A Conversation with Leslie Kay

by | Mar 18, 2026

The Hidden Power of Smell: A Conversation with Leslie Kay

In a recent episode of the Internet of Senses Institute Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leslie Kay, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Chicago and a member and former director of the Institute for Mind and Biology. Kay’s research highlights the importance of paying attention to our sense of smell, emphasizing how deeply olfaction is connected to brain health and the ways we make sense of our lives.

What makes this conversation so engaging is the way Kay translates complex neuroscience into vivid and accessible ideas. Throughout the episode, we explore the hidden intelligence of the olfactory system, why breathing is more than just a basic biological function, and how memory is woven into our sensory experiences.

If you’re interested in how the sense of smell shapes brain function, perception, and memory, then this podcast is for you!

You can listen to the full conversation below—or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Written by Sofia Collette Ehrich

Sofia Collette Ehrich is an art historian, olfactory museologist, researcher, and podcast host. She is the founder of the Olfactory Contractor, a company that coaches and consults museum practitioners and others on the educational impact sensory storytelling has on the public.

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