiyya.org/Tamasha Theatre Company - https://tamasha.org.uk/The Loss Foundation - https://thelossfoundation.org/Charis Interspirituality Org - https://charisinterspirituality.org/ Dr. Angel:Website - https://www.drangelacosta.comPodcast - https://www.drangelacosta.com/podcastLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-angel-acosta-1886653b This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/ )Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Send us a textHow do we foster healing in communities impacted by trauma? And how can leaders and educators adopt a healing-centered approach to their work?  In this episode, we're joined by Deepa Gulrukh Patel, a creative facilitator blending arts, sciences, and social justice. Her work spans refugee camps, cultural diversity, bereavement support, and contemplative education, collaborating with organizations like the UNHCR, the London College of Fashion, and the Fetzer Institute to build healing-centered, sustainable initiatives.  We're also joined by Dr. Angel Acosta, a leader in mindfulness, social justice, and healing-centered education. With a doctorate in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, Angel creates transformative frameworks like the Contemplating 400 Years of Inequality Experience to address structural inequities and foster restorative practices.  Together, Deepa and Angel share profound insights on healing trauma, supporting frontline workers, and building resilience through mindful education and community-centered approaches.In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:Healing through stillnessBeauty as a path to healingHealing ourselves to help the worldHealing-centered educationCreativity healsTo learn more about Dr. Angel Acosta and Deepa Gulrukh Patel follow these links:Deepa:Jordan Refugee Camps - https://www.dress4ourtime.org/ Center for Sustainable Fashion- https://www.sustainable-fashion.com/vital-signs Inayitiyya Org - https://inayatiyya.org/ Tamasha Theatre Company - https://tamasha.org.uk/ The Loss Foundation - https://thelossfoundation.org/ Charis Interspirituality Org - https://charisinterspirituality.org/ Dr. Angel:Website - https://www.drangelacosta.com Podcast - https://www.drangelacosta.com/podcast LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-angel-acosta-1886653b This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/ )Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Send us a textWhat are the barriers to pursuing our spiritual yearnings in a disenchanted age? Dr. Galen Watts addresses this question in this final presentation from our international symposium held at McGill University in November 2024.Galen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo. His research focuses on cultural and institutional change in liberal democracies, with particular attention to religion, morality, work, and politics. He is the author of The Spiritual Turn: The Religion of the Heart and the Making of Romantic Liberal Modernity (Oxford University Press, 2022), which explores the shift from "religion" to "spirituality" and its social and political implications in the West. Currently, his work investigates the cultural dimensions of the "diploma divide," analyzing how symbolic boundaries and cultural practices shape distinctions between urban university-educated professionals and rural nonuniversity-educated workers in Canada and the U.S. Galen has published extensively in leading academic journals, including American Journal of Cultural Sociology, Sociology of Religion, Civic Sociology, European Journal of Social Theory, and The Sociological Review. He also writes for public audiences, bridging academic insights with broader cultural conversations.In his talk, Galen addresses the following themes:Why cosmic connection may be harder to achieve todayThe impact of cultural and institutional change on spiritual yearningThe decline of the humanities and the loss of deep formative experiencesThe "secular sacred canopy" and its barriers to transcendenceThe paradox of ethical progress alongside increasing spiritual disorientationCan modernity be reconciled with cosmic connection?To learn more about Dr. Watts, you can find him at:Website: https://www.galenwatts.com/Linked: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/galen-watts-a8877a212Book: The Spiritual Turn Buy hereThis episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Send us a textThis episode is the sixth presentation in our series from the international symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age. Dr. William Barbieri teaches in the Religion and Culture and Moral Theology/Ethics programs in the School of Theology and Religious Studies and directs the Peace and Justice Studies Program at The Catholic University of America. He is also a fellow of the Institute for Policy Research and Catholic Studies and of the Center for the Study of Culture and Values. In addition to his monographs Ethics of Citizenship: Immigration and Group Rights in Germany (Duke University Press, 1998) and Constitutive Justice (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015), he has edited From Just War to Modern Peace Ethics (with Heinz-Gerhard Justenhoven; De Gruyter, 2012) and At the Limits of the Secular:  Reflections on Faith and Public Life (Eerdmans 2104).  He has also published articles in the areas of human rights, comparative ethics, peace studies, Catholic social teaching, and German studies. His current research addresses the historicity of morals. A member of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Christian Ethics, he has also served on the boards of the Peace and Justice Studies Association and the Institut für Theologie und Frieden in Germany. Barbieri is a past recipient of an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship and a Fulbright German Studies Fellowship. After studying religion and comparative area studies at Duke University, he received a doctorate in religious studies from Yale University in 1992. In his talk, Dr. Barbieri talks about: How agency is ecologicalContextualizing agency through social, historical, and material dimensionsThe way values can be mediated visuallyThe interconnectedness of people, history, and the earthSecularism and excarnationHow the moral life requires perceiving things beyond ourselvesTo learn more about Dr. Barbieri, you can find him at:Website: https://trs.catholic.edu/faculty-and-research/faculty-profiles/barbieri-william/index.htmlEmail: barbieri@cua.edu PublicationsConstitutive Justice: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9781137263254Ethics of Citizenship: Immigration and Group Rights in Germany: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-World-Cannot-Give/Tara-Isabella-Burton/9781982170073Here in Avalon: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Here-in-Avalon/Tara-Isabella-Burton/9781982170097Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World: https://a.co/d/gOwySUySelf-Made: Curating Our Image from Da Vinci to the Kardashians: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/tara-isabella-burton/self-made/9781541789012/ This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Send us a textThe Lost Word: Magic, Reality-Creation, and the Pursuit of God's LanguageThis is the fifth presentation from our international symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age, held at McGill University in November 2024.Dr. Tara Isabella Burton is the author of the novels Social Creature, The World Cannot Give, and Here in Avalon, as well as the nonfiction books Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World and Self-Made: Curating Our Image from Da Vinci to the Kardashians. She is currently working on a history of magic and modernity, to be published by Convergent in 2026. ​Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The New York Times, National Geographic, ​Granta, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and more. She also co-writes the Substack newsletter "Line of Beauty" with her husband, Dhananjay Jagannathan.Tara received a doctorate in theology from Oxford in 2017. She is a Visiting Fellow at George Mason University's Mercatus Center and a Visiting Research Fellow at Catholic University of America's Institutional Flourishing Lab.In her talk, Tara explores:Magic's influence on modernity, from Hermeticism to transhumanismThe pursuit of a divine language offering truth and creative powerArt as relational creation, distinct from manipulative magical thinkingThe Divine Liturgy as model for creative practices rooted in connection and participationTo learn more about Tara, you can find her at: Website: http://www.taraisabellaburton.com/ Email: taraisabellaburton@gmail.com X: https://x.com/NotoriousTIB  BooksSocial Creature: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/564730/social-creature-by-tara-isabella-burton/ The World Cannot Give: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-World-Cannot-Give/Tara-Isabella-Burton/9781982170073 Here in Avalon: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Here-in-Avalon/Tara-Isabella-Burton/9781982170097 Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World: https://a.co/d/gOwySUy Self-Made: Curating Our Image from Da Vinci to the Kardashians: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/tara-isabella-burton/self-made/9781541789012/ This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Is science a path to cosmic connection? In this fourth episode of our series from the November 2024 symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age held at McGill University, I share results of an ongoing study on Meaning and Mystery in Science, which explores the spiritual experiences of non-religious scientists, and how the practice of science might evoke awe, wonder, and a sense of the transcendent.We open the episode with a poetry reading from Marie Trotter, and following my presentation is a discussion with Dr. Rob Gilbert, Dr. Rajeev Bhargava, and Dr. Galen Watts.Here's a summary of the episode:Marie Trotter opens the episode with original poetry, exploring themes of fragility, hope, and beauty, drawing inspiration from Klimt's paintings.Findings from the Meaning and Mystery in Science study reveal how scientists, including non-religious ones, experience awe, wonder, and spiritual yearning through their work, categorized as transcendent, immanent, or liminal enchantmentBhargava notes that spiritual yearning is often disrupted by ideological, social, and political forces, which we need to contend with more seriouslyWatts explores the idea of science as play, contrasting the childlike enchantment of discovery with the institutionalized pressures of professional scienceGilbert highlights the danger of self-satisfaction in science, arguing that humility and vulnerability are essential for true insight This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

