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An Aromatic Life

An Aromatic Life
Author: Frauke Galia
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Our sense of smell is one of the most underappreciated senses we have. Host Frauke Galia aims to shed light on this beautiful sense and increase its profile in a culture dominated by sight and sound.
Listen as she explores our sense of smell from different angles, including science, art , literature, movies, health, and much more. And she'll explore how our sense of smell impacts our life, including the ways we perceive the world and how we interpret what we experience.
Join Frauke, and her guests, as she makes sense of the most allusive, yet mesmerizing sense we have.
Listen as she explores our sense of smell from different angles, including science, art , literature, movies, health, and much more. And she'll explore how our sense of smell impacts our life, including the ways we perceive the world and how we interpret what we experience.
Join Frauke, and her guests, as she makes sense of the most allusive, yet mesmerizing sense we have.
164 Episodes
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#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 begin to develop a deeper awareness and vocabulary around scent? From the foundational elements of smell health to the parallels with visual and digital literacy, and from perfumers crafting scent narratives to wearers interpreting them through lived experience, this episode is full of scent-loving curiosity. Perfect for anyone fascinated by the language of smell and the many ways it connects us to ourselves and the world around us.Listen to Clare’s podcast Paperback PerfumesFollow Clare on Instagram: @paperbackperfumesFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 for your aromatic life, as well as give you some inspiration to try new things that use your sense of smell more. Note: please only use essential oils and CO2 extracts on the most vulnerable if you are trained to do so. Essential oils are highly concentrated substances that need to be used with the utmost safety in mind. Thank you.Links to Madeleine's books:Complementary Therapies in Palliative end of Life CareCO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy: 50 Extracts For Clinical ApplicationFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 Libra, and then Mauricio layers on the aromatic support that’s most fitting. Have fun with this and feel free to share the episode with any of your Libra friends out there! Next month we focus on Scorpio. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #130.Follow Karima on Instagram @the.cosmic.vibe.sf Visit Karima’s website: www.the-cosmic-vibe.com Visit Mauricio's website Herbcraft PerfumeryFollow Mauricio on Instagram @herbcraft.perfumeryFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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. That makes smell not just a powerful scientific marker, but also a deeply personal one - something families and caregivers can notice in everyday life. Alex explains why smell is so closely tied to memory and cognition, what it reveals about the brain’s health, and how simple smell training might one day help protect against decline. It’s a conversation that blends science with hope, showing how something as ordinary as noticing the scents around us can hold potential for our future well-being.Learn more about Alex and his work here. Read The Mind Your Nose Study.Watch “Smell Training': How It's Helping Fight Dementia”Watch “Does training people's memory through the sense of smell, help their memory overall?”Connect with Alex via LinkedIn.Follow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 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 to try new things that use your sense of smell more. Buy Saghar's cookbook wherever books are sold, including here.Visit Saghar's website: https://www.labnoon.com/ Visit Saghar's Substack: https://labnoon.substack.com/Follow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 from the novel that explore female ambition, sexual power, and the cost of being seen. They also talk about the theme of scent memories and the dangers of reconnecting with primal emotions. Francesca also explores the central question Full Bloom dares to ask: What happens when you remove your inhibitions? This is a scent-filled conversation you don’t want to miss!Visit Francesca’s website: https://www.francescaserritella.com/Buy Full Bloom hereFollow Francesca on Instagram @fserritellaFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 Virgo, and then Mauricio layers on the aromatic support that’s most fitting. Have fun with this and feel free to share the episode with any of your Virgo friends out there! Next month we focus on Libra. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #130.Follow Karima on Instagram @the.cosmic.vibe.sf Visit Karima’s website: www.the-cosmic-vibe.com Visit Mauricio's website Herbcraft PerfumeryFollow Mauricio on Instagram @herbcraft.perfumeryFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 Leo, and then Mauricio layers on the aromatic support that’s most fitting. Have fun with this and feel free to share the episode with any of your Leo friends out there! Next month we focus on Virgo. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #130.Follow Karima on Instagram @the.cosmic.vibe.sf Visit Karima’s website: www.the-cosmic-vibe.com Visit Mauricio's website Herbcraft PerfumeryFollow Mauricio on Instagram @herbcraft.perfumeryFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 sides of Cancer, and then Mauricio layers on the aromatic support that’s most fitting. Have fun with this and feel free to share the episode with any of your Cancer friends out there! Next month we focus on Leo. