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
May 3, 2020 • 28min
Coronavirus Global Conversations: Remembering medics who have died from Covid-19
Nurse Sophie Fagan, Dr. J Ronald Verrier, and GP Vicenzo Leone are remembered for their sacrifices to Covid-19. Hospital chaplains provide spiritual support to patients and families. Mothers in Spain discuss the emotional toll of lockdown on children. Tributes highlight the dedication and compassion of healthcare heroes lost to the pandemic.
Apr 30, 2020 • 27min
Spain’s care home nightmare
Exploring the devastating impact of Covid-19 in Spanish care homes, highlighting the chaos and tragedy at Monte Hermoso. The emotional journey of families coping with loss and lack of closure, shedding light on the challenges faced by care home workers and the struggles of the older generation. Amidst allegations of cover-ups and high death tolls, the podcast delves into the heart-wrenching stories of those affected by the pandemic.
Apr 29, 2020 • 38min
Universal Basic Income: Alaska style
Explore Alaska's unique approach to providing every resident with a yearly dividend from the state's oil wealth. Learn about the impact on economy, controversies surrounding the program, and the potential for universal basic income in other regions like the UK.
Apr 28, 2020 • 28min
Who cares
The podcast delves into the lives of foreign domestic care workers in Britain, sharing their untold stories and experiences. It explores the challenges and rewards faced by caregivers, the emotional toll of separation from family, unexpected friendships that bloom, and the concerning issues surrounding the future of care services in the UK.
Apr 26, 2020 • 28min
Coronavirus Global Conversations - Care home workers and Covid-19 vaccine volunteers
People from all over the world discuss our shared experience of the epidemic; from nurses in intensive care and vaccine researchers, to pregnant women and couples getting married in a lockdown. With host Nuala McGovern, they talk together about how they are living with the impact of these extraordinary times in different countries and how they are trying to get through it. This week: Paramedics and care home workers, living in slums during a pandemic, and the Covid-19 vaccine volunteers hoping to save lives.
Apr 25, 2020 • 28min
Don't log off - part four
Alan Dein connects with Margaret in Uganda who has adopted children orphaned by HIV, Alezz in Peru struggles with parental acceptance as a trans non-binary person, and Pawel is trapped in Poland, separated from his wife in China. The podcast delves into the challenges of family life during lockdown in different parts of the world, showcasing resilience and the universal desire for connection amidst adversity.
Apr 23, 2020 • 26min
Saving Zimbabwe’s forests
Discover how a company in Zimbabwe is protecting forests to offset carbon emissions; learn about conservation farming, beekeeping, and the impact of carbon credits on forest conservation efforts.
Apr 22, 2020 • 28min
China and the virus
The podcast discusses the initial downplaying of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, a doctor's tragic death from Covid-19 after speaking out, struggles in navigating healthcare facilities, and President Xi's leadership during the crisis. It also explores the emotional toll on individuals, the Chinese government's narrative control, and shifting perceptions of China amidst the pandemic.
Apr 21, 2020 • 51min
In search of the quarter-life crisis
Young adults worldwide discuss the quarter-life crisis phenomenon, exploring pressures related to job satisfaction, relationship expectations, and housing insecurity. Psychologists debate the existence of the crisis, while personal stories offer insights on overcoming challenges. The podcast sheds light on societal changes and the impact of social media on individual struggles.
Apr 21, 2020 • 28min
The Response: Coronavirus - Lockdown tales from Riyadh, Hangzhou and Accra
The podcast talks about lockdown experiences from different parts of the world including Ghana, Hangzhou, and Mississippi. It also covers the impact of Covid-19 symptoms on individuals in the UK and the end of restrictions in China.
