The Documentary Podcast Podcast
Hear the voices at the heart of global stories. Where curious minds can uncover hidden truths and make sense of the world. Documentary storytelling 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 of documentary storytelling from the BBC World Service.
From conflict in the Middle East to the advance of AI, to the front line of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines. Each week we dive into the minds of the world’s most creative people, take personal journeys into spirituality and connect people from across the globe to share how news stories are shaping their lives.
Episodes to download
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China’s collapsing population
Today
Since the one-child policy was scrapped 10 years ago, China now has too few births
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Karin Slaughter: thriller penned in mountain cabin
Yesterday
Karin Slaughter on how she keeps readers awake at night
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Balochistan's disappeared
Saturday
A leading campaigner for Balochistan's disappeared has been imprisoned
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The Venezuelan Earthquakes
Saturday
Survivors share their experiences from Caracas and the port of La Guaira.
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Cast out: Faith of a gay Nigerian priest
Friday
A Nigerian Anglican priest shares how he was cast out after his sexuality became known
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The social lives of bacteria
Thursday
The microscopic dramas of bacterial loners, crowd-lovers, backstabbers and do-gooders
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The Food Chain: Can I save the family restaurant?
Last Wednesday
Can a viral video help an actor save her family's restaurant?
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Switzerland's population cap referendum
Last Tuesday
Switzerland recently voted on capping the country’s population to limit migration
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The poetry of Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
Last Monday
From Kitchen Table to the Underworld: The Poetry of Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
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How did we get here? 1. Israel and the Palestinians
Sun 28 Jun 2026
Jonny Dymond and guests explore the complicated back-story of the Middle East conflict
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Witnessing the 'Hand of God'
Sat 27 Jun 2026
A BBC journalist remembers Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal in the 1986 World Cup
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What is it like to have a lung transplant?
Sat 27 Jun 2026
Our guests share their experiences of this major surgery
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Musician on a mission to keep bhajans alive
Fri 26 Jun 2026
The musician with a mission to keep devotional Hindu music alive
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Agony and ecstasy: A history of penalty shootouts
Thu 25 Jun 2026
The history and the drama of football’s anxiety-inducing decider
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Brexit Ten Years On (part 2)
Wed 24 Jun 2026
Alex Forsyth looks at the impact of Britain's decision to leave the European Union.
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Brexit Ten Years On (part 1)
Tue 23 Jun 2026
Alex Forsyth looks at the impact of Britain's decision to leave the European Union
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Sean Cooney, singer and dog lover
Mon 22 Jun 2026
Tom Raine meets singer Sean Cooney as he writes a new set of songs about heroic dogs
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How Germany fails disabled people
Sun 21 Jun 2026
The German system makes it hard for disabled people work. How can it be more inclusive?
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Everest tourism's toll on Sherpas
Sat 20 Jun 2026
Why record numbers of climbers mean increased risk for mountain guides
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South Africa's migrant deadline
Sat 20 Jun 2026
As protests continue, migrants and South Africans share their experiences.
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War, God and the Islamic Republic
Fri 19 Jun 2026
How Iranians are turning away from state-imposed religion.
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Sheba: Just Like Us?
Wed 17 Jun 2026
Primate experimentation: we may have the need, but do we have the right?
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Lebanon's Abandoned Lives
Tue 16 Jun 2026
Lebanese families displaced by Israel-Hezbollah conflict describe daily uncertainty.
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World Cup poetry: Lines for the beautiful game
Mon 15 Jun 2026
Ian McMillan pens a poem to mark the World Cup played across America, Mexico and Canada
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Introducing: Business Daily: Who’s behind Sierra Leone’s illegal fishing problem?
Sun 14 Jun 2026
We try to ascertain who is behind it and what the country's government is doing to help
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Ground zero: reporting an epidemic
Sat 13 Jun 2026
How journalists tackle disinformation and fear at the site of major outbreaks of disease
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