The Documentary Podcast
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. The best of documentary storytelling from the BBC World Service.
From China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, to the front line of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines.
Each week we dive into the minds of the world’s most creative people, take personal journeys into spirituality and connect people from across the globe to share how news stories are shaping their lives.
From China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, to the front line of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines.
Each week we dive into the minds of the world’s most creative people, take personal journeys into spirituality and connect people from across the globe to share how news stories are shaping their lives.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 16, 2026 • 27min
Bridgerton: Behind the scenes
Yerin Ha, an actor new to Bridgerton who plays Sophie, shares first-on-set nerves and developing chemistry. Luke Thompson, who portrays Benedict Bridgerton, talks preparing to lead the season and evolving his character. Jess Brownell, showrunner and writer from Shondaland, reveals shaping the show's modern-Regency tone and the writers' room process. They discuss romance, chemistry, and crafting standout scenes.
10 snips
Feb 14, 2026 • 24min
Body image and weight loss drugs
Emilia, an Ireland-based plus-size panelist exploring body positivity; Jordan, a New York panelist who grew up dieting; Virgie, who did recovery work around fat phobia; and Chris from Georgia, who used weight-loss injections. They discuss cultural pressure from GLP-1 drugs, social media ads and backlash, ethics of influencer marketing, access and cost, and how treatments reshape identity and mobility.
Feb 13, 2026 • 26min
The spy who loved to dance
Olga Ivshina, BBC Russian reporter who unpacks Soviet-era spy networks. Leandro Prazeres, BBC News Brazil journalist who reported the Brazil angle and loves forró. They trace the story of a long-term undercover Russian intelligence officer in Brazil. They discuss deep-cover legends, cultural cover like partner dance, and international investigations.
9 snips
Feb 13, 2026 • 27min
The Gaudí code
Chiara Curti, Italian architect and author, and Jordi Faulí, chief architect of the Sagrada Família, discuss Gaudí's universal appeal and nature-driven geometry. They explore cultural connections with East Asia. Conversations cover secret codes, fractal patterns, the nativity facade’s realism, tower symbolism, and plans to complete the basilica.
Feb 13, 2026 • 19min
Kirsty Coventry: Becoming president of the IOC
Kirsty Coventry, former Olympic champion and Zimbabwean politician who became the first woman and first African to lead the IOC. She discusses her rise from teenage swimming prodigy to record-breaking Olympian. The conversation covers her political career, leadership style, auditing the IOC, and prioritising athletes amid climate, cost and geopolitical challenges.
Feb 12, 2026 • 26min
Kentucky’s Real People Radio
Rich Kirby, a long-time WMMT presenter and steady on-air voice, and Jared Henderson, station manager, fiddler and filmmaker, guide listeners through life at a community radio station in eastern Kentucky. They talk about flood recovery and rebuilding studios. They discuss the station’s role in emergencies and community care. They explore the mix of traditional music, new hybrids, and the station as a neutral local forum.
6 snips
Feb 11, 2026 • 27min
Trump and Greenland: How MAGA went Arctic
A deep dive into why Greenland became a MAGA obsession, from a financier's pitch to influence inside the White House. The story traces historical US interest in the island, military and resource arguments, and why those claims are shaky. It follows MAGA networks, organised visits and local reactions. The piece highlights Greenlanders’ mixed views on sovereignty and the ideological drive behind the push.
Feb 10, 2026 • 29min
Loving, living and dying together in the Netherlands
Els von Leningen, a former primary teacher facing dementia, and Jan Faber, a sailor and entrepreneur living with chronic pain, planned to die together. They recount a lifelong partnership, the decision to pursue duo-euthanasia, legal safeguards and ethical debates. The conversation explores timing, family reactions and the practical and emotional preparations for their final moments.
Feb 9, 2026 • 26min
New climbing video game
Sophia Elani, voice actor who plays Ava and specializes in physical, breathy performances. Emmerich, creative director guiding recordings and gameplay flow. Audrey Leprance, co-founder shaping Cairn’s design and production. They talk about limb-based climbing mechanics, recording voice to match unfinished animation, remote collaboration across studios, playtesting accessibility choices, and polishing and localizing the mountain world.
Feb 8, 2026 • 50min
Super Bowl LX
Jamie Coffey, pioneering stadium announcer for the San Francisco 49ers, describes the prep and pressure of live NFL announcing. Steve Wright, long-time offensive lineman and co-author of Aggressively Human, reflects on toggling aggression on the field with nurture off it. Leonard Russell, 1991 Offensive Rookie of the Year, recounts his NFL rise, addiction struggles, recovery and life after football.
