In this episode, Pauline sits down with Paola Antonelli, the visionary Senior Curator of Architecture & Design and founding Director of Research & Development at the Museum of Modern Art, whose career has been dedicated to helping people see the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Antonelli challenges the idea that great design is about perfection. Instead, she argues, it’s about intention: function with a point of view. From jolie-laide objects we can’t stop staring at (yes, the Cybertruck) to the lasting joy of a Vespa, she argues that the opposite of beauty isn’t ugliness; it's indifference.
Together, Pauline and Paola explore secondhand fashion, the sensory limits of “pixel taste,” and why social media demands a stronger critical spine. A playful “design redemption” lightning round reveals the hidden genius of everyday objects—from shopping carts to traffic dividers—before closing with a provocative look at what meaningful design will become by the year 2050.
Curious to understand the difference between art and design - and why it matters? Tune in for this masterclass in Aesthetic Intelligence.
Two former Googlers-turned-creators join Pauline to discuss the new leadership playbook in this creator-driven economy.
In this episode, Pauline sits down with lifestyle influencer and author Alexis Barber (Too Smart For This) and digital creator and Columbia Business School student Cedoni Francis (“the luxurious big sister you never had”) to talk about:
How their early careers at Google and YouTube prepared them to build and scale their own creator businesses
Why “shamelessness” became their secret weapon in launching their personal brands
What it really means to bet big on yourself—and how they protect their mental health while always being “on”
The hidden costs of influencing, from pricey apartments and beauty treatments to GLP-1s and other investments required to “look the part”
How status, success, and power are being redefined for a new generation of women
In this episode, Pauline sits down with sociologist, brand strategist, and author Ana Andjelic (The Business of Aspiration, The Sociology of Business) to unpack how power, status, and culture shape today’s most coveted brands.
They explore Pierre Bourdieu’s “invisible currencies” – economic, cultural, social, and symbolic capital – and why taste is increasingly the real status marker.
From Hermès, Prada, Ferrari, to Harvard University, they examine how the world's most desirable brands build entire worlds, not just products, and how analog experiences are regaining value in this hyper-digital age.
In this episode, Pauline sits down with fashion journalist and author Lauren Sherman to unpack one of culture’s most enduring and complicated topics: sex. Specifically, what does it mean to be sexy in today's consumer marketplace?
Using Sherman’s book Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon (co-authored with Chantal Fernandez) as a jumping-off point, they trace the rise and fall of Victoria’s Secret from its 1970s roots to its hyper-polished “angel” era and eventual cultural backlash.
They explore how internal power dynamics, the male gaze, the #MeToo movement, and the shadow of Jeffrey Epstein all collided with Gen Z’s changing relationship to sex and identity, alongside new marketing playbooks and social media.
Along the way, they compare old standards of sexiness to new ones across industries (from fashion to autos), celebrities (from Rihanna to Kim Kardashian), and brands (from Calvin Klein to Byredo). Finally, they explore how certain 'unsexy' brands (like Talbot's and Eileen Fisher) might be revived by embracing modern ideals of beauty, aspiration, and consumer desire.
In this episode, Pauline sits down with Alissa Hsu Lynch (ex–modern dancer; former J&J & Google exec; host of The Leadership Dance podcast) and Whitney Casey (All-American volleyball player turned media personality, author, tech founder, and private-equity investor) to unpack what really drives excellence—from the rehearsal studio and the court to the boardroom.
Together, they explore how a growth mindset, bias for action, and intrinsic motivation translate into sustained high performance and effective leadership.
Tune in to discover how you can tap into your own athletic and artistic instincts to excel in business ... and in life.
What if beauty isn’t about perfection at all? What if the things that draw us in—people, brands, even objects—are magnetic precisely because they’re a little off? On this episode, Pauline explores the French concept of jolie laide, or “pretty ugly,” and how imperfection may hold its own irresistible power.
