An Aromatic Life

In this episode, Frauke sits down with perfumer Candace Winrow Weekly, who shares her thoughts on artisan perfumery and perfumery as a whole. Candace explains how her background as a dessert chef and floral designer has informed her work as a perfumer. She shares why she only works with raw materials, and not pre-made mixtures, so that she can express her own unique creative style. Candace reveals what "creation" and "beautiful things" mean to her, and how she took the leap into making perfumes. She gives her thoughts on what artisan perfumery can add to the conversation and why they deserve a seat at the table. Candace also gives her view of the genderization of perfumes, and why we should move away from those note lists. She also shares her creative process, who she creates for, and how she wants people to feel when they wear her perfumes. Whether you create perfumes or simply enjoy wearing them, this conversation will leave with scent provoking new perspectives.

In this episode, Frauke sits down with mixologist and perfumer Jackie Brenner to talk about the creative synergies of cocktail mixing and perfume blending. Whether you drink alcohol, or not, this episode is about getting inspiration for any creative endeavor(s). Jackie tells how she's always been connected to her sense of smell, starting in her early years growing up on Hawai'i. She shares how she got started mixing cocktails, what drew her in, kept her intrigued, and why she eventually moved on. Jackie explains what the building blocks of cocktail mixing are, which ingredients are her favorites to work with, and how adding sugar can solve any blending problem. Jackie then shares how she got drawn to perfumery, what principles she's brought over from mixology, and what unexpected synergies she's seen. She also talks about her brand deKloka and perfume collaboration with Death & Co. This conversation will stimulate your creative juices for sure.

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 episode #26.

Whiff of Wisdom is a new format that's being added biweekly, which spotlights an inspirational insight from a guest on the pod. The goal 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 sense of smell more. 

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 using a variety of different delivery systems. They also share examples of movies where scent was used to take the viewer to places they've never been, and explain why, if not done properly, that can become problematic. Jas takes Frauke through the start of scent in cinema and highlights examples of scent-filled movies that have been produced over the past 100 years. Tammy then takes Frauke through the making of her highly lauded scented documentary feature In-Glorious Smell-O-Vision and shares fascinating stories about the making and premiering of the film. You'll learn about the, arguably, first celebrity fragrance, the ahead-of-its- time Smell Brain, and their optimistic view of what the future of scent in cinema holds. Tammy and Jas also share what exciting things they have in store for this year. This episode is filled with historical aromatic delights that will make you want your next movie experience to be scented for sure.

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 smell-filled world.  

To listen to the original full episode go to episode #2.

Whiff of Wisdom is a new format that's being added biweekly, which spotlights an inspirational insight from a guest on the pod. The goal 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 sense of smell more. 

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 witnessing the traditional distillation methods that have been passed down from generations. She talks about the role itr plays in India today, and shares her experience discovering the unique ingredient choya nakh. Divrina also discusses the difficulties the Indian sandalwood industry has had, with both poaching and adulteration continuing to dominate. Lastly, she also shares her perspective on what the future holds for Indian perfumery, and what she found most inspiring after writing the book.

Connect with Divrina on X (Twitter) @divrina

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 biweekly, which spotlights an inspirational insight from a guest on the pod. The goal 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 sense of smell more. 

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 perfume industry. She explains what role "smellies" played in supporting the troops on the battlefield, showcasing the exclusionary symbolism they revealed. She then shares how the "British" scents lavender, violet, and eau de cologne shaped notions of nationalism. Jess also talks about how "Otherness" and "Martial Masculinity" revealed themselves through scent on the battlefield. She concludes by sharing how scent associations changed after the war and offers her perspective on what "British" scents might represent today.

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 the original full episode go to episode #36.

Whiff of Wisdom is a new format that's being added biweekly, which spotlights an inspirational insight from a guest on the pod. The goal 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 sense of smell more. 

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 some of the rich olfactory imagery of 18th century China through references in the novel Dream of the Red Chamber. She then tells how nineteenth century Shanghai shows an exemplary depiction of deodorization, which started to happen at that time. And how a subsequent (re)perfuming changed the olfactory smellscape of China once again. Xuelei furthermore showcases the unique way Mao Zedong used olfactory tactics to transform politics in the early twentieth century. Whether you know a lot about Chinese history or not, this conversation will give you new perspectives and leave you longing to explore more.