In this presentation, Prof. Robert Gilbert, Professor of Biophysics in the Nuffield Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford, explain how science, for the scientist, is a source of enchantment.Prof. Gilbert and his team work on molecular mechanisms underlying pathology in humans, specifically cancer and membrane pore formation and cell adhesion. Their work is funded by Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, and the Wellcome Trust.In this presentation, he talks about: Scientific discoveries that have drastically changed the worldUnpacking the mechanistic lens of scienceHow delight and play are crucial for scientistsThe beauty of the form and fit of scienceOn aesthetic delight in scienceHow enchantment is essential to the scientific processTo learn more about Robert, you can find him at: Website: https://www.strubi.ox.ac.uk/research/professor-robert-gilbert Email: gilbert@strubi.ox.ac.ukThis episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Naomi Fisher is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. She earned her Ph.D in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 2016, and prior to that earned her M.S. in physics from UC Davis.Her research focuses on Kant and German Idealism and Romanticism, specifically the relationship between nature, freedom, and rationality in Kant and Schelling. Currently, she is working on projects related to the impact of Plato and Neoplatonism on Schelling's philosophy. She also has interests in the broader history of philosophy, philosophy of science, and philosophy of religion.In her talk, she discusses: The disconnect between epiphanies and everyday thoughtOn the function of imagination in philosophyThe philosophy of art according to SchellingManifesting the divine through the power of imaginationComparing Schelling's work to the RomanticsOn accessing transcendent realitiesTo learn more about Naomi, you can find her at: Website: https://naomifisher.weebly.com/ Email: naomi.luce@gmail.com This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

This episode is the first of a series of presentations from an International Symposium on “Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age” held at McGill University in Montreal in November 2024.In this first episode, Dr. Charles Taylor, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at McGill University, shares the motivations and long history behind his new book Cosmic Connections: Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment.Prof. Taylor is internationally recognized for his pioneering work in political philosophy, social theory, and intellectual history. Over the years, he has received numerous prestigious honors, such as the Kyoto Prize, the Templeton Prize, the Berggruen Prize for Philosophy, and the John W. Kluge Prize. In 2007, together with Gérard Bouchard, he co-led the Bouchard–Taylor Commission, which examined how to accommodate cultural differences in Quebec. Taylor has authored or edited more than thirty books, including Sources of the Self and A Secular Age. In this episode, Prof. Taylor talks about:The origins of humanity's deeper spiritual searchWhy poetry re-enchanting a disenchanted worldHow the study of comparative religion shaped his own spiritual lifeCosmic longing explored across diverse culturesBeauty unites communities in transformative experiencesHow a secular age can spark religious rediscoveriesTo learn more about Dr. Charles Taylor's work, you can visithttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taylor_(philosopher)Cosmic Connections: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674296084Follow us on social media for more updates:X: https://x.com/brvnathanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brvnathan/This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/BeautyatWorkPodcast#beauty #beautyatwork #podcast #symposium #science #connection #spiritual #CharlesTaylorSupport the show

