An Aromatic Life

#105: In this week's whiff of wisdom , Parfums de Vie co-founder Nicole Derieux talks about some of the different experiences she creates for at-risk children and teens in Grasse, France, each of which uses their senses of smell and taste to help give them coping strategies for the unimaginable trauma they’ve already faced at such an early age.   To listen to the original full episode go to ep...

#104: In this episode, Frauke sits down with In-Glorious Smell-O-Vision co-director and producer Tammy Burnstock and historical scent technology aficionado Jas Brooks to discuss all things scent in cinema. Tammy and Jas share how they believe scent as a medium can convey messages and enhance cinematic experiences, and explain how you can make something as “uncontrollable” as scent actually work us...

#103: Happy Anosmia Awareness Week! In this week's whiff of wisdom , actor and comedian Dia Kline, who was born with no ability to smell, shares her perception of how the world must smell based on what she hears us smellers constantly saying. She also shares when she first realized that she couldn’t smell, and reveals some really funny observations about how she’s had to navigate through a sme...

#102: In this episode, Frauke sits down with writer and journalist Divrina Dhingra to talk about her new book, The Perfume Project: Journeys through Indian Fragrance, and discuss some of the indigenous aromatic materials that have defined Indian perfumery for centuries. Divrina shares her experience going to Kannauj, known as the "Center of Indian Perfumery," seeing the rose fields, and...

#101: In this week's whiff of wisdom , musician and fragrance enthusiast Justin Copeland gives his sensory perspective on how to evaluate a fragrance just like music. He explains how to lean into the feeling you have with the experience and encourages you to use your instinct. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #12. Whiff of Wisdom is a new format that's being added biwee...

#100: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Brock University Associate Professor Jessica P. Clark to give an olfactory perspective on constructions of gender, race, and national identity during the Great War (WWI) in Britain. Jess begins by giving context to the period, explaining who made up the British forces (class & race), the volunteers supporting from home, as well as the perfumers and...

#99: In this week's whiff of wisdom , cognitive scientist and empirical philosopher Ann-Sophie Barwich advocates for why your sense of smell is so amazing. She explains what people get wrong about our sense of smell, including the belief that dogs are better smellers than humans. She also emphasizes the fact that, through smelling, we can expand the quality of our consciousness. To listen to t...

#98: In this episode, Frauke sits down with University of Edinburgh Senior Lecturer and author Xuelei Huang to discuss her new book Scents of China: A Modern History of Smell. In the conversation she reveals a unique perspective on the smellscapes that permeated Chinese life from the eighteen through mid-twentieth century. Xuelei explains the concept of "smell as the stranger" and shares...

#97: Tapping into our positive scent memories can be a great addition to your wellness routine. In this whiff of wisdom , psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Herz shares how you can harness your positive scent memories to help improve your wellbeing both physically and mentally. Dr. Herz also shares how you can create new scent memories for your children, as well as establish gene...

#96 On this third 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 2024....

#95: In this year end episode, Frauke revisits some of her favorite guest insights from 2023.   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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

#94: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Rahel Ali of Oudbase to talk about the aromatic resinous material oud. Rahel explains the religious and cultural significance of oud for many around the world, and shares the many ways the wood is used. He talks about how the fragrant material is formed in the aquilaria tree, what parts of the wood are used, and reveals how you can determine the quality....

#93: In this episode, Frauke sits down with artisan perfumer Anjali Vandemark to talk about her fragrant journey from her homeland India to her current residence in Bainbridge Island, Washington in the U.S. Anjali shares some of her favorite scent memories as a child growing up in Nagpur and later working in Mumbai. She explains what makes India such an olfactory-rich culture, including what role...

#92: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Podcaster and Smell and Taste Association of North America President Katie Boateng to discuss how to connect with smells more to enrich daily life experiences when you've lost your sense of smell. Katie shares how she lost her sense of smell and why that's changed her understanding and memory of everyday smells. Frauke explains cross-modal sensor...

#91: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Attractions & Heritage Scenting Consultant Liam Findlay to discuss how to tell stories through scent. Liam shares why he believes smells are such a powerful medium to convey a story and what elements of a story scent particularly helps to elevate. He gives several examples of theme park rides that use scent to enhance experiences and tells how people...

#90: In this episode, Frauke sits down with 9-year-old Xavier the Jr. Fragrance Reviewer and his aunt, indie perfumer Emily Shaber to discuss the value and joy of smelling with children. Xavier shares how his love of fragrance began and Emily adds what she observed. They discuss what smelling activities they do to engage their sense of smell, what strategies Xavier uses to help him describe smells...

#89: In this episode, Frauke sits down with art historian, author and educator Dr. Christina Bradstreet to discuss her new book Scented Visions: Smell in Art, 1850-1914 , where she examines the iconography and symbolism of scent in nineteenth-century art and visual culture. Christina shares why she chose this specific time period; what was happening culturally and politically, and more specificall...

#88: In this episode, Frauke sits down with photographer and food writer Saghar Setareh to discuss her newly released cookbook Pomegranates & Artichokes: A Food Journey From Iran To Italy . Saghar shares scent memories from her homeland Iran, as well as those of her adopted home of Italy. She tells the eggplant story which details the many parallels that link Middle Eastern and Mediterranean f...

#87: In this episode, Frauke sits down with the founders of The World Taste & Smell Association, Stephanie Feuer and Mindy Yang, to talk about what they're doing to elevate smell and taste. They share why they started their non-profit and what they hope to achieve. They discuss how the WTSA is designed to be an umbrella group for anosmia patient-advocacy organizations, scientists, research...

#86: In this episode, Frauke discusses how we "smellers" can support people in our life living with a smell dysfunction by creating a "Smell Squad." She explains what the concept is and who, specifically, should be in the "Smell Squad." Frauke then goes through the four types of members to enlist (hint: it might include a hugger-in-chief). From ensuring safety, connec...

#85: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Priestess, Aromatherapist, and Author Stephanie Rose Bird to talk about her book A Healing Grove: African Tree Remedies and Rituals for the Body and Spirit. Stephanie shares what the sense of smell means to her, she reveals what scent memories stay with her from her childhood growing up in southern New Jersey. Stephanie reads a moving passage from her bo...

#84: In this episode, Frauke heads to the California coast to visit her favorite coffee shop, Soul Grind, in Pacifica and talks to their head coffee roaster, Eddie Sassin. Eddie takes Frauke through the coffee roasting process, including how to use your sense of smell to note the various stages. He also shares what key factors he looks for, and reveals what the most difficult part of the roasting...

#83: In this episode, Frauke talks about the importance of having a healthy sense of smell. She explains the smell spectrum so you can determine where you sit, she shares what it actually means, clinically, to have a healthy sense of smell, and tells us why we should care about improving and maintaining this beautiful sense. She also explains what you can do to strengthen and maintain your sense o...

#82: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Australian aromatherapist Audra James to discuss her aromatic life journey that led her to create her brand Audra James Botanicals (Cate Blanchett is a fan!). As a self described "late bloomer," Audra shares her scent woven path through life that led her to becoming an aromatherapist. She describes how much aromatherapy has changed over the las...

#81: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Healthcare Design’s Break Through 2022 competition finalists Erica Parker, Pulkit Jain, and Chris Brause to discuss their A.R.O.M.A. Project. They discuss the enormous potential AI has to support the health care space through olfactory concepts. The team shares what need they saw in the healthcare space, reveal how they came up with the concept, and expl...