From Surfer to Ocean Conservation Filmmaker

This episode's guest is environmental documentary filmmaker Luisa Thiel. She discovered her passion for ocean conservation through surfing. Spending countless hours in the water inspired her to volunteer with an environmental NGO, where she helped communicate stories about the ocean before deciding to tell one of her own.That journey led her to create her first documentary, exploring ocean pollution in Norway and the people working to tackle it—from scientists and local communities to policymakers and activists. Much of the film was shot by Luisa herself as a one-woman crew, while she also navigated the challenges of funding, filmmaking, and building a career in a competitive industry.Today, we'll talk about the power of environmental storytelling, the realities of independent documentary filmmaking, and how one person's passion for the ocean became a catalyst for change.