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 generational scent memories through food.  To listen to the original full episode go to episode #11.

Whiff of Wisdom is a new format that's being added biweekly, which spotlights an inspirational insight from a guest on the pod. The goal 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 sense of smell more. 

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

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. Rahel and Frauke also discuss the issues of sustainability and adulteration, which are big topics for the oud industry. Most importantly, they share their experiences with the scent, specifically its complexity and diversity across various countries. This conversation is a richly educational deep-dive into a highly prized material the world over.

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 scent plays in everyday life. She then shares what the scent experience was like arriving in the Pacific Northwest of the USA and how she's come to blend these two seemingly different cultures with joy. Anjali shares how she started her journey as an indie perfumer and what her approach is when creating perfumes. She also gives advice on how to get started as an artisan perfumer and reveals who's been her greatest inspiration along the way. This episode is bursting with fragrant experiences and will leave you thinking more about how your own life journey has shaped your scent preferences over the years.

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 sensory associations and then she and Katie begin a dialogue about everyday activities that Katie wants to experience more fully. These include:

• Taking a shower (14:45)
• Rose bushes (28:12)
• Eating strawberries (34:43)
• Cutting an orange (38:48)
• Brewing a cup of coffee (43:45)
• Being sweaty on a hot day (48:34)
• Baking cookies and cakes (55:42)
• Frying bacon (1:02:42)
• Being at the ocean/seaside (1:06:35)

Frauke also helps Katie figure out the best way to pick a perfume and scented deodorant. Whether you can smell or not, we hope this conversation will give you tools and inspiration to enrich your everyday experiences using the senses you have.

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 react. Liam then shares some of the museum projects he's worked on and how scent helps to build empathy and improve learning. He also reveals an exciting new project he's just launched; a children's book which encourages children to explore and think about the smells in their own lives. This episode will leave you thinking about how you can use scents to tell stories in new and interesting ways.

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, and how he feels when he smells. Xavier and Emily share how to do a "sniffari" and explain how they stay connected despite living in different cities by doing smelling activities virtually. Emily gives her tips for adults who want to help children engage with their sense of smell more and then Xavier shares his advice for kids, too. At the end, Frauke recaps the various smelling activities you can do with the children in your life. This episode will animate you to encourage children to be led by their nose.

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 specifically how the sense of smell was perceived. She explains the role smell/scent played in communicating what artists of that time were trying to convey, including the portrayal of women & female beauty, racialized constructions of femininity in “Orientalist” scenes, and stereotypical portrayals of race, class, and sexuality. This is a beautiful conversation that will have you looking at paintings in new ways.

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 food cultures. Saghar explains how food expresses culture, history, and economy through the examples of rice and olive oil. She reveals the meaning of her expression "the lantern and the mirror" which made her more curious about food and allowed her to then more deeply appreciate the food she grew up with. They discuss how food lets you connect with your homeland, while also allowing you to learn about new cultures never visited. Saghar then shares some of her favorite recipes in the book, which will undoubtedly leave you incredibly hungry and eager to make immediately. This is an aromatic conversation you don't want to miss!

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, researchers, as well as other industries like Culinary and Perfumery. Stephanie and Mindy emphasize the importance of having this organization be one of inclusivity and fostering empathy for everyone on the smell spectrum. They share what activities will be taking place to celebrate taste and smell on and around September 14th, including the #DeliciousForAll Culinary Challenge which they encourage everyone to take part in. Finally, they explain how you can get involved in the celebration of these beautiful senses and help increase their profile in a world dominated by sight and sound.

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, connection, health, and wellbeing, gathering a "Smell Squad" for someone you love can be a wonderful way to help relieve them of many of the burdens that daily life with a smell dysfunction present. So, have a listen, gather the squad, and always remember: Be an Ally. Be a Nose.

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 book and explains what got her to write this important reference guide. She shares what deep meaning trees have to her, and what importance they hold in the African diaspora. Stephanie then takes us to Indigenous Africa and shares some fascinating origin stories of remedies and ingredients we commonly use today. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of sustainability and conservation, and the need for us all to be environmentalists and conservationists.

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 process is. They discuss how the coffee culture has changed in California, in the U.S. more broadly, as well as around the world. And, most notably, Eddie shares his experience of losing his sense of smell from COVID and how that impacted his life and ability to do his job. So, grab your cup of java and enjoy learning all about the coffee roasting process.