From iconic personalities like Diane Keaton, Tilda Swinton and Adam Driver to architectural movements like Brutalism, Pauline unpacks why flaws, quirks, and unexpected designs can capture our attention and stir our emotions.
She then dives into the business world, examining how "ugly" brands like Tesla's Cybertruck, Crocs, UGGs and Monster Energy create both cultural and commercial allure.
Join us as we celebrate the beauty in imperfection, explore the psychology behind what captivates us, and challenge the idea that only polished perfection can endure.
In this episode, host Pauline Brown sits down with her longtime friend Sasha Grutman — a seasoned finance professional and cultivated aesthete — for a conversation on the power of curation, or what Pauline calls “the art of intelligence.”
Drawing from Coco Chanel’s maxim that “elegance is refusal” to the Latin roots of curare (“to take care of”), Pauline and Sasha explore how thoughtful curation brings clarity, coherence, and meaning to our lives.
At once practical and philosophical, this show reveals that curation is not simply an elitist pastime, but an essential life skill — a way for us all to focus our attention, express our identity, and enhance the quality, beauty, and joy in our lives.
In this latest episode of Luxe Stories, host Pauline Brown sits down with Pulitzer Prize–winning fashion critic Robin Givhan to explore the remarkable legacy of Virgil Abloh, one of the most influential cultural figures of the 21st century. Givhan—who has written for The Washington Post, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Essence, New York Magazine, and The New Yorker—discusses her new book, Make It Ours: Crashing the Gate of Culture with Virgil Abloh.
During the conversation, Robin reflects not only on Abloh’s meteoric rise, but also on the evolution of the fashion industry itself, and how it provided space for a creative disruptor to reshape its very codes.
Together, they trace Abloh’s journey from his roots as the son of Ghanaian immigrants in Rockford, Illinois, through his training in engineering, architecture, and music, to his pivotal collaborations with Kanye West and eventual ascent to become Louis Vuitton’s first Black artistic director.
Robin considers how Abloh democratized—and at times destabilized—the world of luxury, and why his unfinished story continues to shape the way we think about fashion, culture, and creativity today.
Tune in for a fascinating conversation on fashion, culture, and legacy—and how they were redefined by one visionary force.
On this episode, Pauline sits down with fashion veteran Michelle Spiro, whose career spans senior roles at marquee fashion brands, including DKNY, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren, and is now launching her own tennis-inspired brand called Furi.
Together, they explore the current state of fashion retail—how consumer expectations are shifting, what’s driving the rise of streetwear and sportswear, and how brands can thrive at the intersection of fashion, lifestyle, and culture.
On this episode, Pauline explores the fast-growing world of alcohol-free wines and spirits with two industry leaders: Emily Onkey, co-founder and CMO of Aplós, and Vanessa Kay, former CMO of Moët Hennessy USA and now a board member at Aplós. Together, they unpack the Aplós story — from its inspiration and brand identity to its marketing strategy and future prospects.
They also delve into the rise of the “sober-curious” movement and discuss why consumers are rethinking their relationship with alcohol, how this shift is transforming the beverage industry, and, more broadly, how it’s redefining the way people socialize and celebrate.
Every few months, Pauline invites listeners to ask her anything—from business to branding to beauty.
This latest segment is a free-flowing exchange, in which curiosity drives content.
No scripts. No boundaries. Just real questions and real answers.
Pauline is joined by veteran journalist and speech coach John Bowe, along with one of his clients, Elizabeth Thompson, for a conversation on the art of public speaking. John shares how he helps clients overcome anxiety and become more compelling presenters using a methodology rooted in ancient Greece. During the conversation, they explore how presentation skills not only boost people's professional prospects, but also can transform their lives.
Pauline is joined by renowned dermatologic surgeon, Anthony Rossi, for a discussion on the latest findings in skin cancer and recommendations for optimal skin health.
Dr. Rossi is a double board-certified dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He is a highly sought-after surgeon as well as an expert in non-invasive technologies like lasers and the founder of his own skincare line - Dr. Rossi DERM MD®.