This episode is the second part of my conversation with Dr. Francis Collins, a pioneer physician-scientist who led the Human Genome Project and has been director of the National Institutes of Health during the tenures of three U.S. presidents. Dr. Collins shares insights from his impressive career: from the discovery of genes linked to many diseases to addressing public health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and his efforts to bring harmony between science and faith. We will also discuss the intersection of beauty and science, public health leadership, and the critical task of bridging societal divides in our polarized times. Dr. Collins's latest book, The Road to Wisdom, deals with the relationship between truth, science, faith, and trust.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The transformative power of faith in scienceThe power of beauty to evoke spiritual longingBuilding bridges through healthy conflictThe need for faith communities in creation careThe pursuit of truth amidst uncertainty and misinformationTo learn more about Dr. Francis Collins's work, you can find him at: Website: https://biologos.org/?campaign=539861Twitter: https://x.com/BioLogosOrgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/biologosorg/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biologosorgThis episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Can science, beauty, and faith converge in our quest for truth? Joining us to discuss this topic is Dr. Francis Collins: a pioneer physician-scientist who led the Human Genome Project and has been director of the National Institutes of Health during the tenures of three U.S. presidents. Dr. Collins shares insights from his impressive career: from the discovery of genes linked to many diseases to addressing public health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and his efforts to bring harmony between science and faith. We will also discuss the intersection of beauty and science, public health leadership, and the critical task of bridging societal divides in our polarized times. Dr. Collins's latest book, The Road to Wisdom, deals with the relationship between truth, science, faith, and trust.In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:The transformative power of scienceWhy Francis wrote The Road to WisdomHow politics has led to misinformationThe importance of trust in institutions despite failuresThe search for truth in science amidst uncertaintyTo learn more about Dr. Francis Collins's work, you can find him at: Website: https://biologos.org/?campaign=539861Twitter: https://x.com/BioLogosOrgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/biologosorg/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biologosorgThis episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Human beings are meaning-seeking creatures. This search is at the heart of religions all around the world. Over the past century or so, however, religion, especially in the West, has been in decline, and many commentators have marked the rise of the “nones” and “dones”--those who have no religious affiliation and those who have abandoned religion with no intention to return. What factors are behind these shifts? What does the search for meaning in the absence of religion look like? What is spirituality and what is its relevance in our contemporary context? In this episode, I interview a psychologist and philosopher who are trying to make sense of these trends.Daryl Van Tongeren, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Hope College and the director of the Frost Center for Social Science Research. A social psychologist, he has published more than 200 scholarly articles and chapters, and four books, on topics such as religion, meaning in life, and virtues. Most recently, his work has focused on the psychological and social processes of leaving religion and undergoing religious change, culminating in his newest book, Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion. His research has been covered by numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, BBC, Hidden Brain, Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR-affiliated radio stations, Scientific American, and Men's Health. His work has been supported by numerous grants from the John Templeton Foundation, and he has won national and international awards for his research. He is also an associate editor for The Journal of Positive Psychology. He enjoys running, biking, and hiking near where he lives with his wife, Sara, in Holland, MI. David McPherson is Professor of Philosophy in the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida as well as Affiliate Professor in the Department of Philosophy. McPherson works in the areas of ethics (especially virtue ethics), political philosophy, meaning in life, and philosophy of religion. He is the author of The Virtues of Limits (Oxford University Press, 2022) and Virtue and Meaning: A Neo-Aristotelian Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2020), as well as the editor of Spirituality and the Good Life: Philosophical Approaches (Cambridge University Press, 2017). McPherson is currently the project leader for a three-year Templeton-funded grant project on “Spiritual Yearning and the Problem of Spiritual Alienation,” which will result in his third book monograph titled Spiritual Alienation and the Quest for God as well as an edited volume titled Spiritual Yearning in an Age of Secularization: Philosophical, Psychological, and Sociological Perspectives.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The Search for Meaning and Spiritual YearningSpiritual Alienation and the Struggle for AuthenticityThe Role of Yearning in Psychological GrowthThe Existential Challenge of Living FullySpiritual Practices and the Path to ReceptivityThe Future of Spirituality in a Secular AgeTo learn more about Daryl and his work, you can find him at:Website: http://darylvantongeren.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/darylvantongeren/X: https://x.com/drvantongerenDone: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion: https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/done To learn more about David and his work, you can find him at:Website: https://davidmcpherson.weebly.com/X: https://Support the show

Human beings are meaning-seeking creatures. This search is at the heart of religions all around the world. Over the past century or so, however, religion, especially in the West, has been in decline, and many commentators have marked the rise of the “nones” and “dones”--those who have no religious affiliation and those who have abandoned religion with no intention to return. What factors are behind these shifts? What does the search for meaning in the absence of religion look like? What is spirituality and what is its relevance in our contemporary context? In this episode, I interview a psychologist and philosopher who are trying to make sense of these trends.Daryl Van Tongeren, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Hope College and the director of the Frost Center for Social Science Research. A social psychologist, he has published more than 200 scholarly articles and chapters, and four books, on topics such as religion, meaning in life, and virtues. Most recently, his work has focused on the psychological and social processes of leaving religion and undergoing religious change, culminating in his newest book, Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion. His research has been covered by numerous media outlets, including the New York Times, BBC, Hidden Brain, Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR-affiliated radio stations, Scientific American, and Men's Health. His work has been supported by numerous grants from the John Templeton Foundation, and he has won national and international awards for his research. He is also an associate editor for The Journal of Positive Psychology. He enjoys running, biking, and hiking near where he lives with his wife, Sara, in Holland, MI. David McPherson is Professor of Philosophy in the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education at the University of Florida as well as Affiliate Professor in the Department of Philosophy. McPherson works in the areas of ethics (especially virtue ethics), political philosophy, meaning in life, and philosophy of religion. He is the author of The Virtues of Limits (Oxford University Press, 2022) and Virtue and Meaning: A Neo-Aristotelian Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2020), as well as the editor of Spirituality and the Good Life: Philosophical Approaches (Cambridge University Press, 2017). McPherson is currently the project leader for a three-year Templeton-funded grant project on “Spiritual Yearning and the Problem of Spiritual Alienation,” which will result in his third book monograph titled Spiritual Alienation and the Quest for God as well as an edited volume titled Spiritual Yearning in an Age of Secularization: Philosophical, Psychological, and Sociological Perspectives.In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:The four main reasons people leave religionNavigating cognitive dissonance and existential anxietyVirtue ethics and the good lifeWhat is spirituality and do we need it?Spiritual alienationTo learn more about Daryl and his work, you can find him at:Website: http://darylvantongeren.com/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/darylvantongeren/ X: https://x.com/drvantongeren Done: How to Flourish After Leaving Religion: https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/done To learn more about David and his work, you can find him at: Website: https://davidmcpherson.weebly.com/ X: https://x.com/davidlmcpherson Virtue and Meaning: A Neo-Aristotelian Perspective: Support the show

