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 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.
Episode 37 - Bookish
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.
Episode 36 - Lilac Dragons
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.
Episode 35 - Poisons and Parties
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.
Episode 34 - Less is More
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.
Episode 33 - Rage in the Paint
It’s the first episode of Season Two 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 historical fiction books to discuss, as well a recreating Marie Antionette’s perfumes and keeping Dead Writer’s in a locke
Episode 32 - Acquisition & Possession
Nadia Vitlin is a perfumer who specializes in bespoke creations, scent visual art, and offers training for those interested in expanding their own knowledge. Nadia has spent ten years learning and developing her craft, and it was a delight to discuss a book that explores the grotesque aspects of material acquisition and the obsession that can come with possessing a scent.
Episode 31 - Part 2: Meaning & Mystery
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