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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Harry Haft's unspeakable fight
Today
A father's story of survival from Nazi death matches to US boxing rings
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Follow the money: The beef with US beef
Yesterday
Why have US beef prices risen around 13% over the past year?
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Moscow’s enemy number one
Wednesday
“Perfidious Albion” - how Britain replaced the US as Russia’s top nemesis
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Euthanasia in Spain: Whose life is it anyway?
Tuesday
The fall-out from the death by euthanasia of Noelia Castillo in Spain earlier this year
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The Chinese fentanyl king
Monday
Zhang Zhidong has been labelled one of the world's most significant drug traffickers
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Jordanian director Zain Duraie
Sunday
Zain Duraie talks about her debut film Sink, an intense family drama about mental health
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Why Taiwan and Malaysia's luxury fruit growers have a complex relationship with China
Last Saturday
Why Taiwan and Malaysia's luxury fruit growers have a complex relationship with China
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Chasing the Wimbledon dream
Last Saturday
Tennis pros in the lower rankings share their stories of sacrifice
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Diving for Yuko
Last Friday
Yasuo Takamatsu has spent nearly 15 years diving for the remains of his wife, Yuko
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Secrets of the ant trade
Last Thursday
The multi-million dollar ant trade and the enthusiasts working to stop illegal smuggling
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China’s collapsing population
Tue 7 Jul 2026
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
Mon 6 Jul 2026
Karin Slaughter on how she keeps readers awake at night
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A history of the United States in 100 objects: 1: The Century Safe
Sun 5 Jul 2026
In 1876, Americans filled an iron safe with objects meant to tell their story
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Balochistan's disappeared
Sat 4 Jul 2026
A leading campaigner for Balochistan's disappeared has been imprisoned
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The Venezuelan Earthquakes
Sat 4 Jul 2026
Survivors share their experiences from Caracas and the port of La Guaira.
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Cast out: Faith of a gay Nigerian priest
Fri 3 Jul 2026
A Nigerian Anglican priest shares how he was cast out after his sexuality became known
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The social lives of bacteria
Thu 2 Jul 2026
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?
Wed 1 Jul 2026
Can a viral video help an actor save her family's restaurant?
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Switzerland's population cap referendum
Tue 30 Jun 2026
Switzerland recently voted on capping the country’s population to limit migration
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The poetry of Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh
Mon 29 Jun 2026
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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