A LIFE IN SOUND
This series aims to take listeners on an epic and intimate journey through the natural world, all through the medium of sound and at the same time we want to enable a rare glimpse into the life of a man who recorded everything you’re about to hear, one sound at a time.
Martyn Stewart has spent his lifetime on a mission: to record the natural sounds of our planet. It’s a story that will take us from a council estate in Birmingham England and ultimately take him to every corner of the planet. From Belize to the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, from Denali to the Galapagos, to some of the most inhospitable locations geographically and politically. He will be attacked by lions and crocodiles, arrested in Japan for filming the annual dolphin slaughter and then find himself in long periods of isolation, in remote corners of the world waiting for 30 seconds of a that perfect sound. This is ultimately a love story – dedicated to our natural world and to the people who spend their lives aiming to give it a voice.
- Update frequency
- every 8 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 15
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
Scandinavian Soundscapes – Ice, Storms, and the Dawn Chorus
In this immersive journey through Scandinavia, legendary sound recordist Martyn Stewart and host Amanda Hill explore the raw, untamed beauty of the North. From the creaking glaciers of Norway to the …
Scotland: The Sound of Home
Scotland: Where the Wind Remembers
📝 Episode Synopsis:
In this deeply personal episode, Martyn Stewart takes us on an evocative journey through the soundscapes of Scotland—a land he calls home in heart…
A Life in Sound – A Sonic Portrait of Martyn Stewart
At 2 AM, Martyn Stewart knew exactly where he needed to be—on the beach, listening. The waves rolled in like an old song, wrapping around him in the way only nature can.
For Martyn, sound has always b…
Creative Conversation with ONR
What if the natural world could compose a symphony? Join us as we explore this captivating question in our latest episode featuring Martyn Stewart and singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and pr…
Creative conversation with Peter Raeburn
On August 30th 2024, 'We Are Biophonica' was launched out into the world. For the album, Peter Raeburn collaborated with Martyn Stewart and The Listening Planet team. In this conversation, we lear…
Creative Conversations with Louis VI
Join us for another A Life in Sound special with Martyn Stewart and Rapper, DJ, Zoologist, Musician, Presenter| Reconnecting diaspora to 🌿| BBC Creator in Residence NHU | Musician Louis VI.
Together, …
Creative Conversations with Peter Hall
Have you ever felt the profound beauty and sorrow that nature's soundscapes can evoke? Join us in a heartfelt conversation with Martyn Stewart from A Life in Sound and composer Peter Hall as they tal…
Galapagos Adventures: Wild at Heart
Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador in the open ocean, a volcanic archipelago straddles the equator. The Galapagos Islands, forged of black lava and named for the giant tortoises that are amon…
Wild Belize - Whispers of the Jungle
Embark on an aural expedition with Martyn Stewart, as we traverse the lush landscapes of Belize, uncovering the rich tapestry of sounds that define this vibrant country. We rapidly escape the buzz o…
Embracing the Symphony of Life: A Journey Through Terminal Illness
When Martyn Stewart first heard the word "cancer" in relation to his own health, his world was upended. Yet, as he reveals in our latest episode, it was the start of a journey that transformed his un…
Wild Costa Rica
In this epsiode, Martyn Stewart, transplants his life from the verdant landscapes of Washington State to the lush tropics of Playa Pelada in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. We'll be entranced by the dawn ch…
The Arctic Wildlife Refuge
The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. It's home to a wide range of wildlife, including iconic species such as polar bears, caribou, Arctic foxes, muskoxen, h…
An Activists Journey
Since Martyn began his epic journey, 75% of the landscapes and soundscapes that he’s recorded have vanished, been silenced, or suffered significant degradation. Since the age of 8 years old, he has b…
Around The World
To introduce ‘A life in Sound’, Martyn circumnavigates the globe through 7 major themes. We’ll explore the sounds of his youth, what it is to feel Awe, Close calls in the Masai Mara, Activist encount…
The Beginnings
For over 50 years, Martyn has travelled the world, microphone and recorder in hand (and insect repellent nearby). It’s a solitary, driven passion that he dates to his childhood “fascination” with the…