Best BBC World Service Podcasts (2025)

1
BBC World Service (Dari Language Service): July 3, 2024

17d ago

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor Paul Walker, who shares the following recording of the BBC World Service Dari language service made on July 13, 2024 at 04:35 UTC on 17750 kHz. The reception location was McGrath, Alaska:By Paul Walker

1
Emma Webber & Sinead O'Malley Kumar, Maureen Lipman, Nina Bhadreshwar 57:37

3h ago57:37

57:37

Anita Rani speaks to Emma Webber and Sinead O’Malley Kumar mothers of Barnaby and Grace, both 19, who were killed in Nottingham in June 2023. They’ll be responding to the findings of a major review of the NHS care of Valdo Calocane the man who attacked their children. A report Emma has already described as a horror show. Nina Bhadreshwar’s crime no…

1
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Comedian Hajar J Woodland, how often to wash your laundry? 57:30

1d ago57:30

57:30

Women in prison are resorting to self-harm because of “astonishing gaps” in basic services including strict time limits when contacting their children, according to a new report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales released today. The report's author Sandra Fieldhouse joins Anita Rani, as does the Lord Chancellor and Sec…

1
Rob Crilly, Chief US Political Correspondent for The Daily Mail, on Trump's presidency - an insider's view 34:22

3d ago34:22

34:22

Rob Crilly is the Chief US Political Correspondent for The Daily Mail who has covered Donald Trump since his bid for the presidency in 2015. Part of the White House press corp and regularly travelling with the president, Rob offers unique insights into Trump’s personality, communication style, and the impact Trump has had on American politics and j…

1
Daisy May Cooper, The Bad Guru, Fiona-Lee 53:51

2d ago53:51

53:51

Actor and writer Daisy May Cooper shot to fame with This Country, the mockumentary about rural poverty in the Cotswolds that she wrote and starred in with her brother Charlie. She followed that with the lead in BBC/HBO show Rain Dogs and in 2022 she co-wrote and starred in the twisting female-friendship thriller Am I Being Unreasonable? With the se…

1
Improving our eyesight 23:22

3d ago23:22

23:22

Many agricultural workers don’t have the eyesight they need for the work they do, affecting both their comfort and their ability to earn more money. They're among the billion plus people who have visual impairments but can't get the assistance they need. We visit a coffee plantation in southern India where workers are being given glasses on the spo…

1
Mikey Madison, Jojo Moyes, Inside the RAF 57:35

3d ago57:35

57:35

Oscar-nominated actress Mikey Madison joins Clare McDonnell in the Woman’s Hour studio. She speaks about playing the title role in Anora, a film about a sex worker in New York. Mikey spent months embedded in a strip club to fully immerse herself in the world. The film is nominated for six Academy Awards as well as BAFTAs and Golden Globes – we spea…

1
Radio Alma Ata (Kazakh S.S.R.): Circa 1971

3d ago

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes: Broadcaster: Radio Alma Ata, Kazakh S.S.R. 1971 Frequency: 9,380 kHz Recption location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada Receiver and antenna: Hallicrafters S-52 using a longwire antenna Notes: Here is the interval signal and sign on announcement from Radio Alma A…

1
Weekend Woman’s Hour: Refuges, Mary Robinson, Polar Preet, Vicky Pattison’s deep fake doc, Rumer 53:34

5d ago53:34

53:34

In the last year, women with disabilities experienced domestic abuse at more than twice the rate of those without, according to the latest figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales. Yet data from Women’s Aid shows less than 1% of refuge vacancies in England are suitable for wheelchair users. Where does this leave women with disabilities i…

1
The challenges of change at the top of US politics 8:58

5d ago8:58

8:58

In a special edition, Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th US president was comprehensively covered by all BBC World Service news shows, including a special edition of the Global News Podcast. But what challenges do the Trump presidency present for journalists, including the BBC’s news teams? We’re joined by a senior news editor and we hear list…

