Free Daily Podcast Summary
Documentary of the Week: Daily Summaries Delivered
by WNYC
Technology has made non-fiction film easier to make, more available and more popular than ever before. Here, WNYC selects the best documentaries as they come to screens of any size.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- May 9, 20251 min
'Antidote' profiles a journalist on Russia's wanted list
'Antidote' profiles the Bulgarian journalist Christo Grozev, who's uncovered hundreds of Russian secret agents. Filmmaker James Jones follows Grozev after European authorities inform him that he's being targeted by assassins.
- May 2, 20251 min
'River of Grass' explores the Everglades
'River of Grass' profiles a range of figures who interact with the Everglades in the past and present, including a Miccosukee educator, a python hunter, and the pioneering environmentalist Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Filmmaker Sasha Wortzel will attend the film's New York premiere at the Margaret Mead Film Festival at the American Museum of Natural History.
- Apr 25, 20251 min
'Drop Dead City' covers New York in the '70s
'Drop Dead City' is a deeply researched history of New York's financial crisis in the mid-70s. Filmmakers Peter Yost and Michael Rohatyn interview a wide range of people who were involved at many levels.
- Apr 11, 20251 min
John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 'One to One'
'One to One: John & Yoko' uses archival footage, including telephone calls heard for the first time, to capture the radical politics and performances of New York in the early 1970s. Filmmaker Kevin MacDonald frames the story in a way that has eerie echoes in the present.
- Apr 5, 20251 min
'We Want the Funk' moves your mind and body
'We Want the Funk' explores several decades of the highly danceable music genre, ranging from James Brown to Fela Kuti. Filmmakers Stanley Nelson and Nicole London combine dazzling performance footage with sharp analysis of the politics and artistry of funk.
- Mar 28, 20251 min
'Secret Mall Apartment' explores a rebellious art project
'Secret Mall Apartment' profiles a group of Rhode Island artists who created a hidden sanctum inside the Providence Place shopping center where they lived for four years. Filmmaker Jeremy Workman interviews the key participants, many of whom have never spoken publicly before.
- Mar 21, 20251 min
Looking back at Japan's Aum cult
'Aum: The Cult at the End of the World' looks back at the religious fanaticism behind the deadly Tokyo subway attack in 1995. Filmmakers Ben Braun and Chiaki Yanagimoto explore how Aum grew in popularity and wasn't taken seriously as a criminal enterprise.
- Feb 21, 20251 min
'Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse' profiles the cartoonist of 'Maus'
'Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse' profiles the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist who crafted the classic Holocaust memoir 'Maus.' Filmmakers Molly Bernstein and Philip Dolin use Spiegelman's career to reveal a hidden history of comics.
Get Documentary of the Week summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
The Documentary Podcast
Investigative documentaries from the BBC World Service exploring global issues, cultural shifts, and personal stories behind the news.
The Documentary Podcast: Archive 2009
A collection of documentaries from the BBC World Service originally broadcast in 2009.
The Experiment
Explores how individuals navigate conflicts between personal beliefs and American ideals.
Trending
Covers social media with in-depth reporting.
NYC NOW
A daily news podcast that explores the stories, culture, and issues shaping life in New York City.
History's Great Mysteries
Explores unexplained historical events and invites listeners to ponder possible theories behind enduring mysteries.
The Interview
In-depth interviews with influential figures across culture, politics, business, and sports exploring their motivations and impact.
The New Yorker Radio Hour
Profiles, storytelling, and insightful conversations are explored in episodes hosted by David Remnick.
HISTORY This Week
Each week, uncover pivotal historical moments and the people behind them—famous or forgotten—that shaped the modern world.
Cannonball with Wesley Morris
A critic explores shifting cultural moments through intimate, unpredictable conversations with writers and artists.
On the Media
Analyzes media narratives, misinformation, and bias to help listeners understand how news is shaped and reported.
Finally! A Show
Women share unfiltered, real-life stories from morning to night, offering intimate glimpses into their daily experiences.
About Documentary of the Week
Technology has made non-fiction film easier to make, more available and more popular than ever before. Here, WNYC selects the best documentaries as they come to screens of any size.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Documentary of the Week in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Documentary of the Week daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Documentary of the Week as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Documentary of the Week podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Documentary of the Week product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by WNYC.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
What topics does Documentary of the Week cover?
Documentary of the Week covers topics including News, Commentary, Documentary, Culture, Film, Society & Culture, TV & Film. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Documentary of the Week summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.