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 8, 2020 • 27min
ADHD and me
Saeedeh Hashemi, diagnosed with ADHD, explores the positives of living with ADHD and how it shapes personalities. The podcast discusses the shift in the modern working environment towards embracing neuro-diversity. Top medical professionals share innovative ways of treating ADHD, while businesses recognize the strengths individuals with ADHD bring to effective teams.
Apr 7, 2020 • 27min
Melbourne: The sounds of the city
David, a blind cricket enthusiast, shares the vibrant sounds and experiences of Melbourne. From visiting the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to exploring the city's outdoor delights, the podcast captures the essence of Melbourne through the eyes and ears of a local.
Apr 5, 2020 • 24min
Togetherness: Coronavirus Global Conversations
Texan woman shares struggles with unemployment, NY women face homelessness, pandemic worries of key workers and parents, navigating emotions and information overload, transformative power of challenging times
Apr 4, 2020 • 50min
Germany's refugee teachers
Explore the journey of Mustafa Hammal, a Syrian English teacher who fled the civil war and now teaches in Germany. Learn about the initiative retraining refugee teachers to address the teacher shortage. Delve into the challenges faced by refugee teachers in finding employment and integrating into the German education system amidst political tensions.
Apr 4, 2020 • 27min
Don't Log Off
Meet Golnar, an Iranian traveler stuck at home and Fahad, an entrepreneur in Dhaka worried about business. Dive into their stories of resilience during the pandemic, from closed hostels serving communities to personal struggles with homelessness and business challenges.
Apr 2, 2020 • 26min
The man who died for trees
The podcast uncovers the dangers faced by Romania's forests, where rangers are killed defending against illegal loggers. It explores the suspicious deaths, corruption, and complicity in the lucrative logging industry. The mystery of a ranger's death raises questions about foul play and the challenges of protecting nature in the face of powerful interests.
Mar 31, 2020 • 27min
Miami: The sounds of the city
Join Peter White, a man born without sight, as he explores Miami with his new blind friend, George, and meets Carlos, a homeless man looking for work. From the sounds of the city to encounters with alligators, this podcast offers a unique perspective on Miami's diverse landscape and challenges faced by its residents.
Mar 30, 2020 • 50min
Ethiopia and Eritrea: Rebirth at the border
Rebirth at the Ethiopia-Eritrea border after 20 years with separated families reuniting. Communities reconnecting, celebrating milestones, but border checkpoint closed again causing stagnation in business. Hope and despair coexist in a conflicted situation awaiting resolution.
Mar 26, 2020 • 50min
North Korea's celebrity defectors
Hyun-joo Yu, a North Korean defector, discusses the experiences of defectors in South Korea, including reality TV appearances and social media fame. The challenges of assimilating into South Korean society, the struggles faced by professionals from North Korea, and the emotional toll of sharing traumatic stories are highlighted. The podcast explores the complexities of authenticity in defectors' narratives and the importance of fostering understanding between defectors and South Koreans.
Mar 26, 2020 • 27min
Indonesia: Not cool to date
Explore Indonesia's anti-dating movement, driven by young people rejecting public displays of affection and traditional relationships. Delve into the influence of conservative Islam in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, sparking debates on gender roles and religious teachings. Follow one woman's journey towards a strict Islamic lifestyle, including the use of a unique matchmaking app emphasizing inner qualities for arranged marriages. Discover the complexities of the youth-led surge in conservative values and resistance efforts in Indonesia.
