Best Brandon Vaidyanathan Podcasts (2025)

1
Science Meets Spirituality: Bridging Worlds in the Search for Meaning 1:01:02

4d ago1:01:02

1:01:02

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…

1
Imagining Future Worlds: Where Science Meets Art (Dr. Rob Dunn) - Clip From S2E3 17:36

13d ago17:36

17:36

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 imaginati…

1
The Intersection of Architecture, Beauty, and Spirituality (Rachael Grochowski) - Clip from S2E2 17:14

20d ago17:14

17:14

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 arch…

1
The Power of Aesthetic Intelligence in Corporate Culture and Hospitality (Pauline Brown) - Clip from S2E1 17:56

1M ago17:56

17:56

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, hosp…

1
A Feeling of Precariousness | Putnam, Turkle, Vaidyanathan | New York Encounter 2025 (Part 2 of 2) 34:45

2M ago34:45

34:45

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 Un…

1
A Feeling of Precariousness | Putnam, Turkle, Vaidyanathan | New York Encounter 2025 (Part 1 of 2) 28:24

2M ago28:24

28:24

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 Un…

1
All That Is Needed Is Attention | Nowak, Phillips, Tang | New York Encounter 2025 (Part 2 of 2) 24:59

2M ago24:59

24:59

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 …

1
All That Is Needed Is Attention | Nowak, Phillips, Tang | New York Encounter 2025 (Part 1 of 2) 23:09

2M ago23:09

23:09

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 …

1
Yearning for True Love with Francesca Hogi (Part 2 of 2) 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

How 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, H…

1
Yearning for True Love with Francesca Hogi (Part 1 of 2) 40:59

3M ago40:59

40:59

How 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…

1
Yearning for Healing with Deepa Patel and Dr. Angel Acosta (part 2 of 2) 28:16

3M ago28:16

28:16

How 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 contemplat…

1
Yearning for Healing with Deepa Patel and Dr. Angel Acosta (part 1 of 2) 34:04

3M ago34:04

34:04

How 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 contemplat…

1
Barriers to Cosmic Connection with Dr. Galen Watts (Part 7 of Symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age) 16:32

3M ago16:32

16:32

What 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 …

1
Ecology and Agency with Dr. William Barbieri (Part 6 of Symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age) 16:51

4M ago16:51

16:51

This 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…

1
The Lost Word with Dr. Tara Isabella Burton (Part 5 of Symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age) 16:01

4M ago16:01

16:01

The Lost Word: Magic, Reality-Creation, and the Pursuit of God’s Language This 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…

1
Spiritual Yearning in Science with Dr. Brandon Vaidyanathan (Part 4 of Symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age) 36:15

4M ago36:15

36:15

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 scie…

1
Science as Enchantment with Dr. Rob Gilbert (Part 3 of Symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age) 26:55

4M ago26:55

26:55

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 a…

1
Imagination and Insight with Dr. Naomi Fisher (Part 2 of Symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age) 12:43

4M ago12:43

12:43

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 rational…

1
Cosmic Connections with Dr. Charles Taylor (Part 1 of Symposium on Spiritual Yearning in a Disenchanted Age) 35:33

4M ago35:33

35:33

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 Cos…

1
Yearning for Wisdom with Dr. Francis Collins (Part 2 of 2) 32:23

4M ago32:23

32:23

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 disease…

1
Yearning for Wisdom with Dr. Francis Collins (Part 1 of 2) 34:25

5M ago34:25

34:25

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 t…

1
Yearning For Meaning with Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren and Dr. David McPherson (Part 2 of 2) 35:21

