Paperback Perfumes

Be it Pine, Juniper or Bay - Tanin, Resin, Leaf Litter, Wood Smoke or Quinine…

This episode explores the rich, invisible world of smell — and I use that word very deliberately — with my guest Frauke Galia, host of An Aromatic Life, a podcast that elevates the sense of smell in a world dominated by sight and sound.

Together, we dive into how fragrance can shape identity, stir memory, and deepen emotional connection. We also talk a lot about trees — including 13 ways to smell them — and how reconnecting with the natural world through scent can...

“An android,” he said, “doesn’t care what happens to another android. That’s one of the indications we look for."

“Then,” Miss Luft said, “you must be an android.”

― Philip K. Dick

In this episode I’m joined by content creator, photographer, and fellow sci-fi geek LC James to explore the fragrant and philosophical depths of Philip K. Dick’s literary work

Together, we dive into the ethical implications of empathy in distinguishing humans from androids, and how scent plays a subtle but powerful role in the narrative.<...

“The first function of mythology is showing everything as a metaphor to transcendence”. 

- Joseph Campbell

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Nordstrand, a renowned perfumer and the visionary founder of Mythologist Studio. Michael takes us on an aromatic journey into the world of perfumery, where he reveals the profound importance of mythology and storytelling in the creation of fragrances.

Throughout our conversation, Michael shares his creative process, emphasizing the significance of raw materials and the delicate art of dilution. I was captivated by Michael's exploration of the conne...

“How cyclical and bittersweet for a child to retrace the image of their mother. For a subject to turn back to document their archivist.”

― Michelle Zauner, Crying in H Mart

This episode’s guest is Thomas Dunckley — fragrance expert, six-time Jasmine Award winner, and the voice behind the much-loved blog The Candy Perfume Boy. Thomas has made it his mission to make perfume accessible, joyful, and free from snobbery through his podcast Making Scents Make Sense.

Our conversation explores the deep connections between fragrance, memory, and identity...

“People need things like perfume and poetry, music and art more than ever during times like this. People need to remember the simple joys in life. If you forget, if life loses its colour then they have won. Those cowardly, heartless bastards have won.”

― Kate Lord Brown, The Perfume Garden

In this episode we explore the House of James, a fragrance house that treats scent as a form of storytelling.

Founded by Justin James, a graphic designer from Somers, Victoria, House of James is all about pushin...

“Already your future has been planned out. There is not much choice about what to become in the small town where you live . . .”

― Adelle Stripe, Base Notes: the scents of a life

This episode’s guest is Dr. Adelle Stripe — a Sunday Times best-selling author whose remarkable work dives deep into the rich heart of Northern England’s complex cultural and working-class history. Her impressive body of works includes Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile, a powerful and evocative novel inspired by the renowned playwright Andrea Dunbar; this standout piece was sh...

“The time I think of you the most is when the sun comes up. The moment before, the minute or two, when night yawns for morning and the sea starts to separate from the sky.”

― Emma Stonex, The Lamplighters

In this episode’s guests are Juliette Fournier and Richard Adamson from NSW-based Hart + Hedi. Juliette, a former fashion designer, and Richard, a brewer and part owner of Young Henry's, share their journey into the art of scent creation. They discuss how their backgrounds have influenced their approach to making fragranc...

“Kya knew judgment had no place here. Evil was not in play, just life pulsing on, even at the expense of some of the players. Biology sees right and wrong as the same color in different light.”

- Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing

This episode’s guest is Aysha Hansen, a passionate perfumer with a fascinating story. Aysha shares her unique journey from being a fragrance lover to becoming a professional perfumer. She discusses her early memories of scent, recounting how these experiences shaped her career in the cosmet...

Smells s enrich our life experiences like colours on a canvas. When asked to reflect on their sense of smell, people often have many a story to tell…

In this episode, we have a slightly different focus, thanks to the fascinating work of our guest, Erin Adams. Erin is behind Smell Art, a unique blend of art and science that explores the power of scent. Her journey into olfactory art began in 2007 at a Secret Chiefs 3 concert in Melbourne, where a captivating scent from the stage sparked her fascination with the sense of smell.

“Can you walk the road your dream goes?

Sometimes. Sometimes I am afraid to.

Who is not.”

-Ursula K. Le Guin

Dr Caroline McMillan is a researcher, designer, speaker, olfactory art expert, and smell tech founder and we discuss science fiction and possible futures of olfactive design.

Dr McMillan’s work has been featured at SXSW, Cannes Lions, CTM Festival Berlin, Holitopia Festival, the BR41N.io residency at Ars Electronica, the Digital Olfaction Society and the ACM International Conference on Tangible Embedded & Embodi...