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 of smell no matter what your ability to smell is.

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 last 30 years and reveals why she left the field for a while, only to come back with renewed vigor. Audra and Frauke discuss the importance of getting children to connect with their sense of smell as early as possible, how aromatherapy can support us in so many ways, how easy it is to integrate into everyday life, and how you can connect it to other modalities like meditation and journaling. Audra also talks about her new book "Late Bloomer" - what led her to write it and what messages she hopes to share. For anyone who feels passionate about something, but feels that it might be too late to start, this episode will inspire you to begin immediately. Her message - it's never too late!

In this episode, Frauke brings back a favorite guest, Master Perfumer Christophe Laudamiel, to help educate us on the age-old debate of natural vs. synthetic in Perfumery. Christophe begins by defining what natural and synthetic molecules are, explains the role of petroleum and pine oil in perfumery raw materials, as well as describes the safety, availability, and consistency of natural materials vs. those from a lab. He debunks the myth that natural disasters are the reason brands move from natural to man-made (ie. Madagascar vanilla, Grasse rose, Tunisian neroli), and passionately pleads for more support for aromatic plant farmers and communities around the world. Christophe explains how he uses both naturals and synthetics to inform his artistic creations, and what role each plays based on what you're trying to achieve. He also discusses the "clean" movement and the importance of getting facts from the right sources, as well as explains the incredible misinformation about sustainability. This conversation is not only eye-opening and clarifying, but will leave you more informed that one is not better than the other, but rather both play important roles in Perfumery.

In this episode, Frauke sits down with neuroscientist and Google Research spinoff Osmo CEO Alex Wiltschko to discuss the exciting frontier of digitizing smell through artificial intelligence. Alex shares the groundbreaking work Osmo is doing to help the fragrance industry find new and interesting odor molecules never smelled before. He discusses where we are in terms of understanding our sense of smell vs. our other senses of sight and sound (hint: it's about where we were with vision in 1820) and the incredible potential he sees in having AI support the artistic work of perfumers, and providing them with the means to be even more creative. Alex shares how Osmo works exactly, where its potential lies beyond perfumery, and what the future holds for digital noses. This episode will leave you amazed at what possibilities lie in store for olfaction - we just have to follow our nose.  

In this episode, Frauke sits down with analytical chemist Luciano Vera to discuss his use of different analytical methodologies to make invisible odors visible. Luciano explains how describing odors is a way we humans try to make odors visible, yet our odor vocabulary is a paradox that needs to become more robust, standardized, and must include emotion.  He then explains the analytical tools he uses, including Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), GC-Sniffing, and E-Sensors to identify and interpret odor molecules. He shares what we can learn from the data and how it can be useful in various industries. He explains what the machines can't detect, but our human noses can, and vice versa. He also shares what olfactory nuances he's observed among various cultures, and reveals what project he found to be particularly curious (hint: it involves a gorilla). Finally, Luciano shares what he believes is coming in the future, which in fact may already be here. 

In this episode, Frauke sits down with choir conductor, vocalist, vocal and piano teacher, and aromatherapist Yuliana Kireyeva to discuss how she translates scents into musical melodies. Yuliana shares how she smelled everything as a child growing up in Belarus, and reveals what innovative measures she took to create her very first perfume. She explains in which ways composing music and perfume are similar and different, and clarifies the elements of notes, chords, melodies and dynamics. Yuliana and Frauke then engage in a fun exercise where they smell 3 scents - lemon, clove, and patchouli - and Yuliana translates their scent into music. They invite you to join along, too. This episode will have you engaging with scents in a whole new way, and maybe even singing or playing an aromatic tune.  

In this episode, Frauke gives an inside peek into how a fragrance house creates a scent for an everyday body or home care product. If you've ever wondered how that scent in your shampoo or deodorant came to be, here's your chance to learn how much work actually goes into every whiff.  Not only will you learn what the client/brand considers when briefing a fragrance house to create the scent, you'll gain an understanding of how the house translates the information and what all they need to take into consideration for the final fragrance to get to market. This episode will leave you with a new appreciation for all the scented products in your home. 

On this two year anniversary of An Aromatic Life, just like last year, Frauke shares what some of her 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 this year. Be curious. Be open. And stay connected.

In this year end episode, Frauke revisits some of her favorite guest insights from 2022.  

