An Aromatic Life

#180: Attention all Geminis! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Gemini sign (May 21 - June 20), which is part of the Air element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of Gemini, and then M...

#179: Attention all Taurus! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Taurus sign (April 20 - May 20), which is part of the Earth element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of Taurus, and then...

#178: Attention all Aries! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Aries sign (March 21 - April 20), which is part of the Fire element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of Aries, and then M...

#177: Attention all Pisces! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Pisces sign (Feb 19 - March 20), which is part of the Water element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of Pisces, and then...

#176: Attention all Aquarians! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Aquarius sign (Jan 20 - Feb 18), which is part of the Air element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of Aquarius, and t...

#175: In this episode, Frauke sits down with award-winning natural perfumer, educator, and author Mandy Aftel to talk about her new book Symbolorum: The Secret Wisdom of Emblems. Mandy begins by explaining what emblems are, and how valuable they were back in the 16th & 17th centuries. She shares how she came to write the book, what surprised her the most along the way, and why she believes it’...

#174: On this fifth 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 2026...

#173: Attention all Capricorns! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Capricorn sign (Dec 22 - Jan 19), which is part of the Earth element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of Capricorn,...

#172: In this year end episode, Frauke revisits some of her favorite guest insights from 2025.   Follow Frauke on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @an_aromatic_life ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Frauke's website ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.anaromaticlife.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn about Frauke's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Scent*Tattoo Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#171: To accompany your holiday preparations, we’re revisiting a beautiful conversation with writer and journalist Divrina Dhingra discussing her book, The Perfume Project: Journeys through Indian Fragrance . This is another aromatic read you’ll want to gift to yourself, or someone you love! In this episode, Frauke sits down with writer and journalist Divrina Dhingra to talk about her book, The Pe...

#170: As we ease into the holiday season, we’re revisiting a beautiful conversation with scholar Xuelei Huang about her book Scents of China: A Modern History of Smell . You’ll definitely want to gift this aromatic treasure to yourself, or someone you love! In this episode, Frauke sits down with University of Edinburgh Senior Lecturer and author Xuelei Huang to discuss her new book Scents of China...

#169: Attention all Sagittarians! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Sagittarius sign (Nov 22 - Dec 21), which is part of the Fire element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of Sagittar...

#168: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Jeffrey Paul Ames, aka The Aromatic Gourmet, to explore the deep connection between fragrance, flavor, and beauty. Jeffrey shares how scent has guided his life, from his Italian family’s aromatic kitchen to teaching sensory classes at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. You’ll hear how he merges gastronomy and perfumery, creating “edible perfumes” thro...

#167: In this week's whiff of wisdom, Oud Artisan Rahel Ali helps us understand the different grades of oud on the market so you know what to look for when you buy the chips or oil. To listen to the original full episode “Exploring Oud” go to episode #94. 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 f...

#166: In this episode, Frauke sits down with aromatherapist, herbalist, and botanical perfumer Sharon Louise Chapman to explore how plants and scent can be powerful partners in healing and self-discovery. Sharon shares her deeply personal journey, from leaving an abusive marriage and facing chronic illness, to rebuilding her life through gardening, aromatherapy, and natural perfumery. She reflects...

#165: Attention all Scorpios! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Scorpio sign (Oct 23 - Nov 21), which is part of the Water element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of Scorpio, and th...

#164: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Appalachian Botanical Co. CEO Jocelyn Sheppard to talk about transforming reclaimed coal mine land in West Virginia into thriving lavender fields. Jocelyn shares her unexpected journey from librarian and consultant to CEO of a natural products company, the challenges of starting an agricultural business in Appalachia, and how lavender became a symbol of...

#163: In this week's whiff of wisdom, In-Glorious Smell-O-Vision co-director and producer Tammy Burnstock and historical scent technology aficionado Jas Brooks share how bringing scent into movie theaters deepens our connection to the story on screen. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #104. Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that spotlights an inspirational insight from a prev...

#162: In this episode, Frauke sits down with librarian, fragrance enthusiast, and Paperback Perfumes podcaster Clare Presser to unpack the emerging idea of olfactive literacy: what it means to understand, communicate, and create using our sense of smell. Together they ask: Can we read scents the way we read words? How do memory, culture, and emotion shape the way we smell? And what shifts when we...

#161: In honor of World Alzheimer’s Month, in this week's whiff of wisdom, Clinical Aromatherapist Madeleine Kerkhof explains how you can use scent to support a loved one living with dementia. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #42. 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 fo...

#160: Attention all Libras! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia from last December which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Libra sign (Sept 23 - Oct 22), which is part of the Air element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of L...

#159: Could your nose be an early alarm bell for dementia? In honor of World Alzheimer's Month, in this episode Frauke sits down with neuropsychologist Alex Bahar-Fuchs, PhD to explore the fascinating connection between smell and dementia. While we usually think of memory loss or confusion as the first warning signs, research shows that changes in our sense of smell often appear years earlier....

#158: In honor of World Taste & Smell Day on Sept. 14th, in this week's whiff of wisdom, photographer, food writer, and cookbook author Saghar Setareh shares how the food of her adopted country Italy became a lantern and a mirror for her to more deeply explore the cuisine of her homeland Iran. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #88. Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format th...

#157: In this episode Frauke sits down with New York Times bestselling author Francesca Serritella to discuss her latest novel “Full Bloom,” a gripping read that blends emotional awakening, scent alchemy, and the seductive power of desire. Francesca shares the inspiration behind the main character, Iris Sunnegren, and how scent becomes the key to unlocking her deepest wants. They discuss themes fr...

#156: Attention all Virgos! In this bonus episode, Frauke revisits a conversation with astrologer Karima from The Cosmic Vibe and animistic perfumer Mauricio Garcia from last December which explored the intersection of astrology and aromatics. Here the focus is on the Virgo sign (Aug 23 - Sept 22), which is part of the Earth element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of...