Best Documentaries Podcasts (2024)

1
From the archive: The unravelling of a conspiracy: were the 16 charged with plotting to kill India’s prime minister framed? 39:20

28m ago39:20

39:20

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: In 2018, Indian police claimed to have uncovered a shocking plan to bring down the government. But there is mounting evidence that the initial conspiracy was a fiction – and the accused are …

1
The Forest 30:11

29m ago30:11

30:11

Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures that venture into the forest. Searching for EdenWritten, performed and composed by Nyokabi Kariũki Drums - Chris O'LearyField Recordings taken in Mũrang'a, Kenya The Final BreathFeaturing Robin ElmsProduced by Kendra Hanna and Max Jungreis MangrovesFeaturing Paolo RealpeProduced by Mickal…

1
On board the Creed cruise: the unfathomable return of the ‘worst band of the 90s’ 32:39

4m ago32:39

32:39

I took a cruise with thousands of fellow lunatics to find out how this much-mocked rock band became so beloved. By Luke Winkie. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
A Chinese-born writer’s quest to understand the Vikings, Normans and life on the English coast 31:32

1h ago31:32

31:32

Perhaps a foreigner knows more about their adopted land than the locals, because a foreigner feels more acutely the particularities of a new environment. By Xiaolu Guo. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Heart and Soul Horses 42:01

38m ago42:01

42:01

In 2008, Celine Cawley was killed in her home in Howth in County Dublin. Just over a year later, her husband was convicted of her manslaughter and sent to prison. Their sixteen year old daughter Georgia was an only child and effectively lost both of her parents. That sixteen year old girl is now thirty years old. The constant in Georgia's life has …

1
From the archive: The invention of whiteness: the long history of a dangerous idea 54:07

1h ago54:07

54:07

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: Before the 17th century, people did not think of themselves as belonging to something called the white race. But once the idea was invented, it quickly began to reshape the modern world. By …

1
A Word 29:06

28m ago29:06

29:06

Wishes, wonders, and wisdom. Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures uncovering the power of words. mother-house by produced by Catherine Boulle.Inspired by the guided visualisations accompanying the book 'Motherhood: Is it for me?' by Denise L. Carlini & Ann Davidman. Weird World Whimsy produced and composed by Suzie McCarthy.…

1
Ukraine’s death-defying art rescuers 44:00

42m ago44:00

44:00

When Putin invaded, a historian in Kyiv saw that Ukraine’s cultural heritage was in danger. So he set out to save as much of it as he could. By Charlotte Higgins. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
As a former IDF soldier and historian of genocide, I was deeply disturbed by my recent visit to Israel 1:04:27

4h ago1:04:27

1:04:27

This summer, one of my lectures was protested by far-right students. Their rhetoric brought to mind some of the darkest moments of 20th-century history – and overlapped with mainstream Israeli views to a shocking degree. By Omer Bartov. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Nastiness 40:00

6d ago40:00

40:00

The world of Irish politics has changed. There's more personal abuse and stress on public representatives - both inside and outside Leinster House - than ever before. One young politician described being physically sick at "the level of nastiness" directed at her. It’s feared this could damage Irish democracy by discouraging new candidates. We exam…

1
From the archive: Death on demand: has euthanasia gone too far? 39:54

2d ago39:54

39:54

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2019: Countries around the world are making it easier to choose the time and manner of your death. But doctors in the world’s euthanasia capital are starting to worry about the consequences. By Ch…

1
Sound Waves 29:21

9d ago29:21

29:21

Trying to capture a lost homeland on tape, reclaiming urban landscapes through the sound of skateboarding, and the noise that is one of the great equalisers of the world. Short documentaries that ripple through space - presented by Josie Long. Sonic SkateboardingProduced by Alice Boyd and Tom CritchleyFeaturing Ben Dixon, Tom Critchley, Hannah, Zip…

