The Radio 3 Documentary Podcast
In-depth documentaries which explore a different aspect of history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature. The Sunday Feature is broadcast every Sunday at 6.45pm on BBC Radio 3.
Episodes to download
-
Laura Ingalls’ America
Wednesday
Samira Ahmed considers how the Little House on the Prairie author is regarded in America.
-
The Battle for Henry David Thoreau
Monday
The 200th birthday of Thoreau raises new questions about his legacy.
-
Cold War in Full Swing - Louis Armstrong in the GDR
Sun 14 Jul 2019
Kevin Le Gendre discovers how Louis Armstrong came to play jazz in communist East Germany
-
Another Giant Leap
Sun 7 Jul 2019
Dr Stuart Clark argues that the future of the universe depends on us leaving Earth.
-
Sir Isaac Newton and the Philosopher's Stone
Sun 30 Jun 2019
Dafydd Mills Daniel investigates Isaac Newton's more obscure studies in Alchemy.
-
A Unicorn Quest
Thu 27 Jun 2019
Hetta Howes sets off to find the unicorn of myth in 21st century Britain.
-
Literary Pursuits: Lord of the Flies
Sun 2 Jun 2019
Golding's classic novel was saved from being rejected by Faber by the luckiest chance.
-
Robinson Crusoe Road-Trip
Sun 26 May 2019
300 years since Robinson Crusoe was published, Emma Smith traces it across the centuries
-
Alexander Korda: Producer, Director, Exile, Spy
Sun 19 May 2019
Matthew Sweet unearths the film-maker Alexander Korda's wartime role as a British agent.
-
WATERLOG
Sun 12 May 2019
Wild swimming enthusiast Alice Roberts examines the legacy of Waterlog by Roger Deakin.
-
John Ashbery - Portrait in a Convex Mirror
Sun 5 May 2019
Colm Toibin presents an intimate portrait of the American poet John Ashbery
-
Hotel Genius
Fri 26 Apr 2019
Sally Marlow uncovers the creative legacy of residents at the Institute for Advanced Study
-
The Deluxe Edition
Sun 24 Mar 2019
Dr Seán Williams takes a first class trip through the enduring contradictions of luxury.
-
-
A History of the Tongue
Mon 11 Feb 2019
A succulent & mouth watering portrait of one of the least talked about organs of the body.
-
Literary Pursuits: Victor Hugo's Les Miserables
Sun 30 Dec 2018
Sarah Dillon explores the stories behind how great works of literature were written.
-
Sunday Feature: Into the Forest - The Pine Tree
Sun 23 Dec 2018
The magical story of the tree that sits at the heart of Christmas day - the Pine tree.
-
Harlem on Fire
Sun 25 Nov 2018
Afua Hirsch goes on the search of a long-lost masterpiece from the Harlem Renaissance
-
The Kristapurana
Sun 18 Nov 2018
Amazing travels of the first Englishman in India & a hunt for a lost poetic masterpiece.
-
Sunday Feature: New Generation Thinkers
Sun 4 Nov 2018
Two features by R3 New Generation Thinkers. Dr Simon Beard and Dr Islam Issa
-
Sunday Feature: New Generation Thinkers Hetta Howes and Eleanor Lybeck
Sun 28 Oct 2018
Two Features by R3 New Generation Thinkers Hetta Howes and Eleanor Lybeck.
-
Inside Stories
Mon 22 Oct 2018
Author Carlo Gebler on the role of prison arts in punishment and rehabilitation
-
Forests of The Imagination
Mon 15 Oct 2018
Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough searches the Autumn forest, looking for stories.
-
-
Sunday Feature: A Life in Study: Robert Lowell
Mon 24 Sep 2018
Colm Toibin profiles the turbulent and brilliant life of American poet Robert Lowell.
-
Ken Campbell As Never Heard Before
Sun 9 Sep 2018
Actors Jim Broadbent, Toby Jones and Sylvester McCoy join David Bramwell to celebrate Ken
-
Monteverdi's Women
Mon 13 Aug 2018
Catherine Fletcher explores Monterverdi's pioneering use of female roles and performers
-
The Killers
Thu 9 Aug 2018
Adam Smith traces the birth and afterlife of Hemingway's explosive short story.
-
v. is for Tony
Tue 7 Aug 2018
To mark Tony Harrison's 80th birthday, Paul Farley profiles the unique poet. (R)
-
I Know an Island - RM Lockley
Mon 6 Aug 2018
Jon Gower uncovers the work of the pioneering naturalist RM Lockley.