“To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest. To live fully is to be always in no-man's-land, to experience each moment as completely new and fresh.”

Storytelling is key in creating fragrances and how scents connect to our emotions. Using Pema Chodron’s ideas on change and fear, Karen Gilbert helps examine how these themes relate to personal growth and perfume-making. Karen is a teacher of perfumery, hosting in person and online masterclass and is the host of the Perfume Making podcast. She has also s...

“I should like to bury something precious in every place where I've been happy and then, when I'm old and ugly and miserable, I could come back and dig it up and remember.”

Fliss Walton returns to the podcast to engage in a thoughtful discussion about Evelyn Waugh's 'Brideshead Revisited,' a novel that stands out as one of her all-time favourite books. Waugh’s has a beautifully light touch when it comes to the intricate themes of love, profound loss, and the weight of social expectations, examining how these elements intertwine with the experi...

Life choices can be reflected in the narratives we create, But we can change the narrative at any time.

This conversation features Diane Risopoulos, a perfumery apprentice in Rome and a graduate of the 5eme Sens school in Grasse. She also is the author of the blog Pixidis Perfumes. We talk about how literature and perfume connect, focusing on how scents trigger memories and emotions. Diane collaborates with the Aromata Prize, a new perfume competition in Rome that celebrates perfume as an art and explores its ties to literature. We also discuss the philosophical...

Stories and fragrance are portals into other worlds. There are opportunities for connection and understanding when we experience both.

In this conversation, I explore with Yosh Han the profound connections between scent, literature, and cultural identity, particularly through the lens of Octavia Butler's 'Kindred'. We discuss the serendipitous journey of discovering the book, the complexities of decolonizing scent, and the spiritual and physical connections that fragrance evokes. The dialogue delves into the impact of colonialism on scent, the role of fragrance in healing, and the power of literature to foster empathy and understanding. Ultimately...

"We are nothing but the stories we tell ourselves..."

In this conversation, Purvi Joshi, the creative director of Peosym, shares her journey into the world of niche fragrances, inspired by personal loss and the stories that shape our lives. We discusses the significance of storytelling in fragrance creation, the cultural inspirations behind her scents, and and how we change and grow when we move into new spaces. Our chat explores themes of loss, memory, and the evolving nature of language and identity, culminating in reflections on the narratives found in young adult fiction and...

Illustrations of Science, Colonialism, Feminism and the natural beauty of birds.

Experiences, science, observation, and the act of sharing stories are fundamental parts of the vibrant community of readers, fragrance enthusiasts, and birdwatching aficionados. This week’s guest is the remarkable Kirsty Costa, a long-time educator, dedicated lifelong learner, and passionate lover of nature – with a special affinity for birds. Kirsty is the host of the wonderful Australian podcast Weekend Birder, and during our conversation, we delve into the intriguing parallels between experiencing the wonders of nature through all of the senses.

Fr...

When Humans and Books are so delicately intertwined that you don’t know when one ends and the other begins.

This episode’s guest is the remarkable renaissance woman, independent perfumer, avid reader, and keeper of random bits of fragrant knowledge, Jocelyn Fullerton. Her impressive body of work spans an array of specialties, including fine fragrances, skincare, and homecare, as well as innovative performance art installations, cinema projects, and inspiring exhibitions. In addition to her creative endeavours, she also teaches engaging workshops in perfumery, scent creation, and sensory engagement through olfaction for a diverse rang...

Chose your own adventure. Take control of the narrative. Make the scent experiences you want to see in the world.

We are playing in a slightly new and intriguing space for this week’s episode. Jinx Strange, the innovative creator behind Strange Fire and Fumery, is here to discuss their latest creative venture, known as Hero Scent. In this unique project, you have the exciting opportunity to purchase distinctive scents while also building your own roleplaying character and developing an ongoing character narrative through the artful layering of fragrances and personal experimentation. We had a...

Nature is not always good for you when power and politics are in play.

This episode features Anh, the Fragrance Curator for Connection Parfumerie, a well-known store that offers a unique selection of luxury perfumes from around the world. Connection Parfumerie is Australia's top choice for special fragrances. Founded in 1954, this family-run business is one of Melbourne's oldest and most reliable retailers. They operate in Prahran and South Melbourne, delivering a great shopping experience for fragrance lovers.

Anh discusses her love of finding the new and unusual, what it was like...