1
Rumer, Kerry Godliman, Afghan women's cricket 52:33

6d ago52:33

52:33

The singer/songwriter Rumer is a MOBO award winner and double Brit Award nominee. Her new album In Session is out today celebrating the 15th anniversary of her platinum debut album Seasons Of My Soul. The success that followed that album affected her mental health. She stepped away from the industry and relocated to the US. Now back in the UK she h…

1
Polar Preet, 'Swell' poetry, Ballet body-shaming 57:23

7d ago57:23

57:23

The Royal Ballet School (RBS) has reached a financial settlement with former student Ellen Elphick who said the body-shaming she experienced while at the elite institution has left her with lifelong psychological damage. The London-based school accepts no liability for the former dancer’s case and has not issued an apology. Ellen talks to Anita Ran…

1
Peter Kosminsky, director of 'Wolf Hall' on financial support for British dramas, his career and being sacked by the BBC Plays department 37:37

9d ago37:37

37:37

Peter Kosminsky, the renowned British film and television director who recently directed the much-acclaimed Wolf Hall, discusses his career journey—from being sacked by the BBC Plays department to finally becoming a successful documentary-maker and filmmaker. He describes the creative process behind Wolf Hall, the challenges British filmmakers face…

1
Women’s refuges and disability, Aisling Walsh, Roxanne de Bastion 55:47

8d ago55:47

55:47

In the last year, women with disabilities experienced domestic abuse at more than twice the rate of those without, according to the latest figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales. Yet data from Women’s Aid shows less than 1% of refuge vacancies in England are suitable for wheelchair users. Where does this leave women with disabilities i…

1
Vicki Pattison's deepfake doc, Kim Wilde, Misogyny, Football academies 1:18:35

9d ago1:18:35

1:18:35

Reality star turned documentary filmmaker Vicky Pattison joins Clare McDonnell to discuss her latest project, Vicky Pattison: My Deepfake Sex Tape. The documentary sees her exploring the proliferation of videos generated by AI whereby people’s faces are placed onto pornographic images and shared without their consent. Vicky talks about creating her…

1
Sharing the river 23:24

10d ago23:24

23:24

In the farming community of Los Negros in rural Bolivia, the river is their life and livelihood. So when that river started to dry up, it made life very hard. They blamed the villages upstream for not looking after their precious water. This conflict could have turned ugly. But with the support of a local charity, what came out of it instead was a …

1
Mary Robinson, Holocaust Memorial Day, Catherine Airey 57:25

10d ago57:25

57:25

Mrs Robinson is a feature-length documentary about Ireland’s first female president. Telling her own story of her childhood and career for the first time on screen, it was filmed over three years, and takes a deep-dive into Mary Robinson’s career as she discusses the significant controversies throughout her tenure and her own professional regrets; …

1
XERH (Radio Tricolor Mexico City, Mexico): Circa 1970

11d ago

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes: XERH Radio Tricolor Mexico City, Mexico 1970 on 11,880 kHz This station was often heard with a good signal in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada in Spanish with the jingle "La RH, La RH Radio Tricolor"By Dan Greenall

1
Weekend Woman’s Hour: Felicity Jones, Ukraine's Zla Mavka, Author Kate Fagan, Adult sons at home, WSL record signing 56:48

12d ago56:48

56:48

Felicity Jones has been nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA for her role in The Brutalist, in which she plays Erzsébet, a Hungarian journalist who emigrates to the US in the late 1950s to join her architect husband. She joined Anita Rani to discuss her portrayal of this complex character and the other memorable roles she’s taken on, from Ruth Bader …

1
Keeping the world’s people informed about health 8:58

13d ago8:58

8:58

This week we look at Health Check. With so many issues and breakthroughs to choose from, how do they decide what to cover? We hear from the show’s presenter Claudia Hammond and listeners tell us what they think.Plus how a listener feels a first-hand report on the LA fires burning down a BBC reporter’s own house was “extraordinary radio”. Presenter:…

