The Documentary Podcast

The Documentary Podcast

BBC World Service

A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues.

From former prisoners in Syria, to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, to Nigerian women protecting their community from violence, The Documentary investigates major global stories.

We delve into social media, take you into the minds of the world’s most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. Every week, we also bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives.

A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations, The Fifth Floor and Trending.

Categories: Society & Culture

Listen to the last episode:

When the American troops withdrew from Afghanistan, they left behind $7bn of military supplies. Where are they now? Hafizullah Maroof from BBC Afghan will take us inside the Kabul flea market that sells second-hand military equipment to the Taliban. Plus: the origin story of capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian sport that blends dancing and martial arts, with Joao Fellet from BBC Brazil and Debula Kemoli from BBC Africa; and how the BBC's Pronunciation unit works with Language Service journalists to make sure we get international names right, with Martha Figueroa-Clark and Jo Kim.

Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Alice Gioia and Caroline Ferguson.

(Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

Previous episodes

  • 4710 - The Fifth Floor: What the US left behind in Afghanistan 
    Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • 4709 - BBC OS Conversations: How AI is changing our lives 
    Sat, 15 Feb 2025
  • 4708 - Heart and Soul: The caretaker of Bukhara 
    Fri, 14 Feb 2025
  • 4707 - World Wide Waves '25: Whispers in the air 
    Thu, 13 Feb 2025
  • 4706 - BBC Trending: Inside Nigeria’s hustle kingdoms 
    Wed, 12 Feb 2025
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