This episode is the second part of the conversation between Brandon Vaidyanathan and Robert Lawrence Kuhn.Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn is the creator, writer, host and executive producer of Closer To Truth, the long-running PBS/public television series and leading global resource on Cosmos (cosmology/physics, philosophy of science), Life (philosophy of biology), Mind (consciousness, brain/mind, philosophy of mind), and Meaning (theism/atheism/agnosticism, global philosophy of religion, critical thinking). Kuhn has written or edited over 30 books, including The Mystery of Existence: Why is there Anything At All? (with John Leslie); Closer To Truth: Challenging Current Belief; Closer To Truth: Science, Meaning and the Future; The Library of Investment Banking; How China's Leaders Think (featuring President Xi Jinping); The Man Who Changed China: The Life and Legacy of Jiang Zemin (China's best-selling book in 2005 and in December 2022); and "The Origin and Significance of Zero: An Interdisciplinary Perspective” (with Peter Gobets).An international corporate strategist and investment banker, Dr. Kuhn is a recipient of the China Reform Friendship Medal and is a frequent commentator in the international media and Chinese media. Kuhn's comprehensive review article on consciousness – “A Landscape of Consciousness: Toward a Taxonomy of Explanations and Implications” – is published in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology (August 2024), and is considered the most comprehensive article written on the landscape of consciousness theories. Dr. Kuhn is chairman of The Kuhn Foundation. He has a BA in Human Biology (Johns Hopkins), PhD in Anatomy/Brain Research (UCLA), and SM (MBA) in Management (MIT).In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The Landscape of Consciousness article, which develops a comprehensive taxonomy of theories of consciousnessThe value of loving the questions more than seeking certaintyThe humility of acknowledging the limits of one's own beliefsThe impact of Closer to TruthTo learn more about Robert, you can find him at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-lawrence-kuhn-4b893221Closer to Truth: https://closertotruth.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CloserToTruthTV/videosApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/closer-to-truth/id411527781A Landscape of Consciousness: Toward a taxonomy of explanations and implications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38281544/The Mystery of Existence: Why Is There Anything At All?: https://a.co/d/izIoY8IWhy anything? Why this? by Derek Parfit: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v20/n02/derek-parfit/why-anything-why-thisThis episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

What does it look like to live a life in pursuit of understanding? Our guest today exemplifies this quest across a wide range of domains. Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn is the creator, writer, host and executive producer of Closer To Truth, the long-running PBS/public television series and leading global resource on Cosmos (cosmology/physics, philosophy of science), Life (philosophy of biology), Mind (consciousness, brain/mind, philosophy of mind), and Meaning (theism/atheism/agnosticism, global philosophy of religion, critical thinking). Kuhn has written or edited over 30 books, including The Mystery of Existence: Why is there Anything At All? (with John Leslie); Closer To Truth: Challenging Current Belief; Closer To Truth: Science, Meaning and the Future; The Library of Investment Banking; How China's Leaders Think (featuring President Xi Jinping); The Man Who Changed China: The Life and Legacy of Jiang Zemin (China's best-selling book in 2005 and in December 2022); and "The Origin and Significance of Zero: An Interdisciplinary Perspective” (with Peter Gobets).An international corporate strategist and investment banker, Dr. Kuhn is a recipient of the China Reform Friendship Medal and is a frequent commentator in the international media and Chinese media. Kuhn's comprehensive review article on consciousness – “A Landscape of Consciousness: Toward a Taxonomy of Explanations and Implications” – is published in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology (August 2024), and is considered the most comprehensive article written on the landscape of consciousness theories. Dr. Kuhn is chairman of The Kuhn Foundation. He has a BA in Human Biology (Johns Hopkins), PhD in Anatomy/Brain Research (UCLA), and SM (MBA) in Management (MIT).In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:The beauty of understandingRobert's trajectory from neuroscience to business to China policyThe drive to explore big existential questionsThe creation of Closer to TruthTo learn more about Robert, you can find him at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-lawrence-kuhn-4b893221 Closer to Truth: https://closertotruth.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CloserToTruthTV/videos Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/closer-to-truth/id411527781 A Landscape of Consciousness: Toward a taxonomy of explanations and implications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38281544/ The Mystery of Existence: Why Is There Anything At All?: https://a.co/d/izIoY8I Why anything? Why this? by Derek Parfit: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v20/n02/derek-parfit/why-anything-why-thisThis episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Maggie Jackson is an award-winning author and journalist with a global reach. Her new book, Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure, explores why we should seek not-knowing in this era of angst and flux. Nominated for a National Book Award and named to multiple “Best Books of 2023” lists, Uncertain is an official selection of the Next Big Idea Club curated by Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Pink, Adam Grant, and Susan Cain. Lauded as “incisive and timely” (Dan Pink), “surprising and practical” (Gretchen Rubin), and “remarkable and persuasive” (Library Journal), Uncertain was named a Top 10 Summer Reading pick by Nautilus magazine.Jackson's previous book, Distracted, sparked a global conversation on the steep costs of fragmenting our attention. A former longtime columnist for the Boston Globe, Jackson has written for The New York Times and major publications worldwide. Her work has been translated into numerous languages and is widely covered by the press. She lives in New York and Rhode Island and seeks a daily dose of uncertainty by swimming in the sea nearly every day, year-round.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The value of taking time to think before reacting.How uncertainty can help us learn and grow.The strengths that can come from growing up in tough situations.Making AI more adaptable by embracing uncertainty.Finding deeper beauty by being open to different perspectives.To learn more about Maggie Jackson, you can find her at: https://www.maggie-jackson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.jackson.books/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiejackson/Website: https://www.maggie-jackson.com/Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Maggie-Jackson/author/B001JP8IEAThis episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Maggie Jackson is an award-winning author and journalist with a global reach. Her new book, Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure, explores why we should seek not-knowing in this era of angst and flux. Nominated for a National Book Award and named to multiple “Best Books of 2023” lists, Uncertain is an official selection of the Next Big Idea Club curated by Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Pink, Adam Grant, and Susan Cain. Lauded as “incisive and timely” (Dan Pink), “surprising and practical” (Gretchen Rubin), and “remarkable and persuasive” (Library Journal), Uncertain was named a Top 10 Summer Reading pick by Nautilus magazine.Jackson's previous book, Distracted, sparked a global conversation on the steep costs of fragmenting our attention. A former longtime columnist for the Boston Globe, Jackson has written for The New York Times and major publications worldwide. Her work has been translated into numerous languages and is widely covered by the press. She lives in New York and Rhode Island and seeks a daily dose of uncertainty by swimming in the sea nearly every day, year-round.In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:The value of embracing uncertainty as a superpowerThe distinction between aleatory and epistemic uncertaintyThe cultural and psychological effects of our aversion to uncertaintyThe role of adaptive expertise in leadership and problem-solvingThe relationship between humility and uncertaintyTo learn more about Maggie Jackson, you can find her at: https://www.maggie-jackson.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.jackson.books/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiejackson/ Website: https://www.maggie-jackson.com/ Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Maggie-Jackson/author/B001JP8IEAThis episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Daniel McInerny is associate professor and chair of the philosophy department at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia. He is also a novelist and dramatist. As a scholar, Daniel is foremost interested in reactivating an Aristotelian understanding of mimetic art, long out of favor among philosophers. His latest book is Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts. At Christendom College Daniel teaches courses on the Philosophy of Art & Beauty, the Philosophy of Technology, the Philosophy of Culture, and Poetic Experience & Truth. In March 2023 Chrism Press published his novel, The Good Death of Kate Montclair. Daniel is also the author of a play, The Actor, which will premiere in November 2024. Daniel also writes the Substack newsletter, The Comic Muse, where he shares stories and sketches from his studio.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The importance of choice over chance in compelling narrativesThe moral dimension of storytellingThe relationship between subjective and objective beauty in artThe significance of context in art appreciationTo learn more about Daniel and his work:Newsletter: https://danielmcinerny.substack.com/Beauty and Imitation: https://a.co/d/cNquN03The Good Death of Kate Montclair: https://a.co/d/0KKy0PSPodcast: https://danielmcinerny.substack.com/podcast This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Daniel McInerny is associate professor and chair of the philosophy department at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia. He is also a novelist and dramatist. As a scholar, Daniel is foremost interested in reactivating an Aristotelian understanding of mimetic art, long out of favor among philosophers. His latest book is Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts. At Christendom College Daniel teaches courses on the Philosophy of Art & Beauty, the Philosophy of Technology, the Philosophy of Culture, and Poetic Experience & Truth. In March 2023 Chrism Press published his novel, The Good Death of Kate Montclair. Daniel is also the author of a play, The Actor, which will premiere in November 2024. Daniel also writes the Substack newsletter, The Comic Muse, where he shares stories and sketches from his studio.In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:Childhood Encounters with ArtMimetic Art as StorytellingDelighted contemplation as the ultimate goal of artPhilosophy and art integration shaping his exploration of truth and beautyNature of imitation in artTo learn more about Daniel and his work:Newsletter: https://danielmcinerny.substack.com/ Beauty and Imitation: https://a.co/d/cNquN03 The Good Death of Kate Montclair: https://a.co/d/0KKy0PS Podcast: https://danielmcinerny.substack.com/podcast This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