1
‘A diagnosis can sweep away guilt’: the delicate art of treating ADHD 34:03

4d ago34:03

34:03

For children with ADHD, getting the help they need depends on being correctly diagnosed. As a doctor, I have seen how tricky and frustrating a process that can be. By Jack Goulder. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive – ‘A merry-go-round of buck-passing’: inside the four-year Grenfell inquiry 51:05

20d ago51:05

51:05

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some notable pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: Five years after the fire that killed 72, the inquiry is nearing a close. Over 300 days of evidence, what have we learned about the failings that led to disaster? By Robert Booth. Help suppo…

2
Bob Marley In The Park 41:41

7d ago41:41

41:41

The only gig that Bob Marley and the Wailers ever played in Ireland turned out to be Bob’s last ever outdoor show, before he tragically died of cancer just 10 months later. The concert took place at Dalymount Park in Dublin on the 6th of July 1980, a day that lives long in the memories and stories of so many people who were caught up in the vibe on…

2
From the KKK to the state house: how neo-Nazi David Duke won office 36:09

9d ago36:09

36:09

In the 1970s, David Duke was grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. In the 80s, he was elected to Louisiana’s house of representatives – and the kinds of ideas he stood for have not gone away. By John Ganz. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
In Time 29:21

10d ago29:21

29:21

Josie Long presents short documentaries against the clock in an episode around time and timing. Dad's Secret Life of MatchmakingProduced by Josephine AndersonAdditional sound recording by Christopher Anderson Loose EndsProduced by Jon Tjhia There's Always a Next TimeProduced by Steve Urquhart Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Ra…

1
‘Nobody knows what I know’: how a loyal RSS member abandoned Hindu nationalism 28:37

11d ago28:37

28:37

As a young man, Partha Banerjee was on course to become a senior member of the RSS, the organisation that has pushed Indian politics towards extreme religious nationalism. Then, after decades within its ranks, he quit. Why? By Rahul Bhatia. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Best of 2024 … so far: Solar storms, ice cores and nuns’ teeth: the new science of history 38:41

19d ago38:41

38:41

Every Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2024, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from May: Advances in fields such as spectrometry and gene sequencing are unleashing torrents of new data about the ancient world – and could offer an…

1
Constellation 29:43

18d ago29:43

29:43

Star maps, messages from Earth to the moon and reaching out across distance as Josie Long presents short documentaries about constellations. Star MapFeaturing Ferdinand Hauge LethMusic by Kirstine LindemannCaptured by Trawl HzProduced by Nanna Hauge Kristensen News to the Moon and BackRecordings courtesy of the NASA archiveProduced by Mika Golubovs…

1
‘It comes for your very soul’: how Alzheimer’s undid my dazzling, creative wife in her 40s 42:52

23d ago42:52

42:52

By the time my wife got a diagnosis, her long and harrowing deterioration had already begun. By the end, I was in awe of her. By Michael Aylwin. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Best of 2024 … so far: ‘Scars on every street’: the refugee camp where generations of Palestinians have lost their futures 29:56

21d ago29:56

29:56

Every Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2024, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from February: Ever since the displacement of 700,000 Palestinians in 1948, many have been living in dejection and squalor in camps like Shatila in Be…

1
In Colour 28:20

26d ago28:20

28:20

A black and white film transformed, searching the sunset for the green flash and a reimagining of red. Josie Long presents a kaleidoscopic collection of short documentaries. Autism Plays ItselfAdapted for radio by Jodie Taylor and Janet HarbordBased on the short film directed by Janet Harbord, produced by Whalebone Films and sound designed by Actio…

1
Food, water, wifi: is this the future of humanitarian aid? 26:43

25d ago26:43

26:43

Working in food aid delivery, I have seen the benefits of embracing new technologies. But some problems need to be solved between humans. By Jean-Martin Bauer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Best of 2024…so far: ‘They were dying, and they’d not had their money’: Britain’s multibillion-pound equal pay scandal 42:37

28d ago42:37

42:37

Every Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2024, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from February: In 2005, Glasgow council offered to compensate women for historic pay inequality. But it sold them short again – and soon workers all o…

1
My family and other Nazis 35:04

1M ago35:04

35:04

My father did terrible things during the second world war, and my other relatives were equally unrepentant. But it wasn’t until I was in my late 50s that I started to confront this dark past. By Martin Pollack. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Best of 2024 … so far: Hippy, capitalist, guru, grocer: the forgotten genius who changed British food 50:26

1M ago50:26

50:26

Every Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2024, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from January: Nicholas Saunders was a counterculture pioneer with an endless stream of quixotic schemes and a yearning to spread knowledge – but his t…

1
Revolution in the air: how laughing gas changed the world 27:47

1M ago27:47

27:47

Since its discovery in the 18th century, nitrous oxide has gone from vaudeville gimmick to pioneering anaesthetic to modern party drug. By Mark Miodownik. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Introducing Illuminated 3:31

2M ago3:31

3:31

Thank you for listening to Seriously. This feed is now ending, but here’s a preview of Illuminated, BBC Radio 4’s new home for creative and surprising one-off documentaries that shed light on hidden worlds. Illuminated is a place of audio beauty and joy, with emotion and human experience at its heart. The programmes you will find in this feed explo…

1
From Nobel peace prize to civil war: how Ethiopia’s leader beguiled the world 33:32

2M ago33:32

33:32

When Abiy Ahmed took power in Ethiopia, he was feted at home and abroad as a great unifier and reformer. Two years later, terrible violence was raging. How did people get him so wrong? By Tom Gardner. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: From Game of Thrones to The Crown: the woman who turns actors into stars 41:26

1M ago41:26

41:26

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2018: Nina Gold’s role is invisible, and yet her taste has shaped much of what we watch on film and TV. By Sophie Elmhirst. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Stealing Power 28:31

2M ago28:31

28:31

Meter tampering means altering a meter to prevent it from fully recording how much electricity or gas is being used, or bypassing the meter completely to energy usage being recorded at all. It may seem like a great idea, but there are consequences. It’s dangerous and it is a criminal offence. Its classified as theft and can lead to prison sentences…

1
Chortle chortle, scribble scribble: inside the Old Bailey with Britain’s last court reporters 36:21

2M ago36:21

36:21

The cases heard at the Old Bailey offer a vivid, often grim portrait of England and Wales today. What happens when there is no one left to tell these stories? By Sophie Elmhirst. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
‘I’m good, I promise’: the loneliness of the low-ranking tennis player 25:18

2M ago25:18

25:18

I was once Ireland’s No 1 player, and tried for years to climb the global ranks. But life at the bottom of the top can be brutal. By Conor Niland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: ‘As borders closed, I became trapped in my Americanness’: China, the US and me 35:01

2M ago35:01

35:01

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: I’ve long nursed vague plans of moving back to China for a few years, to solidify my place there. But with each year that passes in the US, such a move gets harder and harder to make. By Cle…

1
The Club Nobody Wants to Join 28:31

2M ago28:31

28:31

There Is a club that no high school principal in the USA wants to join, but they are all incredibly grateful that its there. Because in the event of the worst possible scenario happening, they will need it The 'Principal Recovery Network' is made up of school leaders who have lived through the horror of a shooting in their hallways and classrooms. …

1
‘If there’s nowhere else to go, this is where they come’: how Britain’s libraries provide much more than books 33:11

2M ago33:11

33:11

In 2024, libraries are unofficial creches, homeless shelters, language schools and asylum support providers – filling the gaps left by a state that has reneged on its responsibilities. By Aida Edemariam. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Searching for Butterflies 28:52

2M ago28:52

28:52

In the mountains of Latakia, Syria, Mudar Salimeh devotes much of his time to searching for butterflies. A geologist, artist, and nature lover, Mudar's fascination with butterflies began in the spring of 2018 when a great number of caterpillars appeared in his art studio. Over time, the caterpillars transformed into a cloud of white butterflies, sp…

