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The Documentary Podcast

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.

Episodes

Walking serves as a powerful, accessible tool for improving physical health and fostering community connection. Cardiologist David Sabgir launched the "Walk With A Doc" initiative to combat sedentary lifestyles, replacing sterile clinical settings with informal park walks that empower patients and strengthen physician-...

Nepal: In the shadow of a glacier

29 Sep 2026

28m

Can Route 66 towns survive on nostalgia?

28 Sep 2026

19m

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Route 66, the historic 2,500-mile highway connecting Chicago to Santa Monica, faces a critical juncture as it marks its centennial. While the 1980s interstate network marginalized many roadside towns, current preservation efforts and heritage tourism are revitalizing local economies. Business owners like Roman Rich Din...

Mapping India: The world's largest count

27 Sep 2026

49m

Women in South Africa: 'We just want to be safe'

26 Sep 2026

23m

Mountain spirits of Spiti

25 Sep 2026

26m

A women's revolt in Germany

24 Sep 2026

26m

Bringing Kashmir’s lakes back to life

23 Sep 2026

22m

Has Poland fallen out of love with Ukraine?

22 Sep 2026

31m

Where is Austin Tice? 1. 'We believe he’s alive'

21 Sep 2026

32m

From Mao and Nixon to Xi and Trump: A history of China-US trade

21 Sep 2026

18m

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The economic relationship between the United States and China has evolved from 18th-century trade in tea and silk to a complex, modern interdependence defined by manufacturing shifts and geopolitical tension. Chad P. Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute, traces this trajectory, highlighting the 2001 WTO acce...

The dictators' survival guide

20 Sep 2026

26m

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The sudden disappearance of China's military chief, Zhang Youxia, signals a dramatic shift in the internal power dynamics of the Chinese Communist Party. While official explanations remain opaque, the purge reflects Xi Jinping’s consolidation of authority and an aggressive anti-corruption campaign that now prioritizes ...