In this episode, sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan interviews MIT Physicist Dr. Alan Lightman about his spiritual materialism.Alan Lightman is an American physicist, writer, and social entrepreneur. He holds a PhD in physics from Caltech. He has served on the faculties of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was the first person at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and in the humanities. He is currently professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. Lightman is the recipient of six honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of numerous books, both nonfiction and fiction, including Einstein's Dreams, an international bestseller, and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award in fiction. His essays concern the intersection of science, culture, philosophy, and theology. Lightman is the host of the public television series “SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science,” funded by the John Templeton Foundation. In 2005, Lightman founded Harpswell, a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering young women leaders in Southeast Asia, and he has served as chair of its board. In August 2023, Lightman was appointed a member of the United Nations' Scientific Advisory Board. His latest book is The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science (2023).In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The limits of scientific inquiryHow to interpret spiritual experiencesThe concept of creative transcendenceWhy spirituality matters for us allAlan's humanitarian work To learn more about Alan and his work:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-lightman-6bb7191b6Website: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/Email: lightman@mit.eduBooks: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APY6Q4Scientific Publications: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/#SCIENTIFIC%20PUBLICATIONSHarpswell Organization: https://harpswell.org/ This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) andTempleton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

In this episode, sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan interviews MIT Physicist Dr. Alan Lightman about his spiritual materialism.Alan Lightman is an American physicist, writer, and social entrepreneur. He holds a PhD in physics from Caltech. He has served on the faculties of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was the first person at MIT to receive dual faculty appointments in science and in the humanities. He is currently professor of the practice of the humanities at MIT. Lightman is the recipient of six honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of numerous books, both nonfiction and fiction, including Einstein's Dreams, an international bestseller, and The Diagnosis, a finalist for the National Book Award in fiction. His essays concern the intersection of science, culture, philosophy, and theology. Lightman is the host of the public television series “SEARCHING: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science,” funded by the John Templeton Foundation. In 2005, Lightman founded Harpswell, a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering young women leaders in Southeast Asia, and he has served as chair of its board. In August 2023, Lightman was appointed a member of the United Nations' Scientific Advisory Board. His latest book is The Transcendent Brain: Spirituality in the Age of Science (2023).In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:Balancing interests in art and science from a young ageThe role of beauty in scientific discoveryAlan's concept of spiritual materialismTranscendence and the Hindu concept of "darshan"To learn more about Adam and his work:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-lightman-6bb7191b6Website: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/Email: lightman@mit.eduBooks: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APY6Q4Scientific Publications: https://cmsw.mit.edu/alan-lightman/#SCIENTIFIC%20PUBLICATIONSHarpswell Organization: https://harpswell.org/ This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) andTempleton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Elizabeth Oldfield is the author of Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times. She has spent her career trying to lever open space for deeper conversations - about what it means to be a human being, where we can find wisdom and how we build a society where we hate each other a little less. She has worked at BBC Radio 4, led a Westminster think tank, and is now the host of The Sacred podcast, speaking to guests like Nick Cave, Sally Philips, Rabbi Sacks, Rainn Wilson, Sathnam Sanghera and Krista Tippett about their deepest values. She lives with her family in a Christian intentional community in South London.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:Moving beyond individualismMoving from wrath to peacemakingMoving from greed to generosity and gratitudeFinding freedom in commitmentThe concept of GodTo learn more about Elizabeth and her work:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oldfield-5a5b6216 Website: https://www.elizabetholdfield.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ X: https://x.com/esoldfield Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times: https://a.co/d/4iFq69r Substack Newsletter: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ Larger Us Organization: https://larger.us/ The Sacred podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1326888108This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) andTempleton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Elizabeth Oldfield is the author of Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times. She has spent her career trying to lever open space for deeper conversations - about what it means to be a human being, where we can find wisdom and how we build a society where we hate each other a little less. She has worked at BBC Radio 4, led a Westminster think tank, and is now the host of The Sacred podcast, speaking to guests like Nick Cave, Sally Philips, Rabbi Sacks, Rainn Wilson, Sathnam Sanghera and Krista Tippett about their deepest values. She lives with her family in a Christian intentional community in South London.In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:How cultural narratives shape our understanding of the worldMaking sense of our turbulent timesHow religious traditions can be a source of wisdom The concept of sin as our tendency to f*** things upOur deep need for connection To learn more about Elizabeth and her work:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-oldfield-5a5b6216 Website: https://www.elizabetholdfield.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/ X: https://x.com/esoldfield Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times: https://a.co/d/4iFq69r Substack Newsletter: https://morefullyalive.substack.com/ Larger Us Organization: https://larger.us/ The Sacred podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1326888108This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) andTempleton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

