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
-
![]()
Heart and Soul: Moscow vicar returns home
Fri 11 Aug 2023
Rev Malcolm Rogers extraordinary story of faith and diplomacy
-
![]()
When Wagner came home
Thu 10 Aug 2023
The fear stalking Russia as ex-convicts from the Wagner mercenary group return home
-
![]()
Female founders: Green tech in the blue economy
Wed 9 Aug 2023
The women developing solar tech to reduce the environmental impact of fishing in SE Asia
-
![]()
Inside Afghanistan's secret schools
Tue 8 Aug 2023
Sana Safi find out how teenage girls are getting around the Taliban ban on education
-
![]()
In the Studio: Ajay Chowdhury
Mon 7 Aug 2023
Ajay Chowdhury writes his latest crime fiction novel using artificial intelligence tools
-
![]()
Beats, rhymes and life: Hip-hop at 50
Sun 6 Aug 2023
DJ and writer Lynnée Denise reflects on hip-hop as it marks its 50th year
-
![]()
BBC OS Conversatioms: Living through a coup
Sat 5 Aug 2023
Friends in Niger share their experiences of the recent coup
-
![]()
Heart and Soul: Online spiritual communities
Fri 4 Aug 2023
The millennials exploring big spiritual questions, outside of traditional religion
-
![]()
Returning to Romania
Thu 3 Aug 2023
With 20% of its population living abroad, the Romanian government wants its diaspora back
-
![]()
A billion batteries
Tue 1 Aug 2023
The US teens and children campaigning for used batteries to be recycled
-
![]()
Invading the past: Russia and science fiction
Tue 1 Aug 2023
Catherine Merridle explores Russian science fiction in the age of Putin
-
![]()
In the Studio: Sophie Hannah
Mon 31 Jul 2023
Follow author Sophie Hannah as she completes her third Hercule Poirot novel
-
![]()
Women writing Zimbabwe
Sun 30 Jul 2023
Tawanda Mudzonga explores why Zimbabwe has produced so many renowned women writers
-
![]()
BBC OS Conversations: Women in sport
Sat 29 Jul 2023
Sportswomen and commentators discuss being female in a male dominated profession.
-
![]()
Botswana: Living with elephants
Thu 27 Jul 2023
The battle to keep the peace between people and elephants in northern Botswana
-
![]()
Song of the bell
Tue 25 Jul 2023
The journeys of church bells herald Africa's new role as the beating heart of Christianity
-
![]()
In the Studio: SO - IL and Ben Lovett: The architects of music
Mon 24 Jul 2023
Mumford and Sons founder Ben Lovett on designing the perfect performance space
-
![]()
BBC OS Conversations: Surviving a heatwave
Sat 22 Jul 2023
We bring together people to discuss the impact of extreme heat on their lives
-
![]()
Heart and Soul: America’s atheist street pirates
Fri 21 Jul 2023
The American atheists removing illegal religious signs from streets across the states
-
![]()
Tunisia’s democratic dream
Thu 20 Jul 2023
Is Tunisia’s democracy being dismantled by its president?
-
![]()
Kew Gardens: Botany and the British empire
Tue 18 Jul 2023
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is re-examining its past and preparing for the future
-
![]()
In the Studio: Gregory Doran
Mon 17 Jul 2023
Behind the scenes of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production
-
![]()
Women's football: Passion versus profit
Sun 16 Jul 2023
What is the state of play for women’s football around the globe?
-
![]()
BBC OS Conversations: Living with rising prices
Sat 15 Jul 2023
James Reynolds brings people around the world together to share experiences of inflation
-
![]()
Heart and Soul: Future shaman
Fri 14 Jul 2023
Meet the shamans of north-east India, determined not to be the last of their kind
-
![]()
Speaking for themselves
Thu 13 Jul 2023
In South Africa, cultural activists are determined to reclaim a language – Afrikaaps
-
![]()
Bangladesh's clothing conundrum
Tue 11 Jul 2023
Can clothes be sustainably produced and still remain affordable?
-
![]()
In the Studio: The Aquatics Centre, Paris Olympics 2024
Mon 10 Jul 2023
Following the architects creating the only permanent sports facility for the Paris Games
-
![]()
BBC OS Conversations: Race in France
Sat 8 Jul 2023
France has questions to answer around inequity and its approach to policing
-
![]()
Heart and Soul: A new generation of Nigerian royalty
Fri 7 Jul 2023
Hannah Ajala explores the new generation of chieftaincy and royalty in Nigeria
