Circle of Voices - Immersive audio documentaries & ecological sound art

Louise Romain
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Circle of Voices is a podcast produced by the sound artist, documentarist and anthropologist Louise Romain. She creates immersive audio documentaries and sound journeys based on her travels; short stories and interviews with inspirational change-makers, disruptors, innovators, and Indigenous leaders from global events. She is also exploring multi-species storytelling, bringing bioacoustics to a wider audience. Tune in if you are into podcasts that cover: policy, governance, sustainability, nature, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, ocean, Indigenous rights, anthropology, documentary, travel.

  1. Ocean news flash - High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) and World Trade Organisation's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

    10/04/2025

    Ocean news flash - High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) and World Trade Organisation's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies

    In light of my latest series on the UN Ocean Conference, I am sharing here big positive news that flooded my feed in September. First, the High Seas Treaty, also known as BBNJ: the Treaty for the Protection and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction. This international agreement that aims to better protect the ocean that is outside of national boundaries, (2/3rd of the Ocean) received the 60 ratifications to become law. Second, the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies also entered into force. This ensures a pathway for all WTO members to roll back harmful fisheries subsidies in order to restore ocean health. I include two quotes that I found as LinkedIn posts, from Farah Obaidullah -Ocean advocate and Founder of the Ocean & Us- and Alfredo Giron Nava -Head of Ocean Action Agenda at the World Economic Forum. Script, sound design and production by Louise Romain, Circle of Voices. Credits for music: Spume by Eversafe, Focus by Bach. Credits for sound effects: Joshua Chivers (splash), Fascinated Sound (crashing wave), Felix Blume (foghorn). Animal recordings: Dolphins chirping underwater by Bosnow; Dolphins in Caribbean Sea Mexico by Felix Blume; Humpback whales by listeningtowhales; Seagulls by Ivo Vicic. To support my work as a sound artist and documentarist, become a member on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/CircleofVoices.

    7 min
  2. 30 Voices from the UN Ocean Conference 2025 - Part 3: World Ocean Voices at UNOC3

    07/09/2025

    30 Voices from the UN Ocean Conference 2025 - Part 3: World Ocean Voices at UNOC3

    This is the final episode of my series '30 voices from the UN Ocean Conference'. Part 1 centred on the voices of youth engaged in the ocean space, while part 2 was all about women. This final episode cuts across the board. The people you will hear care deeply about the Ocean. But also about human rights, peace, climate justice, and solidarity with living beings, whether they are humans or from other species. They are artists, translators, activists, directors, solutionists and profoundly optimist. They share about their achievements during this UN Ocean Conference, but also their criticism, their doubts and how much further we have to go, still. If you enjoy what you hear, support Circle of Voices via my Patreon and become a monthly sponsor to contribute to my production and creative work into this world: www.patreon.com/c/CircleofVoices. Single direct donations are also possible here: buy.stripe.com/aFa4gB5zWbYzdDzc48fbq00. And share the episode with a friend you think might find this valuable. I am Louise Romain, sound artist, documentarist, anthropologist, and the podcast producer of Circle of Voices. This episode was created with unedited voice notes I received via Signal, Telegram and Whatsapp. This episode features: *Tara Pierce - Lecturer at the Earth Law Center, Co-founder of Earth Law Alliance / https://www.earthlawcenter.org/ *Emilie McGlone - Director of Peace Boat US / https://peaceboat-us.org/ *Néfur - Singer, Composer and Performer / https://nefurmusic.com/ *Azzedine Badis - Communication Manager at Global Seaweed Coalition / https://www.safeseaweedcoalition.org/ *José Lobo - Interpreter with Tinta, faciitaor and linguistic support for Brasilian small scale fisher *Bodhi Patil - Ocean climate solutionist / https://www.bodhipatil.com/ *Maite Mompó - Director of Stop Ecocide International in Spanish / https://www.stopecocide.earth/ *Sam Lee - Folk singer, storyteller, conservationist and song collector / https://samleesong.co.uk/ *Michael Stewart - Co-founder of Seatrees / https://seatrees.org/ *Hajaniaina Ratsimbazafy - President of the management board of Natiora Defenders in Madagascar / https://natioradefenders.org/ *Jane Lawton - Director of impact for the Earth Species / https://www.earthspecies.org/ //Credits// Music by Shame Mckenna 'Surfacing' via Uppbeat. Sounds: Whales in the Rain by listeningtowhales -- freesound.org/s/322539/; Dolphin in Caribbean Sea (Mexico) by felix.blume -- freesound.org/s/161691/; and various phone ring tones by sapatac, genviou, and Aldergrove Studios. Circle of Voices is a podcast produced by Louise Romain. Find out more about her work: tuneintotheworld.com/

    1h 1m
  3. 30 Voices from the UN Ocean Conference 2025 - Part 2: Women Ocean Voices at UNOC3

    06/23/2025

    30 Voices from the UN Ocean Conference 2025 - Part 2: Women Ocean Voices at UNOC3

    The voices in this episode are women who took part in the latest United Nations Ocean Conference. They are involved in law, insurance, policy, science, sustainability, and the arts.  They founded and run organisations, sit and advise on boards (or even paddle on them) and have dedicated their lives to the Ocean. A major gender gap persists in ocean governance and finance:  women-led organisations and businesses in the blue economy receive less than one to 2% of major funding streams, and  women hold less than 20% of leadership positions in key international bodies. But they  constitute half of the workforce in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, and they play crucial roles in science, conservation, and restoration efforts.  Because of this blue gender gap, I wanted to dedicate this part 2 of my new series '30 voices from the UN Ocean Conference' to women. I am Louise Romain, sound artist, documentarist, anthropologist, and the podcast producer of Circle of Voices. This episode brings you unedited voice notes I received via Whatsapp. If you enjoy what you hear, support Circle of Voices via my Patreon and become a monthly sponsor to contribute to my production and creative work into this world: https://www.patreon.com/c/CircleofVoices. Single direct donations are also possible here: https://buy.stripe.com/aFa4gB5zWbYzdDzc48fbq00. And share the episode with a friend you think might find this valuable! The episode features: * Cecilia Sevillano, Founder of Ocean Intelligence Services, Colombia/Sweden * Antoinette Vermilye, Co-founder of Gallifrey Foundation, UK/Switzerland * Michaela Girvan, Co-founder the Ocean Rights Coalition, UK * Andrea Herrera, Shark master student from Okeanos Marine research institute, Regional Coordinator for ECOP Early Career Ocean Professional Central America, Portugal * Melanie Cueff - Scientific officer of the Global Seaweed Coalition, France * Clara Botto - The Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering, Brasil * Amber Nuttal - Co-chair of the Bahamas Reef Educational Foundation, Board member of the Blue Marine Foundation, Co-Founder Extreme Hang Out, The Bahamas/UK * Marie Le Chevallier {OrKatz} - Dj, Ocean Artivist - Founder of ORKASEA * Sabrina André - Legal expert on law of the sea, Board member of Women for Sea, France * Linzi Hawkin - Co-founder at Protect Blue, UK //Credits// Music by Shame Mckenna 'Surfacing' via Uppbeat. Sounds: Whales in the Rain by listeningtowhales -- https://freesound.org/s/322539/; Dolphin in Caribbean Sea (Mexico) by felix.blume -- https://freesound.org/s/161691/; and various phone ring tones by sapatac, genviou, and Aldergrove Studios. Circle of Voices is a podcast produced by Louise Romain. Find out more about her work: https://tuneintotheworld.com/

    43 min
  4. 30 Voices from the UN Ocean Conference 2025 - Part 1: Youth Ocean Voices at UNOC3

