The Documentary Podcast Podcast
Hear the voices at the heart of global stories. Where curious minds can uncover hidden truths and make sense of the world. Documentary storytelling from the 麻豆社 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 麻豆社 World Service.
From conflict in the Middle East to the advance of AI, to the front line of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines. Each week we dive into the minds of the world鈥檚 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 to download
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Sierra Leone: The Diamond that saved a thousand lives
Today
In 2017, five men found the third largest diamond ever unearthed in West Africa
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Sydney fireworks, the return
Yesterday
Behind the scenes of Sydney's new year fireworks display designed by Foti Fireworks
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The Sarkozy affair
Sunday
The rise and fall of Nicolas Sarkozy and why this story is gripping France
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AI farewells for Russia鈥檚 dead soldiers
Saturday
Families of killed Russian soldiers are paying for AI goodbye videos
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Life in a volcano danger zone
Saturday
People who live and work near volcanos talk of the danger and why it's worth it
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Fighting for the children of Chernobyl
Friday
Adi Roche, whose faith inspired a lifetime helping children affected by the disaster
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When Shiraz calls
Thursday
Intimate conversations of two Iranian sisters - one in the UK, the other in Iran
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Introducing: Focus on Africa - Electric vehicles: fixing Africa's fuel crisis?
Last Wednesday
Fuel prices continue to rise, could electric vehicles provide relief?
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Victim or Accomplice? The Story of Jeffrey Epstein鈥檚 Pilot Girlfriend
Last Tuesday
Was Nadia Marcinko - a model, then a pilot - a victim, or accomplice, of Epstein?
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Thomas Keneally: What鈥檚 next for the Schindler鈥檚 List author?
Last Monday
Schindler's List author Thomas Keneally on writing into his tenth decade
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Introducing: CrowdScience - What keeps the universe in balance?
Sun 17 May 2026
What keeps the stars burning? And is the universe in balance?
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How Belarus silenced its free press
Sat 16 May 2026
Belarus has crushed press freedom with jail terms for journalists and their readers
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Hantavirus nearly killed me
Sat 16 May 2026
鈥淚 died for 11 minutes鈥� 鈥� what鈥檚 it like to be infected with hantavirus?
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Speaking from the Heart
Fri 15 May 2026
The story of Anna, a Christian who at the age of 25 became 鈥渓ocked in鈥� after a stroke
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An animal exodus
Thu 14 May 2026
The UK Natural History Museum is moving millions of precious specimens to a new home
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Introducing: Not By The Playbook - Why it is never too late
Wed 13 May 2026
The story of Mike Flynn, Meg Robson Austin, rower Arshay Cooper and boxer George Foreman
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Return to Khartoum: War, loss and hope
Tue 12 May 2026
Mohanad Hashim returns home to a fabled city wrecked by war
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Mika Obanda: Mosaic art
Mon 11 May 2026
Mika Obanda creates vibrant mosaics using egg shells in his Kenyan studio
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Searching for Soldier Dad: Ep 1. Love story
Sun 10 May 2026
DNA detectives track down the British soldiers who fathered children in Kenya
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A 93 year old president gets a deputy
Sat 9 May 2026
President of Cameroon Paul Biya has ruled the African nation for 8 terms: nearly 44 years
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Sir David Attenborough
Sat 9 May 2026
Wildlife film-makers and conservationists discuss the impact of Sir David's work
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Befriending the man who killed my family
Fri 8 May 2026
In Rwanda, survivors face the return of men who killed their families
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Russia's 'nyet' to the internet
Thu 7 May 2026
What鈥檚 driving the push to isolate Russia from the global internet?
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13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II: What鈥檚 next for Nasa's Artemis mission?
Wed 6 May 2026
Artemis II astronaut Jeremy Hansen reflects on his journey to the far side of the Moon
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Serbia: Under The Canopy
Tue 5 May 2026
A disaster at a Serbian station sparked mass protests. What is its political legacy?
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Artist Joan Eardley
Mon 4 May 2026
Scottish artist Joan Eardley produced monumental seascapes, landscapes, and portraits
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Mapping Epstein's global connections
Sat 2 May 2026
How World Service journalists mapped Jeffrey Epstein's web of influence around the world
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My social life as a wheelchair user
Sat 2 May 2026
Wheelchair users discuss the barriers they face in social situations
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A church without walls
Fri 1 May 2026
In Johannesburg, Pastor Jane creates a church for those sidelined by traditional faith
