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
27 snips
Feb 7, 2026 • 26min
China's Population 'Rhinoceros'
Yan Chen, BBC China journalist in Hong Kong, explains why China’s population has fallen and what that means for society. Magerram Zeynalov, BBC Russian correspondent in Azerbaijan, recounts land borders still closed years after the pandemic and the strain on border communities. Bhagyashri Raut, BBC Marathi reporter, tells how mothers in Maharashtra walk children to school to protect them from rising tiger encounters.
Feb 7, 2026 • 23min
Returning to Gaza
People crossing the Rafah border after months of closure are described as a fragile lifeline. Personal stories of long separations, plans to rebuild and fears about returning are shared. Life under siege, daily survival in displacement camps and small resilience projects are highlighted. Emotional reunions and lingering uncertainty about safety and infrastructure loom large.
7 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 27min
Caught on camera: Exposing China’s spycam porn
Eric, a hotel worker from Hong Kong who found footage of himself and his partner online, speaks via a voice actor to protect his identity. The conversation uncovers hidden cameras in hotel rooms, how clips and live streams are sold on Telegram, the scale and organisation behind the trade, and survivors’ trauma and efforts to track down and disable cameras.
Feb 5, 2026 • 27min
Game of clones
Daniel Sammartino, Argentine biotech investor and polo horse breeder, talks commercializing horse cloning. Jose Santamarina, former five-goal player and Hurlingham VP, offers deep polo expertise. They discuss how cloning scaled into a multimillion-dollar market. They explore cloned horses’ performance, DNA ownership disputes, and the arrival of CRISPR-altered foals shaping polo’s future.
Feb 4, 2026 • 27min
From American Pastor to Whirling Dervish
Ismail Fenter, a former Christian minister turned Mevlevi whirling dervish and translator of Rumi, tells how Rumi’s poetry pulled him from Los Angeles to Konya. He discusses the semah ritual as prayer, the symbolism of the sikke and fana, daily life as a modern dervish, and his work translating the Masnavi into contemporary English.
Feb 3, 2026 • 27min
India's sportswomen playing to be seen
Young women in rural India use football and judo to resist child marriage and claim visibility. Stories follow girls who defy norms, train barefoot, win medals and spark community celebrations. Sports projects help marginalised Siddhi athletes access training, scouts and state-level opportunities. The report explores how trophies, parades and coaching shift attitudes and create pathways to independence.
8 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 25min
Liberation Radio
Nhung Nguyễn, artist and sound designer from Vietnam who assembled archival audio and field recordings. Esther Johnson, artist-filmmaker who made film elements and a hand-sewn banner. They explore the Liberation Radio archives, re-performing broadcasts, assembling an audio collage and staging the installation in Stockholm and Hanoi. Practical exhibition work and archival discoveries drive the conversation.
20 snips
Feb 1, 2026 • 43min
Ukraine: Whose peace?
Margarita Malyukova, Kiev-based BBC Monitoring reporter offering on-the-ground views of occupied areas. Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia editor and analyst on Kremlin messaging and public mood. They compare competing peace plans, debate disputed clauses like territory and troop limits, unpack information warfare and media narratives, and explore enforcement, frozen assets and the human cost of life under occupation.
15 snips
Jan 31, 2026 • 26min
Archaeology and war
Grigor Atanasyan, BBC Russian correspondent, on the controversy around archaeologist Alexander Butyagin and Crimean digs. Ashay Yegde, BBC India reporter, on the Kalbeliya nomadic community, their music, dance and battles for burial rights. Hyojung Kim, BBC Korean correspondent, on the viral 'Young 40' caricatures and what they reveal about generational tensions in South Korea.
9 snips
Jan 31, 2026 • 24min
ICE in Minnesota
Sean and Terencio, local Republican figures supporting immigration enforcement. Jeff, Randy and Jacob, bar owners and a witness who reopened their pub and recount community grief and protests. Anne, preschool leader caring for families and children affected by raids. Chachi, an Ecuadorian migrant who lived through an ICE home arrest and hiding. They discuss raids, shootings, protests, community responses and political tensions.