The English language has few words to describe scents. Creating fragrances is an art form that tells intricate stories and forms deep and transformative connections

This episode’s featured guest is William Borrell, who is the cofounder of Vallense, an innovative UK fragrance house that emphasizes the transformative and evocative qualities of scent. William brings a rich background, having previously built a successful career in alcohol distilling, which gives him a unique perspective on fragrance creation.

He possesses a growing passion for the art of fragrance and has undertaken some fa...

Historically, the world has offered easy access to women feeling their power. But, find yourself your own island, depict your stories and make sure your voice is heard.

It’s the first episode of Season 2 and let’s kick down some doors was a pair of scuffed Doc Martins with feminism written on their soles.

Jen from Immortal Perfumes made this topic particularly easy has we weave starting out in perfume as her own ‘girl boss’ and name car’s Medusa, because she turns men into stone. A lover of history, we have 2 his...

The landscape of fragrance easily can fall into the realm of collection, be it materials or the search for the ultimate scent. But what if this process becomes something a little bit darker…

This is the last of the special spooky season series, as well as the final episode for season 1. It has been a true pleasure to talk to such a wide variety of guests, and this week's guest is no exception.

Nadia Vitlin is a perfumer who specializes in bespoke creations, scent visual art, and offers training for those in...

If you were to sum up the theme for episode four of the spooky season series, it would be this: Life can get pretty dark if you can’t take a joke…

Let’s catch up with the second part of the red string, photo board and many drawing pins that is pulling together two more text and a few more fragrances with Nuri McBride

Nuri is not just a perfumer; she is also a dedicated community educator and an insightful writer who regularly explores the rich intersection of olfaction and death...

Onwards to episode three of the spooky season series where we talk about Death, rituals, the creation of meaning and mystery. Now with a dash of necromancy…

How can one truly discuss the intricate topics of fragrance, death, and rituals without the invaluable insights of Nuri McBride? It seems only fitting that we take this opportunity to ‘resurrect’ a former guest who has made significant contributions to the conversation.

Nuri is not just a perfumer; she is also a dedicated community educator and an insightful writer who regularly explores the rich inters...

In this second instalment of our Spooky Season series, we explore the theme of horror through anxiety—the unsettling sensation that something catastrophic lurks just beyond our perception.

Anxiety manifests in many forms, often creeping into our thoughts like a shadow in the dark. It amplifies our worries, transforming mundane situations into catastrophic scenarios. The potential for things to go horribly wrong becomes a breeding ground for horror, as our imagination runs wild with the possibilities: a simple drive turns into a nightmare, a casual conversation spirals into conflict, and unexpected events become the st...

In the first of our Spooky Season series - we talk about how we can ‘defang’ death, the loneliness of grief and different cultural perspectives on ritual those no longer with us.

In this episode, we discuss Louise’s first book, Hungry Bones, which explores profound themes of loneliness and connection. We discuss how cultural perspectives on death shape our understanding and acceptance of it, and how open conversations can demystify and reduce the fear surrounding death.

Louise shares insights on how fragrance can evoke powerful memories and emotions tied to personal experi...

Our companions are not always human. The meaningful and grounding connections that we make can easily be with an animal or a tree…

In this episode, we explore the intrinsic bond between humanity and companionship, emphasizing the profound impact that our beloved animal companions on our lives. Liz Moores, a self-taught perfumer and the creative force behind Papillion Perfumery, shares her insights on how these relationships with creatures and nature that inspire her craft. Liz captures the essence of cherished moments in her fragrances, each one a tribute to the memories...

Are the stories about our culture and community what we make or what are given to us?

Örök Fragrances is a freshly launched fragrance house that passionately focuses on the rich stories and unique experiences of the queer community, all intricately told through the captivating medium of scent. In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with John, the visionary founder of the new Melbourne-based brand, Örök Fragrances. These thoughtfully crafted fragrances range from the delightfully weird and otherworldly to the cleverly playful and cheeky. Each scent invites wearers to explore thei...

Joy is both a Noun and a Verb. It is a radical act in the face of shame and derision. You cannot have the light without the dark. Joy ultimately is a doing word.

I had not been exploring the world of fragrance long before I heard about Olfiction and Boujee Bougies (I may or may not have paid closer attention because of the clever play on words). One half of this astounding word-smithery is creative director Nick Gilbert. Nick has done the hard yards behind a perfume counter and has worn many hats...

Political machinations are always interesting and show much safer when you are in the cheap seats of being a reader. Keeping your head above water in a historical context may just be about keeping it on your neck

You have to be a little bit brave to start out as a fragrance reviewer in the world of social media these days. Charlotte has recently started reviewing scents and sewing as a side hustle to expand her collection. Charlotte like to deep dive into the history of fragrances as well as offer reviews of scents...

