I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Melissa Pons—professional field recordist, curator at Earth.fm, and host of the Wind Is the Original Radio podcast. Melissa’s work has long been a source of inspiration for me, so having the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss our shared passion for listening to the natural world was a real privilege.

It was a wonderful opportunity to present the philosophy behind Polish Soundscapes—a project that began as a personal search for quiet places and gradually evolved into an effort to document and preserve Poland’s acoustic heritage before more of it is lost.

During our conversation, we explored many of the ideas that shape my work: the concept of sonic nostalgia, the value of slow and attentive listening, and the role field recording can play in raising awareness of noise pollution. We also talked about my fascination with forgotten places, “nature pockets” hidden within cities, retrospective recording inspired by historical descriptions of landscapes, and the micro adventures that often lead to the most memorable recordings.

One topic that was particularly meaningful to me was how my perspective has changed since developing hyperacusis. While this condition has made working with sound much more challenging, it has also deepened my appreciation for fragile, nearly imperceptible soundscapes and strengthened my belief that listening is an act of care—for nature, for places, and for ourselves.

If you would like to hear our full conversation, I warmly invite you to listen to the episode below or visit the episode page on Earth.fm.