The Documentary Podcast

About The Documentary Podcast

The best documentaries from the 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. From the Chinese export boom, to Malawi's food security, to the fading influence of Russia's oligarchs, we go beyond the headlines. Each week, all year round, we bring you the stories shaping our world. From the personal voices behind the headlines to perspectives on faith and spirituality and how work and money impact our lives. Discover how people find solutions to global problems and look at the world through the lens of its media. Powered by the BBC World Service’s global network, The Documentary Podcast is about the people living the story – helping you see the world with greater clarity.

Publisher

BBC World Service

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

2 Jul 2015

Latest episode

6 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

1,124 of 3,058 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   6 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Michelle's dream

   In 2005, Michelle Vanek, a 35-year-old mother of four, disappeared on Colorado's Mount of the Holy Cross, a rugged peak so steeped in symbolism that its snow-filled cross has become both landmark and legend. She was hiking with a friend when the pair split up and she vanished. Despite one of the largest search operations in state history, involving helicopters, dogs and hundreds of rescuers, no trace of her was found. But in 2024, an unexpected new chapter unfolded. Pastor Scott Beebe, an experienced search-and-rescue volunteer, dreamt that Michelle came to him, asking to be found "by women." Taking the dream as a kind of calling, he inspired an all-women rescue team to return to the mountain, guided by intuition, faith and a quiet determination to find her and bring her home. Jo Meek speaks to Michelle's husband, Ben Vanek, and to Pastor Scott Beebe, and meets Emily Brown and Erika German from the Vail Mountain Rescue Team who felt a closeness to Michelle on that mountain, decades on.

2. 

   5 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   River rebound

   Physicist Helen Czerski interviews river lovers about reviving urban waterways, revealing their cooling and ecological benefits.

3. 

   4 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Japan’s next meal?

   Host [Host Name] explores Japan's innovative food future, investigating fungus-based proteins and cultured meat labs to understand how these advancements might reshape global diets.

Inside a recent episode

Michelle's dream

Published 6 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Michelle and her hiking partner had intended to take a well-worn route up Holy Cross. But instead, they mistakenly followed the longer, more strenuous off-trail approach known as Halo Ridge. After five miles, they reached a stone shelter on neighboring Notch Mountain. Holy Cross still lay ahead. […]

Who has been a guest on The Documentary Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Catalina
• Jorge
• Rosemary Nyirumbe
• Els
• Jan

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.3 / 5

1,629 ratings

Spotify

4.5 / 5

903 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

96

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

100

Contact The Documentary Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about The Documentary Podcast