I love when shows present real stories in an engaging way and bring incredible parts of the world to life onscreen. I think these 15 shows about fascinating people and places will capture your imagination and give you the opportunity to learn many new things. I sure learned a lot!

What drew me to these shows is that they make it fun to discover something new. It can be challenging to feel a sense of growth when you’re chronically ill, so I try to prioritize continuing to learn. TV can be wonderful in the sense that I can feel like I’ve visited a museum or gotten a glimpse of another country without leaving my home.

These 15 programs tell the stories of remarkable women, introduce us to amazing animals, bring history to life, and take us to new places.