Scent World

For over 30 years, Mandy Aftel has been a trailblazer in natural perfumery, crafting exquisite fragrances without synthetics—a rarity in today’s industry. Through her renowned Aftel Archive of Curious Scents in Berkeley, California, Mandy tells the story of humanity through the story of scent, weaving the centuries-old connection between natural ingredients and past civilizations into her work. As the founder of Aftelier Perfumes and author of multiple books, she has dedicated her life to preserving the art of scent, showcasing rare artifacts, ancient raw materials, and the profound ways fragrance has shaped cultures around the world. Open only one day a week, her archive draws visitors from across the globe, eager to experience its wonders.

In this episode, Mandy sits down with Scentbird’s Marianne Mychaskiw to explore the lasting power of scent, take a virtual tour through her archive, and teach techniques for engaging with scents all around us.

Our Favorite Moments:

• Scent as a window into human history

• The most legendary perfume ingredient

• How to reset your nose after smelling things

• 100-year-old essential oils

• How perfumery has evolved

• A rare artifact from the plague

• Mandy’s secret to training your nose

• The story of musk

• Why oud is “liquid gold”

• How to make a fragrance

• The power of scent

Watch the video version of this episode here.

Shop Mandy Aftel’s newest perfume, Sacré Bleu, made with 100-year-old sandalwood oil.

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Funmi Monet (@FunmiMonet) is known for her impeccable taste in luxury scents and passion for self-care. She’s the “fave fragrance auntie” you turn to for spot-on reviews and personalized gift ideas—a trusted guide for anyone looking to refine their collection. With a background in mental health, she brings a unique perspective to scent curation, helping her audience discover fragrances that resonate emotionally and elevate their style. 

In this episode, Funmi joins Scentbird’s Marianne Mychaskiw to share her approach to fragrance gifting, just in time for the holiday season. Together, they dive into a gift guide perfect for every budget, from hidden gems to fan-favorite scents. Whether you’re on the hunt for something special for a colleague, friend, or your significant other, Funmi has you covered with recommendations that are sure to impress.

Highlights:
• Who is Funmi Monet?

• Funmi’s 3 gifting tiers

• Tier 1: Budget-Friendly (under $50)

• Tier 2: Mid-Luxury (~$100)
• Tier 3: Bougie Baddie (~$200)

• Funmi’s favorite holiday candle picks

• Funmi’s fragrance, Exulté, her “personal Chanel N°5”

Shop Funmi Monet’s Exalté perfumes at https://www.exalteparfum.com.

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Tyson Beckford is one of the most recognizable faces in the world. In the 90s, he became the face of Polo Ralph Lauren, launching a career as one of the most successful and groundbreaking supermodels in the fashion industry. From gracing hundreds of magazine covers to starring in iconic Britney Spears and Toni Braxton music videos, Tyson has left a lasting mark on fashion and pop culture. He’s modeled for Beyoncé’s Ivy Park, competed on Dancing With the Stars, and even created his own fragrance, Orion Skye.

In this episode, Tyson Beckford sits down with Scentbird’s Marianne Mychaskiw. We get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the 90s fashion world and his timeless campaigns. Plus, we uncover the grooming secrets that keep him looking great, discover the women’s scent that drives him absolutely wild, and get a sneak peek into his newest project: a show based on his life called Pretty Boy.

Highlights:

• Tyson Beckford’s story in a nutshell

• 1994, the launch of Ralph

• Taking the first polaroids for Ralph Lauren

• The photo that changed Tyson’s life in one day

• Putting the Polo Sport fragrance on the map

• “Every single pose was me being me”

• Breaking new ground

• Where Tyson’s physical build comes from

• The first fragrance Tyson splurged on

• The scent that reminds Tyson of the 90s

• Being discovered at Washington Square Park

• “To be out half naked was new to me”

• You’ve seen Tyson in these movies

• Tyson’s new show, Pretty Boy

• Why Tyson was known as “Two Guns”

• How Ralph Lauren shaped Tyson’s scent taste

• Creating Orion Skye, Tyson’s own fragrance

• Tyson’s grooming secrets

• Tyson’s favorite perfume: “Come here, girl”

• Scent Connection, Breakthroughs Edition

• The smell of being in Toni Braxton’s music video

• The smell of Tyson’s first runway

• What still gives Tyson a rush

Follow Tyson Beckford on Instagram: @tysoncbeckford.

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Kudzi Chikumbu (@SirCandleMan) is the “bougie uncle” everyone needs. His candle obsession began during a serendipitous trip to Paris, and since then, he’s become one of the most followed fragrance connoisseurs. He even wrote the book on it: Let It Burn: Illuminate Your Life with Candles and Fragrance, where he explores how lighting a candle is more than a simple act—it’s a ritual that transforms both your physical space and emotional state. Most recently, Kuzi teamed up with LAFCO New York to create Heart of the Matter, a rich, warm vanilla candle just in time for fall.

In this episode, Kuzi joins Scentbird’s Marianne Mychaskiw to reveal his all-time favorite candles, how to choose the right scent for every room, shopping tips, and how to gift the perfect candle. Plus, he shares self-care fragrance rituals to brighten your day or help you unwind and feel more grounded.