This is the second part of our conversation with Andy Youniss, founder and former President and CEO of Rocket Software. Youniss has been the guiding force behind Rocket's innovation, acquisitions, partnerships, strategy, culture, and values since the company launched in 1990. Today, Rocket serves a diverse customer community all around the globe and continues to differentiate itself by delivering exceptional customer experiences and living its core values of empathy, humanity, trust, and love. In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:Developing Rocket's company cultureBuilding trust at workThe importance of empathy in leadershipWhat music can teach us about leadershipAndy's advice for living a more integrated lifeTo learn more about Andy and his work at Rocket Software, you can find him at:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-youniss-3093b664Website: https://www.rocketsoftware.com/X: https://x.com/Rocket This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

In this episode, sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan interviews Andy Youniss, founder and former President and CEO of Rocket Software. Andy has been the guiding force behind Rocket's innovation, acquisitions, partnerships, strategy, culture, and values since the company launched in 1990. Today, Rocket serves a diverse customer community all around the globe and continues to differentiate itself by delivering exceptional customer experiences and living its core values of empathy, humanity, trust, and love. Andy currently serves as the company's executive chairman.Andy has been recognized as New England Technology Entrepreneur of the Year (2017) by EY and is one of the world's foremost experts on making an impact through innovation in, and modernization of, mission-critical legacy technology. He has been a guest lecturer at Babson College, Berklee College of Music, The Catholic University of America, and Tufts University, and has inspired many through his TEDx talk about the meaningful intersection of music and technology throughout his life. In addition to his role as executive chairman at Rocket, Andy is a trustee at Boston Medical Center and at Berklee.  He also mentors, coaches, and advises rising leaders and growing organizations such as Spoonfuls, The Record Co. and We Make Noise.Youniss is also an accomplished pianist and guitarist who has performed on stage in Boston and Las Vegas, solo and with the Rocket Band, and has opened for Aerosmith, Elton John, Maroon 5, Gwen Stefani, Elvis Costello, and others.In this first part of our conversation, we talk about:The impact of Andy's early musical experiencesHow Andy developed a passion for software developmentThe role of music in integrating personal and professional lifeThe beauty of problem-solving in both music and softwareThe transformative power of creativity and personal expressionTo learn more about Andy and his work at Rocket Software, you can find him at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-youniss-3093b664 Website: https://www.rocketsoftware.com/ X: https://x.com/Rocket This episode is sponsored by:John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/)Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

This episode is a conversation with two experts combating our current loneliness crisis: Ron Ivey and Monika Jiang.Ron Ivey is a writer, researcher, and strategic advisor to business, governments, and philanthropies with a focus on social trust, belonging, and human flourishing.  Ron is currently the Managing Director of the Humanity 2.0 Institute and a Research Fellow at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program where he co-leads the Trust and Belonging Initiative. Ron also currently serves as a Fellow at the Centre for Public Impact, a global think tank seeking to re-imagine government and restore relationships between governments and those they govern. In 2017, Ron established a consultancy, Rembrandt Collective, to shape business strategies for trust, alignment and social impact.Monika Jiang, a second-generation Chinese immigrant, has always walked the line between feeling estranged and belonging. Her journey, marked by oscillations between aloneness, loneliness, and connection, has profoundly influenced her personal and professional life, shaping her into a visionary who senses what wants to emerge as we move closer to ourselves, each other, and the world. Professionally, Monika has made a significant impact at the House of Beautiful Business. Here, she helped build a global community of 50,000 members dedicated to a life-centered economy. Monika's deep desire to move from loneliness to oneliness inspired her to found the initiative Sharing Our Loneliness. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the paradoxical power of loneliness to reconnect us with ourselves and others. Through intimate gatherings, writing, and speaking engagements, Monika cultivates spaces for dialogue, connection, and community, addressing loneliness as a personal, collective, and societal challenge. Additionally, she is a teacher in training with Humanize, an evidence-based program focused on fostering emotional and social skills, and she practices these skills based on social neuroscientific research at the Max-Planck Institute in Berlin. In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The need to create cities with shared spaces The stigma of discussing the shame and suffering that comes with lonelinessEmbracing the discomfort of lonelinessHow AI and new technologies are shaping loneliness and belonging The connection between awe and lonelinessTo learn more about Monika's work, you can find her at:Website: https://www.monikajiang.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monika.jiang/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-jiang/  To learn more about Ron's work, you can find him at:X: https://x.com/roniveyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/monika.jiang/ Linkedin: https://fr.linkedin.com/in/ron-ivey-0bb9a33This episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) andthe Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the show

