Podcast · 508 episodes
The Documentary Podcast, page 8
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 8
Russia's 'nyet' to the internetRussia’s tightening “digital borders” and internet shutdowns, including blocks on Telegram and widespread domain restrictions, framed as a “digital iron curtain.” The episode argues the Kremlin’s…7 May 2026 · 36 min · 13 chapters
13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II: What’s next for Nasa's Artemis mission?Post-mission discussion of Artemis II and what comes next—crew experiences, technical highlights and issues (toilet vent clog, urine vent freezing), and NASA’s revised roadmap.6 May 2026 · 42 min · 21 chapters
Artist Joan EardleyThe BBC World Service documentary “In the Studio” profiles Scottish artist Joan Eardley (1940s–early 1960s), focusing on her nature painting process—portraits of children, wild land, and seascapes…5 May 2026 · 27 min · 15 chapters
Serbia: Under The CanopyBBC World Service documentary on the 1 Nov 2024 Novi Sad station canopy collapse in Serbia, and how the 16 deaths sparked a year of student-led protests, political repression claims, and ongoing…5 May 2026 · 24 min · 9 chapters
For the love of dogsBBC Africa Eye investigation into Instagram/TikTok fundraising scams in Uganda that use staged or deliberately inflicted dog injuries to extract money from foreign donors, especially animal lovers.3 May 2026 · 27 min · 17 chapters
Mapping Epstein's global connectionsThe BBC World Service “The Fifth Floor” episode examines Jeffrey Epstein’s released files (3.5 million documents) to map his international connections, focusing on how people in the Middle East/Arab…2 May 2026 · 26 min · 7 chapters
My social life as a wheelchair userSocialising, clubbing, dating, and accessibility challenges for wheelchair users; how “accessible” venues still fail in practice across the UK, Kenya, South Africa, and the US.2 May 2026 · 24 min · 13 chapters
A church without wallsA BBC World Service Heart and Soul documentary about Jane Codrington’s break from institutional religion and the creation of “We Are Church,” a small, inclusive Christian community in Johannesburg…1 May 2026 · 26 min · 14 chapters
Atomic crossroads: Poland's nuclear futurePoland’s planned first nuclear power plant at Lubiatowo-Kopalino—its promised energy independence, local economic effects, and the anti-nuclear backlash tied to environmental loss and waste concerns.30 Apr 2026 · 27 min · 13 chapters
In Our Time: The Mariana TrenchThe Mariana Trench—how it formed (Pacific plate subducting beneath other plates), how it was discovered (HMS Challenger depth soundings in 1875 near the Mariana Islands), what it’s like to dive there…29 Apr 2026 · 49 min · 27 chapters
Driving Against Net ZeroZwickau, eastern Germany’s shift from petrol cars to electric vehicles (“net zero”) and how that transition is fueling political polarization, far-right gains, and anti-green backlash across Europe,…28 Apr 2026 · 27 min · 11 chapters
Neha Vyaso: Crafting consent in BollywoodNeha Vyasu, one of Bollywood’s first intimacy coordinators/directors, explains how consent is built for on-camera intimacy, including sex scenes and scenes involving sexual violence.27 Apr 2026 · 27 min · 15 chapters
Introducing: The Climate Question: China's green energy revolutionChina’s clean energy revolution versus continued coal expansion, asking whether the world’s biggest emitter can “change in time” to avoid worst climate impacts, and whether emissions are peaking.26 Apr 2026 · 27 min · 15 chapters
Inside the Mugabe dynastyThe episode is a BBC World Service documentary that links three stories about power, conflict, and public perception.25 Apr 2026 · 26 min · 16 chapters
Meet the preppersBBC World Service documentary “Meet the preppers” about why people prepare for emergencies amid fuel-price shocks, shortages, pandemics, natural disasters, cyber/nuclear threats, and climate change.25 Apr 2026 · 23 min · 18 chapters
Faith and revolution in the PhilippinesThe 1986 Philippines People Power Revolution (EDSA) and how Catholic faith motivated largely nonviolent resistance to Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s martial law, plus reflections on why later Marcos-era…24 Apr 2026 · 26 min · 14 chapters
Under the influence of AITwo people spiral into delusions while chatting with AI companions, believing the systems are becoming sentient, monitoring them, and even threatening them with real-world harm; the episode explores…23 Apr 2026 · 28 min · 13 chapters
Introducing Searching for Soldier DadA BBC World Service investigation, “Searching for Soldier Dad,” about Cathy’s nine-year quest to find her absentee father, and a wider scandal involving missing military fathers.22 Apr 2026 · 3 min · 3 chapters
In Iceland's DefenceIceland’s defence and security model—how a country with no standing army relies on NATO alliances and civilian services, and whether political shocks are pushing it toward more self-reliance.21 Apr 2026 · 27 min · 17 chapters
The last dance floor in ChernobylThe BBC Documentary Podcast “The Last Dance Floor in Chernobyl” follows Pripyat’s 1985 disco culture—especially Club Edison II—through the April 26, 1986 Chernobyl disaster, using a love story and…20 Apr 2026 · 59 min · 23 chapters
Patti LuPone: Taking the stage at Carnegie HallPatti LuPone prepares to perform her concert tour show Matters of the Heart at Carnegie Hall, explaining the venue’s history and acoustics, the production schedule, vocal technique, and her approach…19 Apr 2026 · 24 min · 12 chapters
Counting the soldiers dying for RussiaBBC World Service “The Fifth Floor” episode about counting Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine using open-source verification, and a separate segment on Aceh, Indonesia’s Sharia law and public caning.18 Apr 2026 · 26 min · 13 chapters
Experiences of miscarriageTwo couples discuss miscarriage experiences, emotional impact, relationship strain, and support (or lack of it), including workplace leave and stigma.18 Apr 2026 · 23 min · 15 chapters
Jamaica: Shaken, not brokenJamaica’s religious communities rebuild after Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm described as the strongest in modern history, which devastated churches and homes.17 Apr 2026 · 26 min · 14 chapters