1
Zla Makva, 'Bicycle face', Lebanon, The Traitors 56:03

13d ago56:03

56:03

Zla Mavka is a non-violent all-female Ukrainian resistance group, fighting against Russian occupation. It spreads newsletters and shares experiences aiming to support others. Anita Rani is joined by the Guardian's chief culture writer, Charlotte Higgins, who has spoken to some of the members and Tetyana Filevska, the curator at the Ukrainian Instit…

1
Adjoa Andoh, Royal Shakespeare Company and Bridgerton actor on BBC radio drama cuts 28:27

14d ago28:27

28:27

Adjoa Andoh is one of Britain's most celebrated actors, with an extensive career spanning stage, screen, and radio. She has appeared in iconic TV series like Doctor Who and Netflix’s Bridgerton, as well as making her Hollywood debut in Clint Eastwood's Invictus. In this episode we discuss the importance of radio drama, concerns about the significan…

1
Practice Across The Pond - Episode 3: Navigating Transatlantic Structures in Professional Services 18:48

14d ago18:48

18:48

We are delighted to share the next episode of Practice Across the Pond, where we discuss the regulatory and ethical approaches taken to various matters from both a UK (England and Wales) and US (New York) perspective. In this episode, CM Murray LLP Partners Corinne Staves and Zulon Begum and Devika Kewalramani, Partner and General Counsel at Fisher…

1
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, WSL record signing, India rape case 56:20

14d ago56:20

56:20

It has been reported that USA women's footballer Naomi Girma has agreed terms to join Chelsea FC for a world record transfer fee of £900,000 or $1.1 million. Anita Rani is joined by Tom Garry, Woman’s Football writer at The Guardian. Nearly three decades ago, Marianne Jean-Baptiste was Oscar nominated for her role in Mike Leigh’s film Secrets & Lie…

1
Felicity Jones, Eating disorders, Adult sons at home 57:16

15d ago57:16

57:16

Felicity Jones has been nominated for a Best Supporting Actress BAFTA for her role in The Brutalist, in which she plays Erzsébet, a Hungarian journalist who emigrates to the US in the late 1950s to join her architect husband. She joins Anita Rani to discuss her portrayal of this complex character and the other memorable roles she’s taken on, from R…

1
PODCAST 208 CELEBRATING THE RAILWAY 30:02

15d ago30:02

30:02

We welcome Mark Smith, well known as "the man in seat 61" to discuss the bicentenary of the first official railway journey, a gift from the UK to the world. Mark's guide to rail travel is at www.seat61.com And thanks to Roland Lösslein for his photo on Unsplash

1
Trudie Styler, Broadcasting to Afghan women, Author Kate Fagan 57:09

16d ago57:09

57:09

Trudie Styler has had a career spanning decades, from starting out as an actress for the Royal Shakespeare Company to the last 20 years as a film-maker. Trudie’s newest film Posso Entrare: An Ode to Naples sees her exploring the streets of the Sanita district of the city, meeting residents and finding out more about Naple's history of conflict and …

1
We're coming back for 2025! 1:37

17d ago1:37

1:37

A quick hello and happy new year from Myra and a preview of some of the great solutions coming up on People Fixing The World. Share our podcast with your friends and family and give them something to cheer about as we look ahead to 2025. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let …

1
Israel-Gaza ceasefire, Donald Trump's inauguration, Runner Elise Downing 57:19

17d ago57:19

57:19

After 15 months of devastating conflict, a ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, and three female hostages – Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher - have been released and are now back in Israel. This release is the first of several expected over the next six weeks, with a total of 33 hostages to be returned. Nin…

1
Radio Nikkei 1: January 18, 2025

17d ago

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor Carlos Latuff, who shares the following recording, notes, and original artwork: This is part of the Radio Nikkei 1 program (in Japanese), listened by me in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on 6055 kHz, on January 18, 2025, between 08:38 and 09:10 (UTC). The content is as follows: Commercial break J-Music Time Recommended Lani-c…

