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Artwork for What in the World

What in the World

BBC World Service
Social Media
Climate Change
Iran
Donald Trump
United States
China
Gen Z
Mental Health
Ukraine
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes755Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsNews CommentaryDaily News

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Artwork for What in the World

Latest Episodes

This year’s Fifa World Cup is the biggest yet. The football tournament is being co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States and has a record 48 teams taking part. Four of those teams have qualified for the first time ever: Cape Verde, Curaçao, ... more

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump threatened to take “total control" of Iran's oil and gas markets, and to seize Kharg Island. Just hours later though, he claimed an agreement to end the war with Iran was on the horizon and cancelled a third con... more

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women globally; affecting roughly 13% of women who have a menstrual cycle. The World Health Organization has estimated that up 70% of women with PCOS worldwide do not know they have this con... more

Since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has been banning social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X. Recently the government also extended the ban to Telegram, one of Russia’s most popular messaging apps. It’s cracking down on VPN... more

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dorcas Wangira
Global health reporter
BBC World Service ( Nairobi bureau )
Episode: Will the PCOS name change help young women get treatment?
Clare Denning
Journalist for BBC Monitoring Russia
BBC Monitoring Russia
Episode: Why is Russia cutting the internet and blocking apps?
Sophia Smith Galer
Journalist and author
Episode: Can AI help us save endangered languages?
Emma Moreau
BBC Business reporter
BBC
Episode: Job hugging: Why nobody wants to quit their job
Ben Rothenberg
Sports journalist behind the Bounces Tennis Podcast
Bounces Tennis Podcast
Episode: Can Serena Williams beat younger tennis players?
Jacqui Wakefield
BBC's Global Disinformation Reporter
BBC World Service
Episode: Is the manosphere growing in Kenya and Mexico?
Eunice Yang
BBC journalist in Hong Kong
BBC
Episode: Why more women in China are buying men’s clothes
Bernd Debussman
BBC reporter in Washington
BBC World Service
Episode: Trump says yes to psychedelic drug research
Yann Guignon
Researcher into the Iboga plant in Gabon
Charity protecting cultural heritage in Gabon
Episode: Trump says yes to psychedelic drug research

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
    Italy9 months ago
  • .

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

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Meeeee the best 😝
    France10 months 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
#133
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#37
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#52
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#244
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#65
Australia/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#68
Italy/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can Serena Williams beat younger tennis players?
Q: When and where are we expecting to see her competing?
The first event is Queen's Club in London, with doubles before potentially moving into singles at Wimbledon, signaling a strategic build-up to a full return.
Can Serena Williams beat younger tennis players?
Q: Can you just give us a sense of how significant Serena Williams is to women's tennis and tennis more generally?
Rothenberg emphasizes Serena as the defining figure of 21st-century women's tennis, highlighting her major titles, doubles success, and outsized cultural impact, which sets a high bar for expectations around her comeback.
Why is Russia cutting the internet and blocking apps?
Q: What have Russians been saying about these changes, including those who are pro-Kremlin?
There is notable public opposition even among pro-Kremlin bloggers and politicians, with officials expressing fury over blocks like Telegram, and concerns about military communications on the front lines, indicating a rare open pushback against the government's policies.
Why is Russia cutting the internet and blocking apps?
Q: So tell me why it's getting harder to access the Internet in Russia and how this is affecting people there.
Clare explains that restrictions are expanding across regions, targeting mobile Internet, social platforms, and messaging apps, which disrupts daily life, commerce, and personal communication, while provoking various ways to circumvent through VPNs and new domestic apps.
Is the manosphere growing in Kenya and Mexico?
Q: So Jacqui, tell me about Andrew Kibe and El Temach. What was it like for you meeting them?
Jacqui explains it was surreal to meet the figures, who presented themselves almost as religious leaders to their followers, and notes the tensions and complexities of interviewing them alongside the women affected by their content.

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

How many episodes of What in the World are there?

What in the World launched 3 years ago and published 755 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 What in the World?

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What guests have appeared on What in the World?

Recent guests on What in the World include:

1. Dorcas Wangira
2. Clare Denning
3. Sophia Smith Galer
4. Emma Moreau
5. Ben Rothenberg
6. Jacqui Wakefield
7. Eunice Yang
8. Bernd Debussman

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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