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #130.Follow Karima on Instagram @the.cosmic.vibe.sf Visit Karima’s website: www.the-cosmic-vibe.com Visit Mauricio's website Herbcraft PerfumeryFollow Mauricio on Instagram @herbcraft.perfumeryFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 life, as well as give you some inspiration to try new things that use your sense of smell more. Connect with Charlie on social media: Instagram, TikTokFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 her to explore scented letters and smelling poems. Donna also talks about her two scent art projects at NYC’s Olfactory Art Keller, as well as breaks down her latest installation at the gallery: The Scent Lending Library. If you’ve ever thought about creating with scent, this is the episode for you! Watch Donna’s film Perfume Stories: 1989 Anais Anais L'OriginalExplore Donna’s many olfactory projects @ www.lipowitzsmells.comCheck out the Scent Lending Library at Olfactory Art Keller. Follow Donna on Instagram @lipowitzsmells Follow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 as give you some inspiration to try new things that use your sense of smell more. Visit Anjali's website: https://anjaliperfumes.com/Follow Anjali on Instagram @anjali_perfumesFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 visual orientation when it comes to olfactory research. Ben gives his explanation for why we struggle to name smells, and dives deeper into olfactory awareness. He also reveals what he hopes people will take away from the book, as well as what’s next on the horizon. This conversation will definitely leave you thinking about olfaction in new and interesting ways.Download Ben’s ebook Stinking Philosophy! for free Learn more about Benjamin YoungFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 to try new things that use your sense of smell more. Visit Audra's Website Audra JamesBuy Audra's book Late BloomerFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 to sustainably relish, reduce, recycle, and rehome your entire fragrance collection. And if you want to buy something new, you’ll get tips on how to do so more consciously moving forward. Frauke also explains what to do with those essential oils you have laying around, and takes you step-by-step through the inventory clean-up process. This episode is jam-packed with environmentally friendly tips that will make you want to move forward more purposefully, mindful of the contributions we can each make to heal our planet. Learn about the Buy Nothing ProjectLearn about the Pact CollectiveDownload The Complete Essential Oil Inventory Cleanup GuideLearn about the Coalition of Sustainable PerfumeryLearn about the Airmid InstituteFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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, as well as give you some inspiration to try new things that use your sense of smell more. Learn more about the IUCN Red ListLearn more about The Airmid InstituteGet Airmid’s free biannual list of threatened species hereLearn about the rosewood Toucan ProjectFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 with trees and rebuild connections to the natural world. David gives an inspiring answer to the question of which one tree we should smell, and reveals which tree smell is most meaningful to him. They then go deep into two of the thirteen smells in the book, the Green Ash tree and Gin & Tonic, where David reveals some intriguing aromatic stories. He also shares why it’s so important to pay attention and invites the listener to engage in practices of smelling (especially with others). David also explains why he chose to include the link between sound and smell to remind us that all of our senses are connected. He reveals what he hopes people will take away from the book, what gives him hope for the future, and what’s next for him (hint: it involves flowers!). This is a truly inspiring conversation that you’ll want to come back to again and again. Visit David’s website: https://dghaskell.com/Visit Blackwell’s Bookstore (UK)Listen to Katherine Lehman’s musical interpretations of the 13 smells on SoundcloudConnect with David on Instagram @davidgeorgehaskellConnect with David on Facebook: @DavidGeorgeHaskellGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 more about Christophe and his work here.Learn about Christophe's initiative The Perfumery Code of Ethics.Read the Keap article about Fragrance Transparency: Natural vs SyntheticsFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 then reveals how he started his business in 2004, shares why he’s always been a learner, and gives great advice on the key things that have given him longevity in his business career. Frauke and Terry discuss the importance of maintaining high standards, the continuing need for educating a misinformed public, and the importance of taking care of yourself through the highs and lows. Terry also gives a sneak-peak into an exciting new project he’s working on with Osmo Labs. This conversation is for anyone who is, or aspires to be, an aromatic entrepreneur. Visit Terry’s website: www.travertinespa.com and check out his new line VinceróConnect with Terry on Instagram @travertinespacollection Connect with Terry on LinkedIn: @travertinespaGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project
#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 you some inspiration to try new things that use your sense of smell more. Visit Jade's school: The School For Aromatic StudiesConnect with Jade on Instagram and FacebookSearch for a botanical garden where you live: https://tools.bgci.org/garden_search.phpSearch for a community garden in the U.S. near you: https://www.communitygarden.org/garden Follow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project