1
Bill Nighy and Adjoa Andoh on BBC radio drama cuts 0:26

18d ago0:26

0:26

This week we’ll be hearing from some of our nation’s greatest actors Bill Nighy and Adjoa Andoh on why they think the BBC should reverse the proposed cut to BBC Radio 3's sole drama slot and why they are seeking reassurances that there will be no reduction in the amount of drama on Radio 4. Make sure you don’t miss out on this episode which will be…

1
KWHR (World Harvest Radio): November 10, 1996

17d ago

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes: KWHR, World Harvest Radio from Naalehu, Hawaii: November 10, 1996 on 9,930 kHz The station was heard in Thamesford, Ontario, Canada giving out its QSL mailing address in South Bend, Indiana.By Dan Greenall

1
Weekend Woman’s Hour: Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Corridor care, AI & IVF 53:17

19d ago53:17

53:17

The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the Bishop of Dover, is a trailblazer, who has been right at the heart of a changing nation for over 40 years. Despite discrimination due to her gender and ethnic minority background, Bishop Rose has never wavered from the call she received to enter ministry at the age of 14. She joined Nuala McGovern to discu…

1
Does the whole world laugh at the same jokes? 8:58

19d ago8:58

8:58

The Arts Hour’s annual comedy special aired at New Year but how well does comedy translate to a global audience, a listener asks of the show's team.Plus, how a listener in Australia would like to hear more impartial commentators and fewer politicians on World Questions. Presenter: Rajan DatarProducer: Howard ShannonA Whistledown production for BBC …

1
AI and IVF, Cousin marriage, Sugarcane documentary, 'Masculine energy' 57:33

20d ago57:33

57:33

Can AI improve the success rates of women undergoing fertility treatment? Anita Rani discusses the impact of AI on IVF with Dr Cristina Hickman, an embryologist, co-founder of Avenues, and Chair of the Global AI Fertility Society, and Dr Ali Abbara, a Clinician Scientist at Imperial College London, and Consultant in Reproductive Endocrinology at Im…

1
Ofcom's age check guidance, Adwaith, Kamala Harris's legacy 53:28

21d ago53:28

53:28

The communications regulator, Ofcom, has published new industry guidance for online services, in which it sets out how it expects online platforms - including social media and porn sites - to introduce highly effective age check measures to prevent children from accessing online pornography and to protect them from other types of harmful content. T…

1
David Lloyd local radio expert on the outcome of his complaint on BBC Radio Devon's coverage of the Plymouth riots 29:48

22d ago29:48

29:48

David Lloyd is a veteran of the local radio industry, with over 40 years of experience in roles at LBC, Virgin Radio, and the BBC. He also brings regulatory expertise from his time at the UK Radio Authority, now part of Ofcom. Today, he's a broadcaster and co-founder of Boom Radio, a relatively new UK station catering to baby boomers. In this episo…

1
Author Holly Bourne, SEND, Alcohol pilot scheme at Women's Championship football clubs, Women & cycling 57:29

22d ago57:29

57:29

Services for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) in England are ‘unviable’. That’s the judgement from a report out today by the Public Accounts Committee, who look at the value for money of government services. Anna Dixon MP, who sits on the committee, joins Nuala McGovern to explain more, alongside Katie Ghose, Vice-Chair…

1
Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment Related Investigations: Legal Perspectives from Canada and the UK 32:41

23d ago32:41

32:41

We are pleased to introduce a three-part podcast series focusing on investigations, where Emma Bartlett, Partner, and Gabrielle Lintott, Associate, at CM Murray LLP, are joined by special guest, Emily Kaufer, Senior Director of Human Rights and Harassment at Air Canada.In this first recording, Emma, Gabrielle and Emily discuss domestic violence and…

1
PODCAST 207 Manatees v humanity 30:30

23d ago30:30

30:30

We discuss the possible impact on travel to the USA of the impending Donald Trump presidency while Simon reports from Florida on the often fraught interaction between humanity and manatees. With thanks to NOAA for the photo of a manatee and her calf.

