Podcast · News

What in the World

by BBC World Service · English · News

Helping you make sense of what’s happening in your world. Big stories, small stories and everything in between. Understand more, feel better. Five days a week, Monday to Friday.

New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 11 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 9 minNew

Would you do an ‘influencer degree’?

It’s no surprise more people want to become influencers - a study found that in 2024, YouTube content creators alone contributed £2.2bn to the UK’s economy. But… would you pay thousands to study how to be one? A growing number of universities around the world, like Arizona State University in the US, have started offering Content Creation courses. We hear from Martyna who is currently studying BA Content Creation at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. So are these courses the best way to become an influencer? Or are they more about training to go into a career in online marketing? BBC…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

12 Oct 2026 · 10 minNew
The AI influencer who had lots of us fooled
There’s just SOMETHING not quite right about that French influencer we’re seeing all over socials. His blonde bob, the suit he wears, and that moustache! His name is Jean Philanthrope, and his videos have wracked up millions of views. But, it turns out, he’s not real. He’s AI and he’s being used to promote a risky type of crypto called a Meme coin. We speak to BBC Verify’s Marco Silva about how he investigates characters like this, how they work, and what you can do to keep yourself safe from falling for this kind of content. Artist and performer Nadir Josi also tells us his concerns about…
9 Oct 2026 · 11 min
Christa Pike: What happens when executions go wrong?
Last week, Christa Pike, a death row inmate in the US faced execution via lethal injection for a murder she committed in 1995. But after she was given two full doses of the drug pentobarbital, she survived. At the time of uploading this podcast, she remains awake in hospital and it’s unclear what went wrong with the attempted execution. We hear the details from BBC reporters in the US, who have been covering this story including Brandon Drenon, Kayla Epstein and Nada Tawfik. Not long after Pike’s recovery, the US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, announced that an execution by firing squad in…
8 Oct 2026 · 12 min
Everyone is talking about the "great lock-in"
January isn’t the only time for new year’s resolutions anymore. The end of the year is having a moment too - as part of the great lock-in trend. There’s lots of content online about locking in for the last four months of the year - whether that’s working out more regularly, spending less time on your phone, or trying to get that promotion at work. Some people call it a winter arc, a September reset or the fresh-start effect - why have so many of us decided this is the perfect time for self-improvement? And is striving for optimisation all the time necessarily a good thing? We hear from Adeja…
7 Oct 2026 · 10 min
Are online gig spoilers ruining live music?
Film and TV show spoilers often come with a warning because people know they can be annoying. But when it comes to footage from concerts and gigs… those rules don’t really apply, as Olivia Rodrigo fans found out when clips of a surprise moment from her ‘Unraveled Tour’ went viral on socials. You might have saved up for a ticket to see your favourite artist, found the perfect outfit and be counting down the days to the big show, but the chances are that you’ll know what’s going to happen way before you get there. Fan clips of all the biggest moments, the surprises and the special guests are…
6 Oct 2026 · 11 min
Why are black holes still such a mystery?
Can we really get swallowed by a black hole? And what would actually happen if we did? Black holes are really mysterious and there is still so much we don’t know about them. So, grab your space helmet because we’re getting into some of the biggest questions scientists are still trying to answer. We speak to science journalist, Caroline Steel, to clear up some of the mysteries around black holes. How do they distort time? Are wormholes real? We also hear from astrophysicist and postdoctoral researcher Rowina Nathan - she separates fact from fiction and busts some of the most common black hole…
5 Oct 2026 · 9 min
Why are so many students protesting in France?
Across France, thousands of high school students are protesting. They say they’re doing it because of conditions in their schools - that classrooms are overcrowded, there’s not enough teachers and they can’t concentrate on exams because school buildings aren’t being maintained well enough. Five hundred schools are shut and some protests have turned violent, with riot police being deployed and some streets set on fire. Pupils, teachers and police have been injured. Many of the protesters are under 18 and at this point there is no sign of the demonstrations ending. So why is this happening? We…
2 Oct 2026 · 11 min
Location: Tiny Island. Population: YOU