Highlights:

• Meet Kudzi Chikumbi, a.k.a. Sir Candle Man

• Bougie means candle?

• Why candles are more than just décor

• Choosing the perfect candle for any room

• Kudzi’s favorite candles to burn

• The Parisian candle that changed everything

• The most amazing vanilla candle

• How to choose great candle gifts

• Why scent evokes emotion and memories

• How to nail candle gifting

• The story behind Heart of the Matter

• Kudzi’s go-to luxury candle

• How to shop for candles like a pro

• Candle self-care rituals

• Creating a great ambiance

• Kudi’z unexpected pick for daily relaxation

• Grounding self-care routines

• The candle that helps you unwind at night

• Scent Connection, Feel-Good Edition

• How candles have changed Kudzi’s life

Featured Products:

Heart of the Matter by LAFCO New York x Sir Candle Man

Let It Burn: Illuminate Your Life with Candles and Fragrance by Sir Candle Man

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Inspiring children to “bake” the world a better place for decades, Strawberry Shortcake has long been an icon for her cheerful attitude, emphasizing that even the smallest efforts can make a huge difference. Scentbird's product development team worked to translate her sweet, joyful spirit into scent form, using the scented dolls and the sweet treat that shares her name as muses.

Who better to share their first impressions than true gourmand girlies Marianne Mychaskiw and TikTok star Paul Fino, a.k.a. @paulreactss? In this episode of our “Having a Moment” series, they immerse you in the nostalgic (and delicious!) world of Strawberry Shortcake, exploring: What went into capturing the taste of a freshly-baked strawberry shortcake? And how does it activate neural pathways that evoke joyful memories?

Shop the new Strawberry Shortcake fragrance starting Tuesday, October 1st, on Scentbird.com.

If Jurassic Park recreated dinosaurs, could we do the same for flowers? Scientist and founder Jasmina Aganovic thinks so, framing her work as “science possibility, not science fiction.” Her brand, Future Society, is bringing extinct flowers back to life—as fragrances. They’ve partnered with some of the world’s best perfumers, who used DNA sequencing data to let their imaginations run wild. Just like that, their Scent Surrection Collection was born—six fragrances, each inspired by flowers that vanished from around the world, including fan-favorites Solar Canopy and Floating Forest.

In this episode, Jasmina sits down with Scentbird’s Marianne Mychaskiw. She takes us inside her creative process, opens up about the challenges of merging science and art, and reminds us that, just like these flowers, every human is capable of reinvention.

Highlights:

• Intro to Jasmina

• Merging biology and beauty

• The inspiration for Future Society

• Invisible Woods

• Solar Canopy

• “Our fragrances are polarizing”

• Did the flowers actually smell like this!?

• The science behind the process

• Grassland Opera

• Reclaimed Flame

• Floating Forest

• Science vs. nature

• “All things are interconnected”

• Learning scent development

• Scent Connection, Lost Beauties Edition

• Rapid-fire round: scents inspired by extinct animals

• “We can invent our tomorrow”

Featured Fragrances:

Solar Canopy by Future Society

Floating Forest by Future Society

Haunted Rose by Future Society

Discovery Set by Future Society

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Andre Drummond, a 2x NBA All-Star, recently made history with his 10,000th career rebound. Known for his precision and power on the court, Andre’s game is as much about mental strength as it is physical. And it turns out he’s quite the scent connoisseur. Inspired by his Jamaican roots, he partnered with Drift to create Bungalow, his own signature car scent.

In this episode, Andre sits down with Brittney Jackson Moseley, who leads integrated marketing at Scentbird. He reveals the self-care rituals that fuel his success, his favorite scents (including a deep cut!), and, yes, confirms that he always wears cologne on the court. He goes on to share how he makes hotel rooms smell like home no matter where his next game takes him, and opens up about mental health, reminding men that "it's okay to not be okay."

Highlights:

• Scent layering: yay or nay?

• Andre’s Scentbird collection

• Andre wears this scent outdoors

• The moment Andre fell in love with scent

• “My mom introduced me to everything”

• Andre wears this scent to fancy dinners

• Andre tries new scents… on the court!?

• A playful scent with a (secret) note

• Making a hotel room feel like home

• You’d be surprised to know Andre loves this scent

• Andre’s self-care routines

• Men’s mental health: “It’s okay to not be okay”

• The scent that inspired Andre

• Creating Bungalow, a car scent by Drift

• Scent Connection, Breakthroughs Edition

• What it smelled like: being drafted for the NBA

• What it smelled like: first All-Star selection

• Being part of Kobe Bryant’s last game

• What it smelled like: hitting a career-high

• Competing with Rudy Gobert

• “Once you get a taste of success…”

• What it smelled like: 10,000 career rebounds

• How Andre wants to be known

Shop Andre Drummond’s Drift car scent:

https://drift.co/blogs/news/august-scent-of-the-month-bungalow-by-andre-drummond?srsltid=AfmBOorsdhgzb95w-nJOThe9KiBY6iGIugHyQbFmLDseatv6jcMQumoJ.