5M ago35:21

35:21

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 w…

1
Yearning For Meaning with Dr. Daryl Van Tongeren and Dr. David McPherson (Part 1 of 2) 35:33

5M ago35:33

35:33

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 w…

1
Yearning for Understanding with Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn (Part 2 of 2) 46:19

5M ago46:19

46:19

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 o…

1
Yearning for Understanding with Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn (Part 1 of 2) 39:11

6M ago39:11

39:11

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 …

1
Yearning for Certainty with Maggie Jackson (Part 2 of 2 ) 40:08

6M ago40:08

40:08

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 …

1
Yearning for Certainty with Maggie Jackson (Part 1 of 2 ) 28:10

6M ago28:10

28:10

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 …

1
Art and Yearning with Dr. Daniel McInerny (Part 2 of 2) 32:51

6M ago32:51

32:51

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…

1
Art and Yearning with Dr. Daniel McInerny (Part 1 of 2) 34:16

6M ago34:16

34:16

How is art relevant to our yearning for flourishing? In this episode, I interview philosopher Daniel McInerny about his new book, Beauty and Imitation. Dr. 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 foremo…

1
Yearning for Transcendence with Dr. Alan Lightman (Part 2 of 2) 28:55

7M ago28:55

28:55

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…

1
Yearning for Transcendence with Dr. Alan Lightman (Part 1 of 2) 26:38

7M ago26:38

26:38

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…

1
Yearning for wholeness with Elizabeth Oldfield (Part 2 of 2) 23:16

7M ago23:16

23:16

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 …

1
Yearning for wholeness with Elizabeth Oldfield (Part 1 of 2) 22:10

7M ago22:10

22:10

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 …

1
Longing for Integration with Andy Youniss (Part 2 of 2) 27:15

8M ago27:15

27:15

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 an…

1
Longing for Integration with Andy Youniss (Part 1 of 2) 24:50

8M ago24:50

24:50

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…

1
Longing for Belonging - with Ron Ivey and Monika Jiang (Part 2 of 2) 32:56

8M ago32:56

32:56

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 …

1
Longing for Belonging - with Ron Ivey and Monika Jiang (Part 1 of 2) 39:56

8M ago39:56

39:56

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 Inst…

1
Connecting Earth and Sky with Dr. Nalini Nadkarni (Part 2 of 2) 29:57

9M ago29:57

29:57

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 …

1
Connecting Earth and Sky with Dr. Nalini Nadkarni (Part 1 of 2) 34:21

9M ago34:21

34:21

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 …

1
Nostalgia: Yearning for Beautiful Memories with Dr. Clay Routledge (Part 2 of 2) 37:13

9M ago37:13

37:13

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 th…

1
Nostalgia: Yearning for Beautiful Memories with Dr. Clay Routledge (Part 1 of 2) 32:45

9M ago32:45

32:45

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 th…

1
Season 3 Announcement 0:40

11M ago0:40

0:40

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 [email protected] Support the showBy Brandon Vaidyanathan

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Is Democracy Beautiful? (Part 2 of 2) 46:52

11M ago46:52

46:52

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 discu…

1
Is Democracy Beautiful? (Part 1 of 2) 36:14

12M ago36:14

36:14

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…

1
How Beauty Works: Neuroscience, Design, and Justice (Part 2 of 2) 36:23

12M ago36:23

36:23

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/2043099/15078668 These questions were the focus of the second plenary session of our International Symposium on Beauty at Work that we held…

1
How Beauty Works: Neuroscience, Design, and Justice (Part 1 of 2) 35:40

12M ago35:40

35:40

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 questions Anjan Chatterjee, University of P…

1
The Meaning And Value Of Beauty In Science (Opening plenary, International Symposium on Beauty at Work), Part 2 of 2 45:31

12M ago45:31

45:31

This 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. Please check out part 1 of the discussion here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2043099/15037678 The session was a discussion between four scientists: D…

1
The Meaning and Value of Beauty in Science (Opening plenary, International Symposium on Beauty at Work) Part 1 of 2 36:12

12M ago36:12

36:12

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 fr…

1
Beauty in Science: An Interdisciplinary Conversation at the University of Oxford (Part 3 of 3) 43:36

12M ago43:36

43:36

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 se…

1
Beauty in Science: An Interdisciplinary Conversation at the University of Oxford (Part 2 of 3) 35:01

1y ago35:01

35:01

In July 2022, we held an interdisciplinary panel at Magdalen College 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. You can see the sl…

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Brandon Vaidyanathan Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen