Best BBC World Service Podcasts (2026)

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What To Do Now - Clean and service gardening tools 7:51

Play Pause

5d ago7:51

7:51

Cleaning hand tools is not particularly glamorous, but it's one of those jobs that gives a lot satisfaction and maintaining your hand tools will reward you with more efficient and safer to use tools that will last for many seasons to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

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Wellness Series Trailer 3:30

25m ago3:30

3:30

Give your mental and physical health a boost this January and February with a new Wellness podcast series from BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Immediate Media

1
Money Box Live: Making Sense of Your Pay 28:21

1h ago28:21

28:21

How much do we really understand about our pay? From frozen tax thresholds to salary sacrifice and minimum wage increases, a number of changes made in the Chancellor's budget might have left you looking a bit more closely at your payslip. So, what do all those figures mean, what is your employer legally obliged to provide and what can you do if you…

1
What's it like being a delivery rider? 17:28

12m ago17:28

17:28

Doorstep delivery services boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic and they're still popular in many parts of the world: ordering hot meals, or groceries, via a mobile app to your door at the click of a button. For the customer, it's a fast and convenient service. For the rider, it's flexible work, but there's no guaranteed income, the work is physical…

1
In Conversations at Kew with Frances Tophill and Adam Frost 54:18

17m ago54:18

54:18

Recorded live in September at Kew Gardens, join Nicki Chapman as she talks all things gardening, and more, with Adam Frost and Frances Tophill. Discussing their love of gardening, there's practical advice and gardening confessions too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

1
Cash ISA Change and Carers Allowance 24:49

1h ago24:49

24:49

The Chancellor announced dozens of changes in the Budget that will affect the money in your pocket from wages and energy bills to savings. Many of them won't happen for some time - years in some cases - so we look at the more imminent tax changes. That will include the freezing of tax thresholds that will see higher taxes for many and changes to th…

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What To Do Now - Houseplants To The Rescue 7:36

13m ago7:36

7:36

When there’s hardly any green outside and it’s too early to start sowing seeds and growing plants, why not look to the refreshing shape, colour and stature of house plants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Immediate Media

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Business Daily meets: Ned Guinness 17:28

8m ago17:28

17:28

With 250 years of brewing history behind his family, Arthur Edward Guinness was discouraged from taking on the responsibility that the men of his family had for centuries. Now Ned, or Lord Iveagh, grows crops, brews beer and is in pursuit of being able to pour the perfect pint in one of the two pubs he owns in the rural east of England. He tells Le…

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Behind the scenes at RHS Wisley Herbarium, with Yvette Harvey 25:58

11h ago25:58

25:58

How can a living library conserve and preserve gardening history and shape our understanding of nature? Step inside the quiet and fascinating world of the Herbarium at RHS Wisley to uncover a combination of beauty and science pressed between thousands of pages, along with ancient flowers, dried leaves and stories of where they came from with Yvette…

1
Money Box Live: Autumn Budget 2025 28:24

8d ago28:24

28:24

For months we’ve heard speculation about what the Autumn Budget might bring - now we know. The Chancellor has delivered her statement, setting out plans for taxes, benefits, and spending. But what does it mean for your money? Our panel of experts break down the key announcements and explain how they could affect you. Felicity Hannah is joined by Da…

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Yiwu: Christmas city 17:27

1d ago17:27

17:27

We're in Santa’s grotto – sort of - a Chinese city that some call the Christmas capital of the world. With 75,000 traders, across 50,000 stores, Yiwu offers the world’s largest wholesale market across a labyrinth of arcades. But at a time of growing trade tensions with the US, who’s actually buying the tinsel this year? If you'd like to send us an …

1
Monty Don's Christmas at Longmeadow 35:33

8d ago35:33

35:33

With the festive season fast approaching, Christmas can be a busy time with no end of tasks to keep us busy on the run up to the big day, but what role can our gardens play in all of this? Whether it's homegrown veg for the festive table or garden gathered greenery and berries for a homemade door reef, our gardens can be a source of great bounty a…

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The art of the Christmas advert 17:28

2d ago17:28

17:28

We look at what makes a great Christmas marketing campaign. From a budget-friendly advert based around coffee cups, to multi-million dollar epic commercials featuring Hollywood A-list celebrities. We unwrap the secrets behind the world's most iconic festive advertising. If you'd like to get in touch with the programme, our email address is business…

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How Christmas spending is changing 17:28

3d ago17:28

17:28

Festive spending habits are changing, with many, especially younger shoppers, predicted to cut back. We look at what’s driving the shift, the impact on retail, and how artificial intelligence is starting to shape the way shoppers choose gifts and search for lower prices. Plus - we hear from members of the World Service audience on what their holida…

1
Life-changing Scams and Child Benefit 24:46

6d ago24:46

24:46

Money Box takes a special look at how victims of fraud are treated by those supposed to help them in the weeks and months afterwards. How are they helped in their fight for justice by the police, their banks and the courts? Or are they all too often left struggling to deal with both the financial and mental impact on their own? We also hear how a s…

1
Business Daily meets: Balsam Hill's Mac Harman 17:37

6d ago17:37

17:37

As millions of households around the world put up their Christmas trees, we hear from the founder and CEO of US-based company Balsam Hill - one of the world’s biggest artificial Christmas tree retailers. Mac Harman tells us about his journey as an entrepreneur, how he's addressing sustainability concerns, and how the company's managing the pressure…

1
Ask the controller 26:28

7d ago26:28

26:28

It is our annual Ask the Controller special with the boss of BBC World Service English Jon Zilkha in the studio to answer your questions. We also hear from listeners on what they have enjoyed on the BBC World Service in 2025. And what would they would like to hear more of in 2026.By BBC World Service

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Festive traditions, with Frances Tophill 35:42

7d ago35:42

35:42

For a lot of people, this time of year is all about cosying up indoors, but out in the garden there's still so much fun to be had from making natural wreaths and decorating with evergreens, to feeding the birds, sewing onions, and even bringing in a little magic indoors with some festive foliage. Join Frances for Christmassy folklore and the little…

1
The rise of the 'ghost job' 17:27

7d ago17:27

17:27

You might be familiar with the term "ghosting" when it comes to dating. One minute you’re talking to someone, the next they disappear. The same thing is now happening in the job market, with employers not responding to candidates or posting roles that never existed. It’s a problem thought to affect millions. In this programme, we hear why "ghost jo…

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How Peru's Chancay Port is changing trade 17:28

8d ago17:28

17:28

We return to Peru’s mega port - the Chancay Port. This $3.5bn project is a joint venture between China’s state-owned shipping company Cosco Shipping and Peruvian mining company Volcan. It’s already starting to have an impact on local businesses. We find out what’s giving it the edge, how local fruit producers are particularly benefiting, and what o…

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How to have a stylish and sustainable Christmas, with Arit Anderson 28:48

9d ago28:48

28:48

It's the time of year when we start thinking about how to make our homes feel festive and, instead of reaching for tinsel and glitter, why not look to the garden for inspiration? Arit reveals how to decorate for a stylish and natural Christmas, combining sustainability with beauty, and explores what to gather from the garden, how to design with na…

1
Is tech good news for truckers? 17:28

9d ago17:28

17:28

It’s transforming the world of road haulage, but has the recent ‘Uberisation’ been good news for truckers? From Nanjing to Nairobi, we discover how digital freight matching platforms are changing the way drivers access work, plan routes and the impact it’s having on the climate. But with driverless trucks on the horizon, what does the future hold f…

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The cost of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border closure 17:27

10d ago17:27

17:27

Pakistan closed its border with Afghanistan in October following sporadic fighting between the two countries. Since then, the movement of goods has stopped, and lines of trucks have been waiting to cross. We look at the impact of this key trade route being shut and what it means for livelihoods and businesses on both sides of the border. If you'd l…

1
Water Bills and Graduate Jobs 24:44

13d ago24:44

24:44

A record number of households across England and Wales are now getting social tariffs from water suppliers to help cut their bills. Two million households now get support according to a new report from the Consumer Council for Water, which is up by 22% on last year. It comes as nearly 3 million are now in debt to water companies, owing an average o…

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Christmas gift ideas from the GW team 12:42

13d ago12:42

12:42

With Christmas fast approaching and the desire to find the right gardening present for the right person, why not look to source sustainable gardening gifts for your friends and family. Even if the recipients aren’t green-fingered, the Gardeners’ World magazine team have you covered with a selection of our favourite gifts. Learn more about your ad c…

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John Pagano: The CEO trying to grow Saudi tourism 21:42

