An Aromatic Life

#150: In this episode Frauke sits down with philosophy professor Benjamin Young, PhD. to philosophize about smell. Ben shares what he believes are two big misconceptions about smell and explains how smells are cognitively represented and why that matters in philosophy.  He tells us how smell offers insights into consciousness and unconsciousness, and why he believes science needs to move beyond a visual orientation when it comes to...

#149: In this week's whiff of wisdom, aromatherapist Audra James shares how you can harness scent for emotional and mental wellbeing. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #82.

Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that spotlights an inspirational insight from a previous guest. The aim is to offer you a whiff of wisdom for your aromatic life, as well as give you some inspiration to try new things that use your sens...

#148: In honor of Earth Day and Sense of Smell Day, in this episode Frauke shares her tips for sustainably managing your perfumes and essential oils. She spells out what to do with those hardly/never worn fragrances gathering dust on your dresser - spoiler alert - don’t throw them in the garbage. Whether full, half-full, or completely empty, and no matter how new or old, Frauke guides you in how to sustainably relish, reduce, recyc...

#147: In this week's whiff of wisdom, conservation biologist and clinical aromatherapist Dr. Kelly Ablard explains how you can help to conserve aromatic medicinal plants. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #13.

Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that spotlights an inspirational insight from a previous guest. The aim is to offer you a whiff of wisdom for your aromatic life, as well as give you some inspiration...

#146: In this episode, Frauke sits down with award-winning writer and biologist David George Haskell to talk about his book Thirteen Ways to Smell a Tree. David explains how trees smell, reveals what aromatic language they use to communicate with other living beings, and spells out how we should smell a tree. He then shares what made him decide to write the book, including how we can re-engage with trees and rebuild connections to ...

#145: In this week's whiff of wisdom, Master Perfumer Christophe Laudamiel explains what people, especially the media, get wrong about sustainability in Perfumery. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #80.

Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that spotlights an inspirational insight from a previous guest. The aim is to offer you a whiff of wisdom for your aromatic life.

Learn more about Christophe and his work ...

#144: In this episode, Frauke sits down with bespoke perfumer and Travertine Atelier CEO Terry Carter to discuss his journey as an aromatic entrepreneur. Terry shares the enormous influence his parents had, and why perfume has always been in his life. He explains what drew him to studying International Studies and Japanese in college, and how law school was a natural part of his journey. Terry then reveals how he started his busine...

#143: In this week's whiff of wisdom, aromatherapist Jade Shutes shares how to buy, grow, and appreciate aromatic plants. A perfect episode to start Spring! To listen to the original full episode go to episode #69.

Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that spotlights an inspirational insight from a previous guest. The aim is to offer you a whiff of wisdom for your aromatic life, as well as give you some inspiration to try new things...

#142: In this episode, Frauke sits down with visual artist, singer, and writer Siôn Parkinson to discuss his new book Stinkhorn: How Nature’s Most Foul-Smelling Mushroom Can Change The Way We Listen. Siôn begins by sharing how he got interested in mushrooms and how he first came across the Stinkhorn. He explains the difference between “Stink” and “stink” and how sound is informed by smell. Siôn describes what the common Stinkhorn l...

#141: In this week's whiff of wisdom, perfumer Rachel Binder explains how to rethink scent by avoiding preconceived notions, celebrating differences, maintaining personal relationships, and acknowledging origin stories in natural perfumery. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #44.

Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that spotlights an inspirational insight from a previous guest. The aim is to offer you a whiff of w...

#140: To celebrate Anosmia Awareness Day, in this episode, Frauke sits down with acquired anosmic Katie Boateng and congenital anosmic Dia Kline to discuss the state of anosmia five years on from COVID. Katie and Dia begin by giving their report card for general public awareness, the anosmia community, doctors, and the scientific community before the pandemic, and where they believe we stand today. They then share what it's been li...

#139: In this episode, Frauke sits down with perfumer and olfactory artist Naoko Kusunoki to explore Japanese olfaction. Naoko shares her view about the current scent culture, including the preferred scent profiles, popular perfumes, and how the Japanese integrate scent into their everyday life. She then explains Kōdō (Koh-do), the incense ceremony and why listening to scent helps you appreciate incense. Naoko shares what tradition...

#138: In this week's whiff of wisdom, vocalist, piano teacher and aromatherapist Yuliana Kireyeva shares how to listen to scent. Yuliana explains how she listens to what she’s smelling and turns it into music. You’ll  also hear her play the piano and give her melodic interpretation of three scents - lemon, clove, and patchouli. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #77.

Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that sp...

#137: In this episode, Frauke sits down with cognitive scientist and professor Jonas Olofsson to discuss his new book The Forgotten Sense: The New Science of Smell and the Extraordinary Power of the Nose. Prof. Olofsson, PhD shares how some of the myths about our sense of smell developed throughout history, including the role literacy played in devaluing our sense of smell so much. He explains why we’re all unique smellers, what ma...

#136: In this week's whiff of wisdom, Nigerian perfumer, teacher, and artistic curator Deola “Abela” Inyang shares what she’s doing to get people to think more about, and connect with, the smells of their homeland. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #49.

Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that spotlights an inspirational insight from a previous guest. The aim is to offer you a whiff of wisdom for your aromatic li...

#135: In this episode, Frauke sits down with curator Julie Bellemare to talk about the millennia-long relationships between glass, perfumery, and the storage of scent. Her curated exhibit called Sensorium: Stories of Glass and Fragrance is currently on display through February 23, 2025 at the Corning Museum of Glass. Julie shares the role glass has played in medicine and chemistry, and reveals the first time a glass bottle was tied...

#134: In this week's whiff of wisdom, Institute for Art and Olfaction director and founder Saskia Wilson-Brown shares why she believes working with scent is a human right that we should all have access to, and explains why it’s more than just liquid in a bottle. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #51.

Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that spotlights an inspirational insight from a previous guest. The aim is to ...

#133: On this fourth anniversary of An Aromatic Life, just like every year, Frauke shares what her recent guests revealed when asked “What does the sense of smell mean to you?” This New Year's episode is a chance to reflect on this beautiful, complicated, and under-appreciated sense and ask what it can do for you. It's also an invitation to incorporate more smelling into your life in 2025. Be curious. Be open. And stay connected.