The Documentary Podcast podcast

The Documentary Podcast

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 China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, to the frontline of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines. Every week, we take you into the minds of the world's most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. And we 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 and The Fifth Floor.

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 China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, to the frontline of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines. Every week, we take you into the minds of the world's most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. And we 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 and The Fifth Floor.

 

#2000

Returned to sender

Clint Buffington is a hunter. He hauls his trophies back to his lab, covers himself in PPE... more

13 hrs Ago

26 MINS

26:29

13 hrs Ago


#1999

World Questions - Greenland

In a programme which first aired in November 2025, Jonny Dymond chairs a debate about the ... more

20 hrs Ago

49 MINS

49:23

20 hrs Ago


#1998

Persian poetry and politics

How poetry is used by Persian-speaking leaders to build legitimacy and shape the political... more

Yesterday

36 MINS

36:39

Yesterday


#1997

South Africa and the fight against TB

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, TB is humanity’s oldest contagious diseas... more

06 Jan 2026

33 MINS

33:31

06 Jan 2026


#1996

Ismo Leikola

We follow the Finnish comedian Ismo Leikola—known simply as Ismo—as he performs in both En... more

05 Jan 2026

26 MINS

26:29

05 Jan 2026


#1995

The power of nostalgia and a first kiss

Nostalgia. That sentimental feeling of the past. Memory is a powerful thing and we tend to... more

04 Jan 2026

23 MINS

23:11

04 Jan 2026


#1994

Afghanistan's love poetry princess

Poetry about love between a man and a woman was banned by the Taliban in September 2025. F... more

03 Jan 2026

26 MINS

26:28

03 Jan 2026


#1993

Astronauts and the future of space exploration

The first crew arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) 25 years ago. Since then, ... more

03 Jan 2026

24 MINS

24:07

03 Jan 2026


#1992

Two families from Sarajevo

Born into a Bosnian Muslim family, Salih Hardaga grew up knowing that his family had done ... more

02 Jan 2026

26 MINS

26:29

02 Jan 2026


#1991

Kibera Ballerinas

Ballet, a centuries-old form of European dance, is flourishing in one of Africa’s largest ... more

01 Jan 2026

26 MINS

26:29

01 Jan 2026


#1990

Four Months in Gaza

A raw and intimate perspective on the terror, anger, and hope of living through war. As bo... more

31 Dec 2025

26 MINS

26:41

31 Dec 2025


#1989

When Christian nationalists come to town

People in Gainesboro, Tennessee, have some new neighbours. A conservative developer has bo... more

30 Dec 2025

26 MINS

26:46

30 Dec 2025


#1988

Haroon Mirza: Creating a sculpture with light, sound and video

Following his time at Cern, Haroon Mirza has been creating a major installation based on h... more

29 Dec 2025

26 MINS

26:28

29 Dec 2025


#1987

BBC correspondents' look ahead to 2026

James Coomarasamy speaks to BBC correspondents around the world about the people and place... more

28 Dec 2025

49 MINS

49:28

28 Dec 2025


#1986

Not-so-golden weddings

Gold prices have reached record highs this year, resulting in changes in buying habits, in... more

27 Dec 2025

26 MINS

26:28

27 Dec 2025


#1985

Why I chose to adopt

Actress Jennifer Aniston sparked controversy recently when she said that, despite years of... more

27 Dec 2025

22 MINS

22:59

27 Dec 2025


#1984

The lord and dance: Michael Flatley

Michael Flatley is the most famous Irish dancer in the world, rising to stardom for his le... more

26 Dec 2025

26 MINS

26:28

26 Dec 2025


#1983

The gift of science

Our present to you is the science of gifts. First, we investigate the health benefits of d... more

25 Dec 2025

49 MINS

49:30

25 Dec 2025


#1982

Bonus: 2025 in conversations from The Interview

2025 on The Interview In 2025, the BBC launched The Interview, bringing you the best conve... more

24 Dec 2025

26 MINS

26:59

24 Dec 2025


#1981

Argentina's elusive big cats

After decades of extinction, wild jaguars are once again roaming in Northern Argentina. It... more

23 Dec 2025

26 MINS

26:44

23 Dec 2025