The Documentary Podcast

BBC World Service
  • 4.1 (18)
  • DOCUMENTARY
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The Documentary Podcast

A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues. From Syria after Assad to rebuilding Ukraine, to how AI changed our lives, The Documentary investigates major global stories. We delve into social media, take you into the minds of the world’s most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. Every week, we also bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives. A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations, The Fifth Floor and Trending.

  1. 23 HR AGO

    Heart and Soul: I was shot at school and wouldn’t change a thing

    School shootings in the USA continue to be a far too common tragedy. In January 2017, 16-year-old Logan Cole, who lives in a small town in the American mid-west was shot in the bathroom of his high school by a fellow student. His injuries were extensive. Afraid for their own lives, other students jumped out of school windows, running shoeless across snowy fields in the freezing Ohio winter. As the news rippled around the small neighbourhood, there was an overwhelming sense of shock, despair and disbelief. Sam Walker travels to Ohio to see first-hand the effects that Logan’s own faith had on his actions and how his attitude of love and forgiveness towards the young man who shot him had an extraordinary effect on the people of his community.

    27 min

  2. 1 DAY AGO

    The subsea war

    The 'accidental' severing of undersea cables or pipelines seem an almost daily occurrence these days but how reliant are we on this infrastructure, how much of it is there, and what steps are being taken to protect it? Business and economics editor Douglas Fraser investigates who might be behind these thinly veiled acts of sabotage and what their motivation might be. With much of the activity happening in the North and Baltic seas Douglas travels to Norway to see how the Navy there have long anticipated this risk and have partnered with the oil and gas industry to create a 'total defence' concept that extends deep beneath the waves.

    26 min

  3. 2 DAYS AGO

    Living in a bubble: The headphone revolution

    Headphones and earbuds have experienced a phenomenal rise in popularity worldwide, transforming how people consume audio content and impacting on various aspects of daily life. Per Sennström, one of the creators of Swedish company Earin, shares insights into how wireless earbuds first came about and how the revolution in listening took hold so quickly. The allure of high-quality sound, sleek designs, and wireless connectivity has led to their status as fashion accessories, often seen as a statement of personal style. But this surge in headphone use comes with its downsides. Social interactions and personal relationships are affected. Meanwhile, there are safety concerns - from accidents in the street and transport to worries over the impact on our hearing.

    27 min

  4. 4 DAYS AGO

    Assignment: Lebanon - Hezbollah in trouble

    Hezbollah, the militia and political movement in Lebanon, has been battered by the war with Israel. Its leaders were assassinated, hundreds of fighters killed, and many of its communities now lie in ruins. Until recently a formidable power with the ability to paralyse the country, the group now appears a shadow of its former self. For the first time in decades, even some supporters are questioning its purpose. Is this a turning point? The BBC’s Hugo Bachega travels to Hezbollah’s strongholds to find out.

    28 min

  5. 4 DAYS AGO

    In the Studio: Lindy Lee’s Ouroboros

    Lindy Lee’s Ouroboros is the most expensive single artwork commission in Australian history. A $14 million, three-tonne, 10-metre wide freestanding shell of mirror-polished stainless steel with 48,000 individually cut plasma-cut perforations: Lindy calls the Ouroboros “her”. Mia Hull talks to artist Lindy Lee, NGA Director Nick Mitzevich, foundry director Eve Willems, haulage “megatrucker” Jon Kelly and legendary pilot driver Nick.

    26 min

  6. 5 DAYS AGO

    The Covid generation revisited

    Five years on from the global lockdown we catch up with the "Covid Generation", the class of 2020 - school leavers and graduates from around the world, to find out how the coronavirus pandemic affected their lives and studies as well as employment prospects. Did they have to change plans, were their careers put on hold, did they spot a new opportunity? We hear about the ongoing effect of the coronavirus pandemic on young people's prospects and what advice the class of 2020 has for today's school leavers and graduates.

    49 min

  7. 6 DAYS AGO

    The Fifth Floor: Tales from Tbilisi

    Faranak Amidi visits three places in Tbilisi, Georgia to find out more about its history and what's behind the current political turmoil in the country. The Parliament building has been the site of the recent protests, where people have been gathering for more than 100 days. The ‘Dezerter bazar’ was said to be founded by deserters from the Czar’s army, who came there to sell their equipment over 100 years ago. Now it’s the biggest farmers market in Tbilisi. The history of the sulphur baths date back to the 5th century and Georgians have been coming here for generations to relax. With Nina Akhmeteli, Rayhan Demytrie and Maka Dzneladze. Presented by Faranak Amidi Produced by Hannah Dean and Caroline Ferguson (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

    27 min

  8. 6 DAYS AGO

    BBC OS Conversations: Protests in Turkey

    Across Turkey, hundreds of thousands of people have been taking to the streets after the arrest of President Erdogan’s main political rival, the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu. It is the worst unrest for more than a decade and police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protestors and arrested hundreds of people. Presenter Mark Lowen was in Turkey earlier this week and meets two university students, who say they are protesting to protect democracy. He also brings together three Turkish journalists who share their experiences of being targeted by government security forces.

    23 min
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    Hosts & Guests

    Ratings & Reviews

    4.1
    out of 5
    18 Ratings

    About

    A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues. From Syria after Assad to rebuilding Ukraine, to how AI changed our lives, The Documentary investigates major global stories. We delve into social media, take you into the minds of the world’s most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. Every week, we also bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives. A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations, The Fifth Floor and Trending.

    Information

    • Creator
      BBC World Service
    • Years Active
      2005 - 2025
    • Episodes
      2K
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © (C) BBC 2025
    • Show Website
      The Documentary Podcast

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