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The Documentary Podcast

Author: BBC World Service

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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 Trump’s new world order, to protests in Turkey, to the headphone revolution, 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.

2632 Episodes
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Musambwa Island in Lake Victoria, Uganda, is a five-acre rocky outcrop of land five miles from the mainland and is the biggest breeding ground in the world for grey gulls and home to hundreds of other bird species and cobra. Amid the birds, snakes and lizards lives a male only community of fisherman who live by a code of cultural and spiritual practices. Reporter Zawadi Mudibo travels to live among the men of Musambwa to explore their sacred relationship with nature. Although the men have lived this way for generations there is the creeping influence of modernity. Through personal stories and reflections, the deep-seated beliefs that shape the lives of the island's inhabitants are revealed.
During the 1970s and '80s, thousands of Chilean babies were illegally kidnapped, trafficked and adopted. The practice was widespread during the rule of General Augusto Pinochet, who encouraged overseas adoptions to reduce poverty. A network of adoption brokers, hospital staff, social workers, judges, priests and nuns facilitated this trafficking. Today many of Chile’s ‘stolen children’ are trying to trace their birth families and their mothers are also looking for them. A small Santiago-based NGO called Nos Buscamos has helped hundreds of them reunite with their families using DNA testing kits, and a range of other techniques and technologies. We meet Constanza del Rio, the founder of the project and hear from the families they have helped to bring back together.
Being a farmer in Brazil has never been cooler - at least, that is the impression you might get from social media. Music videos featuring cowboy hat wearing farmers, driving tractors and boasting about their wealth, have garnered millions of views online. Meanwhile, farmers turned influencers offer a window into rural life, insisting Brazil is not just a country of football and Carnival, but of farming. Critics say social media has become the latest battleground in a long-running effort by Brazil’s powerful agribusiness industry to improve the way it is perceived. They say posts and videos like these are “propaganda” meant to distract from the sector’s poor environmental track record. But farmers argue their livelihoods are being targeted by “ideologues” and “activists”, who fail to grasp where their food really comes from. And, as Brazil prepares to host COP30, how does this idealised image of agribusiness fit into a world facing climate change?
Colombia’s second largest city, Medellín, is booming and one of the biggest industries revolves around the city’s webcam studios which live stream women performing sex acts.  It’s estimated there are hundreds of studios in the city employing thousands of women and turning over millions of pounds as men – primarily in the US and Europe – pay to watch the women. The work is legal with studios running glossy websites to attract models and even hosting their own annual trade show. Crossing Continents meets two women who have contrasting experiences working in the industry. Sofia Bettiza asks if their work is exploitation or a pragmatic way to earn a living in a country where wages for women are often low and opportunities limited.
Basketball, the Cold War, and rock band The Grateful Dead collide in this incredible true story. Presented by the late NBA star Bill Walton. Episodes weekly from 19 May. What do basketball, rock music, and tie-dye t-shirts have in common? And what about Mickey Hart, Sarunas Marciulionis, Arvydas Sabonis, and the US Dream Team? Well, they are all subject of the brand new season of Amazing Sport Stories: Bill Walton’s The Grateful Team. It’s Moscow, 1989, and Lithuanian basketball star Sarunas Marciulionis is walking nervously through the airport. If all goes to plan, a new life awaits playing basketball for the NBA in the US. But first, he must cross the Iron Curtain. Sarunas doesn’t yet know the incredible journey he is about to go on. One which will involve political upheaval, the Olympic games, the US rock band The Grateful Dead - and, of course, tie-dye. The late NBA star and sports commentator Bill Walton presents this extraordinary true story. Bill passed away in 2024, not long after recording the series, and his family have given permission for its release following his death. Amazing Sport Stories brings you the greatest twists and personal journeys from sport history. Listen for inspiring tales of courage, drama, myths and legends from all over the globe. All told in mini seasons and one-off documentary episodes. #AmazingSportStories
Originally from Denmark, the youngest ever three-starred Michelin chef Esben Holmboe Bang fell in love with his wife’s homeland Norway, as well as its seasonal cuisine. For Esben every flavour is a note, and the secret of the perfect dish is to build those notes into a symphony. He only uses local produce for the menu at his restaurant in Oslo, Maaemo, and he collects many ingredients from the local forest. He aims to tell the story of Norway through food and respects the ancient crafts of preservation like pickling and dehydrating which sustained communities through the dark winter months in Scandinavia.
We assess the damage to independent journalism globally by cuts to USAGM and USAID, described as “the chainsaw approach” of the Trump administration. The defunding of Voice of America, RFE/RL (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) and its multiple language services has been decried as “a gift to dictators”. Although these cuts are being disputed in court, they could have long-lasting implications for audiences around the world. Can the harm be undone?Producer: Kriszta Satori Presenter: Krassi Twigg Contributors: Pascal Fletcher, Samia Hosny, Margaryta Maliukova, Andrey Vladov, Tom Lam, Sarbas Nazari, Moses Rono
