

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

May 15, 2025 • 15min
Why I Became a Perfumer (Whiff of Wisdom) | Anjali Vandemark
#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

May 8, 2025 • 50min
Philosophizing About Smell with Benjamin Young
#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

May 1, 2025 • 19min
How To Harness Scent For Emotional & Mental Wellbeing (Whiff of Wisdom) | Audra James
#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

Apr 24, 2025 • 34min
Tips For Sustainably Managing Your Perfumes & Essential Oils
#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

Apr 17, 2025 • 19min
How You Can Help Conserve Aromatic Medicinal Plants (Whiff of Wisdom) | Dr. Kelly Ablard
#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

Apr 10, 2025 • 60min
13 Ways To Smell a Tree with David George Haskell
#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

Apr 3, 2025 • 14min
Sustainability Myths in Perfumery (Whiff of Wisdom) | Christophe Laudamiel
#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

Mar 27, 2025 • 51min
Aromatic Entrepreneurship with Terry Carter
#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

Mar 20, 2025 • 15min
How To Buy, Grow, and Appreciate Aromatic Plants (Whiff of Wisdom) | Jade Shutes
#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

Mar 13, 2025 • 57min
Stinkhorn: The Mushroom With a Smelly Sound with Siôn Parkinson
#142: In this episode, Frauke sits down with visual artist, singer, and writer Siôn Parkinson to discuss his new book Stinkhorn: How Nature’s Most Foul-Smelling Mushroom Can Change The Way We Listen. Siôn begins by sharing how he got interested in mushrooms and how he first came across the Stinkhorn. He explains the difference between “Stink” and “stink” and how sound is informed by smell. Siôn describes what the common Stinkhorn looks like, explains how it smells, and shares what role sound plays for the fungus. He also talks about his experience with phantosmia, and how olfactory and auditory hallucinations, while feeling crippling, have been an important part of the journey. Siôn also shares what he hopes people will get out of the book, and hopes we can all delight more in the abject and disgusting because it can be quite delightful. Learn more about Siôn Parkinson’s work: https://www.sionparkinson.com/Check out Stinkhorn: How Nature’s Most Foul-Smelling Mushroom Can Change The Way We ListenListen to Brian Eno’s Neroli on SpotifyGet 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


