PLAY PODCASTS
Ten Minutes with Rachel Herz: On Smell
Episode 32

Ten Minutes with Rachel Herz: On Smell

The MoMA Magazine Podcast

January 17, 20249m 54s

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (mcdn.podbean.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Show Notes

A neuroscientist discusses how smell influences everything from emotions and relationships to identity and wellbeing.

Our sense of smell is something many of us take for granted, but this sensation is more powerful than you may think. “It literally filters through all aspects of our existence,” explains neuroscientist Rachel Herz, “and the more we deliberately use our sense of smell…the better our brain health is, and even the general health of our bodies.” Smell also plays an important role in art, with many artists using scent as a way to prompt questions. These artworks encourage us to slow down and engage our senses. As Herz reminds us, when we stop and smell the metaphorical roses, “it can really ground us and bring us into that moment.”

For this month’s Ten Minutes podcast, we dig into the complex process that takes beans to bars, and the real-world impact chocolate has on the people who make it.

Access a transcript of the conversation here: https://www.moma.org/magazine/articles/1017