

The Global Story
BBC World Service
The world order is shifting by the day — old alliances are fraying, autocrats are on the rise, and global trade is in turmoil. A lot of this turbulence can be traced back to decisions made in the US, but America isn’t just a cause of upheaval abroad—it’s also a symptom of the same forces disrupting things across the world.
That’s where The Global Story comes in. From September 2025, this daily podcast from the BBC tackles the news at this exact intersection: where the world meets America.
With one host in DC, one host in London, and the backing of the best international newsroom in the world, this podcast tells the intertwined story of America and the world – how each shapes the other, daily.
The Global Story. Where the world meets America.
That’s where The Global Story comes in. From September 2025, this daily podcast from the BBC tackles the news at this exact intersection: where the world meets America.
With one host in DC, one host in London, and the backing of the best international newsroom in the world, this podcast tells the intertwined story of America and the world – how each shapes the other, daily.
The Global Story. Where the world meets America.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 29, 2024 • 27min
Bidenomics: How the economy may sway the US election
Exploring Bidenomics and its impact on the US election, with a focus on green energy investments, job creation, and voter perspectives. Comparing the US economy to other G7 countries and discussing the high cost of living. Analyzing the influence of economic factors on voter decisions and the upcoming election strategies related to immigration.

Apr 26, 2024 • 25min
Paris Olympics 2024: The make or break year for the Games?
This summer Paris will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time in a century. Excitement in the city is growing, but so is the list of problems facing organisers. Critics have warned that the river Seine is too polluted for the planned swimming competitions, and security concerns are at an all time high following threats from the Islamic State group (IS) to European sporting events.Katya Adler speaks to BBC sports editor Dan Roan and Paris correspondent Hugh Schofield about what Parisians think about the incoming spectacle, and whether it can truly leave a legacy on the city.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory.The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Emilia Jansson and Peter Goffin. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Apr 25, 2024 • 26min
US homelessness: Is sleeping in public a crime?
BBC reporter Samantha Granville discusses US homelessness, focusing on the Supreme Court case that may criminalize being homeless. Topics include perspectives of homeless individuals in LA, political implications in a presidential year, and the potential legal chaos if sleeping in public becomes a crime.

Apr 24, 2024 • 26min
Ebola virus: Are mass outbreaks history?
A decade ago, the world's eyes were focused nervously on West Africa when Ebola ravaged the region. It left 11,000 people dead in its wake. Now the epidemic is over, does the threat of its return loom and what lessons did the world learn? Arrival of vaccines are a game changer – but new strains can still pose a challenge. The BBC’s Africa Correspondent Anne Soy tells Mark Lowen what horrors she saw on the ground when the region was struck. And Naomi Grimley, from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and former Global Health Correspondent at the BBC, shares what the world learnt from the largest Ebola epidemic in history.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory.The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.This episode was made by Richard Moran and Rachel Hagan. The technical producers were Frank McWeeny and Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Additional reporting by Caroline Loyer.

Apr 23, 2024 • 25min
Pope Francis: How 'woke' is he?
Ever since he rose to the top of the Catholic Church in 2013, Pope Francis has had a reputation in international media as a moderniser. His forthright defence of the environment, and unprecedented outreach to members of the LGBT community, are examples of progressive positions which have caused friction with more conservative members of the faith. But a recent document released by the Vatican, headlined by its staunch opposition to gender reassignment and surrogacy, is now challenging that liberal image.So how should we define the Pope’s ideology? On this episode, Mark Lowen is joined by the BBC’s Religion Editor Aleem Maqbool, and long-time Vatican reporter Delia Gallagher. They consider the conflicting expectations from liberal and conservative Catholics, and ask how Pope Francis might be planning for both his legacy and eventual successor. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory.The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.This episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Alix Pickles. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Frank McWeeny. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Apr 22, 2024 • 24min
Israel-Iran: A sigh of relief in the Middle East?
After weeks of tit for tat strikes between Iran and Israel, the dust appears to be settling on a confrontation that the whole world has nervously observed. But both sides have crossed what was previously seen as a red line.The BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, sits down with BBC Persian Journalist Parham Ghobadi to discuss whether the Middle East can breathe a sigh of relief. And the BBC’s Diplomatic Correspondent James Landale joins from Jerusalem to consider what might happen next.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory.The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.This episode was made by Richard Moran and Rachel Hagan. The technical producer was Jonny Hall. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Apr 19, 2024 • 23min
Feeding Gaza: Why isn't more aid getting in?
Palestinian journalist Ghada Ouda shares her experience relying on humanitarian aid in Gaza. The podcast discusses the challenges of delivering aid to Gaza, the critical shortages of food and water, and the risks faced by aid workers. It also explores the humanitarian crisis, food shortages, and political pressures in the region.

Apr 18, 2024 • 25min
Climate justice: We sued our government, and won!
The elderly Swiss women behind a landmark ruling. For nearly a decade, they argued that Switzerland’s weak climate policies violated their human rights. Their victory – the first of its kind in the European Court of Human Rights – sets a precedent 46 countries must now follow. Our climate reporter, Georgina Rannard, has been covering the case for years. She shares the women’s personal stories, while climate lawyer Sophie Marjanac explains what it could mean for those seeking climate justice everywhere.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email: theglobalstory@bbc.com or message/leave a voice note via WhatsApp: +44 330 123 9480.The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. Look for them on your favourite podcast app.This episode was made by Laurie Kalus, Alix Pickles and Neal Razzell. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor was Sam Bonham.

Apr 17, 2024 • 24min
Sydney mall attack: How a social media frenzy unfolded
Following the knife attack in a shopping mall in Sydney, speculations and false allegations were spread online at an alarming rate. It even led to an innocent man being labelled as the attacker.Mark Lowen speaks to the BBC’s Sydney correspondent Katy Watson on the shock and sorrow in the country. And BBC Disinformation & Social Media Correspondent Marianna Spring tells him about her experience confronting one of the people at the heart of the social media frenzy.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We’re keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStoryThe Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Apr 16, 2024 • 24min
India election: How to organise the biggest vote in history
India will host the world's biggest election this year when nearly one billion people will vote. Organisers have vowed to set up polling stations within 2km of every citizen, but India's vast size means this will be a challenge. The country's 15 million election officials must travel to coastal towns, mountain villages, remote islands and dense jungles to reach every voter. Katya speaks with BBC journalist and presenter Devina Gupta and India correspondent Soutik Biswas to break down the big numbers and discuss how it is possible to organise an election on this scale. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. Or, message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory. The Global Story is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app. This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Devina Gupta. The technical producers were Hannah Montgomery and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.