What book would you choose?
Experience a blend of storytelling and scent on the Paperback Perfumes Podcast! Discover a unique literary adventure where guests share their own perspectives and stories, sparking new book recommendations or future scent experiences. Hopefully these episodes evoke memories of your own and open a window into a world of something new.
Episode 57- Confessions
This episode’s guest is Sarah McCartney, owner and perfumer of the artisan fragrance house, 4160 Tuesdays. Sarah is a self-taught perfumer with a background in writing, and her work is known for blending playfulness with complexity—often drawing on personal memories, cultural touchstones, and storytelling. She’s passionate about sharing knowledge, teaching fragrance workshops, and helping others connect to scent in meaningful, personal ways.
Episode 56- Optimism
In this episode I talk with Helida Dodd, founder of Marabella Perfumes. Helida shares her unexpected journey from a career in industrial engineering and supply chain management to becoming a perfumer dedicated to crafting sustainable, high-quality scents..
Episode 55- Aesthetics
In this episode, Liam Sardea, philosopher of aesthetics and Brand Experience Manager at NOAH, discusses the transformative power of creativity and imagination in everyday life. Drawing on his PhD research and Roland Barthes' ideas, he explores how meaning, emotion, and narrative arise through sensory encounters, especially scent.
Episode 54- Kings and Heroes
Ashek Zubayer, the talented perfumer behind the innovative Byermia fragrances, shares his fascinating and unique journey into the captivating world of perfumery in this episode.
Episode 53- Smelling Trees
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.
Episode 52- Electric Sheep
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.
Episode 51- Fairy Tales
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.
Episode 50- Two Different Types
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.
Episode 49- The Land of Flowers
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 pushing boundaries. What started as a quiet curiosity in department store fragrance aisles has grown into a bold, creative rebellion against the formulaic trends of mainstream perfumery.
Episode 48- Memoir
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 shortlisted for the prestigious Gordon Burn and Portico Prizes
Episode 47- Story Keepers
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 fragrances, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and creativity.
Episode 46- Resilience
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 cosmetics industry. A pivotal moment in her life led her to pursue perfumery, a decision that has since defined her professional path.
Episode 45- Science and Play
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.
Episode 44- Futurism
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.
Episode 43- Impermanence
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
Episode 42- Revisited
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.
Episode 41- Second Chances
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.
Episode 40- Empathy
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
Episode 39- Mythology and Artistry
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.
Episode 38 - Ornithology
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.