The Documentary Podcast Podcast
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.
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.
From Australia's relationship with China, to Turkey's sinkhole problem, to understanding the behaviour of dictators, we go beyond the headlines.
Each week, all year round, we bring you the stories shaping our world. From the personal voices behind the headlines to perspectives on faith and spirituality and how work and money impact our lives. Discover how people find solutions to global problems and look at the world through the lens of its media.
Powered by the BBC World Service’s global network, The Documentary Podcast is about the people living the story – helping you see the world with greater clarity.
Episodes to download
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BBC OS Conversatioms: Living through a coup
Sat 5 Aug 2023
Friends in Niger share their experiences of the recent coup
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Heart and Soul: Online spiritual communities
Fri 4 Aug 2023
The millennials exploring big spiritual questions, outside of traditional religion
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Returning to Romania
Thu 3 Aug 2023
With 20% of its population living abroad, the Romanian government wants its diaspora back
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A billion batteries
Tue 1 Aug 2023
The US teens and children campaigning for used batteries to be recycled
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Invading the past: Russia and science fiction
Tue 1 Aug 2023
Catherine Merridle explores Russian science fiction in the age of Putin
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In the Studio: Sophie Hannah
Mon 31 Jul 2023
Follow author Sophie Hannah as she completes her third Hercule Poirot novel
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Women writing Zimbabwe
Sun 30 Jul 2023
Tawanda Mudzonga explores why Zimbabwe has produced so many renowned women writers
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BBC OS Conversations: Women in sport
Sat 29 Jul 2023
Sportswomen and commentators discuss being female in a male dominated profession.
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Botswana: Living with elephants
Thu 27 Jul 2023
The battle to keep the peace between people and elephants in northern Botswana
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Song of the bell
Tue 25 Jul 2023
The journeys of church bells herald Africa's new role as the beating heart of Christianity
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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
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BBC OS Conversations: Surviving a heatwave
Sat 22 Jul 2023
We bring together people to discuss the impact of extreme heat on their lives
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Heart and Soul: America’s atheist street pirates
Fri 21 Jul 2023
The American atheists removing illegal religious signs from streets across the states
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Tunisia’s democratic dream
Thu 20 Jul 2023
Is Tunisia’s democracy being dismantled by its president?
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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
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In the Studio: Gregory Doran
Mon 17 Jul 2023
Behind the scenes of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s new production
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Women's football: Passion versus profit
Sun 16 Jul 2023
What is the state of play for women’s football around the globe?
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BBC OS Conversations: Living with rising prices
Sat 15 Jul 2023
James Reynolds brings people around the world together to share experiences of inflation
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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
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Speaking for themselves
Thu 13 Jul 2023
In South Africa, cultural activists are determined to reclaim a language – Afrikaaps
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Bangladesh's clothing conundrum
Tue 11 Jul 2023
Can clothes be sustainably produced and still remain affordable?
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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
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BBC OS Conversations: Race in France
Sat 8 Jul 2023
France has questions to answer around inequity and its approach to policing
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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
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What's happened to Iraq's Yazidis?
Thu 6 Jul 2023
The ancient Iraqi community still can't go home years after fleeing Islamic State terror
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Wagner's revolt: The world takes stock
Tue 4 Jul 2023
The Global Jigsaw hears how Russia's friends and foes have responded to Wagner's mutiny
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In the Studio: Shezad Dawood
Mon 3 Jul 2023
Creating a multimedia work Inspired by the music and writing of Yusef Lateef
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BBC OS Conversations: What do Russians and Belarusians make of the Wagner Group?
Sat 1 Jul 2023
Following the Wagner group march on Moscow, we hear from Russians and Belarusians
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Heart and Soul: Nick Cave on grief, faith and music
Fri 30 Jun 2023
The Archbishop of Canterbury in conversation with the musician Nick Cave
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The Organ Harvesters
Thu 29 Jun 2023
How did a young man in Nigeria get caught up in an international plot?