    06/17/2025

    30 Voices from the UN Ocean Conference 2025 - Part 1: Youth Ocean Voices at UNOC3

    The latest United Nations Ocean Conference, UNOC3 just ended in Nice. Among the 15,000 delegates - and 100,000 visitors - I share with you 30 Ocean voices. Young activists, artists, scientists, campaigners: they are all Ocean lovers and defenders. I am Louise Romain, sound artist, documentarist, anthropologist, and the podcast producer of Circle of Voices, for this episode I created a patchwork of voice notes received via Signal, Telegram and Whatsapp. This is a three part series. In Part 1, these 10 Ocean voices address deep sea mining, the high-seas treaty or BBNJ, plastic pollution, mangrove and coral reef restoration, the ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus, youth leadership and fair inclusion, rights of nature and specifically Antarctic, acoustics, machine learning and AI, community rights and ocean justice, the blue economy, direct funding and debt restructuring, and more...! If you enjoy what you hear, support Circle of Voices via my Patreon and become a monthly sponsor to contribute to my production and creative work into this world: https://www.patreon.com/c/CircleofVoices. Single direct donations are also possible here: https://buy.stripe.com/aFa4gB5zWbYzdDzc48fbq00. And share the episode with a friend you think might find this valuable. This episode features: *Mark Haver - North America Representation for Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), USA *Bruna Martins - Cuíra Collective, Coalition of guardians of Amazonian mangroves, Brasil *Isla Keesje Davidson - WOPAM, World Ocean Passive Acoustic Monitoring, Cornell University, USA *Roberta Bosu -  Global Campaign Lead for Antarctic Rights, Italy/Netherlands *Ines Costa - Love the Oceans operating in Mozambique, Spain *Kevin Lunzalu - Marine Project Officer East African Wildlife Society, Kenya *Marie Claire Graf -  Co-founder of the Youth Negotiators Academy &  counselor at the World Future Council, Switzerland *Pooja Tilvawala - Founder and Exec. Director of the Youth Climate Collaborative, India *Ismaela Magliotto - Co-founder and Manager-Director of NGO Uno Punto Cinco, Chile *Christian Jake Tabara - SOA Fellow and Youth Campaign Officer for Alyansa Tigil Mina, Philippines //Credits// Music by Shame Mckenna 'Surfacing' via Uppbeat. Sounds: Whales in the Rain by listeningtowhales -- https://freesound.org/s/322539/; Dolphin in Caribbean Sea (Mexico) by felix.blume -- https://freesound.org/s/161691/; and various phone ring tones by sapatac, genviou, and Aldergrove Studios. Circle of Voices is a podcast produced by Louise Romain. Find out more about her work: https://tuneintotheworld.com/

    46 min
  5. From reef to ridge: an immersive sound journey to the Caribbean

    06/01/2025

    From reef to ridge: an immersive sound journey to the Caribbean

    This audio documentary is a love story with the Ocean, the reef and its guardians. An invitation to travel to Caribbean shores to immerse yourself in the lived experiences of coastal communities, and in the sounds of the local ecosystems: the coral reefs and the mangroves. You will hear stories from Raizal fishermen, turning their ignorance for corals into love, respect and admiration, and learn about the work of the female marine biologists of the Blue Indigo Foundation to restore and heal corals. Together, they share about their dreams for the future of the reef, the challenges they face with global warming, climate change and extreme weather events, and the hopes of marine and coastal ecosystem regeneration after the recent hurricanes. Take a moment to relax, remember that every other breath you take comes from the ocean, and enjoy the ride. Best enjoyed on headphones, or loud speakers with a quiet environment - and ideally, with others as a collective listening journey. The sounds and interviews were recorded in the Archipelago of San Andres, Providence and Santa Catalina in November 2024. With deep thanks to the Blue Indigo Foundation team and to my interviewees: Pedro, Laura, Yanelis, Ruben, Camilo, Casimiro and Josselyn. The recordings of the reefs and the mangroves were taken with the Aquarian audio hydrophone. Original music composition by Marc Blandel. Sound effects from freesound archive. Recording, narration and production by sound artist, documentarist and anthropologist Louise Romain. This production was entirely self-funded. To support Louise's work, join her on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/CircleofVoices/membership

