The Documentary Podcast

This BBC documentary follows Kioni Kahaloa, a native Hawaiian park ranger and former soldier, as he navigates his journey from post-military trauma…

Host Sean Orsop explores the global sleep crisis, visiting a Dutch sleep lab where EEG monitoring reveals he is a "paradoxical insomniac" who perceives wakefulness despite sleeping.

In Palermo, Italy, BBC correspondent Mayra Anubi explores the grassroots anti-mafia movement Adio Pizzo, which supports businesses refusing to pay extortion.

This BBC report examines Hungary's political transformation six months after Viktor Orbán’s historic election defeat.

This episode explores the global decline in birth rates, featuring a couple in Wyoming who forgo parenthood due to financial pressures and a desire for personal freedom.

This episode of 13 Minutes follows NASA astronaut Kathy Sullivan as she prepares to deploy the Hubble Space Telescope, only to be devastated by the…

This BBC documentary explores the severe water crisis in Iraq, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are drying up due to climate change, inefficient…

Host James Reynolds explores the culture of US fraternity houses following a recent lawsuit against Cornell University.

This episode of The Documentary explores the spiritual and communal aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, focusing on the destruction of historic churches.

This BBC documentary explores the escalating "arms race" of gerrymandering in the U.

This episode of "People Fixing the World" explores innovative community-driven solutions to natural disasters.

Host Rob Young explores the history and power of financial bonds, tracing their origins from 12th-century Italian city-states to modern global markets.

This episode examines the complex pursuit of justice in post-Assad Syria, focusing on the death sentences handed to former leaders for crimes against humanity.

This BBC World Service episode explores the global housing crisis through interviews with tenants in Spain, Germany, Ireland, the UK, Nigeria, and India.

This episode of Heart and Soul explores the sanctuary of Lourdes, featuring Dr.

Journalist Tulip Mazumdar explores the 2026 Ebola outbreak in the DRC, contrasting it with the 2014 West Africa crisis.

This episode explores how walking improves health and community, featuring the "Walk with a Doc" initiative where physicians lead patients on guided strolls to foster connection and exercise.

Host Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent explores the remote Nepalese village of Halji, where residents face existential threats from melting glaciers and frequent floods.

Host Victoria Craig travels along Route 66 to explore how the highway’s 100th anniversary is revitalizing its historic towns.

This BBC documentary explores India’s massive digital census, highlighting its historical roots in British colonial administration and the complex task of counting over 1.

This episode examines the surge in femicides near Johannesburg, featuring runners who describe the anxiety and safety protocols now required for daily activities.

Folklorist Jane Orton explores the fading oral traditions of Spiti Valley, documenting local beliefs in spirits known as "la" and hidden lands.

This episode examines the fallout from Colleen Fernández’s allegations that her ex-husband created fake profiles to sexually harass men, sparking massive protests in Germany against digital violence.

This episode explores efforts to restore two critical lakes in Kashmir, India, facing threats from silt, pollution, and urbanization.

This episode explores the shifting Polish attitude toward Ukrainian refugees, tracing the journey from initial solidarity to growing resentment and hostility.

Host Josh Baker investigates the 12-year disappearance of American journalist Austin Tice in Syria, interviewing his mother Deborah and a defected intelligence source who claims Tice is alive.

Host Will Bain explores the history of US-China economic relations, tracing the journey from 18th-century opium disputes to Nixon’s 1972 visit and China’s 2001 WTO accession.

This BBC documentary explores the sudden purge of China’s top military general, Zhang Youxia, and what it reveals about Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power.

Hosted by James Reynolds, this episode explores tech addiction and the choice to live without smartphones.

This episode follows American researcher Dahlia Mogahed as she navigates a recent cancer diagnosis while speaking in London.

This episode of *People Fixing the World* explores the 3Rs of environmentalism through three distinct stories.

This BBC documentary explores Australia’s complex "frenemy" relationship with China, contrasting its deep economic ties with growing security concerns.

This BBC documentary investigates how Turkey’s judiciary has become a tool for political repression under President Erdogan.

This episode examines the severe economic strain in Russia caused by the Ukraine war, highlighting fuel shortages, rising inflation, and the collapse…

Host David Aaronovitch explores global "Gen Z" protests, featuring guests Nayana Prakash, Erika Francez, and Matthew Siegel.

This episode explores the rise of "dating app fatigue" and the shift toward in-person connection, featuring organizers of singles events in Dallas,…

Marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, this BBC documentary features first responders, survivors, and witnesses recounting their harrowing experiences at the World Trade Center.

In this BBC World Service episode, host Colin Flynn interviews Paul Karus, a survivor of the 9/11 attacks, on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.

BBC journalist Zeynep Bilginsoy reports from Konya, Turkey, where excessive groundwater extraction for water-intensive crops like sugar beet and corn has triggered a surge in sinkholes.

This episode explores two wordless solutions for disabled individuals: a book club using picture-only books from Books Beyond Words to discuss…

This episode explores the complex linguistic tensions in Odessa, Ukraine, where laws restricting Russian in public spaces clash with the city's deep-rooted Russian-speaking culture.

Host Rob Young explores whether AI will replace human jobs by examining historical technological shifts and current labor market data.

Host Mya Anubi explores innovative solutions to homelessness, beginning with Scotland’s Social Bite Village, which provides high-quality,…

This BBC World Service episode examines the devastating glacial floods in Nepal and Tibet through interviews with survivors and families of the missing.

Swazi Shuri interviews gospel legend Fred Hammond about his four-decade career, faith journey, and the creation of hits like "No Weapon.

This episode chronicles the life of A-23a, the world’s largest iceberg, from its 1986 calving to its recent melting near South Georgia.

This BBC documentary explores sepsis, a deadly immune overreaction to infection, through personal tragedies and global medical efforts.

BBC’s Ellie House investigates the backlash against Flock Safety’s license plate readers in Houston, where activists cite privacy violations and immigration enforcement risks.