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The Documentary Podcast

BBC World Service
China
Long COVID
Beauty Pageants
Brazil
Lightning Process
Esports
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Denmark
Miss Universe
Miss Great Britain
United States
Hong Kong
Myanmar
Mental Health
Neuroscience
Psychological Treatments
Counter-Strike
Education
Personal Development
Cybersecurity

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 mos... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes2000Founded21 years ago
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Society & CultureDocumentary

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Latest Episodes

The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has given his generals and admirals an unusual command: spend money. Lots of it. Quickly. For years, it was the other way around. Canada wore the uniform of a serious NATO ally – while undershooting the allia... more

Architect Mariam Issoufou has always been very ambivalent about museums: "Who decided that the only way to look at art is inside this intimidating, grand building, full of looted objects? For me, they are where history goes to die". So she was scepti... more

On Sunday, many of the film industry’s biggest stars will gather in Los Angeles for Hollywood’s biggest night: the 98th annual Academy Awards.

Looming over the celebrations are some major upheavals in Hollywood: big corporate mergers, the incursion ... more

Night trains are making a comeback, once again connecting Europe’s cities with the promise of green, serene and iconic journeys. Just a decade ago, it appeared to be the end of the line for the continent’s sleeper services. But revitalised routes, ne... more

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Jiyar Gol
BBC Persian correspondent
BBC
Episode: The women of IS: Part one
Mina Al-Lami
Jihadist media analyst
BBC/Global Jigsaw
Episode: The women of IS: Part one
Barry Marston
Correspondent from Jihadist media team
BBC Monitoring
Episode: The women of IS: Part one
Mohammed Al-Jumaily
Regional expert (Al-Hol)
Episode: The women of IS: Part one
Serhiy Laziuk
Major, Territorial Recruitment Centre officer
Ukrainian Army
Episode: Ukraine: The war behind the war
Wise Two
Kenyan graffiti artist known for intricate motifs combining masks, flowers, and geometric shapes
Wise Two Studio (artist)
Episode: Graffiti across continents
Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
BBC Ukrainian correspondent
BBC Ukrainian
Episode: Inside Russia’s ‘Youth Armies’
Tareena Shakil
Former British woman convicted of joining ISIS and later reflecting on her experiences
Islamic State (formerly)
Episode: Leaving Isis: Is redemption possible?
Jamie Grace
Music producer in Atlanta.
Independent music producer
Episode: Living with Tourette syndrome

Hosts

Most frequent BBC World Service documentary hosts
A core set of BBC World Service documentary hosts who anchor on-the-ground reporting, international analysis, and narrative storytelling across geopolitics, culture, and humanitarian topics.
Additional recurring hosts and contributors
Contributors and on-the-studio hosts who have appeared across episodes in varying capacities.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 7.3k ratings
  • Kentucky Radio

    Heartwarming interviews from the people who keep voting for McConnell and Trump, without an unkind word for the politicians who made their families sick.

    Isolation truly does enable exploitation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Terrilynr
    Canadaa month ago
  • Godawful voice acting

    The Greece NGO/trafficking trial doc has execrable voice acting overdubbing the Greeks. Hammed up screeching and caricature and nothing else.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    NickMcName82
    Ireland2 months ago
  • No Man’s Land

    What an imaginative question to ask and the research and time to research and find expertise on the content truly inspirational. Really enjoyed learning about theses unknown worlds.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    =====WWWW;
    Canada2 months ago
  • Ruined by loud advertisements

    Mostly good content albeit sometimes biased. The problem is that ads are so much louder than the actual broadcast. Really shouldn’t happen but very annoying.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bm4488
    Australia3 months ago
  • BBC?

    Would you seriously believe anything that the BBC informs you on???propaganda,disinformation and deception.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Downusa
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback is mixed, with strong appreciation for insightful reporting and some criticisms of balance.
Some reviews note ad volume and perceived bias; others call out bias or propaganda concerns.
Listeners praise in-depth interviews and global perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Leaving Isis: Is redemption possible?
Q: What finally prompted you to leave Raqqa and return to Britain, and what was that escape like?
After recognizing the danger and realizing the impact on my child, I sought help from Turkish soldiers and managed a difficult escape back to the UK, where authorities later investigated my actions.
Will Venezuela ditch Chavismo?
Q: Is there any chance of the political situation changing for Venezuelans inside the country?
It's uncertain; it depends on the Delcy Rodriguez government and the pressure from the United States.
Will Venezuela ditch Chavismo?
Q: Will there be change? Will it be a turnaround?
It's very hard to predict the situation in Venezuela, but there are several areas in which changes might occur.
Living with Tourette syndrome
Q: What kind of conversation do you have with yourselves if you know you're going into some kind of situation that might be tricky?
They discuss advocating for themselves and educating others about Tourette's to make social situations more comfortable.
Living with Tourette syndrome
Q: Jamie, do tell us a bit about your own life with Tourette's.
Jamie describes her life with manageable tics and the constant irritant they bring, emphasizing the importance of finding positives despite challenges.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Documentary Podcast

What is The Documentary Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program consistently covers global affairs through in-depth, documentary-style reporting and expert commentary. Recent samples span humanitarian crises (Al-Hol camp, displaced families, and rehabilitation debates), frontline war reporting (Ukraine mobilization, civilian impact), and cultural perspectives (diaspora life, graffiti as social commentary, and the interplay between art, faith, and identity). Noteworthy are on-the-ground voices from journalists and local insiders, plus guests who illuminate personal journeys within larger political or cultural narratives. The show often blends rigorous reporting with intimate storytelling, making complex global issues accessible to curious listeners while highlighting human resilience, ethica... more

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How many listeners does The Documentary Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Documentary Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Documentary Podcast:

1. Witness History
2. Global News Podcast
3. The Audio Long Read
4. Lives Less Ordinary
5. Discovery

How many episodes of The Documentary Podcast are there?

The Documentary Podcast launched 21 years ago and published 2000 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Documentary Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Documentary Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Documentary Podcast?

Recent guests on The Documentary Podcast include:

1. Jiyar Gol
2. Mina Al-Lami
3. Barry Marston
4. Mohammed Al-Jumaily
5. Serhiy Laziuk
6. Wise Two
7. Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
8. Tareena Shakil

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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