The World of Taste & Smell

World Taste & Smell Association

Discover taste and smell like never before! Hosted by Mindy Yang and Stephanie Feuer of the World Taste & Smell Association (TasteAndSmell.org), this podcast unpacks the art, science, and innovation shaping our sensory world. Join us for inspiring stories and bold ideas from visionaries redefining the future of taste and smell.

  1. 11/12/2025

    An Interactive Smell Test with Global Impact with Dr. Derek Toomre of U-Smell-It

    In this episode, Stephanie Feuer and Mindy Yang of the World Taste & Smell Association speak with Dr. Derek Toomre, a Yale scientist, Professor, and inventor whose work helped transform smell testing from an inaccessible clinical tool into a global public-health innovation. Derek’s company, U-Smell-It, created the world’s first low-cost, open-source smell-testing kit, designed to democratize olfactory diagnostics for both clinical and community use. What began as a rapid response to COVID-19 has become a vital resource for sensory health, research, and education — empowering anyone to test their sense of smell at home. We explore how U-Smell-It works, why smell is such a powerful indicator of health, and how tools like this are changing the way we understand human perception. You can now order U-Smell-It directly from the World Taste & Smell Association at TasteAndSmell.org. This partnership ensures that everyone — from patients to researchers — can participate in advancing the science of taste and smell. Highlights & Key Topics The origin story of U-Smell-It during the early pandemic Why smell loss is often the first sign of illness — and a vital window into neurological health How open-source design can drive equity and innovation in sensory science Derek’s vision for the future of smell testing and sensory diagnostics About WTSA The World Taste & Smell Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing sensory science, education, and public awareness. Through research, storytelling, and innovation, WTSA bridges the gap between science and human experience — helping people rediscover the power of taste and smell in daily life. Learn more and support our work at TasteAndSmell.org.

    54 min
  2. 08/20/2025

    Yosh Han: The Evolution of Perfumery, Identity, & Scent as a Journey

    In this episode of The World of Taste & Smell, World Taste & Smell Association's Co-Founder & CEO Mindy Yang (@GoDolceVita) sits down with her friend, American Perfumer Yosh Han — visionary perfumer, entrepreneur, and community builder — for a deep and candid conversation about fragrance, identity, and the power of scent as a lifelong journey. Like Mindy, Yosh has been a pioneering force in independent perfumery for decades. Known for her boundary-pushing creations and her commitment to fostering community, she has also challenged the industry to re-examine its language and values. From her early days “living life by her nose” to her role as an outspoken advocate for change, Yosh embodies fragrance as both art and activism. Together, Mindy and Yosh explore: Yosh’s unconventional beginnings and the challenges of forging a career outside the traditional perfumery model. The rise of independent and niche fragrance, its growing pains, and its future. Why the term Oriental has no place in modern perfumery and what a new, inclusive fragrance language could look like. Travel and sailing as sources of inspiration, and how scent connects to taste and memory in powerful ways. Yosh’s reflections on artistry, community, and what truly matters at this stage in her journey. This episode is both personal and provocative — an invitation to rethink how we experience, describe, and connect through scent. Links & Resources Explore Yosh’s world of scent: eaudeyosh.com Learn more about the World Taste & Smell Association: TasteAndSmell.org Connect with Us If this conversation resonated with you, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. Join the conversation online and support sensory science, wellness, and advocacy with a donation or collaborate with us.

    1h 16m

About

Discover taste and smell like never before! Hosted by Mindy Yang and Stephanie Feuer of the World Taste & Smell Association (TasteAndSmell.org), this podcast unpacks the art, science, and innovation shaping our sensory world. Join us for inspiring stories and bold ideas from visionaries redefining the future of taste and smell.