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Not by the Playbook

Inspirational stories from around the world. Interviews with people defying the odds. The Sportshour podcast has become Not by the Playbook.

World Service,472 episodes

Episodes

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My way
How being told to conform makes some more determined to do it "their way".
10 Jan 2026,49 mins
Football is coming!
Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup we look at the fan experience in modern day football
03 Jan 2026,49 mins
Not by the Playbook 2025 in review
We look back on a year full of inspirational stories from around the world
27 Dec 2025,49 mins
Hockey Night
Inspirational stories from the hockey world. Interviews with people defying the odds
20 Dec 2025,49 mins
Hanging around
Dropping in on the man who just broke one of the most death-defying records in sport
13 Dec 2025,49 mins
Expect the unexpected
The first woman to win the Paris-Dakar rally, the cult film Escape to Victory, Gail Emms
06 Dec 2025,53 mins
Body positive
Reclaiming the right to look fit and healthy in whatever way works
29 Nov 2025,49 mins
Hello England's Roses
The rose, an England symbol since 1486, is now often seen on the jersey of England teams
22 Nov 2025,49 mins
Clutch mentality
Some things you just can't train for but could be the difference between a win and loss
15 Nov 2025,51 mins
Glass half full
The power of positive thinking with four athletes who have overcome insurmountable odds
08 Nov 2025,55 mins
The unusual suspects
Inspirational athletes doing things their own way even if it goes against the grain!
01 Nov 2025,49 mins
The all American
Inspirational stories from basketball, baseball, American football and ice hockey
25 Oct 2025,52 mins
Horsing around
Blind showjumper Lissa Bachner on overcame impossible odds with horse Milo
18 Oct 2025,49 mins
Out of the box
Going against convention and thinking outside the box is risky and takes courage
11 Oct 2025,51 mins
Survival
How did surviving a shipwreck lead Els Visser to become a successful triathlete?
04 Oct 2025,49 mins
Transatlantic tales
On Ryder Cup weekend, Katie Smith presents inspirational stories from the US and Europe
27 Sep 2025,49 mins
A life of two halves
Those from the world of sport who have achieved two very different inspiring stories
20 Sep 2025,50 mins
River Deep, Mountain High
Going to extremes searching out the best, most inspiring stories from the world of sport
13 Sep 2025,52 mins
Man (still) in Motion
The surprising hidden and inspirational truth behind one of the most popular 1980's songs
06 Sep 2025,50 mins
Superdome: Disaster and redemption
20 years after Katrina why the Superdome symbolises New Orleans' trauma and recovery
30 Aug 2025,47 mins
Eggstraordinary stories
A show full of eggstraordinary stories – from the Women’s Rugby World Cup to egg throwing
23 Aug 2025,49 mins
A left-field look at the Premier League
Some of the characters from the more unusual and hidden away parts of the Premier League
16 Aug 2025,51 mins
The fight back
Fighting discrimination and stereotypes and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps
09 Aug 2025,51 mins
Mountain Mommas
We're in the mountains climbing, cycling and running from Mont Blanc to Mount Everest
02 Aug 2025,54 mins
The evolution of women's football
Winning captain from first Women's Euros and player who fled Afghanistan to save her life
26 Jul 2025,51 mins
So bored!
Skate to surf. Dungeon to Dragon. We delve into board games and Olympic board disciplines
19 Jul 2025,74 mins
Wimbledon Wonders
Mani Djazmi is at Wimbledon with inspirational stories from around the world
12 Jul 2025,49 mins
'W' stands for winner
Wiggins, Walton, Whitley and Walcott. 'W' stands for winner
05 Jul 2025,51 mins
Colourblind
People who provide inspiration with gold, silver, bronze or even finishing nowhere at all
28 Jun 2025,54 mins
Play your cards right
Katie Smith shuffles her cards at The Queen’s Club in London
21 Jun 2025,49 mins