What do Ukrainian soldiers eat on the frontline? And what's the latest meme trending on Ukrainians' TikTok channels? Zhenya Shidlovska from the BBC Ukrainian social media team will talk about the stories they've been covering, and how she adapted her presenting style to connect with a younger audience. Plus, is Brazilian chocolate getting worse? With Mariana Schreiber from BBC Brasil. And the lioness that woke a family up in the middle of the night, with Gopal Kateshiya reporting for BBC Gujarati.Prestented by Irena Taranyuk Produced by Caroline Ferguson and Alice Gioia(Photo: Irena Taranyuk)
What is it like to grow up and live in one of the most disputed regions on Earth? After 26 tourists were killed by militants in Indian-administered Kashmir last month, many feared that the series of cross-border clashes between India and Pakistan would lead to a wider conflict. We hear from three Kashmiri women who now live abroad but still have family and close connections with Kashmir. We also speak to two people living either side of the de facto border, known as the line of control, who find common ground in their conversation.
Malcolm X is one of the most iconic and complex figures of the 20th Century. Known globally for his fiery speeches and radical advocacy for Black empowerment, he was often portrayed as a fierce separatist and controversial figure during his years with the Nation of Islam. But his life was marked by constant growth, questioning, and evolution. In The Hajj, his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964, Malcolm X witnessed a community of Muslims from every background – rich and poor, Black and White – united in worship. Through his powerful Letter from Hajj, written during that journey, we explore a spiritual awakening that would help reframe his message from one of separation to one of global solidarity, inclusion, and human rights. Presented by his daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz to mark 60 years since Malcolm X’s assassination and 100 years since his birth.
Autistic people have been thought to all lack empathy by both science and society for decades. But after receiving an extremely low empathy score as part of a recent autism assessment, science journalist Sue Nelson decided to confront these damaging stereotypes and question the experts who work in this area. Sue’s investigation reveals latest research shows the opposite of the commonly held stereotype. Instead of the majority of autistic people having low to no empathy, a trait commonly associated with psychopaths, many autistic people have been shown to have heightened empathy for others. Guests include Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, a pioneer in the field who originated the EQ (Empathy Quotient) test widely used in autism assessments, and a team of autistic researchers investigating the newly recognised phenomenon of autistic ‘hyper-empathy’.
At the start of 2025, a chat appeared on the encrypted messaging app Telegram. It was named Are We Dating The Same Girl? At first only a few hundred people joined. Soon that was thousands, and its content went from details of young women’s dating history, to revenge porn - sexually explicit videos and images. BBC Trending traces the Telegram group’s origins back to Are We Dating the Same Guy? groups on Facebook. But how did they first come about? Why are they seen as an important safety tool for some and something that has ruined lives for others? And how did the idea spread to Telegram, with serious consequences?
Thirteen million Syrians - half the population - left their homes during their country's 13-year civil war. Seven million were internally displaced. Six million fled abroad. Bringing them home is perhaps the biggest challenge facing Syria's new rulers. But many can’t return, because their homes are in ruins, and jobs and essential services are lacking. Tim Whewell follows a variety of returnees back to Homs, Syria’s third city, which saw some of the worst destruction of the war. A private charity organises convoys of families wanting to return from camps in the north of the country. But once returnees like Fatima Hazzoura get back, they're left to cope on their own. Some who came back earlier have managed to repair their homes. But others find their houses are just empty, burnt-out shells. Meanwhile, some in Homs who stayed throughout the war - members of the Alawite minority, whose neighbourhoods remained intact - are thinking of leaving now, fearful that the new government of former Islamist rebels will not protect them. And Homs people who made new lives abroad are hesitant to return permanently while the situation is so unstable, and the economy still crippled by international sanctions. Can the fabric of an ancient and diverse city be rebuilt? Tim finds grief and fear among the ruins - but also laughter, and flashes of Homs's famous humour.
Luke Black is a Serbian singer-songwriter who represented his country at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023, the world’s largest live music event, with an audience of over 160 million. Performing his song Samo Mi Se Spava, his set and choreography, with its special effect giant robot, were inspired by the video games he loves. Now based in London, he is redeveloping those ideas from video games and hero films to create a new collection of songs. He tells the BBC's Andrea Kidd why he is going darker with these new songs and how the recent student protests in Serbia have inspired him to write an unusually lyrical ballad. He also talks about his experiences at the Eurovision Song Contest and readjusting to life and work afterwards.
Women warriors

