The Documentary Podcast Podcast
Hear the voices at the heart of global stories. Where curious minds can make sense of the world. Home of the best documentaries from the BBC World Service.
Hear the voices at the heart of global stories. Where curious minds can uncover hidden truths and make sense of the world. Home of the best documentaries from the BBC World Service.
From the impact of drought on crops, tourism and trade, to Africa's first film city, to the Romanian teenagers who built a DIY internet...we go beyond the headlines.
Each week we look at the stories shaping our world and hear voices connecting people from across the globe, asking how news stories are shaping their lives. We also follow spiritual journeys, examine the world through the lens of its media and focus on solutions to global problems.
Episodes to download
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The Trial of Oscar Pistorius
Fri 24 Nov 2023
In 2014 Audrey Brown told the dramatic story of the trial of the athlete Oscar Pistorius
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Heart and Soul: Wolves in sheep's clothing
Fri 24 Nov 2023
How nurse Margaret Ruto's determination brought justice for Kenyan child abuse victims
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Florida's political refugees
Thu 23 Nov 2023
From Miami to Chicago, Lucy Proctor meets the conservatives and liberals swapping states
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We the people are Barbados
Tue 21 Nov 2023
Candice Brathwaite revisits Barbados two years after its decision to become a republic
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In The Studio: Damon Galgut - Adapting The Promise for the stage
Mon 20 Nov 2023
Damon Galgut’s Booker Prize-winning novel, The Promise, moves from the page to the stage.
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The Debate: Israel Gaza - What happens when the war ends?
Sun 19 Nov 2023
Mishal Husain is joined by guests to discuss what happens when the Israel Gaza war ends.
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BBC OS Conversations: Hate against Jews and Muslims
Sat 18 Nov 2023
Men and women share their experiences of Islamophobia and antisemitism.
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Heart and Soul: Israel – Gaza: Can interfaith work prevail?
Fri 17 Nov 2023
The projects trying to build understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.
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The mighty Mekong’s last hope
Thu 16 Nov 2023
A journey though Cambodia where the Mekong river is feared to be in crisis
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Tanni's lifetime road to disabled equality
Wed 15 Nov 2023
Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson looks at changes in attitude to disability the world over
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A man without bees
Tue 14 Nov 2023
Why are bees dying? An elder from the ‘Land of Bees’ seeks answers, wherever it leads.
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In The Studio: Jenn Lee: Taiwan fashion designer
Mon 13 Nov 2023
Taking inspiration from the flea markets of Taipei to show on the catwalks of London
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BBC OS Conversations: Israeli losses
Sat 11 Nov 2023
Israelis share their grief and memories of family members killed on 7 October.
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Heart and Soul: Queerly beloved: Same-sex love and the Synod
Fri 10 Nov 2023
Should the Anglican Church allow and conduct LGBT blessings, and even marriages?
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The Jews and Arabs coexisting in crisis
Thu 9 Nov 2023
How Jews and Arabs are working together to keep the peace in their Israeli neighbourhoods
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My Forgotten War
Tue 7 Nov 2023
Why is the situation for Syrian refugees in Turkey becoming increasingly hostile?
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In The Studio: Carol Morley
Mon 6 Nov 2023
Carol Morley tells Stephen Hughes about writing and selling a screenplay
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BBC OS Conversations: Palestinian losses
Sat 4 Nov 2023
Two men share their grief and memories of family killed in the war.
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Heart and Soul: Finding Falun Gong
Fri 3 Nov 2023
Twenty years ago, China began a crackdown on Falun Gong. What has become of the movement?
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Assignment: Taught to fear - corporal punishment in the classroom
Thu 2 Nov 2023
Reported cases of teachers beating their students in Kenyan schools are on the rise
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The Raspberry Visa
Wed 1 Nov 2023
Is Portugal's 'Raspberry Visa' the answer to the west's lack of workers?
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In the Studio: Kieran Stanley - Designing a Zoo
Mon 30 Oct 2023
Creating impressive spaces to inspire people to fall in love with wildlife.
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BBC OS Conversations: Jewish-Palestinian couples
Sat 28 Oct 2023
Mixed-heritage couples and families share their experiences.
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Heart and Soul: The New York Supreme Court's first female Hasidic judge
Fri 27 Oct 2023
Fighting to become the first female Hasidic New York Supreme Court judge in the US
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Assignment: The Life, Death and Rebirth of a Russian Theatre
Thu 26 Oct 2023
How Russia’s oldest independent theatre – from a remote town - was forced into exile
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Africa's urban future: What next?
Tue 24 Oct 2023
The opportunities and challenges of Africa's rapid urbanisation
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In the Studio: PAC NYC
Mon 23 Oct 2023
The opening of The Perelman Performing Arts Center built on the site of NY’s Twin Towers
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Other people's children
Sun 22 Oct 2023
The rarely heard voices of the domestic workers who care for other people's children
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BBC OS Conversations: Teenagers in Gaza and Israel
Sat 21 Oct 2023
Young people on both sides describe their lives right now
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Understand: Israel and the Palestinians
Fri 20 Oct 2023
The history and context of the decades long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians
