An Aromatic Life

#31: In this episode, Frauke sits down with A Library of Olfactive Material's founder Clara Weale to talk about her not-for-profit olfactory library in Glasgow, Scotland. The library aims to be a resource for scent education, experience, and experimentation. Clara reveals what led her to open the library, who it's for and what you can do there. She shares what surprises her most when peopl...

#30: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Aba Williams, Megan Abernathy, and Thelma Poupazi to talk about parosmia, the condition of having a distorted sense of smell. This is an honest conversation about the physical and mental challenges of living with smell distortions. Each woman shares her personal parosmia story, revealing not only how it changed their relationship with food, friends &...

In this episode, Frauke invites 5 aromatherapists from around the world to join in a conversation about smell, aromatics, and the field of Aromatherapy. Joining Frauke in the roundtable discussion are aromatherapists Elaine Le Feuvre from Guernsey, Channel Islands, Merja Hadeq from Morocco (via Norway & UK), Gladys Tan from Hong Kong (via Singapore), Julia Falkenstein from Germany, and Dori Be...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Alexis Wintrob, author of the children's book Za Za's Scent-Sational Superpower. Alexis explains what motivated her to create a children's book focused on fragrance, what influences led her to tell the story she did, and why it's so important to showcase STEM for young children. This is an enjoyable conversation about the importance of getting...

In this episode, Frauke explains everything you need to know about smell training if you've lost your sense of smell. She describes what the therapy is, who it's best suited for, and answers the question "does it really work?" by going through a few of the scientific studies. Frauke then takes you through what's involved in doing the therapy, including both the physical and p...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Parfums de Vie co-founder/co-owner Nicole Derieux to talk about her non-profit in Grasse, France which she describes as the fragrance of life, light, & love for children in need. Nicole takes us through some fragrant episodes in her life's journey as a little girl growing up on the west coast of Scotland, enjoying the smells of the sea, right through...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Bright Black co-founder/co-owner Tiffany Griffin to talk about using scent as a medium to tell stories, honor memories, and spark conversation. Tiffany explains what sense of smell means to her and how she harnesses the power of scent in her candle business. She also reveals what moments in her life journey led her to ultimately use scent as an artistic mediu...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Glenn Davis, aka Mrcologne76 to talk about taking a lifelong passion for fragrance and harnessing it to create a unique voice and community around scent. Glenn shares his memories of the smells he experienced in his early years growing up in Trinidad, and during his time in the Navy in Hawaii, Japan, and Spain. And he reveals the special person who got him ho...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Entrepreneur & Perfumer Anu Prestonia to talk about living an aromatic life. Anu shares her journey to becoming more connected to scents and smelling, including what led her to start her own perfume line. She reveals what her sense of smell means to her, and how she's connected with it over the years. Anu also shares her creative process for fragrance...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Writer and Culinary Explorer Kevin Cox to discuss the art of foodwalking. Kevin explains what foodwalking is exactly, how he coined the term (Anthony Bourdain approves), and then shares how to go about foodwalking whether you're in your own home town or exploring new places. Frauke and Kevin discuss what role our sense of smell can play in the joy of food...

In this episode, Frauke explains the concentrative meditation technique of scent meditation. She reveals the mental health benefits of meditating and shares how focusing on scents helps calm the mind and increase concentration. Frauke shares what types of essential oils are best to use for what situation, and then takes you through the scent meditation exercise step-by-step. Whether you're alr...

In this episode, Frauke shares how you can enhance your journaling experience through the use of scent. She explains the mental health benefits of journaling and the various ways you can incorporate the scent of essential oils to help boost the flow of words to paper. Frauke takes you through two distinct types of scent journaling that she's practiced over the years (and that she recommends to...

In this episode, Frauke shares how you can use your positive scent memories to support your emotional wellbeing. She explains why it's beneficial to use your scent memories to influence different emotional states including anxiety, stress and worry. And, no worries, if you feel like you don't have any scent memories to access (hint: you do, indeed!) because Frauke takes you through various...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with writer, performer, and educator Dr. M. Leona Godin to talk about being blind in an ocularcentric culture and why she's drawn to all things smell. She reveals what sense of smell means to her and why it took her so long to appreciate its beauty and value. Frauke and Leona discuss why scent descriptions aren't very common in literature, why it's so...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Perfumer Yosh Han to discuss Vibrational Perfumery. She explains what it means to use your intuition and how to activate it using your sense of smell. Yosh shares how she approaches vibrational perfumery in her work to amplify a person’s intention, and to help shift their energy. And she describes the importance of using the right oils for each intention. Lis...

In this episode, Frauke discusses the benefits of scent walking, an activity she coined after years of practice. Unlike walking, which on its own has many wonderful health benefits, scent walking incorporates the element of smelling purposefully, giving the added reward of letting you be in the moment and connecting with your surroundings. Frauke explains why putting your attention on smelling has...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Fifth Sense Founder Duncan Boak to talk about his journey of smell loss. He opens up about the weeks, months and years following his smell loss, how he coped (and didn't), and reveals the catalyst that led him to create the charity Fifth Sense. This is an honest conversation about the ups and downs of living with smell loss, while remaining focused with p...

In this episode, Frauke speaks with the co-founder of Nisarga Farms, Swami Krishana Chaitanya about what it's like to farm and distill aromatic plants in the Himalayan region of India, and to do so with conservation and sustainability in mind. Krishana shares the philosophy of Nisarga Farms, including why they believe small batch production is the way to go. And he reveals what it takes to ins...

In this episode, Frauke talks with conservation biologist and clinical aromatherapist Dr. Kelly Ablard about the conservation and sustainable management of aromatic medicinal plants. Kelly reveals shocking statistics on the state of the planet's biodiversity, the % of aromatic medicinal plants that are threatened, and in some cases near extinction. She clarifies the often confused definitions...

In this episode, Frauke sits down with musical artist and fragrance enthusiast Justin Copeland to talk about the intersection of our senses of smell and sound through music and fragrance. Justin explains his approach to music composition and shares insights into how a piece comes together for him (which is not unlike how a fragrance is composed). And he shares how his synesthesia informs what he h...

#11: In this episode, Frauke sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Herz to talk about the fascinating topic of scent memories. They discuss the difference between how we process everyday smells vs. scent evoked memories, and why memories triggered by scents are truly more emotional than memories triggered any other way (including music!). Dr. Herz reveals why scent memories formed in the first...

In this episode, Frauke talks to creative director, and wine enthusiast, Mikel Cirkus about all things wine and olfaction. If you enjoy a glass of wine here and there, and you’re interested in training your nose, this episode is for you. Mikel explains how he coined the term oenolfaction and what it is exactly. He reveals how he got into training his nose using wine and what his process is (includ...

In this episode, Frauke talks to the founders of the new Smell & Taste Association of North America (STANA), Katie Boateng, Pamela Silberman, and Marj Rosner. They discuss why they decided to form the organization, where they currently are in their formation, and what they hope to achieve. You'll learn about their own personal journey with smell loss and why they feel it's so important...

In Part 2 of 2, Frauke talks with Master Perfumer Christophe Laudamiel this time about the Art of Perfumery. Whether you're interested in a career in Perfumery, or simply interested in learning about the art form, this episode is packed with information and insights on all things creative. They discuss why Perfumery is truly an Art and what that means exactly. Christophe shares what options ar...

In Part 1 of a two-part series, Frauke sits down with Master Perfumer Christophe Laudamiel to have a fun conversation about the science and education of Perfumery. Whether you're interested in a career in Perfumery, or simply interested in how it all works in your everyday life, this episode is packed with information and insights on all things smell and scent. Christophe explains why it's...