

An Aromatic Life
Frauke Galia
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 21, 2024 • 59min
The Creative Intersection of Perfumery, Painting, and Architecture with Dannielle Sergent
#128: In this episode, Frauke sits down with San Francisco perfumer Dannielle Sergent to talk about the creative intersection of Perfumery, Painting, and Architecture. They begin with a fun word association game to dig deeper into the creative mind. Dannielle then shares how she got started as a painter, explains the concept of “fat over lean”, and her approach to painting. She then reveals what led you to pursue architecture, explains different ways you can manipulate a design using materials, light and space, and what role scent can play in design. Dannielle then shares how she got into Perfumery, talks about “painting with scent,” and how perfume creation is different from architecture and painting. Finally, she gives her perspective on what painting, architecture, and perfumery share in common and how she brings the disciplines together.
Learn more about Dannielle’s artisan fragrance house Cognoscenti: https://www.cogno-scenti.com/
Read the article: "LAYERS: Pushing Through the Arts to Perfume"
Get the children’s picture book No Place for Plants on Amazon
Follow Dannielle on IG @incentro
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

Nov 14, 2024 • 12min
How AI Will Enhance Perfumery (Whiff of Wisdom) | Alex Wiltschko
In this conversation, Alex Wiltschko, a neuroscientist and CEO of Osmo, dives into the exciting intersection of AI and perfumery. He discusses how artificial intelligence enhances creativity, broadening the olfactory palette for perfumers. Alex shares insights on training neural networks to predict scents from molecular structures and unveils innovations like a digital nose aimed at discovering new fragrance molecules. With significant advancements, the fragrance industry is set for a revolution driven by technology.

Nov 7, 2024 • 41min
Olfaction for Children's Reading and Literacy with Professor Natalia Kucirkova
#126: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Professor Natalia Kucirkova of the University of Stavanger, Norway to explore the significance of olfaction in childhood development, particularly in relation to reading and education. They discuss the current trends in children's reading habits, the challenges parents face in engaging their children with books, and the potential of olfaction to enhance reading experiences. The conversation delves into the concepts of phenomenology, affect, and embodiment, and how these can be applied to understanding children's interactions with literature. They also touch on the need for innovation in children's picture books, the importance of cross-cultural perspectives on smell, and the future of olfactory engagement in education.
Learn about Natalia’s book Olfaction in Early Childhood Research and Practice
Get the children’s picture book No Place for Plants on Amazon
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

Oct 31, 2024 • 19min
Why We Reject Scent and Deny Death (Whiff of Wisdom) | Nuri McBride
#125: In this week's whiff of wisdom, writer, perfumer and community organizer Nuri McBride shares why we, as a Western society, reject scent just like we deny the reality of death. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #67.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 for your aromatic life, as well as give you some inspiration to try new things that use your sense of smell more. Visit Nuri's website.Learn about Nuri's Scent & Society Lecture Series at The Institute for Art & Olfaction.Subscribe to Nuri's Aromatica de Profundis Newsletter.Get No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonFollow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_lifeSubscribe to Frauke's Substack: https://anaromaticlife.substack.comVisit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project

Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 7min
Navigating the Menopausal Journey Using Aromatherapy with Cathy Skipper
#124: In this episode, Frauke sits down with aromatherapist and menopause midwife Cathy Skipper to discuss the menopausal journey and how aromatherapy can be a wonderful ally. Cathy explains the transformative journey of menopause, emphasizing the importance of empowerment, acceptance, and the mental and spiritual aspects of this life phase. She shares the role of smell and aromatherapy in navigating the emotional landscape of menopause, discussing practical exercises and the significance of individuation in achieving wholeness. Cathy emphasizes the need for a woman-centered approach to menopause, encouraging women to embrace their experiences and share their wisdom with future generations. This conversation will inspire you to harness this latter phase of life in a productive and positive way.
Learn more about AromaGnosis @ https://aromagnosis.com/
Learn more about The Alchemy of Menopause and download the workbook for free.
Check out Cathy’s Attars @ https://www.cathysattars.com
Get No Place for Plants children's book on Amazon
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

Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 21min
Connecting To The Unconscious Through Aroma with Dr. Florian Birkmayer
#123: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Dr. Florian Birkmayer to discuss the role of aromas in fostering connection and reconnection, especially with the unconscious parts of ourselves. Dr. Birkmayer emphasizes the importance of a holistic view, which considers the impact of aromas on multiple levels, from the molecular to the cultural. He explains that aromas can serve as a gateway to the unconscious, helping individuals transcend their ego and tap into their deeper selves. He highlights the obstacles posed by the intellect and fear of the unknown, and encourages listeners to embrace the power of their unconscious and explore their shadow. Dr. Birkmayer also shares the Buddhist story of the wave in the ocean to illustrate the transient nature of the ego. The conversation explores the different layers of the psyche and how to reconnect with them using aromas. Dr. Birkmayer discusses the different layers of the unconscious mind and their significance in personal and collective transformation. He explains the importance of the ego as a tool for manifestation and the need to establish a cooperative relationship between the ego and the soul. He also delves into the concept of the collective unconscious and its impact on world history, while emphasizing the urgency of reconnecting with each other and with Nature to address the current global challenges. This episode is filled with aromatic tips to help you discover a side of yourself rarely examined.
Visit Dr. Birkmayer’s website: https://aromagnosis.com/
Subscribe to Dr. Birkmayer’s Substack.
Buy Dr. Birkmayer’s book Essential Oils for Psychedelic Therapy Support
Get No Place for Plants children's book on Amazon
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

Oct 10, 2024 • 12min
How to Describe Scents (Whiff of Wisdom) | Sarah McCartney
#122: In this week's whiff of wisdom, London Perfumer Sarah McCartney shares her tips on how to describe scents. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #66.Whiff of Wisdom is a biweekly format that 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. Visit Sarah's website:https://www.4160tuesdays.com/Visit Sarah's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SarahMcCartney4160Check out Sarah's booksThe Scent of Possibility andThe Perfume Companion.Check out Sarah's PatreonScenthusiasmConnect with Sarah on Instagram@sarahmccartneythinksGet No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonGet 20% off No Place for Plants children's book (U.S. only)Follow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_lifeSubscribe to Frauke's Substack: https://anaromaticlife.substack.comVisit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project

Oct 3, 2024 • 1h 4min
Smell and the Past with Dr. Will Tullett
#121: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Dr Will Tullett to discuss the importance of smell in history. Will shares his personal connection to smell and how it has shaped his research. He also talks about the Odeuropa project, which aims to explore the smells that have mattered in European history. He emphasizes the need to engage with our sense of smell in historical research and challenges the misconception that the past must have smelled terrible. He emphasizes the need to preserve smells and describes the challenges of evaluating smells from the past. Will also explores the relationship between smell and time, highlighting how smells can evoke different layers of time and memories. He talks about the importance of engaging with smells and describing them, as well as reflecting on the role of smell in our own lives. Overall, the conversation encourages a deeper appreciation and understanding of the power of smell.
Read his book Smell and the Past for free here.
Read more about Odeuropa and the free resources they made here:
Get No Place for Plants children's book on Amazon
Get 20% off No Place for Plants children's book (U.S. only)
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

Sep 26, 2024 • 7min
How Smelling Nature’s Cycles Changes Our Perception of Time (Whiff of Wisdom) | Ernesto Collado
#120: In this week's whiff of wisdom, Perfumer Ernesto Collado shares how powerful it can be to smell Nature through her different seasons, and notice how it changes our perception of time. To listen to the original full episode go to episode #38.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 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 Ernesto's work: https://www.bravanariz.com/en/about-us/Discover plant stories: https://www.bravanariz.com/en/plant-stories/Explore scent walks: https://www.bravanariz.com/en/walks/Learn more about Ernesto's brand Bravanariz: https://www.bravanariz.com/en/olfactory-captures/Get No Place for Plants children's book on AmazonGet 20% off No Place for Plants children's book (U.S. only)Follow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_lifeSubscribe to Frauke's Substack: https://anaromaticlife.substack.comVisit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.comLearn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project

Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 16min
Olfactory Racism & Slavery in the New World with Andrew Kettler
#119: In this episode, Frauke sits down with Professor Andrew Kettler to discuss the role smell played in the Atlantic slave trade of the 19th century. Prof. Kettler begins by defining olfactory racism, and then explains the ‘Anglo Atlantic Nose’ as the English departed for the New World. He defines important olfactory-focused concepts like “embodied knowledge”, ”miasma theory”, “false consciousness”, and “emotions of disgust.” Prof. Kettler explains the role of smell during the Middle Passage, the horrific “othering” of the African slave, the role dogs played olfactively, how the Civil War intensifies olfactory racism and makes it worse afterwards, and most importantly the role Capitalism plays in olfactory racism. He also gives the perspective of the ‘African Nose’ revealing how important smells were to the African resistance. Prof. Kettler then concludes by sharing what he knows to be true after writing this book, tells how we can apply the learnings to our lives today, and reveals what he’s working on next. This conversation will definitely leave an impression and will give you new perspectives that, as a society, we so desperately need.
Learn more about Professor Andrew Kettler and his work.
Read Professor Kettler’s book The Smell of Slavery: Olfactory Racism and the Atlantic World.
Read the book (free) A Sojourn in the City of Amalgamation
Read & listen to excerpts from The Federalist Writing Papers.
Get No Place for Plants children's book on Amazon
Get 20% off No Place for Plants children's book (U.S. only)
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


