The Documentary Podcast podcast

The Documentary Podcast

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 China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, 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.

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 China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, 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.

 

#2000

Inheritance Samsung: 1. My kingdom for a horse

In 2017, the heir to South Korea’s biggest company is facing jail, leaving it with an unce... more

16 hrs Ago

25 MINS

25:18

16 hrs Ago


#1999

India’s Shadow Children

Stephanie was brought up in France in a French family, but her birth parents are Indian – ... more

Yesterday

27 MINS

27:19

Yesterday


#1998

Kubra Khademi: Art of strength and survival

On a busy street in Kabul, a young artist steps into traffic wearing a steel sculpture she... more

30 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:29

30 Mar 2026


#1997

Elana Meyers Taylor: A 20-year journey to gold

Elana Meyers Taylor became the oldest-ever winner of an individual Winter Olympic gold med... more

29 Mar 2026

21 MINS

21:49

29 Mar 2026


#1996

80 years of the BBC Russian Service

The BBC's Russian service marks its eightieth anniversary this week.  In eight decades, it... more

28 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:29

28 Mar 2026


#1995

Bombings in Lebanon

Lebanon’s citizens are again caught under fire. As many as a million people are displaced ... more

28 Mar 2026

23 MINS

23:13

28 Mar 2026


#1994

Deaf Umrah

Islamic religious practice is deeply entwined with sound, from the call to prayer to memor... more

27 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:28

27 Mar 2026


#1993

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's longest~serving PM

Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s longest serving prime minister. He was born in Tel Aviv in ... more

26 Mar 2026

32 MINS

32:48

26 Mar 2026


#1992

Madagascar: From famine to hope

Lying off the south-eastern coast of Africa, Madagascar has been pushed into crisis by a d... more

25 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:17

25 Mar 2026


#1991

Billion dollar babies

Eels are a popular food in parts of Asia, but they can’t be commercially bred in captivity... more

24 Mar 2026

51 MINS

51:58

24 Mar 2026


#1990

The Romeros: Developing digital games

Brenda and John Romero are towering figures in modern game development, creators whose wor... more

23 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:50

23 Mar 2026


#1989

Is the revolution in Cuba over?

Cuba is facing one of its most severe humanitarian crises in decades. For years, Cuba reli... more

22 Mar 2026

24 MINS

24:05

22 Mar 2026


#1988

Nepal - “Shot like enemies”

Nepal has just held a historic election — one that has toppled the old political guard and... more

22 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:38

22 Mar 2026


#1987

Bangladeshi newspapers attacked by mob

On 18th December 2025, the offices of two of Bangladesh's biggest newspapers, The Daily St... more

21 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:28

21 Mar 2026


#1986

Navigating the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by Iran for more than a fortnight, preven... more

21 Mar 2026

23 MINS

23:35

21 Mar 2026


#1985

Can yoga be Christian?

Yoga is an ancient practice with its roots in Hinduism. It originated over 5,000 years ago... more

20 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:29

20 Mar 2026


#1984

Iran's media at war

The war in Iran through the eyes of the Islamic Republic, and how Tehran’s restrictions on... more

19 Mar 2026

36 MINS

36:09

19 Mar 2026


#1983

Hope and fear: India's space revolution

India is revolutionising its approach to space exploration. Science journalist Alok Jha fo... more

18 Mar 2026

49 MINS

49:28

18 Mar 2026


#1982

How to spend billions – fast: Carney’s Defence Deadline

The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has given his generals and admirals an unusual c... more

17 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:48

17 Mar 2026


#1981

Mariam Issoufou: Designing a museum

Architect Mariam Issoufou has always been very ambivalent about museums: "Who decided that... more

16 Mar 2026

26 MINS

26:30

16 Mar 2026