The Documentary Podcast cover art
Podcast · 508 episodes

The Documentary Podcast, page 5

by BBC World Service · English

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.

All episodes, page 5

Was ‘Made in China’ made in America?The episode asks whether “Made in China” was enabled by U.S. policy, and how U.S.-China economic ties helped transform China from isolated, low-contact status into a manufacturing and tech rival.8 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
China’s collapsing populationChina’s collapsing birth rate and shrinking population, driven by the legacy of the one-child policy, high costs of living, and changing attitudes toward marriage and motherhood; consequences include…7 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
Karin Slaughter: thriller penned in mountain cabinKaren Slaughter discusses her writing process for crime thrillers, how she balances writing novels with being lead creative on the TV adaptation of The Good Daughter, and how she plans plot twists,…6 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 8 chapters
A history of the United States in 100 objects: 1: The Century SafeThe BBC/99% Invisible episode “The Century Safe” recounts the 1876 construction of a “Century Safe” time capsule for the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, its 1976 opening by…5 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 10 chapters
Balochistan's disappearedBBC World Service “The Fifth Floor” documentary about alleged enforced disappearances in Pakistan’s Balochistan, focusing on Dr.4 Jul 2026 · 27 min · 19 chapters
The Venezuelan EarthquakesThe episode “The Venezuelan Earthquakes” (BBC World Service) focuses on the June 24 twin earthquakes near Caracas and the immediate and continuing aftermath.4 Jul 2026 · 23 min · 9 chapters
Cast out: Faith of a gay Nigerian priestThis BBC World Service documentary episode profiles Apia, a gay Nigerian former Anglican cleric.3 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 10 chapters
The social lives of bacteriaHow bacteria—despite being single-celled—communicate, cooperate, compete, and sometimes sacrifice themselves, using behaviors like quorum sensing, biofilms, warfare, and dormancy; and how these…2 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 14 chapters
The Food Chain: Can I save the family restaurant?A BBC World Service documentary following whether a failing, owner-run family restaurant can be saved through viral social media and restaurant “turnaround” fundamentals (digitisation, pricing, menu…1 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 12 chapters
Switzerland's population cap referendumSwitzerland’s June referendum on a “world first” population cap limiting the country to 10 million people, framed as a response to immigration, housing, healthcare costs, and fears about Swiss…30 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
The poetry of Ailbhe Ní GhearbhuighIrish-language poet Alva Ní Ghearbhuigh drafts, translates, and publicly debuts a new triptych poem inspired by her nine-year-old daughter’s Greek-mythology obsession (Persephone, Helen/Paris).29 Jun 2026 · 26 min · 11 chapters
How did we get here? 1. Israel and the PalestiniansHow the Bible, archaeology, and key historical events shaped competing claims to the land of Israel/Palestine, setting context for the modern Israel–Palestine conflict.28 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Witnessing the 'Hand of God'The episode is a BBC World Service “The Fifth Floor” documentary that links two stories: the 1986 World Cup “Hand of God” goal by Diego Maradona, and recent protests in Afghanistan’s Herat against…27 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
What is it like to have a lung transplant?The episode explains what lung transplantation is like, combining two patient stories with doctors’ perspectives on the transplant process and donor shortages.27 Jun 2026 · 23 min · 9 chapters
Musician on a mission to keep bhajans aliveThis BBC World Service “Heart and Soul” episode explores how bhajan jams (devotional Hindu songs performed with modern “jam”/club-style production) are going global and why two young musicians want…26 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 15 chapters
Agony and ecstasy: A history of penalty shootoutsA BBC World Service documentary on the history and psychology of penalty shootouts, from early “lots”/coin tosses to modern FIFA adoption, and why penalties create extreme anxiety and drama.25 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Brexit Ten Years On (part 2)Consequences of Brexit 10 years on, focusing on regulatory divergence, science and education, fishing and farming, and the EU’s perspective on the UK relationship.24 Jun 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 34 chapters
Brexit Ten Years On (part 1)This BBC World Service documentary marks 10 years since the 2016 Brexit referendum, focusing on economic and political consequences, with a recurring theme that Brexit is hard to isolate from other…23 Jun 2026 · 1 h 5 min · 29 chapters
Sean Cooney, singer and dog loverBBC World Service “In the Studio” follows English folk musician Sean Cooney as he researches and writes songs about dogs throughout history, inspired by his wife Emily’s retired guide dog Nessie.22 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
The Antarctic Midwinter BroadcastThe BBC World Service “Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast” is an annual midwinter greetings documentary for British Antarctic Survey staff overwintering in Antarctica (and nearby South Georgia/Bird…21 Jun 2026 · 39 min · 15 chapters
How Germany fails disabled peopleBBC Assignment investigates why Germany excludes many disabled people from work, focusing on the sheltered workshop system (Werkstatt für behinderte Menschen), its low pay/quasi-employee status, and…21 Jun 2026 · 29 min · 12 chapters
Everest tourism's toll on SherpasThe documentary examines how Everest tourism harms Sherpa workers, focusing on the June disappearance and survival of Hilary Dawah Sherpa, and broader industry failures (late rescue, weak regulation,…20 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 12 chapters
South Africa's migrant deadlineThe BBC World Service documentary “South Africa’s migrant deadline” examines protests and pressure on undocumented migrants in South Africa, including a widely discussed 30 June deadline (not an…20 Jun 2026 · 24 min · 11 chapters
War, God and the Islamic RepublicBBC Heart and Soul documentary on how Iranians inside Iran cope spiritually amid war, repression, and state-imposed Islam under the Islamic Republic.19 Jun 2026 · 27 min · 8 chapters