1
Sticky floor jobs, Kiena Dawes, The Mare, Badass Gran 57:09

23d ago57:09

57:09

The term ‘sticky floor’ refers to the difficulties women face in progressing to higher-paid and higher-powered job roles whilst balancing the demands of their careers with personal, unpaid responsibilities. They can get stuck at lower levels, leaving the most senior positions to be occupied by, predominantly, men. Nuala McGovern discusses some of t…

1
Radio 4VEH (Cap Haitien, Haiti): Circa 1970's

24d ago

—

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes: Broadcaster: Radio 4VEH Cap Haitien Haiti 1970's Frequency: 9.770 MHz Recption location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada Receiver and antenna: Hallicrafters S-52 using a longwire antenna Notes: The first audio clip is likely a "recording of a recording." Back in …

1
Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Fast-fashion company Shein, Abortion in Texas 57:21

24d ago57:21

57:21

The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin is the Bishop of Dover and the Bishop in Canterbury - Britain's first black woman bishop. She’s a trailblazer, who has been right at the heart of a changing nation for over 40 years. Despite discrimination due to her gender and ethnic minority background, Bishop Rose has never wavered from the call she received…

1
Weekend Woman’s Hour: Rape gangs, Exploring Antarctica, Deep fakes, Oti Mabuse 56:54

25d ago56:54

56:54

Victims groomed and raped by gangs have told the BBC's Senior UK Correspondent Sima Kotecha that they are adamant the crime is still happening to girls across the country. This week, a Tory amendment to the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which wanted a national inquiry into grooming gangs, was voted down. Krupa Padhy talked to …

1
Learning about the power of the spoken word 8:58

26d ago8:58

8:58

What role does language play in the propaganda of war? The Global Jigsaw has been asking that very question following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We hear from the show's presenter and listeners give us their thoughts on what they have learned about the power of the spoken word. Plus, one listener complains too many programmes are becoming “inane …

1
Oti Mabuse, Eldest daughters, Hygiene poverty 57:13

27d ago57:13

57:13

2025 is a big year for former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse who is judging Dancing on Ice starting this weekend, then going on tour and publishing her first adult novel. She joins Krupa Padhy to tell us all about these projects, becoming a mother and how being on I’m A Celebrity taught her the importance of talking about feelings. The term Eldes…

1
Rape gangs, Playing Nice, Cancer friends, Erotica 57:21

28d ago57:21

57:21

Victims groomed and raped by gangs have told the BBC's Senior UK Correspondent Sima Kotecha that they are adamant the crime is still happening to girls across the country. Yesterday, a Tory amendment to the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which wanted a national inquiry into grooming gangs, was voted down. Krupa Padhy talks to S…

1
David Elstein, founding Chief Executive of Channel 5, on BBC mutualisation, funding models, PSB content, and tax breaks 36:05

29d ago36:05

36:05

David Elstein was the head of programming at BskyB, the director of programmes at Thames Television, before launching Channel 5 as its chief executive in 1997. Since then, he has chaired innumerable boards and organisations including the British Screen Advisory Council and Open Democracy. David was part of the last Conservative government's inquiry…

1
Deep fakes, Female membership on Boards, Exploring Antarctica 57:16

29d ago57:16

57:16

A new law change has made the creation of explicit deepfakes illegal, with those found guilty facing up to two years in prison. Nuala McGovern is joined by Durham Law Professor Clare McGlynn to hear more about what this means, and Channel 4's Cathy Newman, who was a victim of deepfakes herself, gives her thoughts. Author Clare Whitfield joins Nuala…

1
Child sexual exploitation, Endometriosis reporting tool, Lucy Lawless on Margaret Moth 56:06

1M ago56:06

56:06

The debate around widescale child sexual abuse and exploitation continues following calls from the Conservatives and Reform UK for a new national inquiry into the issue. Professor Alexis Jay chaired the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. It took seven years and was published in 2022. It warned of "endemic" abuse across society in England …

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