Women warriors

2025-05-1149:311

In the last few decades western militaries have been training more women for combat than ever, yet female recruitment and retention is stalling. But with warfare changing, new technologies and new threats, women soldiers are a vital resource. Victoria Hollingsworth talks with different women around the world, some on the frontline and others about to go, and explores the motivations and the challenges they face. Many have families and find juggling these two lives very hard and with little support. Away from the frontline many have faced sexism and worse from their own colleagues.
Natalya Filonova is a former kindergarten teacher, a mother, a grandmother. But she’s also an activist and in 2022 she was arrested during a demonstration against the war in Ukraine. Nina Nazarova from BBC Russian has been trying to find out what happened to her. Plus, how a homeless bumblebee brought a community together, with Joao Fellet from BBC Brasil.Prestented by Faranak Amidi Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
After 19 months of war, Israel says it is preparing to expand its military campaign in Gaza. The aim is to defeat and dismantle Hamas, regarded as a terrorist organisation by many countries and bring home the remaining 59 hostages. They have been held in captivity since Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on 7 October, 2023. There have been several strikes on Gaza within the last week alone, with reports of dozens of people killed and wounded. We hear from women and men in the Palestinian territory about the bombings, the food shortages and their fears for another looming crisis ahead. Aid agencies have warned that, since Israel cut off humanitarian aid on 2 March, after the collapse of a two-month ceasefire, mass starvation is imminent.
Throughout his life as a theologian, Christian minister and cosmologist, Prof David Wilkinson has been asking - what does God do when I pray? The question became acutely personal after his wife, Alison, developed first ME and then crippling rheumatoid arthritis. As everyone prayed for her recovery, but no healing appeared to come for many years, the couple and their children felt their faith come into sharp focus. For their children, now both working for the Church, there was a profound crisis of faith which left them unable to pray. For David, anger and confusion that his wife, also a minister of a growing church, was left in pain and unable to walk, let alone lead her church. Naomi Wellings meets a family whose faith was shaken, but ultimately strengthened.
Educating Nigeria

Educating Nigeria

2025-05-0828:34

Every Nigerian child has the constitutional right to free and compulsory primary education, and free secondary education, yet there remains a huge gap between that law and the reality. One in every five of the world’s out-of-school children lives in Nigeria. In a nation with one of the world’s youngest populations, this lack of access to education could potentially cost the country its future. Its government recently acknowledged that there are 10.5 million children not being educated. It’s a complex picture which includes underfunding, a lack of skilled teachers - and an issue of safety. BBC Africa journalist Yemisi Adegoke hears from parents and students at the sharp end of this crisis and asks the difficult questions to those in power.
In the days before the presidential elections, influencers watched comments and content pour across TikTok in support of obscure far-right independent candidate Calin Georgescu. Georgescu’s victory was annulled and he has been banned from running in May's elections. Influencers at the heart of the story explain how it happened and demand answers.
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Comments (293)

William M

When professor Simon Baron Cohen is speaking, the audio is really bad. I can hear the saliva in his mouth, the breathing from his nose, the sounds of his throat pronouncing words, the rustles of his movements. Is there really a need to pick up so much background noise apart from his speech?

May 16th
Reply

DMHG1

it isnt the reality

Apr 10th
Reply

AMIRHOSEIN_KAVOSI

عالی

Mar 11th
Reply

Ryan Anderes

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Feb 19th
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Ryan Anderes

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Feb 19th
Reply

Ali Kosha

اپیزود کص

Oct 14th
Reply

jon h

No commemorations for the 40,000+ Palestinians killed?

Oct 12th
Reply (2)

Wladislav Hassun

A moment of silence for the thousands of Palestinian 'hostages' in Israeli prisons and the tens upon tens of thousands of Palestinian dead. Casualties of the horrific apartheid state that is Israel. Stop enabling and whitewashing genocidal regimes. Yes, we do and should use that word on the BBC when it is an accurate descriptor of what is going on. G E N O C I D E

Oct 12th
Reply

lmc

isnotreal has been terrorizing palestinians since the 1948 nakba. bbc is a genocide supporter.

Oct 12th
Reply

J Coker

that was the reason brexit got over the line, the idea that once the 1m refugees had passports they'd go to England

Sep 25th
Reply

Greg

?ecece?eeq ever

Sep 18th
Reply

Jason L

Irrelevant. Make-up industry is a waste of resources and contributes to pollution and climate change.

Aug 7th
Reply

Auntie Semite

tell me you're run by Jews without telling me you're run by Jews. This uncircumcised cock sucking isn't even being shy now. Unsubbed. And free Palestine, free the world.

Jul 5th
Reply

Auntie Semite

Israel's genocide campaign in Gaza is estimated to have generated between 420,265 and 652,552 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) so far - equivalent to burning more than 1.5 million barrels of oi

Jun 9th
Reply

Auntie Semite

I wonder if the BBC still does actual journalism, or if you just jump through hoops for your Zionist puppeteers

Jun 9th
Reply

Auntie Semite

never forget to say Free Palestine ✌🏻🍉

Apr 17th
Reply

Jason L

Informative but did not enjoy. Felt it is noisy. Unable to connect with the presenters in the early part of the podcast.

Mar 24th
Reply

Auntie Semite

Terrible that we are still creating millions of refugees daily. And never forget to say free Palestine

Mar 5th
Reply

Clarence The Potato

.

Feb 21st
Reply

Auntie Semite

Free Palestine 🇵🇸🍉 and shame on the BBC for your biased reporting

Feb 12th
Reply