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Not by the Playbook

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes583Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Sports

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Artwork for Not by the Playbook

Latest Episodes

The Commonwealth Games - known as the Friendly Games - are held every four years. They have a three word moto "Humanity - showing that sport brings people together. Equality - that sport is for everyone. And Destiny - that sport is just the beginning... more

Australia's Emma McDonald is an acrobatic pilot for team "BeyondGravity", racing her plane at high speeds and low altitudes, weaving her way through a course set out in the sky competing in the Air Race X championship. Needing a remarkable mix of str... more

"The World Cup is not just a great global sporting event, it is also inscribed with much deeper cultural and political importance". So said academic Martin Jacques, and so to mark the World Cup final we bring you stories from the very top echelons to... more

It's nearly 20 years since Wimbledon decided to award equal prize money. The tennis world has come a long way since a group of women players known as "The Original 9" eventually forced the creation of a Women's tour. Billie Jean King was the most fam... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Freya Anderson
Olympic swimmer diagnosed with endometriosis, advocate for awareness through Fast and Female
Fast and Female
Episode: A common goal
Salote Sisifa
CEO of Tonga Netball, former TV news anchor
Tonga Netball
Episode: A common goal
Jaqua Pori-Makea-Simpson
Head coach of Tonga Tala netball
Tonga Tala Netball
Episode: A common goal
Unique Palavi
Netball player, Melbourne Mavericks training partner
Netball Tonga, Melbourne Mavericks
Episode: A common goal
Precious McKenzie
Weightlifting legend, pioneer overcoming apartheid-era barriers
British Weight Lifting Association
Episode: A common goal
Emma McDonald
Acrobatic pilot for Team Beyond Gravity
Beyond Gravity
Episode: Up, up and away
Bob Van De Burgt
Dutch windsurfer
Translated from Dutch Muscles for Muscles
Episode: Up, up and away
Shaul Ladany
Long-distance race walker and Holocaust survivor
Ben Gurion University
Episode: Up, up and away
Jeremy Burge
Former Chief Emoji Officer, founder of Emojipedia
Emojipedia
Episode: Up, up and away

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
#146
China/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

World Cup Winners
Q: What is the enduring impact you hope for from grassroots football initiatives?
Emphasizes accessibility, affordability, and community empowerment as pathways to sustainable growth in soccer culture, beyond the spotlight of top-tier leagues.
World Cup Winners
Q: How do you assess this World Cup on and off the pitch?
The host notes highlight both positives and negatives, including expanded participation and some governance controversies, with attention to the implications for legacy and trust in football institutions.
So much more than sport
Q: What does the medal auction symbolize beyond sport for Stan Horuna?
It represents a tangible act of humanitarian aid and a symbol of national solidarity, showing how sport artifacts can carry the weight of a country's struggle and hope.
World Cup: Beyond the pitch
Q: What has stood out to you about the World Cup experiences you've pursued across decades?
Andy Milne explains that the friendships and global connections, rather than just the on-pitch results, have defined his World Cup journeys. He emphasizes the communal, cross-cultural aspects of following the tournament and the way it shapes lifelong memories.
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.

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 Food Chain
2. The Documentary Podcast
3. All in the Mind
4. The Food Programme
5. The Interview

How many episodes of Not by the Playbook are there?

Not by the Playbook launched 13 years ago and published 583 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. Freya Anderson
2. Salote Sisifa
3. Jaqua Pori-Makea-Simpson
4. Unique Palavi
5. Precious McKenzie
6. Emma McDonald
7. Bob Van De Burgt
8. Shaul Ladany

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