

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

Mar 18, 2024 • 22min
Life inside Korea's Demilitarised Zone
The Demilitarised Zone - the strip of no-man’s land separating North and South Korea – is the unlikely home to a tiny community of South Koreans. But, 70 years since it was established as a symbol of peace following the Korean war, the village of Taesung is now seeing its population decline rapidly.Over the past year tensions have flared between the two countries in the peninsula, and in January North Korean leader Kim Jong Un officially abandoned the longstanding policy of reunification with the South. In this episode Adam Fleming speaks to the BBC’s Seoul correspondent Jean Mackenzie about the symbolic importance of Taesung, and asks what life is like there after she gained a rare level of access to the village.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. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Bethan Ashmead Latham. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 15, 2024 • 28min
Russian elections through the eyes of the Putin-controlled media
More than 100 million Russians are expected to vote for the next president over the coming days. Officially, there are four candidates on the ballot, but if you were watching Russian TV, you're likely only going to hear one name...Vladimir Putin. We're taking a moment to tune in to the election coverage inside Russia and ask what you might believe if you were following the election through a screen in Moscow, Omsk or Rostov-on-Don.Mark Lowen speaks to Francis Scarr who keeps a close eye on Russian media channels for BBC Monitoring, and Oleg Boldyrev, who is covering the election for the BBC from Riga, Latvia. The Global Story brings 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 leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.This episode was made by Richard Moran, Laurie Kalus and Emilia Jansson. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 14, 2024 • 26min
What keeps China’s president up at night?
Exploring Xi Jinping's challenges, mysterious disappearances, and economy woes. Biden's view on China's decline. Insights from BBC experts Celia Hatton and Rana Mitter. Xi's enigma, power dynamics, and economic struggles. Impact of Winnie the Pooh memes on the President.

Mar 13, 2024 • 24min
Haiti: The country governed by gangs
Powerful gangs are elbowing their way into the race for power after Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to resign. Hundreds of gun-wielding groups are terrorising the capital’s streets and have plunged the long-suffering nation into anarchy. Aid agencies warn of a looming famine and more than 15,000 Haitians have been left homeless by the attacks. Our Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet speaks to the BBC's Vanessa Buschschlüter, and a journalist living in Haiti, Harold Isaac. 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. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Rachel Hagan. The technical producers were Philip Bull and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 12, 2024 • 25min
Panama Canal: It's running dry and it's going to cost us
The most famous waterway in the Americas is running dry. The water level in the Panama Canal is falling critically low, which means the number of ships that can pass through has been reduced. This is having a major impact on the international shipping industry with delays to deliveries and increased costs. James Reynolds speaks with the BBC's North America Business Correspondent Michelle Fleury who has been to Panama to find out more.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 This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Peter Goffin, Alix Pickles and Jay Gardner. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 11, 2024 • 24min
Will politics steal the show at the Eurovision Song Contest?
As war continues in Gaza, a cultural row is flaring on the other side of the world over Israel’s involvement in the 2024 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. The country’s act was initially blocked from entering the world's largest music competition as its proposed lyrics were deemed too political, but they have since been cleared to compete. This has outraged many on social media, with some fans calling for other countries to boycott the event.Eurovision's organisers, the European Broadcasting Union, insist the contest is apolitical, but they have invited scrutiny in recent years particularly over the decision to ban Russia from competing due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. On this episode James Reynolds discusses the fallout with Eurovision reporter Daniel Rosney, and they consider whether it’s ever possible for Eurovision to stay out of politics.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. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Laurie Kalus and Alix Pickles. The technical producers were Mike Regaard and Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 8, 2024 • 24min
How to win an Oscar
Hollywood’s big night is upon us, and the studios have spent millions of dollars to make sure their favourite contenders win. Are the Academy Awards really about honouring cinematic achievement? Or does it all come down to campaigns and connections? Presenter James Reynolds speaks to film journalist Tom Brook, who has covered every Oscars since 1982, and Leila Latif, a journalist who has worked on Oscar campaigns. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. 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.
This episode was made by Peter Goffin and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 7, 2024 • 26min
Could just 100,000 people decide the US election?
How big money is chasing a tiny number of voters. It’s (almost) official: Joe Biden will face Donald Trump in November. Both men did well enough on Super Tuesday to look ahead to the general election. Now, it gets interesting. The campaigns need to find the few Americans still unsure who should be president and get in their heads.James Reynolds talks to the BBC’s Special US correspondent, Katty Kay, and Eli Yokley, from Morning Consult.More episodes to understand the US election:
Meet Trump's new inner circle: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-trumps-new-inner-circle/id1715473158?i=1000642760501
Joe Biden's ageing brain: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joe-bidens-ageing-brain/id1715473158?i=1000636759143We 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 This episode was made by Richard Moran and Neal Razzell. The technical producer was Matt Hewitt. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Mar 6, 2024 • 24min
Have we finally solved the mystery of flight MH370?
Exploring the ongoing search efforts and new radio technology in the mystery of flight MH370. From satellite data insights to amateur radio technology tracking. Unraveling theories and emotional journeys of families seeking closure. Reflecting on the elusive nature of truth and journalistic pursuit.

Mar 5, 2024 • 22min
Why young people are having less sex
Young people around the world are having less sex than older generations. It had been assumed that coming of age in an era of dating apps would mean that Gen Z were more sexually active, but that is not the case.In this episode, Katya Adler speaks with Kaye Wellings, Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and BBC journalist Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty about why Gen Z are being dubbed 'the sexless generation'.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. #TheGlobalStoryThis episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts and Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty. The technical producers were Rohan Madison and Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.