14d ago21:42

21:42

We meet the real estate developer who’s been tasked with turning Saudi Arabia into a global tourism hub. It is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision for the Kingdom, diversifying the economy away from oil. Red Sea Global CEO John Pagano has managed massive development projects including London's Canary Wharf, a luxury holiday resort in …

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Gardening memories, with Carol Klein 43:44

20d ago43:44

43:44

Carol Klein has had an interesting, illustrious, and often surprising life and career from jobs as varied as a bus conductor cleaner and art teacher to gardener and TV presenter. She's travelled, got herself into and out of many precarious situations often, but not always in search of plants, and she's met fascinating people along the way. Join us …

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What's the future for state-owned postal services? 17:27

21d ago17:27

17:27

More countries are considering selling state-owned postal services - many have failed to make a profit for years. As businesses and people send fewer letters, there's also strong competition from global package delivery companies. We hear about the challenges facing postal services in Ireland, many of which have been in business for more than a hun…

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Plant health matters, with Tracy Wilson 40:19

23d ago40:19

40:19

Tracy Wilson, MBE from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the government department on the frontline of protecting our plants from pests and diseases, discusses what biosecurity means and what we can do as gardeners to help stop threats before they spread to keep our gardens and countryside safe and thriving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi…

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The cost of Australia’s social media ban 17:27

17d ago17:27

17:27

This week, the country becomes the first in the world to implement a social media ban for under 16s. We look at the impact on content creators, tech companies, and on businesses that sell via social media. We find out how they're navigating this change, and ask if other countries will look to follow suit. Presenter: Ed ButlerProducer: Matt Lines (P…

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What To Do Now - Gather nature for natural Christmas decorations 8:45

17d ago8:45

8:45

There's something genuinely magical about heading out into your garden or local woodland on a crisp winter morning, secateurs in hand, gathering armfuls of evergreen foliage. It connects us to those ancient midwinter traditions which go back thousands of years to when our ancestors celebrated the winter solstice. They understood that bringing everg…

1
Formula 1’s new business model 17:42

18d ago17:42

17:42

It’s one richest sports in the world but it still needs to adapt to the times. F1 is now trying to appeal to a younger fan base through deals with Netflix and Lego. Plus it's trying to break that lucrative US market with races in Las Vegas and huge broadcasting deals. We hear from the key figures at F1 and from former F1 driver David Coulthard, who…

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Suspended child benefit and the cost of school trips 24:49

19d ago24:49

24:49

MPs on the Treasury Select Committee are seeking answers from HMRC after thousands of parents have had their child benefit stopped because they took a holiday abroad. The mistakes happened during a fraud crackdown on people emigrating from the UK but still claiming the benefit for their children. Now, among all the financial pressures of recent yea…

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Miishe Addy: From Silicon Valley to Accra 17:28

27d ago17:28

17:28

Miishe Addy started her first company in California’s Silicon Valley followed by another business in Accra, Ghana. Now, she runs one of Africa’s fastest-growing logistics tech firms. She describes how she’s tackling the hidden costs of African trade, and what she’s learned as a female founder building companies in two continents. If you'd like to g…

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Adam Frost's garden heroes and the people that have impacted his gardening life 23:32

21d ago23:32

23:32

Discover Adam's early gardening influences and the people who have helped him throughout his career - from his younger years with Scruffy Nan in the garden, to his informative years in Devon and with landscape gardener Geoff Hamilton. This podcast was recorded at Gardeners’ World Live with Nicki Chapman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc…

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The making of a World Cup 17:28

26d ago17:28

17:28

Whether you call it football or soccer, next summer, the US, Mexico and Canada will host the FIFA World Cup. It’s the first time three countries have organised the tournament. A record 48 teams will compete across 16 host cities, with millions attending games across North America and billions watching at home. But how much does it cost to host a Wo…

1
Welcome to 'Bitcoin city' 17:28

23d ago17:28

17:28

In Lugano, Switzerland, the cryptocurrency is accepted in some shops and for local municipal services. But the drive towards using what can often be a volatile payment method instead of Swiss francs, hasn't been welcomed by everyone. We hear from businesses, officials and consumers who are navigating this new world. Produced and presented by John L…

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In my garden, with Lydia Millen 44:15

24d ago44:15

44:15

Lydia Millen has amassed millions of devoted followers across Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, showcasing her idyllic life in the countryside and her gorgeous garden. Yet such fame is not without its price. Lydia shares her experience of the darker side of social media, how gardening and nature have transformed her outlook on life, and helped her be …

