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 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.
Episodes to download
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Returned to sender
Yesterday
The self-titled 'Message In a Bottle Hunter', who hunts for bottles on beaches all over
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Persian poetry and politics
Wednesday
How poetry is used by Persian-speaking leaders to build legitimacy
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South Africa and the fight against TB
Tuesday
Why South Africa's global impact in the fight against tuberculosis is under threat.
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Ismo Leikola
Monday
We follow the Finnish comedian Ismo Leikola as he performs in both English and Finnish.
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The power of nostalgia and a first kiss
Sunday
It turns out you can also feel nostalgic for things you weren’t around for
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Afghanistan's love poetry princess
Last Saturday
Rabia Balkhi is one of the most famous Afghan poets, but she also died for love
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Astronauts and the future of space exploration
Last Saturday
What is it like to live on the International Space Station?
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Kibera Ballerinas
New Year's Day 2026
Amid the pirouettes, Carolyne Kiambo discovers how ballet is helping young Kenyans
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Four Months in Gaza
Wed 31 Dec 2025
A raw and intimate perspective on the terror, anger, and hope of living through war.
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When Christian nationalists come to town
Tue 30 Dec 2025
People in Gainesboro, Tennessee have some new neighbours - and not everyone is happy.
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Haroon Mirza: Creating a sculpture with light, sound and video
Mon 29 Dec 2025
Artist Haroon Mirza creates a sculpture made light, sound and video
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BBC correspondents' look ahead to 2026
Sun 28 Dec 2025
BBC correspondents and editors share their insights for what mighlt lie ahead in 2026
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Not-so-golden weddings
Sat 27 Dec 2025
How record gold prices are taking the sparkle out of Indian weddings
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The lord and dance: Michael Flatley
Boxing Day 2025
Irish dancer Michael Flatley reveals the role of faith in his life
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The gift of science
Christmas Day 2025
This Boxing Day and holiday season, our present to you is the science of gifts
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Bonus: 2025 in conversations from The Interview
Christmas Eve 2025
A special episode for The Documentary featuring conversations from The Interview in 2025
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Argentina's elusive big cats
Tue 23 Dec 2025
After decades of extinction, wild jaguars are roaming once again in Northern Argentina.
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Michael Symmons Roberts' Christmas card poem
Mon 22 Dec 2025
Michael Symmons Roberts writes a poem to put inside a Christmas card
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United in space: How we built the ISS
Sun 21 Dec 2025
How nations collaborated to create the International Space Station
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Living in fear on South Africa's farms
Sat 20 Dec 2025
Farmers in South Africa fear theft and violence, but why do these crimes happen?
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Jewish Australians on the Bondi Beach attacks
Sat 20 Dec 2025
Jewish people in Australia and around the world talk about antisemitism
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Prayers through the checkpoints
Fri 19 Dec 2025
We hear from Palestinians striving to reach places of worship amid increased security
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Elephant conservation in Botswana
Thu 18 Dec 2025
Botswana has more elephants than any other country but conservation is complex
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Introducing The Bomb: Kennedy and Khrushchev
Wed 17 Dec 2025
As the USA and Soviet Union race for supremacy, Premier Khrushchev sizes up JFK
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Stolen brides of Kazakhstan: The fightback
Tue 16 Dec 2025
Kazakhstan has passed a law forbidding forced marriage including the kidnap of women
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Jim Henson's Creature Shop: Back to Fraggle Rock
Mon 15 Dec 2025
The team at Jim Henson's Creature Shop prepare to take Fraggle Rock to the stage
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A makeover for Syria's interim leader?
Sat 13 Dec 2025
Ahmed al-Sharaa has embraced social media to project an apparently moderate image


























