2. Pt. 2 - From Ancient Origins to Modern Traditions: Exploring the World of Incense with Stephen Hoffman
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
Release Date: 06/15/2023
The World Makes Scents with Dave and Smey Schultz
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
info_outline
Frankincense and the Importance of Traceability in the Supply Chain with Stephen Johnson
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
Stephen Johnson, founder of Fair Source Botanicals, shares his journey into working with aromatics and his focus on frankincense and myrrh. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in the supply chain and the need to respect the communities involved. Johnson discusses the challenges and opportunities in the frankincense and myrrh trade, as well as the need for conservation efforts. He also mentions other botanicals, such as rosewood and palm, and the importance of sustainable practices in the industry as a whole. In this conversation, Stephen Johnson and Alyssa...
info_outline
Exploring the Fragrant Forest with Bonnie Kerr
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
Summary Bonnie shares her background and journey with aromatics, from her childhood experiences in nature to living in different environments like New York City, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. She discusses how these experiences shaped her connection with nature and her approach to creating incense. Bonnie emphasizes the importance of using whole botanicals in her incense-making process and the unique scentscapes she creates. She also explores the history and uses of aromatic plants like myrrh and frankincense in ancient cultures. In this conversation,...
info_outline
For the Love of Frankincense with Dr. Anjanette DeCarlo
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
Summary Anjanette discusses her background and how she became interested in frankincense. She talks about her work as an environmental activist and her transition into working with companies on corporate social responsibility. Anjanette explains why she chose to focus on Somalia and Somaliland and the challenges and issues in the region's frankincense supply chain. She emphasizes the importance of transparency, traceability, and sustainability in the industry. Anjanette also discusses the impact of the essential oil industry on the demand for frankincense and the need for consumer...
info_outline
9.Sustainable Aromatics: Redefining Incense
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
In this episode of the Incense Explorer Podcast, host Alyssa Severeid takes you on a journey through the world of aromatic wonders. Join us as we dive into the realm of incense, explore sustainability, and learn about a new line of botanical incense with a mission to change the industry for the better. Stay tuned for valuable insights, a call to action, and a commitment to transparency and ethical practices! Episode Highlights: Updates on Season Two, which will return later in the fall, likely in November Alyssa introduces her new line of sustainably sourced plant-based...
info_outline
8. Memoir in a Perfume Bottle: A Journey into Japanese Incense with Maria McElroy
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
In this episode, we are joined by Maria McElroy, and she is just an utter delight. Maria has synthesized her love of blending colors and textures with her passion for scent. After receiving an MFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute, Maria continued her studies in Australia, becoming a certified aromatherapist. Later, she went on to live in Japan for seven years, where she studied Kodo (Japanese incense ceremony) and Japanese flower arrangement, along with other traditional Japanese arts. Maria shares her journey into the world of perfumery, inspired by her experiences with the...
info_outline
7. From Temples to Tombs: Exploring the Mystical World of Ancient Egyptian Incense with Shane Clayton
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
Welcome to Incense Explorer! In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of ancient Egyptian incense practices with our special guest, Shane Clayton, an ancient Egypt aficionado and expert on fragrance, specifically incense. Shane discusses the usage of incense for purification and consecration of temple sanctuaries and the significance of different incense types. He reveals his experience of encountering the kyphi incense recipe on temple walls during his visit to Egypt. Tune in to learn about the sacred oils, the mystical rituals, and the mysteries of ancient...
info_outline
6. The Power of Scent: Exploring the Sense of Smell with Frauke Galia
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
In this episode, Alyssa welcomes her guest, Frauke Galia, who is known as the "smell lady" and an expert on the sense of smell. Frauke shares her journey of working in the fragrance industry and her passion for helping people use their sense of smell purposefully. She discusses the importance of the sense of smell for safety and its unique connection to emotions and memory. Learn about the tips on refining the sense of smell and training the nose to pick out nuanced fragrances, similar to a sommelier picking out flavors in wine. Tune in to this episode to discover the...
info_outline
5. From Roots to Rituals: Harnessing the Healing Power of Plants in Incense and Herbalism with Kerry Hughes
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
In this episode, Alyssa welcomes guest Kerry, an ethnobotanist with a passion for plants, herbalism, and incense. Kerry explains how her love for plants started in her childhood, spending time in nature and developing a deep connection with the natural world. She initially pursued a career in medicine but discovered her true calling when she stumbled upon ethnobotany during her university studies. Kerry shares her experiences working in the herbalism and nutraceutical industries, particularly focusing on bringing new plants and plant products to the market. She highlights the importance...
info_outline
4. Preserving Incense's Fragrant Legacy: A Journey into Plant Sustainability with Kelly Ablard
Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore
In this episode, Alyssa introduces Kelly Ablard, founder of Airmid Institute, and expert in aromatic plant sustainability. They discuss the lack of transparency in the incense industry regarding the sourcing of ingredients and the importance of demanding transparency from manufacturers. Kelly shares her experiences in Peru, where she worked with indigenous communities and went on an expedition to find wild populations of Rosewood, an endangered plant used for its aromatic properties. They discuss the significance of Rosewood and its role in perfumery, pharmaceuticals, and other...
info_outlineIn this episode, we continue the captivating conversation with our guest, Stephen Hoffman. If you haven't listened to episode one yet, we highly recommend going back and doing so first. You don't want to miss out on the insightful discussions we had in the first half.
Episode Highlights:
-
Stephen discusses the different traditions of incense in Buddhist and Taoist practices, including their unique processing methods.
-
He shares his first encounter with incense while practicing kung fu, where he learned about setting up an altar and burning incense as part of the practice.
-
Stephen delves into the legends and stories surrounding incense in Chinese culture
-
The concept of using incense as a clock in China, where trails of incense were burned to keep track of prayers and time.
-
Stephen talks about the fascinating practice of using incense to scent hair in ancient China, particularly with aloeswood and sandalwood.
-
The discussion shifts to the presence of Buddhism and incense in Korea, despite the country being predominantly Christian.
-
Korean incense is highlighted, particularly the use of a special juniper tree that gives off a unique, rich aroma.
-
The exploration of incense continues in Japan, where Zen and Shinto traditions have influenced the culture of incense.
-
Stephen explains how different Zen temples in Japan have their own incense recipes, often derived from Chinese traditions but with local variations.
-
The practice of Kodo, where individuals gather to pass around a cup of burning aloeswood and write poems inspired by its aroma, is discussed.
And so much more!
These highlights provide a glimpse into the wide-ranging topics covered in Part 2 of the podcast episode, offering insights into various incense traditions and their cultural significance.
Connect with Incense Explorer Host:
Instagram: @incenseexplorer and @floboincense
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-severeid-16535a7/
Website:
Stay Connected with Stephen:
Website:https://olfactoryrescueservice.wordpress.com/