The Documentary Podcast Podcast
A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and telling true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism and global issues.
A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues.
From Trump’s new world order, to protests in Turkey, to the headphone revolution, The Documentary investigates major global stories.
We delve into social media, take you into the minds of the world’s most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. Every week, we also bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives.
A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations, The Fifth Floor and Trending.
Episodes to download
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Auntie Flo: Making plants dance
Today
Musician and DJ Brian D’Souza, aka Auntie Flo, makes music from the sounds of nature
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Why does Moldova matter to Putin?
Saturday
Is Russia trying to influence the results of the upcoming elections in Moldova?
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The future of the Alawites
Friday
Emily Wither meets Syrian Alawites that have fled to Lebanon to escape sectarian violence
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The Global Jigsaw: Netanyahu’s media squeeze
Thursday
The Israeli government’s push to transform the media landscape
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Russian informers: Hunting the enemy within
Wednesday
How a victim of Russia’s super informer exposed their persecutor’s real identity.
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Assignment: What future for Assad’s army?
Last Tuesday
When President Assad fell, half a million servicemen were sacked but not all are guilty
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In the Studio: Designing Conclave
Last Monday
Production designer Suzie Davies reveals the secrets behind Conclave
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The three babies mystery
Last Sunday
The search for the parents of three babies abandoned in shopping bags in east London, UK
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BBC OS Conversations: Israelis discuss the war in Gaza
Sat 31 May 2025
Israelis for and against their country’s military action explain their views
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Heart and Soul: Portugal's Surf Church
Fri 30 May 2025
In Porto, the Surf Church is combining people's passion for surfing and spirituality
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The riddle of Iranian cinema
Thu 29 May 2025
Award-winning film-maker Maryam Keshavarz unravels the defiant world of Iranian cinema
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BBC Trending: Print and shoot - The spread of 3D-printed guns
Wed 28 May 2025
How the technology to print your own lethal weapon is promoted on social media
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Assignment: Spain - can an algorithm predict murder?
Tue 27 May 2025
How a risk assessment tool is used by police in Spain to predict gender-based violence
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In the Studio: Mika Obanda
Mon 26 May 2025
Using egg shell mosaics to tell the story of their life and their community
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America: The human plasma factory
Sun 25 May 2025
Kathleen McLaughlin investigates the multi-billion dollar global plasma industry
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The Fifth Floor: The reality of reporting in Syria
Sat 24 May 2025
How the press functioned in Syria under Assad
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BBC OS Conversations: Living with prostate cancer
Sat 24 May 2025
Men in the US and UK discuss their diagnosis, treatment, fears and hopes for the future.
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Heart and Soul: Musambwa - Lake Victoria's sacred island
Fri 23 May 2025
The men of Musambwa Island and their sacred relationship with nature
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People Fixing the World: Helping Chile's stolen children
Thu 22 May 2025
How a small NGO is helping people in Chile to trace their birth families
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BBC Trending: Brazilian farmers are (very) online
Wed 21 May 2025
Rural pride goes viral in Brazil, but is it masking deeper environmental issues?
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Assignment: Colombia's webcam women
Tue 20 May 2025
Half a million women in Colombia are believed to be creating adult webcam content
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Trailer: Bill Walton’s The Grateful Team
Mon 19 May 2025
Basketball, the Cold War, and rock band The Grateful Dead collide in this true story
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In the Studio: Esben Holmboe Bang
Mon 19 May 2025
Youngest ever three star Michelin chef on creating the perfect pea dish
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The Global Jigsaw: The Trump effect on global media
Sun 18 May 2025
Exploring the changes to media around the world caused by cuts to USAGM and USAID
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The Fifth Floor: Ukraine, the war and TikTok
Sat 17 May 2025
How the war in Ukraine is portrayed on social media
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BBC OS Conversations: Living in Kashmir
Sat 17 May 2025
What is it like to live in one of the most disputed regions on Earth?
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Heart and Soul: Malcolm X and his Letter from the Hajj
Fri 16 May 2025
Malcolm X’s Hajj was one of many transformations as his daughter Ilyasah discovers
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Autism, empathy and psychopaths
Thu 15 May 2025
Why society must rethink the damaging stereotypes about autistic people and low empathy.