It’s something you might dream of - or only see in films or read in books - moving to a remote island in the middle of the sea. Only wildlife around you. No bars or clubs and barely any people! Sound like a bit of you? Or maybe it’s your worst nightmare. We speak to BBC reporter Georgina Rannard, about why she’s swapping city life to be a farmer on an island in Wales with only three other people. We also hear tips from people that’ve done similar things. Jaleesah lives on Siquijor in the Philippines and Tom works on a research station in Antarctica. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email:…
1 Oct 2026 · 10 min
Is sleepmaxxing actually helpful?
Researching ways to improve your sleep has been popular for years but now it’s evolved and there’s a whole new genre of social media content called ‘Sleepmaxxing’. It shows ways you can build your perfect night’s sleep, by taking magnesium supplements, using black-out curtains or white noise machines. Experts say the popularity has boomed thanks to the accessibility of smart watches which give users sleep scores. We hear from Ollie, who tracks his sleep and is aiming for the perfect score. BBC reporter Ashitha Nagesh who’s been reporting on the trend, tells us why some experts advise against…
30 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Why everyone’s talking about Cornell University
The issue of safety on college campuses is nothing new. But it’s back in the spotlight again because of the re-opening of a case at Cornell University, New York in the US. A woman alleges she was gang raped at a fraternity party in October 2024. The group is being called the ‘Cornell 7’ on social media. The incident was reported to campus police at the time, but no formal charges were made. The woman claims she was drugged and raped at a frat house and says the uni didn’t protect her or adequately punish the men she says were involved. Cornell rejects this. Her lawyer says she was…
29 Sep 2026 · 12 min
Is it time to find a side hustle?
More and more of us are picking up side hustles - US national employment data shows that the number of people with more than one job is going up year on year, and a survey found that the majority of them are 16-24 year olds. So why are more of us turning to side hustles? And what’s the best way to start one? We hear from Katie (@katiesgarms), Vera (@viavera_) and Shania (@shaniasvault) who have all started successful side hustles. They share how they got into them and their top tips for getting started. And Chelsea Coates from the What in the World team explains why the current global job…
28 Sep 2026 · 11 min
MTV VMAs: Does anyone even watch award ceremonies anymore?
Madonna won Artist of the Year and Taylor Swift made a splash at Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards - she became the most decorated performer in VMA history, and premiered her music video for Patient Zero, the lead single from the encore to her album The Life of a Showgirl. And there’s a reason the VMAs might have been so keen to have her - award ceremonies aren’t pulling the big audiences that they used to. Millions of people used to tune in and pore over the outfits and the speeches, hoping their favourite artists would win. But now, viewing figures are falling for shows like the Grammys, the…
25 Sep 2026 · 15 min
Is it OK to bring iced coffee to a job interview?
Would you bring an iced coffee to a job interview? A viral TikTok from Caitlin Wehniainen - a recruiter in Florida - has stirred up a huge debate. It’s after she said that Gen Z candidates turning up to job interviews with an iced coffee can look too casual and unprofessional. But seriously…can an iced latte actually hurt your chances of getting a job? And what does your coffee order have to do with whether you’d be good at it? Grab your drink of choice because we’re getting into it with BBC reporters Baldeep Chahal, Leona Gasper and Stefania Okereke from the What in the World team. BBC…
24 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Should we be syncing our workouts to our menstrual cycles?
We’ve seen more and more women talking about cycle-syncing. It’s where you adjust your diet and work outs to match the different phases of your period. Things like eating more in certain phases or taking it easy in others. But does cycle-syncing help you get better results? Does the science back it up or is it just another wellness trend and rule book for women to follow? BBC reporter Zara Salaria takes us through what cycle syncing is, we hear from people who have tried it and a doctor breaks it down for us: does it work? Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected]…
23 Sep 2026 · 12 min
How South Korea keeps most of its food waste out of landfills
Globally more than a billion tonnes of food is wasted each year and much of it ends up in landfills. As the food breaks down it releases huge amounts of methane, making up 10% of the world’s climate-warming emissions. Now many cities and governments are looking to South Korea as a model of how to reduce food waste and boost food recycling. BBC reporter Soo Min Kim explains how South Korea cut household food waste going to landfill from 97% to almost nothing. Among other things, they’ve nudged the public to think about their food waste by making it mandatory to separate food waste and to pay…
22 Sep 2026 · 12 min
Are rhinestones the death of the whimsy trend?
You may have seen whimsy all over your socials this year. Maybe you’ve been trying to make your days more whimsical? To some, that means taking a moment to appreciate the small things in life: the way the light falls on your desk in the afternoons, or a slow moment spent watching the way the trees blow in the wind. But now, rhinestones have entered the chat and the trend seems to have evolved into something entirely different. There are now concerns that it’s turned into over-consumerism, with people buying gems and other items to be whimsy. When some argue that whimsy simply cannot be…
21 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Resident Evil: The movie reviews are in
For months gamers and horror movie fans around the world have been waiting for the brand new Resident Evil movie to drop. After the trailer was released there was a huge backlash from fans who were worried that it would be terrible. They said that key characters were missing, it was set in the wrong decade and previous films in the franchise weren’t great. So, now that they’ve seen it, what do they think? We speak to the film’s director Zach Cregger, BBC reporters Tom Richardson and Baldeep Chahal and six Resident Evil fans to find out about the response to the film and how it compares to…
18 Sep 2026 · 14 min
Should artists speak up about Israel-Gaza?
For the first time in a loooong time, Macklemore’s face is probably all over your timeline, alongside Ed Sheeran’s. This week, Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour’s been plunged into chaos after Macklemore was dropped as Ed's support for making pro-Palestinian comments on stage. The other artists who were going to take part in the tour with Ed pulled out in solidarity. What’s gonna happen with his Philadelphia concert? Is this going to ruin the tour?! We unpack how the week unfolded with Zara Salaria from BBC News. Do you want your favourite artists to speak about politics on stage? Jordan Kenny from…
17 Sep 2026 · 13 min
How does it feel to live in a bendy body?
Can being ultra-flexible be a sign of a health condition? Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) cause joint hypermobility - which is when your joints have greater than normal range of motion. It means you might be able to bend your body in ways others can’t, but it can come with lots of health issues including digestive problems, joint pain and fatigue. It can take years to be diagnosed with HSD. We hear from Ana Simmons about how hypermobility affects her everyday life. And, BBC reporter Ella Kipling, who also has HSD, tells us why it’s so hard to get a diagnosis. Instagram:…
16 Sep 2026 · 12 min
Why Sydney Sweeney’s ad has angered women athletes
Sydney Sweeney has sparked controversy for a provocative ad campaign that appears to show her naked. It’s for the sports betting company Novig. In the advert, Sweeney is seen covering parts of her body with footballs, basketballs, golf clubs and other sports equipment and is heard repeating the word “sports.” But several women athletes — including Sophie Capewell, Amy Hunt, and Gracie Kramer — have criticised the campaign, saying it sexualises female athletes and views sport through the male gaze. Sweeney, who is best known for movies like ‘Anyone But You’ and ‘The Housemaid,’ hasn’t…
15 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Why flying can make you feel rough
Ever wondered why you might feel a bit unwell after a flight? There are lots of reasons for that - from dehydration, jet lag, cabin pressure and altitude. Last month, a French court recognised that cosmic radiation was a factor in a flight attendant’s breast cancer diagnosis. Studies show that cabin crew and pilots have the highest level of radiation- related cancer deaths compared to more than 500 other jobs. We’re looking at what impacts flying regularly, and for long periods of time, can have on your body. We hear from Savannah, a pilot in the US, about what she does to keep herself…
14 Sep 2026 · 12 min
Fertility and sport: When’s the best time to have a baby?
You are at the top of your game in your sport. Maybe you are the best in the world. But, you also want to start a family. For many female athletes, these two things happen at the same time - with careers often peaking when athletes are most fertile - the ages of 20-29. Can you do both? We have seen athletes like Serena Williams, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Alice Kinsella do it. But how easy is it? Spain’s Football Federation, and Chelsea football team are paving the way to helping women have more options when it comes to their athletic careers and motherhood. We hear what several athletes…
11 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Why are more young Africans learning Russian?
Russia has been trying to grow its influence in Africa for years, with Russian paramilitary groups operating in countries such as Mali and Niger and Africans being recruited to fight in Russia’s war in Ukraine. But it’s not just through soldiers and paramilitaries - Russia has now announced plans to open eight new cultural centres across Africa. The new centres are expected to open in countries such as Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal, and they will offer locals the opportunity to learn Russian, find out about Russian culture, and get help applying to study there. So, why…
