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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Trending: Scammed by the fake Chinese police
Wed 3 Jul 2024
The con men who threaten to extradite their victims to China if they do not pay “bail”
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Assignment: Loving, living and dying together in the Netherlands
Mon 1 Jul 2024
The story of Jan and Els who opted for euthanasia, and died together in the Netherlands
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In the Studio: Baek Mi-kyoung
Mon 1 Jul 2024
Baek Mi-kyoung on creating the sequel to the hugely popular Strong Girl Bong-soon
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Bonus: What in the World - Why are so many young people leaving Nigeria?
Sun 30 Jun 2024
Japa, the Yoruba word for escape, has become shorthand for moving abroad.
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The Fifth Floor: India's deadliest scam
Sat 29 Jun 2024
Instant loan apps promise easy money. But what's the catch?
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BBC OS Conversations: Hajj pilgrims
Sat 29 Jun 2024
Three Muslims from the US, Kenya and Saudi Arabia share their pilgrimage experiences
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Saint Sara: Patron saint of the Romani people
Fri 28 Jun 2024
Artúr Čonka joins the pilgrimage for Sara-La-Kali, patron saint of the Romani people
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The West Indies’ first black captain: Sir Frank Worrell
Thu 27 Jun 2024
How Frank Worrell became the first Black captain of the West Indies cricket team
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Trending: The American pushing Russian disinformation
Wed 26 Jun 2024
An American ex-cop living in Moscow is pumping out messages targeting American voters
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Assignment: Germany’s AI detectives
Tue 25 Jun 2024
How German podcasters tracked down a terrorist suspect with an AI facial recognition tool
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In the Studio: Hanna Harris
Mon 24 Jun 2024
How Helsinki’s design boss creates a vibrant environment for a diversifying city
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The Global Jigsaw: The evolution of the Islamic State Group
Sun 23 Jun 2024
After a lull in activities, in 2024 IS claimed to be behind several major attacks
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Alvin Hall's other America
Sun 23 Jun 2024
In his hometown Alvin Hall considers America’s past and its divided present
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The Fifth Floor: Is Islamic State still a threat?
Sat 22 Jun 2024
Jihadist media specialist Mina Al-Lami analyses IS' most recent activities
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BBC OS Conversations: National service
Sat 22 Jun 2024
We bring together people with different experiences of national service
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The Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast 2024
Fri 21 Jun 2024
Music and messages for the isolated staff at British research stations in the Antarctic
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Ukraine to Korea
Thu 20 Jun 2024
Ethnically-Korean Ukrainian refugees returning to Korea are receiving a mixed welcome
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Trending: Colombia’s guerrilla recruitment video problem
Wed 19 Jun 2024
Fighters from dissident armed groups in Colombia are using TikTok to recruit youngsters.
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Assignment: Decolonising Russia
Tue 18 Jun 2024
Is Russia Europe's last colonial power? What would "decolonising" Russia mean?
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In the Studio: Nazanin Moradi
Mon 17 Jun 2024
Artist Nazanin Moradi challenges male dominance through ancient Mesopotamian myths
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Three Million: 6. Silk scarves
Sun 16 Jun 2024
How the legacy of the Bengal Famine of 1943 lives on in Britain today
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The Fifth Floor: My AI boyfriend
Sat 15 Jun 2024
Would you turn to AI to create your perfect partner?
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BBC OS Conversations: Far-right voters in Europe
Sat 15 Jun 2024
Far-right voters in Europe share what's informing their views
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Losing Attar
Fri 14 Jun 2024
Jigyasa Mishra meets farmers and perfumers trying to keep a dying scent alive in Kannauj
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Heart and Soul: Last Christians of Gaza
Fri 14 Jun 2024
A story of hope and faith from Gaza’s only Roman Catholic church
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Trending: The Kenyan influencer championing climate denial
Wed 12 Jun 2024
How Kenyan farmer Jusper Machogu became the flag bearer for fossil fuels in Africa
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Assignment: Ireland’s phone-free town
Tue 11 Jun 2024
The town where primary schools asked parents not to buy smartphones for their children
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In the Studio: Senua's Saga - Hellblade II
Mon 10 Jun 2024
We follow the sequel to the award-winning Hellblade video game
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Greening the Hajj
Sun 9 Jun 2024
What can Muslims do to reduce the enormous carbon footprint of the pilgrimage to Mecca?
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The forgotten people of the Ravi River
Sun 9 Jun 2024
We meet the people in western India cut off from the mainland by a bridgeless river