    48 min
  6. Interspecies Song #1 - Ode to birds & waters

    01/23/2025

    Interspecies Song #1 - Ode to birds & waters

    This piece was created as a commission for an event for climate activists in London. I called it an interspecies song as it weaves together the beauty of bird song, flowing river and human voices... The birds recordings come from London (UK), Tumbira (Brasilian Amazon) and Felidia (Valle del Cauca, Colombia). The river being is the Athabasca that runs through Alberta, Canada. 🎶 The songs and harmonies were recorded during a water ceremony in January 2024, held at a well that goes under the Royal Court of Justice in London. Activists and water protectors gathered as the court case around the Stonehenge extension road and tunnel was about to start (for the second time), threatening the sacred spring of Blickmead. This was convened by Charlotte Pulver and Sam Lee. 🐦 Key birds identified thanks to the app Merlin Bird ID (developed by Cornell Lab): - Eurasian Wren, European Robbin, Great Tit, Eurasian Blackbird (UK) - Great Kiskadee, Yellow-rumped Cacique (Brasil and Colombia) - Tropical Kingbird, Palm Tanager, Roadside Hawk, Yellow-Headed Caraca, Clay-colored Thrush (Colombia) Sound recording, editing and production: Louise Romain

    13 min
  7. Short story / Indigenous leadership with Danielle Frank - Freeing the Klamath River

    11/07/2024

    Short story / Indigenous leadership with Danielle Frank - Freeing the Klamath River

    Tune in for this short story celebrating the resilience of wild river beings and the power of Indigenous frontline defence. Danielle Frank comes from the Hupa and Yurok Tribes, commonly known as Northern California. She attended various UN Conventions over the years, but she came to the Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia, with a particular story to share: the restoration process of the Klamath river through the largest dam removal in world history. After generations of advocacy by local Indigenous Nations, including her family members, the river now runs free and the salmon are returning home for the first time in over a century. Tune in for this short story celebrating the resilience of Indigenous frontline defence. I also ask Danielle about what the finds most challenging attending COP (Conference of the Parties) as an Indigenous youth, and her thoughts on solidarity and allyship. "The solution is going back to the sacred, going back to the lands that provide for everybody, to communities that provide for all, not this one percent that controls our entire planet. [...] The goal is community and investment in each other." Interview, sound design and production: Louise Romain. About Ríos to Rivers: https://www.riostorivers.org/

    8 min
  8. Short story / Indigenous leadership with Tamara Archie - On Secwepemcúl’ecw

    10/15/2024

    Short story / Indigenous leadership with Tamara Archie - On Secwepemcúl’ecw

    In the summer of 2022, I travelled across Canada on a quest to gather sounds and stories of resilience and resistance, as we journey through times of collapse and crisis. I met Tamara Archie in Tk'emlúps (Kamloops) in the semi-arid part of British Columbia, Western Canada. She works for Qwelmínte Secwépemc and shares here some of her wisdom about being in right relation to the land. Qwelmínte Secwépemc is a collective of leadership from eight Secwépemc communities working together with the B.C. Government to move forward via the Qwelmínte Secwépemc Government to Government table. Find out more: www.qwelminte.ca/about-us Interview, atmospheric recordings and production: Louise Romain. Other credits: Holizna CO (Dreams) from the Free Music Archive and Heartbeat Fast Tempo by CTCollab -freesound.org/s/223614/ - License: Attribution 3.0. Visit www.tuneintotheworld.com to learn more about my work.

    6 min
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About

Circle of Voices is a podcast produced by the sound artist, documentarist and anthropologist Louise Romain. She creates immersive audio documentaries and sound journeys based on her travels; short stories and interviews with inspirational change-makers, disruptors, innovators, and Indigenous leaders from global events. She is also exploring multi-species storytelling, bringing bioacoustics to a wider audience. Tune in if you are into podcasts that cover: policy, governance, sustainability, nature, ecology, biodiversity, conservation, ocean, Indigenous rights, anthropology, documentary, travel.

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