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Not by the Playbook

BBC World Service
Olympics
Olympic Games
Cycling
Mental Health
Skateboarding
Tennis
Paralympics
Wimbledon
Women's Sports
Women's Football
Hockey
Donald Trump
Cobb County
Climate Change
Hurricane Katrina
NFL
Triathlon
Horse Racing
Winter Olympics
Tour De Trump

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.

Hear from some of the most famous names in sport on subjects you've neve... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes576Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for Not by the Playbook

Latest Episodes

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death... I can assure them it is much more serious than that." So said legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly. And whilst the World Cup is on, it can certainly feel like that, but whether you're a... more

This week we take a tour of England highlighting the stories and legends from every part of "This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England." to borrow a quote from William Shakespeare!

We start in the deep South West and the port city of P... more

Four pioneers from four different sports all of whom trod a path where no path had previously existed. Along the way their determination not only made them legends, but gave all those who came after them the chance to see what success could look like... more

Winning is great, but hard work. Never loosing is much rarer and almost impossible. This week four elite sport stars who didn't just win, they dominated. But how, and what sets them apart, what got them to the top and what made them stay there!

We'v... more

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Tom Daley
Olympic diver, knitting and mural art advocate
Athlete
Episode: Close knit
Katrina Johnson-Thompson
World-class heptathlete
Athlete
Episode: Close knit
Dion Dublin
Former Manchester United player, TV presenter
Athlete/Media
Episode: Close knit
Roger Bannister
First to run a sub-four-minute mile (historical interview snippets)
Athlete
Episode: Close knit
Kelly Kulick
First woman to play on the professional 10-pin bowling league; notable historic achievements on the men's tour
Professional Bowler's Association (PAC) / American Women's Bowling Tour
Episode: Pioneering
Shaunagh Brown
England rugby player; became professional in the late era; discusses identity and barriers as a person of color in rugby
England Rugby / Former England rugby player
Episode: Pioneering
Anna Laurell Nash
Boxer who competed at London 2012; academic career in chemistry; later involved with Stockholm School of Economics
Stockholm School of Economics
Episode: Pioneering
Hannah Cox
Ultra-runner who ran 100 marathons in 100 days across India; founder of Project Sort Run
Project Sort Run / Green Runners (sustainability-focused)
Episode: Pioneering
Camryn Rogers
Canada's reigning Olympic and World Hammer Throw Champion
Canada, Hammer Throw
Episode: Dominance

Host

Katie Smith
Host of Not by the Playbook, BBC World Service

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • Cracking listen!

    Really great listen with loads of stories I've not heard covered anywhere else. Thoughtful, goes to the heart of sport. Not just scores, but how sport interacts with culture, society and politics

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Abdoujaparov's bike
    United Kingdom13 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, authentic storytelling that explores sport beyond scores and politics.
High-quality guests and thoughtful conversations keep you coming back.
Stories feel universal and genuinely uplifting, not just about winning.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#65
China/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Close knit
Q: What was the most memorable moment of Bannister's career according to the interview?
The moment Bannister recalls most vividly is realizing he had broken the four-minute mile and the subsequent relief that his long, arduous pursuit had paid off, especially after the Helsinki disappointment, marking a vindication of a decade of effort.
'Cold hands, warm heart'
Q: How did you redefine success after a major setback?
Athletes described reframing success as ongoing journey rather than a single podium, emphasizing recovery, learning, and long-term goals rather than one event.
Run for your life
Q: How did Adrienne's autism shape her training and racing approach?
Her coaches and family tailored training to her neurological profile, focusing on structure, desensitization to race environments, and gradual exposure, which allowed her to complete Kona with strong performance.
Organ-ised chaos
Q: Why did you transition into para-sport and how did that shape your athletic philosophy?
I discovered para-sport in college, found purpose in goal-setting and competing against my own best times, which helped me stay motivated and resilient across disciplines.
On top of the world!
Q: What was the moment like when Hari reached the summit on Mount Vinson?
The moment was overwhelming and transformative, with a deep sense of pride in the team and a realization that the achievement would inspire others, especially given the risks and the personal history involved.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Not by the Playbook

What is Not by the Playbook about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series curates inspirational, often high-velocity stories from sport, spotlighting athletes and related figures who defy odds, reinvent themselves, or push the boundaries of what's possible. Across episodes, listeners hear intimate journeys of dominance, resilience, and second acts—ranging from Olympic podiums and near-misses to career pivots into wine, art, and advocacy. The conversations frequently weave personal adversity, family support, and mindset into practical takeaways, making it appealing for audiences who crave human-centered narratives behind elite performance. A notable strength is the show's willingness to pair veteran champions with under-told voices from diverse sports, creating a broad, globally relevant tapestry of pe... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Not by the Playbook?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Not by the Playbook:

1. The Documentary Podcast
2. World Business Report
3. The Interview
4. Today in Focus
5. Global News Podcast

How many episodes of Not by the Playbook are there?

Not by the Playbook launched 13 years ago and published 576 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Not by the Playbook?

Recent guests on Not by the Playbook include:

1. Tom Daley
2. Katrina Johnson-Thompson
3. Dion Dublin
4. Roger Bannister
5. Kelly Kulick
6. Shaunagh Brown
7. Anna Laurell Nash
8. Hannah Cox

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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