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Artwork for What in the World

What in the World

BBC World Service
Climate Change
Social Media
Iran
United States
China
Donald Trump
Gen Z
Ukraine
Mental Health
Israel
Taylor Swift
Tiktok
BBC World Service
Sudan
India
Google
COP 30
Gaza
Amazon Rainforest
Ultra-Processed Foods

Helping you make sense of what’s happening in your world. Big stories, small stories and everything in between. Understand more, feel better. Five days a week, Monday to Friday.

PublishesDailyEpisodes769Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryDaily News

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Artwork for What in the World

Latest Episodes

Are those wedding bells we’re hearing? If the rumours are true, pop star Taylor Swift could get married this Independence Day weekend to NFL star Travis Kelce…in Madison Square Garden arena in the middle of New York City. It’s one of the most anticip... more

Not to sound like a gym bro…but the science is clear: more of us should start lifting. Strength training is when you lift weights or use your own body weight to build muscle — and it’s not just about toning up or getting ripped. A new study found it ... more

YouTube

The 2026 Fifa Men's World Cup has the highest proportion ever of players representing countries they were not born in - almost a quarter of all the participating players. Several squads, including those from DR Congo, Morocco and Bosnia & Herzegovina... more

YouTube

When you think of fertility, you might automatically think of women’s fertility. But there are men online doing something called ‘fertilitymaxxing’ - it’s all about young men trying a bunch of unproven hacks in hopes of improving their sperm health. ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Shariya Wise
Former PMDD sufferer who discussed experiences
Episode: PMDD: How it's affecting women around the world
Muhammad Ading Zubaymed
Research scientist who created an early grief bot
Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington
Episode: Can AI griefbots help us cope with death?
Andy Langford
Bereavement counsellor
(cited as a counsellor in the episode)
Episode: Can AI griefbots help us cope with death?
Tamzin Kraftman
Tech journalist
BBC World Service
Episode: Can AI griefbots help us cope with death?
Georgia Poncia
Investigative reporter for BBC
BBC World Service
Episode: Why are smart glasses so controversial?
Laura Cress
Technology reporter for BBC
BBC World Service
Episode: Why are smart glasses so controversial?
Mel Ramsey
BBC horror reporter
BBC
Episode: Horror goes from YouTube...to Hollywood
Seohyun Kim
20-year-old university student in South Korea
Episode: Why is Starbucks Korea temporarily closing all of its stores?
Jake Kwon
BBC's sole correspondent covering Korea
BBC
Episode: Why is Starbucks Korea temporarily closing all of its stores?

Host

Hannah Gelbart
Host of What in the World, BBC World Service

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 425 ratings
  • Fantastic

    This podcast is super interesting! I do enjoy listening to it !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miglioremary83
    Italy10 months ago
  • .

    Good but they speak verry fast and I don’t understand the half.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Meeeee the best 😝
    Francea year ago
  • No depth

    So short. I don’t feel you answer many questions about the topic.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jake90985
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • How the search for Miss South Africa turned ugly

    Please report accurately on the eligibility of contestants

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mpho Tshukudu
    South Africa2 years ago
  • Amazing podcast on Korean Shamans!

    I thought Soo Min Kim provided a captivating exploration of the evolution of shamanism over time. It was interesting to see the historical shifts and understand how these traditions have adapted to modern society.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Benthomas315
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Episodes are often succinct and informative, with strong expert inputs.
Some listeners note the pace can feel fast and dense for new listeners.
Listeners praise the global perspective and breadth of topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#196
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#40
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#57
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#241
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#82
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#104
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why are smart glasses so controversial?
Q: What are the main privacy concerns people have about smart glasses?
The primary worries are that the glasses can record people without consent, potentially in sensitive or intimate moments, and that this can lead to harassment and public shaming. The responsibility to police and report such content often falls on the victims, complicating redress.
Why mangrove forests are healing after decades of human destruction
Q: Apart from protecting communities, why are mangroves so important?
They serve as major carbon sinks—storing and burying carbon in their roots—and act as nurseries for a wide range of marine life, supporting biodiversity and fisheries while safeguarding coastal ecosystems.
Why mangrove forests are healing after decades of human destruction
Q: Why have mangroves been cleared out for decades, and what has changed to allow them to recover?
Deforestation for shrimp farming, ports, and urban development cleared vast areas, but recent shifts in public opinion, protective laws in countries like Indonesia and Myanmar, and a move away from cutting mangroves have reduced losses and allowed regrowth to accelerate, especially when combined with improved satellite-based monitoring.
Why mangrove forests are healing after decades of human destruction
Q: When people think of forests, you tend to think of woodlands. How are mangroves unique and different to other types of forests?
Mangroves are anchored by a complex tangle of roots that trap sediment, support a distinctive canopy, and provide critical services like coastal protection, habitat for thousands of species, and substantial carbon storage, which sets them apart from inland forests.
PMDD: How it's affecting women around the world
Q: Why is getting a diagnosis so difficult, and what changes could improve this?
Diagnosis is hard due to lack of awareness among patients and clinicians, symptoms overlapping with other conditions, and the need for careful, multi-month cycle tracking rather than simple tests; improving education for GPs and routine cycle-based questioning could help.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Frequently Asked Questions About What in the World

What is What in the World about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show provides concise, globally minded analysis of major stories and trends across politics, tech, culture, health, and science, with a strong emphasis on how events unfold and affect everyday life. Episodes blend on-the-ground reporting, expert commentary, and audience perspective to unpack complex issues—from international diplomacy and market dynamics to digital privacy and social behavior. A notable strength is its ability to connect fast-moving developments to practical takeaways for travelers, professionals, and curious listeners, often featuring regional voices and data-driven context to illuminate both the big picture and quirky angles. The mix of accessible explanations, varied guest expertise, and timely topics makes it a go-t... more

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Which podcasts are similar to What in the World?

These podcasts share a similar audience with What in the World:

1. Learning English from the News
2. Business Daily
3. Global News Podcast
4. 6 Minute English
5. Learning English For Work

How many episodes of What in the World are there?

What in the World launched 3 years ago and published 769 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on What in the World?

Recent guests on What in the World include:

1. Shariya Wise
2. Muhammad Ading Zubaymed
3. Andy Langford
4. Tamzin Kraftman
5. Georgia Poncia
6. Laura Cress
7. Mel Ramsey
8. Seohyun Kim

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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