10 Sep 2026 · 11 min
Why some people are taking anxiety meds on nights out
A series of recent studies suggests that drug use is increasing among Gen Z. Some young people are taking prescription anti-anxiety medications — such as propranolol and pregabalin — without a prescription. They’re buying them online or on the black market, exposing themselves to additional risks. Jacqui Wakefield, our Global Health Reporter, explains why some young people see these drugs as an alternative to alcohol. They want to reduce social anxiety on a night out and experience a feeling of euphoria, but without the calories and hangover that can come with heavy drinking. We discuss the…
9 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Would you accept a job interview in front of judges and an audience?
In the current global economic environment, youth unemployment is higher than the national average in many countries, as companies are reluctant to take on new staff. According to the United Nations, the global youth unemployment rate rose to 12.4 per cent last year, meaning around 67 million people under 24 can’t find jobs. Now some companies are staging less conventional recruitment processes that are attracting job applicants and buzz. We speak with journalist MaryLou Costa about L'Oreal’s Brandstorm competition, which turns recruitment into an X Factor-style competition, with jobs as the…
8 Sep 2026 · 13 min
We should all appreciate vultures more!
From memes to movies, we’ve all seen vultures getting a bit of a bad rep! The bird of prey is often linked to death and decay, but some people are trying to fight back and try and give them a bit of a rebrand. Kojo Baidoo is a vulture fan and birder in the US. He tells us about how he’s trying to rehab the vulture brand through social media and why we should have some more love for these feathered friends. Plus, Makuochi Okafor our West Africa reporter, explains how vultures are disappearing in Nigeria, but a man called the ‘Vulture King’ is trying to save them. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld…
7 Sep 2026 · 9 min
How does nine months at sea impact your mental health?
After a record 250 consecutive days at sea, the USS Abraham Lincoln finally docked in Thailand last week. Half of the 5,000 crew members are under 24 years old and they’ve been on board since December, as part of the US-Israel war with Iran. There have been reports of difficult conditions on board, with food shortages, broken plumbing and concerns about the crew’s morale and mental health, but the US Navy says there haven't been severe problems on board. So how can spending months at sea impact your mental health? We speak to Dr Harold Kudler, a psychiatrist and former head of mental health…
4 Sep 2026 · 9 min
Peekaboo! The story of Canada’s moving island
A floating island that appeared in a Canadian reservoir and seemed to vanish has returned. Officials at Williston Reservoir in British Columbia spent months tracking it through satellite imagery and discovered it had drifted 30 kilometres away. The island made international headlines and gained a loyal fan base on social media. Jake Horton from BBC Verify has been looking at the data and gave us an overview of what we can confirm about the island’s story. Plus, Jon Dickson, who specialising in marine wood and sea restoration tells us all about floating islands, and what it’s like to be on…
3 Sep 2026 · 10 min
What’s the right way to address your boss?
Imagine you’ve just started a new job or it’s your first day at uni. You’re talking to your boss or teacher, someone who’s much older, much richer, or much more powerful than you. Do you call them by their first name? Or do you go with Mr, Mrs, Professor, Doctor? In Nigeria, a video of a young woman being corrected for calling a billionaire businessman, Tony Elumelu, by his first name has sparked a conversation about respect, age and power. We speak to three Nigerians to get their take on the story and how you should refer to your boss. Plus our reporter Basma El Atti in Nairobi, Kenya,…
2 Sep 2026 · 11 min
A look inside Latin America’s aura battles
Aura farming has left your phone screen and landed in public squares all over Latin America. Hundreds of people are attending ‘aura battles’ - high-energy public competitions where the only way to win is show just how much raw charisma you have. Laura Garcia from BBC Mundo tells us exactly what it takes to prove your aura. Dani San, who’s been organising aura battles in Chile, tells us what it’s like to watch one unfold. Plus Mollie Perella from the What in the World team gets a lesson in ‘aura farming’ from Ava Arabian, a content creator from New York. Email: [email protected]…

About What in the World

Helping you make sense of what’s happening in your world. Big stories, small stories and everything in between. Understand more, feel better. Five days a week, Monday to Friday.

What in the World is a English news podcast from BBC World Service. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: BBC World Service
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 11 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1696601121
Rights: (C) BBC 2026

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