1
‘How do I heal?’: the long wait for justice after a black man dies in police custody 37:01

2M ago37:01

37:01

The true number of black people who have died after contact with the police has been hidden, while their families are faced with delays and denials. By Raekha Prasad. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: The elephant vanishes: how a circus family went on the run 37:40

2M ago37:40

37:40

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: Dumba has spent her life performing in circuses around Europe, but in recent years animal rights activists have been campaigning to rescue her. When it looked like they might succeed, Dumba …

1
Dirty waters: how the Environment Agency lost its way 36:46

2M ago36:46

36:46

Having created a watchdog for the environment, the government took its teeth out and muzzled it. Can public outrage rouse the Environment Agency to action? By Hettie O’Brien. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
The Real Carrie Jade: Bonus - Irish Gardaí arrest Samantha Cookes! 2:28

2M ago2:28

2:28

Just as we thought 'The Real Carrie Jade' series was complete, Irish Police confirm that yesterday, Friday, 12th July 2024 in County Kerry, "Gardaí arrested a woman in her 30s as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged welfare fraud in Tralee. She is currently detained at a Garda station in the Southern Region under Section 4 of the Criminal …

1
Inside Mexico’s anti-avocado militias 36:01

2M ago36:01

36:01

The spread of the avocado is a story of greed, ambition, corruption, water shortages, cartel battles and, in a number of towns and villages, a fierce fightback. By Alexander Sammon. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
The Real Carrie Jade: 06 - I’m Sadie Harris! 33:43

3M ago33:43

33:43

A new multi-part true crime series from RTÉ Documentary On One. To get free early access to next episodes (one week in advance of here) please subscribe to 'The Real Carrie Jade' podcast feed from wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes released each Friday. Episode 6 - I’m Sadie Harris! In our final episode, TikTok bites back! Carrie Jade’s onlin…

1
From the archive: ‘Colonialism had never really ended’: my life in the shadow of Cecil Rhodes 44:43

2M ago44:43

44:43

We are raiding the Guardian Long Read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: After growing up in a Zimbabwe convulsed by the legacy of colonialism, when I got to Oxford I realised how many British people still failed to see how empire had shaped lives like mine – as …

1
Brood X 28:21

3M ago28:21

28:21

Every 17 years in the eastern United States, a roaring mass of millions of black-bodied, red-eyed, thumb-length insects erupt from the ground. For a few glorious weeks the periodical cicadas cover the trees and the air vibrates with their chorus of come-hither calls. Then they leave a billion eggs to hatch and burrow into the dirt, beginning the se…

1
Where the wild things are: the untapped potential of our gardens, parks and balconies 28:04

2M ago28:04

28:04

Gardens could be part of the solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis. But what are we doing? Disappearing them beneath plastic and paving. By Kate Bradbury. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
45 Years of Listening: The Story of Dublin Lesbian Line 47:24

3M ago47:24

47:24

‘45 Years of Listening’ tells the story of the Dublin Lesbian Line – an essential, landmark community-led resource – through a collection of personal reflections from one of the original founders, and current volunteers. Dublin Lesbian Line was founded in 1979 – a time in Ireland when homosexuality was invisible, unmentionable, and profoundly isola…

1
Stoppage Time for Scunthorpe 28:36

3M ago28:36

28:36

When Bury FC was expelled from the Football League after 125 years, the government commissioned a fan-led review of football's financial stability. Centring the importance of football clubs to hundreds of local communities, it recommended tough new rules about governance and ownership of football clubs. Five years on and with both Labour and the Co…

1
The Real Carrie Jade: 05 - I’m a victim! 32:22

2M ago32:22

32:22

A new multi-part true crime series from RTÉ Documentary On One. To get free early access to next episodes (one week in advance of here) please subscribe to 'The Real Carrie Jade' podcast feed from wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes released each Friday. Episode 5 - I’m a Victim! By 2020, Samantha Cookes has spent the last 6 years of her life …

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