Explore Andre Drummond’s Scentbird collection: https://www.scentbird.com/collections-men/andre-drummond.

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

Bee Shapiro, a beauty editor for The New York Times for over a decade, never imagined she’d start her own fragrance brand. But when she became pregnant with her daughter, Ellis, and began cleaning up her beauty routine, she noticed a lack of sophisticated, clean fragrance options. In 2015, she founded Ellis Brooklyn as a modern American brand that seamlessly integrates into everyday life. The result? Fan-favorites like Florist, Salt, Miami Nectar, and her newest release, Dear Sky—a tribute to the American West with a surprising fruity twist.

In this episode, Bee sits down with Marianne Mychaskiw, who leads communications at Scentbird. She opens up about her nonlinear career journey from lawyer to founder, how motherhood has influenced her creative process, and why she has learned to appreciate, rather than mask, so-called "bad" smells.

Highlights:

• Introducing Bee, a pioneer in clean fragrance

• Bee’s non-linear path: from lawyer to founder

• The (real) life of a beauty editor

• Representation in the beauty industry

• The early Michelle Phan days

• The Ellis Brooklyn origin story

• Breaking into fragrance

• Myth, the first fragrance

• Finding beauty in “bad” smells

• Motherhood superpowers

• Body mists

• What does “modern” mean?

• Miami Nectar, a #1 bestseller

• Bottles inspired by South Beach pools

• Salt, a unisex scent

• A life coach’s advice on managing stress

• Sun Fruit, a Hamptons pool party scent

• Florist, pretty but not “dainty”

• Dear Sky, the newest release

• What does beauty mean to you?

• Scent Connection, Life Moments Edition

• 3 ways to find your passion in life

Featured Fragrances:

Miami Nectar by Ellis Brooklyn

Salt by Ellis Brooklyn

Sun Fruit by Ellis Brooklyn

Florist by Ellis Brooklyn

Dear Sky by Ellis Brooklyn

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

As the daughter of a Jamaican mother and an American father, Keta Burke-Williams often felt like the girl who never fit in. Fragrance became a powerful way for her to escape. In 2022, she founded Ourside with a collection of three scents, each inspired by a daydream: Dusk, Moon Dust, and Nostalgia. It's an invitation to explore a world where your senses are free to play and wander beyond the ordinary—a world where every fragrance is a gateway to a place that exists only in your mind, yet feels incredibly real.

In this episode, Keta sits down with Marianne Mychaskiw, who leads communications at Scentbird. She discusses embracing community at the heart of Ourside as a truly New York brand (with every scent formulated and manufactured in the Bronx), fragrance rituals anyone can practice, and the Jasmine flower that led to her most personal scent yet.

Highlights:

• Introducing Ourside

• How to "rewild" your spirit

• NYC community roots

• "I was always searching for belonging"

• Diversity in fragrance

• Daydreams as inspiration

• Moon Dust (a witchy scent)

• The Discovery Set

• Dusk (a boozy scent)

• Collaborating with perfumer Darryl Do

• Nostalgia (a love-it-or-hate-it scent)

• The smell of figure skating

• What's next? Daydreams from Jamaica

• Ourside's R&D Insiders

• Keta crafts scents inspired by dreams from across the internet

• Keta's dream for the world

Featured Fragrances:

Dusk by Ourside

Moon Dust by Ourside

Nostalgia by Ourside

Discovery Set by Ourside

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.

“You can travel anywhere in the world with a fantastic fragrance,” says John Molloy, who co-founded Memo Paris in 2007 with his wife, Clara Molloy. The duo has since captured over 92 unique global destinations into a range of irresistible scents. They’ve pioneered leather fragrances, creating 15 unique scents that capture the richness and complexity of this classic note. All in all, their brand is about helping you find your place of grace, creating a world of beauty that treats the journey as the destination.

In this episode, John sits down with Benny Campa, who runs product design at Scentbird. They take you on a tour around the world: Kenya, India, Texas, Costa Rica, and Portugal, and explore each of the scents inspired by these places. John shares stories from his travels, how scent can deepen your memories throughout life, and ways to “give your nose a chance” as you explore various perfumes.

Highlights:
• Traveling to 100+ countries and living in Geneva

• Finding your place of grace

• Introducing Clara Molloy, Memo’s Creative Director

• Travel to Kenya with African Leather

• Working with Aliénor Massenet, the brand’s nose

• Love leather? Memo has 15 leather scents for you to choose from

• The magic behind Memo’s signature illustrations

• Travel to India with Madurai

• What’s the best way to wear fragrance?

• Travel to Texas with Marfa

• Bottling the smell of cactus

• Travel to Costa Rica with Tamarindo

• A peek into Memo’s creative process

• Travel to Portugal with Sintra

• A blend of musk, vanilla, and gourmand

• How to treat good perfume like a stylist

• What makes Irish and French leather so special

Featured Fragrances:

African Leather by Memo Paris

Madurai by Memo Paris

Marfa by Memo Paris

Tamarindo by Memo Paris

Sintra by Memo Paris

Explore the Memo Paris collection at https://www.scentbird.com/brand/memo-paris.

Soak in all of our audio and video content at https://podcast.scentbird.com.