Sociologist Brandon Vaidyanathan talks to two experts combating our current loneliness crisis: Ron Ivey and Monika Jiang.Ron Ivey is a writer, researcher, and strategic advisor to business, governments, and philanthropies with a focus on social trust, belonging, and human flourishing.  Ron is currently the Managing Director of the Humanity 2.0 Institute and a Research Fellow at the Harvard Human Flourishing Program where he co-leads the Trust and Belonging Initiative. Ron also currently serves as a Fellow at the Centre for Public Impact, a global think tank seeking to re-imagine government and restore relationships between governments and those they govern. In 2017, Ron established a consultancy, Rembrandt Collective, to shape business strategies for trust, alignment and social impact. Monika Jiang, a second-generation Chinese immigrant, has always walked the line between feeling estranged and belonging. Her journey, marked by oscillations between aloneness, loneliness, and connection, has profoundly influenced her personal and professional life, shaping her into a visionary who senses what wants to emerge as we move closer to ourselves, each other, and the world. Professionally, Monika has made a significant impact at the House of Beautiful Business. Here, she helped build a global community of 50,000 members dedicated to a life-centered economy. By curating and hosting transformative gatherings, she helped business leaders imagine and transform themselves and their environments. Monika's deep desire to move from loneliness to oneliness inspired her to found the initiative Sharing Our Loneliness. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the paradoxical power of loneliness to reconnect us with ourselves and others. She is a teacher in training with Humanize, an evidence-based program focused on fostering emotional and social skills, and she practices these skills based on social neuroscientific research at the Max-Planck Institute in Berlin. In this episode we talk about: Loneliness and growing up in a multicultural environment How the experience of shared loneliness can actually bring us closer togetherCurrent research on loneliness and social cohesion and the blind spots in policiesCross-cultural differences in lonelinessThe surprising beauty that can be found within our experience of lonelinessTo learn more about Monika's work, you can find her at:Website: https://www.monikajiang.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monika.jiang/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monika-jiang/  To learn more about Ron's work, you can find him at:X: https://x.com/roniveyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/monika.jiang/ Linkedin: https://fr.linkedin.com/in/ron-ivey-0bb9a33This episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) andthe Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/)Support the Show.

Nalini Nadkarni's unique academic career interweaves her scientific research on rainforest canopy biota with innovative public engagement. She has written 150 scientific papers and books on the composition and ecological roles of canopy-dwelling communities, supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society. She also engages with those who do not or cannot gain access to science education, including faith-based groups, artists, corporations, and people who are incarcerated. Her work is featured in journals ranging from Science to Playboy, and in public media such as Science Friday, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, and RadioLab. In 2023, the National Geographic Society named her as one of their ten “Explorers at Large.” Her awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the AAAS Award for Public Engagement, the National Science Foundation Award for Public Service, The Rachel Carson Award for Conservation, The Wilson Award for the Advancement of Social Justice, and the Archie Carr Medal for Conservation. In this second part of our conversation, Nalini discusses:How she created "Treetop Barbie" and overcame Mattel's attempts to stop herPartnering with faith groups to emphasize the spiritual value of treesInvolving inmates in meaningful conservation workLeveraging impact investment for sustainable ecological fundingTo learn more about Nalini's work:https://www.nalininadkarni.com/ https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/nalini-m-nadkarni Follow us on social media for more updates:Twitter: @brvnathanInstagram: @brvnathanSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive early access to episodes: www.beautyatwork.netThis episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) and Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/).Support the Show.

Nalini Nadkarni's unique academic career interweaves her scientific research on rainforest canopy biota with innovative public engagement. She has written 150 scientific papers and books on the composition and ecological roles of canopy-dwelling communities, supported by the National Science Foundation and the National Geographic Society. She also engages with those who do not or cannot gain access to science education, including faith-based groups, artists, corporations, and people who are incarcerated. Her work is featured in journals ranging from Science to Playboy, and in public media such as Science Friday, Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, and RadioLab. In 2023, the National Geographic Society named her as one of their ten “Explorers at Large.” Her awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, the AAAS Award for Public Engagement, the National Science Foundation Award for Public Service, The Rachel Carson Award for Conservation, The Wilson Award for the Advancement of Social Justice, and the Archie Carr Medal for Conservation. In this first part of our conversation, Nalini discusses:Her childhood love for treesHer pioneering research on the forest canopyHow the discovery of canopy roots reshaped our understanding of tree biology.Challenges and risks she encountered in her work To learn more about Nalini's work:https://www.nalininadkarni.com/ https://explorers.nationalgeographic.org/directory/nalini-m-nadkarni Follow us on social media for more updates:Twitter: @brvnathanInstagram: @brvnathanSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive early access to episodes: www.beautyatwork.netThis episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) and Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/).Support the Show.

Existential psychologist Dr. Clay Routledge, Vice President of Research at the Archbridge Institute, discusses the science of nostalgia, and why our yearning for beautiful memories is not simply an escape to the past but a vital resource for innovation.Clay is a highly cited researcher who has published more than 100 scholarly papers, co-edited three academic books, authored three books, and received numerous awards for his research and mentorship. Clay regularly advises a range of organizations, from small startups to large companies, helping them use existential psychology and behavioral science more broadly to improve their products, services, and workplace culture. His latest book is Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life.In this second part of our conversation, Clay discusses:Why we are nostalgic for both good and bad timesHow nostalgia is a resource for innovation and spiritualityReflection exercises to harness nostalgia for personal growthTo learn more about Clay's work, you can find him at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayroutledge/ X: https://twitter.com/clayroutledge Human Flourishing Lab: https://humanflourishinglab.org Personal Website: https://www.clayroutledge.com Substack (Flourishing Friday): https://www.flourishingfriday.blog/ His latest book (Past Forward): https://www.amazon.com/Past-Forward-Nostalgia-Help-Meaningful/dp/1683648641/Follow us on social media for more updates:Twitter: @brvnathanInstagram: @brvnathanSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive early access to episodes: www.beautyatwork.netThis episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) and Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/).Support the Show.

