

Can You Smell Death?
Jul 23, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of odors, from personal hygiene anecdotes to the quirky scents of pets and children. Discover how the smell of death influences cultural perceptions and individual psychology. Explore the fascinating capabilities of animals like cats and cadaver dogs in sensing mortality. Delve into the links between smell, memory, and even innovative design, all while navigating the complex emotions tied to our olfactory experiences. It's a humorous and thought-provoking journey through the scents that shape our lives.
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Episode notes
Elderly Man's Pervasive Odor
- Ben Bolin shared an experience of an elderly man with a strong sickly sweet medicinal odor filling a bus.
- The pervasive smell prompted conversation and suggests a medical condition.
Smell as Memory Trigger
- Smell is deeply linked to memory and emotion, serving as a powerful recall trigger.
- Different people can react differently to the same smell based on unique personal memories.
Personal Scents Evoke Memories
- Ben and others shared personal scents linked to memories, such as jet fuel and old car exhaust.
- These smells evoke strong feelings of past adventures despite being unpleasant to others.