When was the last time you thought about how public spaces smell? Or what scent palate you are culturally comfortable with? What is the scent of work and of play?

Jayanthan (Jay) Sriram is a PhD student at Concordia University in Montreal and a member of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. He is in the Interdisciplinary Humanities PhD Program and coordinates the Exploration in Sensory Design research team. His research aims to highlight the importance of smell in aesthetics through functional scenting and perfumery. His PhD project, “The Life of the Ephemeral – Building Olfactory Aest...

Sometimes you need to pivot to find your joy. Sometimes you have to lose something important in order to gain so much more. However, change is always a certainty.

Liminus owner and perfumer, Hilary, is creating natural perfumes involves using sustainable practices, sourcing local materials, and capturing the essence of a place. Liminal spaces, both physical and metaphorical, play a significant role in personal growth and transformation. Scent has the power to evoke memories and enhance experiences, making it a valuable in assisting in this process of change.

During my conversation with...

Life is journey - you made find yourself on a bus in the middle of nowhere, or wind up making perfume.

Corey Newcombe is perfumer and owner of Australian artisanal fragrance house, Criminal Elements. The brand has bee making fragrance for around 10 years and we discuss how Criminal Elements came about, the training of your nose, what it takes to run a small business, being in community not competition and what it’s like to make a fragrance from a dream you had that one time…

Fragrances mentioned:

Wicked Mist...

And just because alliteration is a beautiful thing- please also add Broadswords into the mix. Choose your weapon wisely.

Fliss Walton is one quarter of the UK based fragrance podcast ‘Les Oderants’ - emphasis on the work ‘rant’. Fliss has work as a professional actor, as a facilitator and has, by all accounts, an extensive perfume collection. She may also be a self proclaimed lover of a ‘pretty bottle’, but we do our best to remain focussed on the juice. In this conversation we deep dive into the work of a few perfumers, discuss the role of...

When the world’s of DIY, identity and fragrance come together in a lovely mixtape of experiences

Diffractive Studio is an independent fragrance house in Newcastle, UK. Owner and perfumer Alessandra started out as an academic, but branched out into the fragrance space creating fragrant art installations, as well as commercial product. Recently Alessandra had an article, “Beyond the Scent of Blood and Gardenias” published in the fragrance journal, Alabastron. This first issue of the journal focussed on the ‘Scent of Identity’ and Alessandra’s piece focused on the queer experience of an olfactory identity (a...

How about a take two, where staying on track came a little more easily - and that’s healing.

As we had barely touched on any of the extensive Filigree & Shadow’s range of fragrances, this week is a return conversation with James Elliott from Filigree & Shadow. This time. staying on track came a little more easily and we touch on community, dug a little deeper into the DIY punk ethos and breeze past self diagnosis.

Filigree & Shadow is an artisanal perfume house based in Seattle, Washington State, where each fragrance has...

When the guest warns you that they are unlikely to stay on topic, you should probably listen…

Sometimes there are people that you really want to interview just because they seem like the type of person incredibly good conversation would happen with - James Elliott from Filigree & Shadow is absolutely one of these people.

Filigree & Shadow is an artisanal perfume house based in Seattle, Washington State. James has seamlessly blended a DIY political punk ethos into the world in a way that makes you surprised that it is not standard. From fu...

When making your way in life - what does it look like to be brave and go with your heart?

Map of the Heart is an Australian fragrance brand founded by Sarah Blair. The brand was started by Sarah and Jeffrey Darling, who were both working in film and became fascinated with fragrance. The fragrances are known for their unique bottle designs and the scents are crafted with a focus on authenticity and emotion. The conversation also touches on themes of body image, racism, and the power dynamics within relationships. However, because there is...

Marching to the beat of your own drum is so much harder when other have expectations about what you do and how you do it. It’s time to flip everything on it’s head…

In this episode I am talking with Justine Hanna, Operations Manager at the Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation. In multiple episodes I have mentioned that other Librarians maybe stronger in the realms of Reader’s Advisory than myself, so we are putting this theory to the test!

Justine has paired books with all manner of food and beverages, both for...

When it’s more about how things make you feel than performing a function that meet societal expectations? What is the importance and impact of giving space for a fully realised artistic experience?

Australian perfume brand Metascent is reaching out into the fragrance community in a variety of different ways. From creating their own compounds, allowing people to explore making their own perfume, bring scent into art to create a fully immerse experience and taking the Australian fragrance profile into an international context, it’s hard to think of what else they still have left...