Existential psychologist Dr. Clay Routledge, Vice President of Research at the Archbridge Institute, discusses the science of nostalgia, and why our yearning for beautiful memories is not simply an escape to the past but a vital resource for innovation.Clay is a highly cited researcher who has published more than 100 scholarly papers, co-edited three academic books, authored three books, and received numerous awards for his research and mentorship. Clay regularly advises a range of organizations, from small startups to large companies, helping them use existential psychology and behavioral science more broadly to improve their products, services, and workplace culture. His latest book is Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life.In this first part of our conversation, Clay discusses:His childhood experiences of profound beautyHow he came to pursue existential psychologyKey findings from his research on nostalgia, including its motivating and surprisingly future-oriented natureTo learn more about Clay's work, you can find him at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayroutledge/ X: https://twitter.com/clayroutledge Human Flourishing Lab: https://humanflourishinglab.org Personal Website: https://www.clayroutledge.com Substack (Flourishing Friday): https://www.flourishingfriday.blog/ His latest book (Past Forward): https://www.amazon.com/Past-Forward-Nostalgia-Help-Meaningful/dp/1683648641/Follow us on social media for more updates:Twitter: @brvnathanInstagram: @brvnathanSubscribe to our newsletter for exclusive early access to episodes: www.beautyatwork.netThis episode is sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation (https://www.templeton.org/) and Templeton Religion Trust (https://templetonreligiontrust.org/).Support the Show.

Season 3 of the podcast launches in July. We have a great lineup of guests coming up! I'd also love to hear your recommendations for guests and topics that you'd like to hear on the show. Please feel free to reach out at beautyatworkpodcast@gmail.comSupport the Show.

What, if anything, is beautiful about democracy? Is it meaningful to talk about beauty when it comes to politics? These questions were discussed (and even fiercely debated) in our final plenary session of the Beauty at Work international symposium held at The Catholic University of America, May 27, 2023. This episode is the second part of the discussion. Please listen to the first part here if you haven't already: Panelists for the session were Hélène Landemore (Yale University), Shadi Hamid (The Atlantic), and Osita Nwanevu (The New Republic)The panel was moderated by Samuel Kimbriel, The Aspen Institute.You can find the full video of the discussion on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/9FQPHMRsW1A?si=t7fcKRhfnr4EbL2rThis symposium was sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, Archbridge Institute, and the Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America.Support the Show.

What, if anything, is beautiful about democracy? Is it meaningful to talk about beauty when it comes to politics? These questions were discussed (and even fiercely debated) in our final plenary session of the Beauty at Work international symposium held at The Catholic University of America, May 27, 2023. We will share this session with you over the next couple of episodes. Panelists for the session were Hélène Landemore (Yale University), Shadi Hamid (The Atlantic), and Osita Nwanevu (The New Republic)The panel was moderated by Samuel Kimbriel, The Aspen Institute.You can find the full video of the discussion on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/9FQPHMRsW1A?si=t7fcKRhfnr4EbL2rThis symposium was sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, Archbridge Institute, and the Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America.Support the Show.

This is part 2 of a 2-part episode examining how beauty works to shape our brains, the spaces we inhabit, and the communities we build. Please check out part 1 if you haven't already: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/15078668These questions were the focus of the second plenary session of our International Symposium on Beauty at Work that we held in Washington DC in May 2023. Our panelists were:Anjan Chatterjee, University of PennsylvaniaJulio Bermudez, The Catholic University of AmericaPallavi Dean, Roar, Dubai, UAESheri Parks, University of MarylandThe panel was moderated by Christine Emba, Staff Writer at The AtlanticYou can watch the video of the discussion here: https://youtu.be/4VhC7mTxEoQThis symposium was sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, Archbridge Institute, and the Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America.Support the Show.

How does beauty shape our brains, the spaces we inhabit, and the communities we build?These questions were the focus of the second plenary session of our International Symposium on Beauty at Work that we held in Washington DC in May 2023. The panelists in this second session of our Symposium tackle these questionsAnjan Chatterjee, University of PennsylvaniaJulio Bermudez, The Catholic University of AmericaPallavi Dean, Roar, Dubai, UAESheri Parks, University of MarylandThe panel was moderated by Christine Emba, Staff Writer at The AtlanticYou can watch the video of the discussion here: https://youtu.be/4VhC7mTxEoQThis symposium was sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, Archbridge Institute, and the Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America.Support the Show.

Please check out part 1 or the discussion here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/15037678This episode is the second part of our plenary session on the meaning and value of beauty in science which opened  the International Symposium on Beauty at Work that we held  in Washington DC in May 2023.The session was a discussion between four scientists: Dr. Robert Gilbert (Professor of Biochemistry, University of Oxford); Dr. Aaron Dominguez (Professor of Physics and Provost, Catholic University of America); and Dr. Massimo Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute) and Dr. Maria Teresa Landi (National Cancer Institute at NIH) who moderated the conversation.There are some beautiful visuals and videos that you can watch on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG_ESu8RPeIThis symposium was sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, the Archbridge Institute, and the Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America.Support the Show.

What does Beauty mean to scientists? Why does it matter for the practice of science?These questions drive the opening plenary session of the Beauty at Work international symposium held at The Catholic University of America, May 26, 2023.We're going to share this session with you over the next couple of episodes.The session opened with remarks from the President of the Catholic University of America, Dr. Peter Kilpatrick. It was followed by a discussion between four scientists: Dr. Robert Gilbert (Professor of Biochemistry, University of Oxford); Dr. Aaron Dominguez (Professor of Physics and Provost, Catholic University of America); and Dr. Massimo Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute) and Dr. Maria Teresa Landi (National Cancer Institute at NIH) who moderated the conversation.There are some beautiful visuals and videos that you can watch on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG_ESu8RPeIThis symposium was sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust, the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, the Archbridge Institute, and the Institute for Human Ecology at the Catholic University of America.Support the Show.

In July 2022, we held an interdisciplinary panel at the University of Oxford on the role of beauty in science. The event was sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust and Magdalen College. The panel represented perspectives from diverse disciplines: mathematics, physics, biology, philosophy of science, and sociology.This is the third episode in the series. In this episode, I present results from the world's first large-scale survey of beauty in science. You can see the slides from the presentation on the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/t6AQ9O2MLUY?si=VQpoyHYaMSWYpBoN Following this presentation we'll have a discussion among panelists and Q&A from the audience.Support the Show.