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What in the World

BBC World Service
Climate Change
Iran
Social Media
China
United States
Donald Trump
Gen Z
Ukraine
Mental Health
BBC World Service
Tiktok
Sudan
India
Google
Venezuela
COP 30
Amazon Rainforest
Ultra-Processed Foods
Gut Microbiome
Jeffrey Epstein

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes784Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for What in the World

Latest Episodes

Huge crowds have been gathering in Jantar Mantar in Delhi all week in support of India’s newest political movement - The Cockroach Janta Party. Supporters are asking for education reforms and the resignation of the country’s Education Minister, Dharm... more

The emergence of micro dramas led to transformation of China’s entertainment industry, cutting costs for sets and boosting jobs for newer actors. There were early estimates that the micro-drama market would be worth $14bn by 2027. But now the emergen... more

Christopher Nolan's latest film, The Odyssey, is already making headlines. Shot entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras, it’s got a star-studded cast including Zendaya, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong'o. The epic has also had a huge box office... more

YouTube

Loads of young men watch porn and there are plenty of studies that suggest it can be bad for mental health and relationships. Some governments have restricted access to porn sites, and there’s a growing movement towards cutting out porn.

Freddie Woo... more

YouTube

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.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Global News PodcastBBC World Service
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Asia Specific
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The Global Story
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Recent Guests

Nicholas Barber
Film critic for BBC Culture
BBC Culture
Episode: Why is The Odyssey so controversial?
Sophie Bott
BBC Verify team member
BBC Verify
Episode: Why is The Odyssey so controversial?
Freddie Woodward
Ex-diver for Team GB and public quitter of porn
Self (podcaster)
Episode: Why more young men are trying to quit porn
Victoria Gill
BBC science correspondent
BBC
Episode: Meet the Likweli: The orange-lipped monkey hidden in DR Congo
Martha Newson
Psychologist at the University of Greenwich with research on football fans
University of Greenwich
Episode: Why football fans feel devastated when their team loses
Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais
Lead academic on the ADHD and menstrual cycle study, lecturer in psychology
Queen Mary University of London
Episode: How periods can affect your ADHD
Lisa D
Author of Healthy Happy ADHD
Episode: How periods can affect your ADHD
Dr. Steven Okoli
Physician treating sickle cell patients, expert in gene editing for sickle cell
Medical professional
Episode: How a $2m treatment cured my sickle cell disease
Daniel Cressy
A recipient of a gene-edited stem cell therapy for sickle cell disease
Private individual (patient)
Episode: How a $2m treatment cured my sickle cell disease

Host

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

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 431 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
#218
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#40
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#52
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#225
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#78
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#112
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why football fans feel devastated when their team loses
Q: What can fans do to feel better after a loss?
Her guidance emphasizes connecting with others, sharing the experience, and leveraging social bonding to process emotions, which can improve well-being after a defeat.
Why football fans feel devastated when their team loses
Q: Is it possible to feel something that deeply that could be considered traumatic?
Martha argues that while the reactions can be very intense, labeling it as trauma is often an overstatement; it's more accurately a dysphoric moment that can still profoundly affect identity and group dynamics.
Why football fans feel devastated when their team loses
Q: Where does that primal reaction come from when fans feel emotions so strongly around football?
The host and Martha discuss that our emotional nature is deeply rooted in evolution and social bonding; football triggers our innate tendency to identify with groups, leading to intense feelings when the group faces victory or defeat.
Meet the Likweli: The orange-lipped monkey hidden in DR Congo
Q: What does it mean to discover a new species in the scientific sense, and how is that different from simply recognizing a new animal exists?
Researchers describe a new species by gathering substantial evidence of its genetic, physical, and ecological distinctiveness, often after extensive fieldwork and consultation with local communities, rather than merely noting that an animal is new to science.
A simple guide to India’s ‘cockroach’ protests
Q: Azadeh, can you just break down for us? What exactly is the NEET exam for?
The NEET is a National Medical Entrance Exam for medical colleges across India, requiring extensive preparation and often involving years of study, and its leaks have triggered demands for fairness and re-sits, deeply impacting students and families.

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 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. Global News Podcast
2. The Documentary Podcast
3. Asia Specific
4. The Global Story
5. Learning English from the News

How many episodes of What in the World are there?

What in the World launched 3 years ago and published 784 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. Nicholas Barber
2. Sophie Bott
3. Freddie Woodward
4. Victoria Gill
5. Martha Newson
6. Dr. Jessica Agnew-Blais
7. Lisa D
8. Dr. Steven Okoli

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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