In this episode, Frauke sits down with acquired anosmic Anthea Bull and parosmic Anne Heloise Dautel to discuss strategies for making it through the holiday season. An episode geared for both the non-smelling and smelling, this conversation provides insights and understanding to help make everyone's time spent with family and friends as joyful as possible. We discuss ways to prepare for the holidays both mentally and practically, what to do if going to someone else's house vs. hosting yourself, as well as how to make the most out of going to a restaurant. Anthea and Anne also share their strategies for making holiday meals enjoyable (and tolerable), and reveal what drinks they go to, and avoid. They also tell us smellers how we can support them best. This episode is filled with tips and tricks for making the holidays a memorable and positive experience for all. 

In this episode, Frauke sits down with artist and designer Dr. Kate McLean to discuss smellscapes and the value you can derive from them. Kate explains what smellscapes are, how she goes about capturing smells, and then how she translates the information into visual smellmaps. She describes the three categories of smell, the three stages of smellwalking, and the types of people she recruits to give her the data (hint: all noses, including anosmics, are welcome!). Kate also reveals the interesting projects she's got coming up, which may or may not include Benedictine monks (you'll have to listen to find out!). This conversation is guaranteed to leave you connecting with your sense of smell in new ways and definitely wanting you to experience your town in a whole new way.  

In this episode, Frauke sits down with aromatherapist Jade Shutes to talk about connecting with aromatic plants. Jade shares why it’s so beneficial to go beyond the essential oil and get to know the plant itself.  She reveals what aromatic plants surprised her the most and how using her sense of smell has helped her to expand the perception of the aroma from plant to essential oil. Jade shares advice on how to grow aromatic plants, how to take care of them, and where to start if you don't have a green thumb (like Frauke).  You'll get tips on how to go beyond expensive essential oils to still get the benefits that aromatic plants provide. This episode is jam-packed with practical information that will get you curious and motivated to cultivate your own aromatic garden in no time. 

In this episode, Frauke sits down with New York Times bestselling author Erica Bauermeister to discuss the focus of scent in fiction. Erica shares what the sense of smell means to her, explains what she believes people get wrong about the sense, and gives her perspective on its potential. She tells Frauke about her journey to writing fiction, including what brought her to incorporate scent as a focal theme (hint: Italian food may have been involved).  Erica also talks about the time she lost her sense of smell, inconveniently right as she embarked on her bestselling novel The Scent Keeper (btw it was a Reese's Book Club pick). After listening to this episode I know you'll be inspired not only to read her books, but to find yet another way to connect with your sense of smell more. What a gift!

In this episode, Frauke sits down with Israeli-based writer, perfumer and community organizer Nuri McBride to discuss the intersection of death and olfaction. Nuri shares her life journey that led to the work that she's doing now, including working in refugee resettlement and torture treatment primarily in Kenya, Thailand, Israel, and the United States, as well as later joining a Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society) and becoming a Metaheret. She explains what death and scent have in common in Western culture (hint: both are ignored and heavily sanitized). She also discusses the concept of "death positive" and argues for the need to teach death literacy instead. Nuri talks about using art in her death meditation workshops to help people become more comfortable with the idea of death, and shares why the concept of the brevity of time, and the immediacy of pleasure, are so critically important to understand and embrace. Nuri also gives a global perspective on the intersection of death customs/rituals and scent, revealing the many ways cultures use scent to create space around special occasions like death. This is a conversation that will certainly leave you with new perspectives on death and the positive role olfaction can play. 

In this episode, Frauke sits down with London-based writer and indie perfumer Sarah McCartney to talk about the language of scent. Sarah shares the unique and fascinating journey that led her to perfumery which, in her words, was "the long route." She explains what brought her to start working as a writer for Lush cosmetics (yes, the famous bath bombs) and shares how she learned to write descriptively about scents to entice people to buy products without having smelled them. Sarah also reveals the clues in people's language that let her know what scents they like, and don't like, and shares her thoughts on the need for retailers to gender scent and use the dreaded "notes list."  She also shares the meaning behind her company 4160Tuesdays and how you can join her Patreon to learn how to make perfume affordably. Finally, Sarah and Frauke discuss their work with UK smell and taste disorder charity Fifth Sense, incl. how Sarah ended up making a parosmia-friendly perfume. This is a feel-good, laugh-out-loud conversation that will have you smiling from ear to ear. Enjoy!