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
Apr 19, 2020 • 27min
Togetherness: Coronavirus Global Conversations - Dealing with grief
Listeners get a glimpse into how individuals cope with loss during the pandemic, the racial impact of the virus in the US, and the resilience of couples adapting wedding plans. Personal accounts share the emotional toll of missing loved ones, challenges in making end-of-life care decisions, disparities in Black communities, and the urgent need to address racial impact and inequality in coronavirus impact.
Apr 18, 2020 • 50min
Personal finance for the pandemic
Experts in personal finance from around the world discuss the impact of the pandemic on finances. They cover topics like government aid distribution challenges in Nigeria, unique responses in African countries, managing debt, and the surge of pandemic-related scams and frauds.
Apr 18, 2020 • 27min
Don't log off - part three
Listeners are taken on a global journey, from Mexico to Nigeria, exploring the challenges faced during lockdown. Stories include a mother searching for her kidnapped son, a ship captain separated from his family, and a student studying in a mosque. The podcast also delves into the impact of armed soldiers in Manila, highlighting resilience and determination amidst uncertain times.
Apr 16, 2020 • 27min
Chile: An education for all
Protests in Chile call for education reform due to inequality issues. Students face challenges with inadequate schooling facilities and resources. Activists advocate for fairer opportunities and funding to address disparities. Voices of young activists highlight the need for a more equitable education system. Impact of protests on individual students' futures and the push for educational reform in Chile.
Apr 14, 2020 • 50min
What we can do with our waste
Lucia Blasco, a BBC Mundo reporter, explores creative uses for waste in Paraguay and Sweden. She visits the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura where young musicians play instruments made from landfill trash. In Sweden, waste is transformed into energy for heating houses. The podcast highlights the challenges of waste management, the power of music to inspire change, and the importance of individual actions for environmental care.
Apr 12, 2020 • 24min
Togetherness: Coronavirus Global Conversations
From Wuhan to Antarctica, doctors in Italy to farmers in Kenya, this podcast delves into diverse experiences during the pandemic. It explores the personal challenges faced post-lockdown, frontline struggles of healthcare workers, farmers' economic hardships, and the importance of unity and mutual support in navigating the emotional rollercoaster of the pandemic.
Apr 11, 2020 • 50min
Coronavirus and Europe
Experts including Dunja Mijatovic, Margaret Harris, Richard Horton, and Nathalie Tocci discuss the challenges and consequences of Covid-19 in Europe. Topics include balancing public health restrictions with individual freedoms, economic impacts of the pandemic, reopening strategies, and the psychological effects of prolonged quarantine.
Apr 11, 2020 • 50min
Women of the World
Acclaimed authors Isabel Allende and Edna O'Brien discuss finding love in later years, coping with isolation and Covid-19, and the power of literature in crisis. They delve into themes of displacement, grief, hope, starting new books, and the story of a Nigerian girl abducted by Boko Haram.
Apr 11, 2020 • 27min
Don't log off - part two
The podcast shares stories of individuals worldwide dealing with the pandemic. It includes the experiences of a ship captain stranded at sea, an elderly woman in Delhi, and a volunteer feeding Mumbai's urban poor. The focus is on finding moments of calm and beauty in challenging times.
Apr 9, 2020 • 26min
Extreme measures
Former extremist Usman Khan, involved in a de-radicalisation program, discusses the effectiveness of rehabilitating extremists. The podcast explores how extremists can cheat the system, the dangers of non-terrorist offenders being radicalized, and the challenges faced by intervention providers in the UK.
