Not by the Playbook Podcast
Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. The Sportshour podcast has become Not by the Playbook.
Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. Discover Not by the Playbook - the podcast which seeks out the most incredible stories from sportspeople and athletes. We bring you interviews with the sporting heroes who have achieved success in the face of seemingly impossible challenges.
Formerly known as Sportshour, Not by the Playbook is brought to you by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, the world's most trusted international news provider.
Tune in to hear from some of the most famous names in sport on subjects you've never heard them discuss before. You don't have to be an Olympic gold champion to have an extraordinary story – we also scour the globe for inspiring individuals who make a difference through sport.
Whether you’re a football or soccer fan, tennis lover, golf aficionado or cricket addict, or even if you're not a sports fan at all, you’ll find inspiration in the stories of resilience, determination, and discipline. Expect insightful, honest, and thought-provoking conversations from people who live and breathe sport.
Listen to Not by the Playbook on the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service every Saturday at 0900 GMT, or find it as a podcast wherever you get your ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ podcasts.
Episodes to download
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Man (still) in Motion
Saturday
The surprising hidden and inspirational truth behind one of the most popular 1980's songs
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Superdome: Disaster and redemption
Sat 30 Aug 2025
20 years after Katrina why the Superdome symbolises New Orleans' trauma and recovery
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Eggstraordinary stories
Sat 23 Aug 2025
A show full of eggstraordinary stories – from the Women’s Rugby World Cup to egg throwing
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A left-field look at the Premier League
Sat 16 Aug 2025
Some of the characters from the more unusual and hidden away parts of the Premier League
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The fight back
Sat 9 Aug 2025
Fighting discrimination and stereotypes and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps
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Mountain Mommas
Sat 2 Aug 2025
We're in the mountains climbing, cycling and running from Mont Blanc to Mount Everest
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The evolution of women's football
Sat 26 Jul 2025
Winning captain from first Women's Euros and player who fled Afghanistan to save her life
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So bored!
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Skate to surf. Dungeon to Dragon. We delve into board games and Olympic board disciplines
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Wimbledon Wonders
Sat 12 Jul 2025
Mani Djazmi is at Wimbledon with inspirational stories from around the world
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Colourblind
Sat 28 Jun 2025
People who provide inspiration with gold, silver, bronze or even finishing nowhere at all
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Play your cards right
Sat 21 Jun 2025
Katie Smith shuffles her cards at The Queen’s Club in London
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Driven
Sat 14 Jun 2025
Inspirational stories from around the world of people who have the drive to defy the odds
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Paoline Ekambi: Keeping her promise
Sat 7 Jun 2025
A remarkable story of survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable trauma.
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We are the champions
Sat 31 May 2025
Mani Djazmi presents a show of champions – including the World’s Strongest Man
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Scratching the surface
Sat 24 May 2025
Katie Smith scours the world’s surface – including diving deeper with Alessia Zecchini
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Trailer: Bill Walton’s The Grateful Team
Mon 19 May 2025
Basketball, the Cold War, and rock band The Grateful Dead collide in this true story
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The magic of the cup
Sat 17 May 2025
Katie Smith finds out what it takes to win the FA Cup and how cup stacking went global
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Chess mates
Sat 10 May 2025
How life is like a game of chess including a world record and the most valuable chess set
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What's in a name?
Sat 3 May 2025
Meeting extraordinary women whose names are much more than just something they are called
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Crossing the line
Sat 26 Apr 2025
Inspiring sporting moments of athletes crossing the finishing line at all cost
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The whole kit and caboodle
Sat 19 Apr 2025
Making football kits fashion and art, plus an Olympic rower taking his kit off for cash
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Messing about on the river
Sat 12 Apr 2025
We hear from those who had the courage and fortitude to stay afloat when others floundered
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The Grand Opening
Sat 5 Apr 2025
Inspirational stories from around the world with people defying the odds
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Introducing Not by the Playbook
Thu 3 Apr 2025
The Sportshour podcast is evolving into Not by the Playbook. Starts Saturday 5 April
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The sporting polymath
Sat 29 Mar 2025
We salute those who aren't just great at one sport, they can seemingly do it all!
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Brotherly love
Sat 22 Mar 2025
The Brownlee brothers on how their success and the growth of triathlon intertwined
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The barefoot world record ice runner
Sat 15 Mar 2025
Paweł Durakiewicz holds three barefoot world records, including running on ice and snow
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Bouncing back
Sat 8 Mar 2025
Bryony Page always bounces back, but then she is the reigning Olympic trampoline champion
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The Snowbok arrives!
Sat 1 Mar 2025
Matt Smith to become just the 16th person at a Winter Olympics to represent South Africa