During this segment, Pauline and Anthony discuss a range of topics, including:
Tune in to learn more about staying sun-safe and skin-smart this summer!
Welcome to Luxe Stories, a new original series on SiriusXM that delves into the untold stories behind the world’s most iconic luxury brands.
In our premiere episode, host Pauline Brown sits with fashion historian and New York Times columnist Rhonda Garelick for a discussion on the enigmatic Coco Chanel—the woman who revolutionized fashion and whose aesthetic style became a symbol of cultural transformation.
Together, they explore Coco’s difficult early years -- how they shaped her tastes and fueled her rise. They also delve into her wartime affiliations with the Nazi party, affairs with powerful men, conflicts with her longtime business partners, and bitter rivalries with other designers like Elsa Schiaparelli and Paul Poiret.
Finally, they reflect on how her successor, Karl Lagerfeld, rescued the brand from near obscurity, how he transformed it with his own bold vision and unapologetic flair, and how Coco herself might react to her brand today as well as the fashion industry that she once ruled.
Pauline is joined by Maryam Banikarim - a longtime C-suite executive, Emmy-winning producer, and community builder - for a conversation about the power of community and connection. On the business front, Maryam has held senior roles at Fortune Media, Nextdoor, Hyatt, Gannett, NBCUniversal, and Univision. On the community front, she co-founded NYCNext, a grassroots movement that was originally was launched to re-energize New Yorkers in the wake of the pandemic.
During the conversation, Pauline and Maryam dive into two distinct topics:
Pauline is joined in the studio by Edda Gudmundsdottir - whose work spans editorial styling, runway shows, music videos, and costume design and whose clients include Björk, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift, as well as fashion houses like Balmain, Valentino, and Gucci - for an in-depth discussion on how clothes can be used for visual storytelling.
The two long-time friends discuss how Edda parlayed her background as a ballet dancer to break into the world of fashion; how her Icelandic origins shaped her sense of style; and where she looks for up-and-coming trends and cultural inspiration.
On today's show Pauline is joined by Nicole Feld Strauss, a veteran producer of live entertainment. Throughout her career, Nicole overseen an array of spectacular events, including Marvel Universe, Disney On Ice, Sesame Street Live!, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
During the conversation Nicole shares insights on what makes an experience truly unforgettable; how she goes about creating experiences that inspire and delight diverse audiences; and how technology is reshaping the type of experiences that producers can deliver.
The two also discuss how Nicole's learnings from the world of entertainment apply to those trying to create special experiences of their own - whether it be hosting a party, preparing for a client dinner or planning a family vacation.
Pauline is joined in the studio by Emma McIlroy, founder of the mission-driven brand Wildfang, which challenges people to rethink gender norms and how they show up in fashion.
The brand has built a cult following, including with celebrities like Janelle Monae, Lizzo, Evan Rachel Wood, and Debbie Harry.
During the conversation, Emma shares why she decided to start Wildfang more than a decade ago, how the brand has evolved, what challenges she faced along the way, and how she continues to ensure that Wildfang will remain relevant, inclusive and desirable amid the changing social and culture climate.
What do the brands people buy and the places they shop reveal about their lifestyles, values, ideals and aspirations?
Pauline is joined in the studio by renowned marketing professor Americus Reed of the Wharton Business School for a provocative discussion about how our self-identities influence our buying decisions as well as how companies can leverage identity-based marketing strategies to build their brands and bolster their businesses.
Pauline is joined by Rhonda Garelick, the founding director of Hofstra University's Institute for Public Humanities and the Arts. Rhonda also is a columnist for the New York Times Style Section and the author of three books, including “Mademoiselle: Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History.”
Together, Pauline and Rhonda discuss the science of ugliness -- who is ugly? And who decides? How much of our perceptions of ugliness are determined by biology and genetics vs. cultural and societal norms?
The two women also discuss how social media is reshaping our standards of beauty and the impact of technologies - like GLP-1 drugs and plastic surgery - on our perceptions and ideals.