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Is it the end of the music video? 17:26

24d ago17:26

17:26

TV channels dedicated to them are shutting down around the world and some superstars have even stopped making them, so are music videos in decline, or are they more vital than ever to grab our attention? We hear from industry insiders in the US, Europe and in South Korea on how the streaming era has changed how we consume music - and shifted the wa…

1
What has happened to Europe's air traffic controllers? 17:29

25d ago17:29

17:29

Staff shortages and strikes are leaving passengers and airlines frustrated. So why are there such problems in recruitment? Industry bodies estimate over the next decade we could be short of 70,000 air traffic controllers around the world. We hear what is luring some controllers out of Europe and why others are leaving the sector all together. And w…

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What To Do Now - Mulch 8:22

27d ago8:22

8:22

Now is a great time to mulch. It's a chance to get out in the garden and do something practical when everything seems to be on the wane and dying down. It's also a good physical workout, a nice way to use a chilly but sunny day. You might think mulching is just about feeding the plants, but it's really about looking after the soil itself, the life…

1
Funeral insurance cancelled and not-so-simple assessment? 24:59

1M ago24:59

24:59

Thousands of people who've paid millions of pounds into an insurance plan they thought would cover their funeral costs face getting nothing in return. The insurer has told them their policies are being cancelled. Some had paid into the plan through their credit union for decades expecting a cash payment to go to their families when they died. But t…

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Business Daily meets: Wikipedia's Jimmy Wales 17:29

28d ago17:29

17:29

We hear how a free online encyclopaedia, run by volunteers, became one of the internet's most popular sites. Co-founder Jimmy Wales tells about the ideals which helped him build the site, and the challenges its now facing, from AI to political criticism. Presenter: Chris VallanceProducers: Hannah Bewley and Niamh McDermott (Image: Jimmy Wales photo…

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Staying fit in later life in the garden, with Jacqueline Hooton 38:45

28d ago38:45

38:45

Gardening can provide us with many benefits, from being in fresh air, surrounded by nature, exposing us to sunlight and increased levels of vitamin D, bringing enjoyment from a colourful flower border, and dietary benefits too from the food we grow, to name a few. Being in the garden and in outdoor spaces can also be a fantastic way to stay fit an…

1
What makes a basketball team worth $10bn? 17:26

29d ago17:26

17:26

We look at the record-breaking sale of the Los Angeles Lakers which has just been approved by the board of the NBA - or National Basketball Association. The Buss family had owned the team since 1979. The new majority owner of the franchise is TWG Global CEO Mark Walter. Mr Walter also has a controlling stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers, the professi…

1
Money Box Live: Beating the squeeze? 28:30

1M ago28:30

28:30

Inflation may not be in double digits anymore, but it is still almost double the Bank of England's target. That means prices are rising twice as fast as they should be. So we might have come through the cost of living crisis - but many people are still feeling its impact. Today we're asking: how are you beating the squeeze? And, in this week of tri…

1
The cocoa conundrum 20:42

1M ago20:42

20:42

Can Europe be weaned off cheap chocolate? EU efforts to block cocoa linked to deforestation were due to come into force at the end of this year – but have faced multiple delays. Another vote is due to take place soon. Some parties are pushing for further delay and modifications, but others are keen to see the rules come into force as planned. They …

1
Navigating the Pacific without technology 28:06

1M ago28:06

28:06

How well can you remember the details of your childhood? Sometimes, the memories are there, but a little hazy. But what if you could trick your brain into thinking you looked like your younger self again? Would that help you recall more childhood memories? A new study has tried exactly this, so Claudia Hammond meets Professor Jane Aspell to have a …

1
Rainforest revealed, with Dr Rosa Vasquez Espinoza 33:54

1M ago33:54

33:54

The Amazon may feel far away, but what happens there affects all of us. It's a storehouse of biodiversity and natural climate regulator and home to countless species that we've barely begun to study. Dr. Rosa Vasquez, Espinoza takes us into the amazing world of life beneath the rainforest canopy to explore what's at stake, what's still being disco…

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Is this the end for South East Asia's scam centres? 18:29

1M ago18:29

18:29

It’s one of the biggest human trafficking operations of modern times. Scam centres across South East Asia have been making hundreds of billions of dollars annually, it’s estimated, conning people into fake crypto-currency investment schemes. But now these centres could be coming under threat, with both military and legal moves by global enforcement…