"Not here for likes, not here for follows

Chasing the sun, not shadows to follow

Built for love, she can’t help herself

Not trying to be anyone—just herself… "

-The Raconteur, Ms Macadamia

Craig Andrade, founder and perfumer of The Raconteur, has built an Australian fragrance house celebrated for its refined, story-driven scents. In our conversation, Craig reflects on his transition from a career in law to the creative world of perfumery — a move that opened space for freedom, curiosity, and authentic self-expression.

We explore the storytelling behind his Gourmand Collection, his use of natural ingredients, and the lasting influence of perfumer Mandy Aftel. Craig also shares thoughtful insights on creativity, courage, and the process of finding one’s own artistic voice — reminding us that fragrance, much like storytelling, connects us through memory, emotion, and imagination.

Fragrances mentioned:

Namedrops

Killr Vanilla

No-Tell Motel

Pavlova Kasavoa

Ms. Macadamia

Lord Lamington

Daintree Raintree

Religious Guilt Spritz

Book discussed:

Essence & Alchemy - Mandy Aftel

Find The Raconteur online here

Instagram:

@the_rac_on_teur

Website:

theraconteur.co

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Without a city there is a house

That's made entirely of wood,

Where live ten thousand daughters

That work for a common good."

- Kit williams, Untitled (Bee on the Comb)

I had the pleasure of speaking with Saskia Wilson-Brown, founder of the Institute for Art and Olfaction, to discuss the evolution of her ground breaking organization and the role storytelling plays in the world of scent.

We dive into the impact of awards in the perfume industry, explore cultural perspectives on fragrance, and reflect on the creative power of rejection. Saskia shares insights into the shifting landscape of fragrance artistry, the importance of offering alternatives in the market, and the unique contributions of niche perfumers.

We also talk a lot about Bees.

Fragrances mentioned:

Fundamental - Rubini

Bee - Zoologist

Books discussed:

Untitled (Bee on the Comb) - Kit Williams

Masquerade - Kit Williams

Find Saskia Wilson-Brown and the Institute of Art and Olfaction online here

Instagram:

@artandolfaction

@saskiacwb

Website:

artandolfaction.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“And I will remember your small room

the feel of you

the light in the window

your records

your books

our morning coffee…”

- Charles Bukowski, Raw with Love

This week, I sit down with self-taught perfumer Marie-Pierre Blanchette, whose creations blend art, emotion, and storytelling through scent. We explore her Rococo collection—a celebration of joy, pleasure, and the subtle politics of beauty. Marie-Pierre shares the personal memories and poetic influences behind her work, revealing how nostalgia and creativity shape her approach to perfumery. Our conversation is a reflection on how scent connects us—to our past, to one another, and to the simple pleasures that make life feel beautifully alive.

Fragrances mentioned:

Allégorie de l'été

Nature morte avec pommes

Portrait de Madame et son chat

Poems discussed:

Raw With Love - Charles Bukowski

Evening La Monte, Pisa - Percy Shelley

A Birthday - Christina Rossetti

Instead of Depression - Andrea Gibson

Wild Geese - Mary Oliver

Find Miskeo Parfums online here

Instagram:

@miskeoparfums

Website:

miskeoparfums.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“My purpose is to echo the ancient truth of culture in an expression deeply rooted in Aboriginal songlines and memory codes.” - Lee Couch

In this episode, I’m joined by Gamilaroi woman and founder of LA COUCH, Lee Couch. Lee shares her journey of cultural understanding and the powerful role scent plays in healing, memory, and connection to Country. We talk about sacred scents, traditional bush medicines, and how Aboriginal ways of knowing and being guide her work in creating fragrances with cultural integrity. Through her story, Lee reminds us that scent is not only an experience of the senses, but a bridge between culture, spirituality, and collective healing.

Fragrances mentioned:

Wadhi

Maarumali

Dhawi

Gilay

Sorry Business

Book discussed:

None this week - but spend a little time listening to the land instead.

Find Lee Couch online here:

Instagram:

@leecouch_

Website:

leecouch.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Sniff, Sniff, Sniff! Haddock and hay,

Pizza and penguins, and farther away

The smell of the thief, and - how very exciting -

Thousands of pages all covered in writing!”

- Julia Donaldson & Sara Ogilvie, The Detective Dog

In this episode, I’m joined by Tammy Burnstock, whose work explores the rich intersections between scent, cinema, and storytelling. Tammy describes her practice as scent archaeology—unearthing and reviving perfumes that carry cultural memory and creative possibility. Most recently, she co-curated Her Scent of Mystery at Olfactory Art Keller in New York City, alongside Jas Brooks and perfumer Marissa Zappas. The exhibition, which runs until 20 September, brings back to life the lost perfume from the 1960 Smell-O-Vision film Scent of Mystery, pairing the revived fragrance with rare archival materials to tell the story of scent as both cinematic plot device and unrealised product.

Our conversation traces Tammy’s journey into the world of fragrance, particularly its links to film and children’s literature. We talk about the process of scenting films, the importance of audience interaction, and the role scent can play in children’s literacy and imagination. Tammy also shares her thoughts on play, collaboration, and the future projects that continue to shape her creative practice.

Fragrances mentioned:

Pizza

Hay

Penguins

Rotten Eggs

Barf

Book discussed:

The Detective Dog - Julia Donaldson

The Museum of Very Bad Smells - Monica Arnaldo

Find Tammy online here:

Instagram:

@inglorious_smellovision

Website:

scentedstorytelling.com

inglorioussmellovision.com

Her Scent of Mystery Project

Perfumers mentioned/worked with:

Jocelyn Fullerton

Marissa Zappas

Saskia Wilson-Brown

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Once Upon a Time, at the beginning of Everything, there were two spirits with no names and no desires other than to observe. ”

- Pia Long, Demo Accords

In this episode, I’m joined by Finnish-born, UK-based perfumer and author Pia Long, co-founder of Olfiction and Eau de Boujee. With a career spanning four decades, Pia sees scent as a form of communication and perfume as bottled stories, shaped by her background in languages, writing, and translation. Her imaginative approach to perfumery has earned her international recognition, including the Septimus Piesse Visionary Award from the Institute of Art and Olfaction.

Pia’s new book, Demo Accords, is a semi-autobiographical collection of nine essays and one short story, each paired with a perfume formula published in full. She describes the work as a kind of orchestration: the writing is the script, the formulas are the sheet music, and the perfumes themselves are the orchestra playing.

Together, we talk about the art and science of perfumery, the themes behind Demo Accords, and how fragrance can act as both personal storytelling and a shared language of connection.

Fragrances mentioned:

Queen, Verdant, Quir and Guilded by Eau de Boujee

Book discussed:

Demo Accords - Pia Long

Find Pia’s work here:

Instagram:

@perfumer.pia

@eau_de_boujee

@olfictionlimited

Website:

Pre-oder @ demoaccords.com

eaudeboujee.com

olfiction.com

Theme music for the show was created by Raul Sanchez I Jorge. Check out his solo work on Wild Animal Records

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.