An Aromatic Life

#155: Attention all Leo signs! 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 Leo sign (July 23-Aug 22), which is part of the Fire element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow sides of L...

#154: Attention all Cancer signs! 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 Cancer sign (June 21-July 22), which is part of the Water element. Karima explains the unique traits, strengths and shadow si...

#153: In this week's whiff of wisdom, Charlie Atkins, who was born with no ability to smell and has never known smells, asks me a bunch of really tough questions about smells. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #50. 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 l...

#152: In this episode Frauke sits down with multi-sensory artist Donna Lipowitz to talk about her various creative projects using scent. Donna takes us through her journey in film and television, and ultimately what led her to experiment with scent as a means of storytelling. She explains what inspired her to create the film Perfume Stories: 1989 Anais Anais L'Original, and shares what persuaded h...

#151: In this week's whiff of wisdom, artisan perfumer Anjali Vandemark shares what inspired her to become a perfumer and how she approaches her creative process. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #93. 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...

#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...

#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...

#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 t...

#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,...

#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 wit...

#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 m...

#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 the...

#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 yo...

#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 de...

#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....

#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...

#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...

#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...

#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 wh...

#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...

#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...

#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 f...

#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 cu...

#132: In this year end episode, Frauke revisits some of her favorite guest insights from 2024.   Follow Frauke on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @an_aromatic_life ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Frauke's Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://anaromaticlife.substack.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Visit Frauke's website ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.anaromaticlife.com⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn about Frauke's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Scent*Tattoo Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#131: In this week's whiff of wisdom, artist and designer Dr. Kate McLean shares why we should appreciate our own city’s smellscape and what specifically we should be smelling. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #70. Whiff of Wisdom is a format that's being added biweekly, and spotlights an inspirational insight from a guest on the pod. The goal is to offer you a whiff of wisdom...