Rephonic
Artwork for The Documentary Podcast

The Documentary Podcast

BBC World Service
Ukraine
Climate Change
Greenland
Russia
China
Iran
Faith
Donald Trump
Music
Denmark
Israel
Mental Health
Christianity
Somali Community
Avalanches
Addiction
Super Bowl
Kenya
Forgiveness
Islamic State

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 conflict in the Middle East to the advance of AI, 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 j... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes2000Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Documentary Podcast

Latest Episodes

David Eubank calls himself a missionary soldier. A former US Special Forces soldier, he is now an ordained Christian Reverend and founder of the Free Burma Rangers, a humanitarian group working in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones. He... more

On the edge of a failing South African city, a disused power station hums once again - this time with beats, voices, and possibility. Makhanda is a divided place and, for the majority, opportunities are scarce and challenges are constant: poverty is ... more

Beyonce started out as a little girl competing in local talent shows, but over the course of a 30-year career in music she transformed herself into a mogul worth $1 billion. Journalist Zing Tsjeng and BBC business editor Simon Jack trace Beyonce’s ea... more

In Italy, Georgia Meloni’s coalition government gained power on an anti-immigration political platform. But faced with low birth-rates and a dwindling workforce, the prime minister has had to be pragmatic. Over the next two years, hundreds of thousan... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Inquiry
The InquiryBBC World Service
Lives Less Ordinary
Lives Less OrdinaryBBC World Service
The Interview
The InterviewBBC World Service
Global News Podcast
Global News PodcastBBC World Service

Recent Guests

Aleks Castilea
El Temach's sister
Family of El Temach
Episode: Manosphere messiahs: Mexico
Dr. Ali Seles
Researcher specialising in masculinity and gender at UNAM
National Autonomous University of Mexico
Episode: Manosphere messiahs: Mexico
Winneke Vullings
Consul General for the Netherlands in São Paulo
Netherlands Government
Episode: São Paulo's carnival competition
Emmanuel Momo
Pastor, central figure in declaring the diamond find and distributing proceeds
Church leadership in Coyado/Koryardu, Sierra Leone
Episode: Sierra Leone: The diamond that saved a thousand lives
Comber John Bull
Digger who found the diamond and later pursued opportunities abroad
Former mining team member, Sierra Leone
Episode: Sierra Leone: The diamond that saved a thousand lives
Martin Rappaport
Philanthropist, chairman of the Rappaport Diamond Group, advocate for transparency
Rappaport Diamond Group
Episode: Sierra Leone: The diamond that saved a thousand lives
Fortunato Foti
King of fireworks, head designer and creator of the Sydney New Year's Eve show
Foti International Fireworks
Episode: Sydney fireworks, the return
John Omar
Musical composer for the 2025 fireworks show
Calling Country Fireworks / Midnight
Episode: Sydney fireworks, the return
Ziggy Ziegler
Lighting director for the show
Vandal (lighting and visuals)
Episode: Sydney fireworks, the return

Host

Multiple BBC World Service Hosts
Hosts and correspondents from the BBC World Service presenting documentary-style investigations and interviews across global affairs, culture, science, and society.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 7.4k ratings
  • Classic British propaganda.

    Always well produced but sadly subtle petite bourgeois pro western propaganda that the British craft so well.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Thanos in Soho
    United States11 days ago
  • Return to Khartoum

    This was such a different take than the usual western media portrayal of Sudan. The amazing strength and determination of the people shone in this excellent documentary.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MagpieMedia
    Australia23 days ago
  • When it hits, it hits hard

    The variety in this podcast makes it hit and miss by its nature. The hits are truly great - "Last Dancefloor in Chernobyl" will forever haunt me.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Kate HSEQ
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Epstein apologists?

    Really?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Groomieswkris
    United Statesa month ago
  • Lovely documentary about the people power revolution in the Philippines, led by nuns!

    This was super encouraging to listen to. In the volatile politics and destruction of international order we are living through, we all need realistic, optimism, and stories that inspire. Our brains are Velcro a negative and Teflon positive. We need to meditate on beautiful things to thrive and bless those around us. This episode on people power is a keeper.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marknph
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

A few episodes are praised for depth and global perspective, while some listeners feel coverage can be biased or polemical on controversial topics.
Listeners appreciate the thorough investigations and human-interest angles that connect global events to personal stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Introducing: CrowdScience - What keeps the universe in balance?
Q: My question was, if stars consume hydrogen and produce helium, should there not be something out there producing hydrogen, therefore creating a cycle of balance?
Experts clarify that while hydrogen is created in the early universe and heavier elements are forged in stars, there is no known process that reverses fusion on a universal scale to continually replenish hydrogen; the universe operates more like a one-way chemical evolution rather than a perfect recycling system.
Introducing: Not By The Playbook - Why it is never too late
Q: In 2022, Lester Wright broke the record for the fastest time anyone over the age of 100 has run the 100 meters. What was that record time?
Lester Wright, aged 100, ran the 100 meters in 26 seconds.
Meet the preppers
Q: How long could you sustain yourself with your own supplies?
One speaker mentions a five-year supply in their home, with additional storage at an off-grid location, illustrating the scale some preppers aim for while others stay focused on shorter, incremental readiness.
Meet the preppers
Q: What kind of emergencies do you prepare for the most?
The guests describe a spectrum from minor inconveniences like a flat tire to major disruptions such as power outages, pandemics, and potential nuclear threats, emphasizing practical, probable scenarios and long-term resilience.
Surviving my daughter's killing
Q: Tell me about the restorative justice process and what it was like for your family.
We chose to participate in a restorative circle to speak about Ann's life, understand the impact of her death, and collaboratively determine a path that could bring accountability and healing, not just punishment.

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?

A BBC World Service documentary program that brings firsthand voices and expert context to complex global stories. Recent episodes spotlight online movements and their real-life consequences, large-scale cultural events, and long-form investigations into geopolitics, science, and humanitarian issues. The show frequently blends on-the-ground reporting with interviews from researchers, policymakers, activists, and creatives, offering nuanced perspectives that connect personal experiences to broader social and political dynamics. Notable strengths include in-depth storytelling, diverse guest rosters, and a willingness to tackle ethically fraught topics with careful observation. Potential listeners who enjoy rigorous, global storytelling and co... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Documentary Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Documentary Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Documentary Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Documentary Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Documentary Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Documentary Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Documentary Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Documentary Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Documentary Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Documentary Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Documentary Podcast:

1. The Inquiry
2. Lives Less Ordinary
3. The Interview
4. Global News Podcast
5. The Audio Long Read

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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Documentary Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Documentary Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Documentary Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Documentary Podcast?

Recent guests on The Documentary Podcast include:

1. Aleks Castilea
2. Dr. Ali Seles
3. Winneke Vullings
4. Emmanuel Momo
5. Comber John Bull
6. Martin Rappaport
7. Fortunato Foti
8. John Omar

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days