

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

Sep 25, 2025 • 12min
How Scent Can Support Loved Ones Living With Dementia (Whiff of Wisdom) | Madeleine Kerkhof
#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

Sep 23, 2025 • 12min
BONUS: Libra Sign (Sept 23-Oct 22) - Aromatic Astrology
#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

Sep 18, 2025 • 52min
Dementia and Our Sense of Smell with Alex Bahar-Fuchs, PhD
#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

Sep 11, 2025 • 12min
How Food Connects Us To Cultures Old & New (Whiff of Wisdom) | Saghar Setareh
#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

Sep 4, 2025 • 58min
Full Bloom: A Novel About Ambition, Desire, and Identity with Francesca Serritella
#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

Aug 23, 2025 • 10min
BONUS: Virgo Sign (Aug 23-Sept 22) - Aromatic Astrology
#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

Jul 23, 2025 • 12min
BONUS: Leo Sign (July 23-Aug 22) - Aromatic Astrology
#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

Jun 21, 2025 • 13min
BONUS: Cancer Sign (June 21-July 22) - Aromatic Astrology
#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

May 29, 2025 • 18min
What Does It Feel Like To Smell? (Whiff of Wisdom) | Charlie Atkins
#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

May 22, 2025 • 58min
Experimental Projects in Scent with Donna Lipowitz
#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


