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The Documentary Podcast

BBC World Service
China
Artificial Intelligence
United States
BBC World Service
Russia
Belarus
Ebola
Brexit
South Africa
Penalty Shootout
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Beyonce Knowles
Jamaican Revivalism
Sierra Leone
Preparedness
Jeffrey Epstein
Johannesburg, South Africa
Khartoum
Ireland

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 the global housing crisis to gerrymandering in US politics to the miracle doctor of Lourdes, we go beyond the headlines. Each week, all year round, we bring you the stories shaping our world. From the personal voices behi... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes2000Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Documentary Podcast

Latest Episodes

A major new international study predicts that the number of people diagnosed with dementia will more than double by 2050. Researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia, who led the study, predict that new cases worldwide will rise fro... more

As a young missionary priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli left his native Argentina to work in the Middle East. He went out of a passion for bringing Christ to the people wherever he was called. He became Gaza’s only Catholic parish priest at the Holy F... more

Navanetham 'Navi' Pillay has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026. The 85-year-old South African jurist and former UN Human Rights chief initially thought the news was a joke. Born in Durban, South Africa, to a Tamil family, her grandparents h... more

Russia's super-rich once ruled the country, holding deep influence over the country's politicians in the years immediately after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They then gradually saw their power decline under the rise of Vladimir Putin, but could... more

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Recent Guests

Bo King
Lawyer who represents prisoners on death row
Attorney
Episode: Final moments with death row inmates
Jeffrey Collins
Reporter for the Associated Press
Associated Press
Episode: Final moments with death row inmates
Captain Budu Koomson
Retired Ghanaian army officer who witnessed an execution
Former Ghanaian Army
Episode: Final moments with death row inmates
Tim Holton
Death row chaplain in Tennessee
Church/Chaplaincy
Episode: Final moments with death row inmates
Devin Moss
Humanist chaplain
Humanist Chaplaincy
Episode: Final moments with death row inmates
Father Dustin Feddon
Priest in Florida
Church
Episode: Final moments with death row inmates
Kioni Kai Kaholoa'a
Native Hawaiian park ranger at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, National Park Service
Episode: Living lands of Hawai'i
Dr. Garen Hamilton
Sleep disorders and respiratory physician, director of sleep medicine
Monash Health / Monash University
Episode: The dream academy
András Schiff
Renowned pianist and public figure who spoke out against racism and anti-Semitism in Hungary
Public figure (Musician)
Episode: Hungary after Orban

Host

BBC World Service Hosts
Diverse BBC World Service reporters and program hosts who contribute to the documentary and current affairs slate.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 7.4k ratings
  • Blah-blah

    Let’s talk about anything under the sun other than the fact of a genocide for which we manufactured consent.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    here-to-read
    South Africaa month ago
  • Terrific series, but COMMERCIALS!

    Love this series, but as a paying subscriber to BBC World Service, why am I hearing annoying commercials? Minus 4 stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Saurolophus
    United States2 months ago
  • Informative but sadly all the ads seem to be from ARAMCO (big oil) lately

    Great episodes about protecting wildlife, nature, etc. …sponsored by big oil and hacksawed journalists. #BRAVO !!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tolga M
    United States4 months ago
  • 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 States5 months 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
    Australia5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews critique perceived propaganda or imbalance in certain topics.
Mixed feedback about ads and perceived bias in some episodes.
Many highlight global relevance and diverse voices as strengths.
Listeners praise in-depth storytelling and credible sourcing.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The joy of walking
Q: What has been learned from the Hungarian Walk with a Doc branch about accessibility and language barriers?
We created a Hungarian registration form connected with the central organization and launched a Hungarian social media account to reach more people, addressing English-language resource barriers and enabling broader participation.
The joy of walking
Q: How did Walk with a Doc grow from a local initiative to an international movement?
It started with a physician inviting a patient and family for a walk, then expanded to many doctors volunteering and creating standardized support like insurance, web pages, and paperwork, which helped it scale to thousands of physicians and 735 chapters in 42 countries.
From Mao and Nixon to Xi and Trump: A history of China-US trade
Q: What is the rationale behind bringing China formally into the WTO, and does it create a framework that helps reform both economies?
Chad explains that bringing China into the WTO was seen as a way to channel reform through established rules, though there was ongoing debate about whether China would continue reforms inside or outside the system and how that would align with long-term strategic goals.
From Mao and Nixon to Xi and Trump: A history of China-US trade
Q: This week, then, your level of hope, Chad, for what actually can be achieved, I mean, is it good news, I suppose, at least that the two sides are at least meeting again?
Chad expresses guarded optimism about the high-level meeting but emphasizes that leverage is asymmetric at present, with China controlling essential inputs and the U.S. having limited bargaining power, suggesting only modest progress is likely on deeper issues.
Can we live without our phones?
Q: Alex, tell us your story and what addiction looked like for you.
Alex describes a long history with internet use beginning in 1998, escalating to near-constant online activity, impaired relationships, and a failed attempt at self-regulation until joining a recovery program that helped him reorient his life and connections.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Documentary Podcast

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

The episode catalog suggests a documentary-style program that covers global issues through on-the-ground reporting, expert interviews, and human-interest voices. Topics span global health, technology, climate, culture, and international affairs, with a strong emphasis on firsthand storytelling, corroborated context, and investigative framing. Standout elements include deep dives into underreported crises, ethical debates around technology and power, and rich narratives that connect policy to personal lives. The show appears to mix scholarly analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics approachable for curious, civically engaged listeners who value credible journalism and global perspectives.

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How many listeners does The Documentary Podcast get?

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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. The Audio Long Read
3. Global News Podcast
4. Witness History
5. The Global Story

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. Bo King
2. Jeffrey Collins
3. Captain Budu Koomson
4. Tim Holton
5. Devin Moss
6. Father Dustin Feddon
7. Kioni Kai Kaholoa'a
8. Dr. Garen Hamilton

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