Outlines - a podcast about sport, stories and the media

Outlines - a podcast about sport, stories and the media

By Outlines - a podcast about sport, stories and the mediaSports
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Outlines - a podcast about sport, stories and the media episodes

  • S2 Ep1: Simon Kuper: the World Cup and the world around it

    Award-winning Financial Times journalist and author Simon Kuper discusses his writing and his latest book, World Cup Fever.

    Simon reflects on his experiences at ten instalments of football's biggest occasion - including this summer's event in North America - and explains how he approached its history and its social and cultural significance.

    He also talks about the latest edition of Soccernomics, the series he co-created with economist Stefan Szymanski, explores the themes and interests that recur in his work inside and outside sport, and looks back on career landmarks like his influential debut book, Football Against The Enemy.

    Outlines is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

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    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope

    1 hr 4 min
  • S1 Ep38: Orla Chennaoui: taking on the Tour de France

    TNT Sports lead cycling presenter Orla Chennaoui talks about bringing the drama and spectacle of the Tour de France to television viewers. 

    Orla lays out the intensive production and editorial planning that goes into every edition of the race, explores her role as the on-air conductor of expert analysts and multiple competing narratives, and dives into the rich and distinctive appeal of road cycling in general and the Tour in particular. 

    She also reveals what drew her into cycling and shares her thoughts on how the influence of women's road racing will grow in the years ahead. 

    Outlines is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope

    1 hr 10 min
  • S1 Ep37: Ken Mainardis: the power of a World Cup photograph
    Getty Images global head of editorial Ken Mainardis talks about the role of photography in sports storytelling at the FIFA World Cup and beyond. 
    He explains how the world-leading agency processes thousands of images for publishers, each sent within seconds of the action, in every World Cup game, and lays out its creative approach to finding the angles that will set those shots apart. 

    And he discusses what makes for great sports photography, while exploring the influence of smartphones, social media, resurgent analogue trends and AI.

    Outlines is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope

    52 min
  • S1 Ep36: Lawrence Booth: Wisden and the stories of an English cricket summer

    Lawrence Booth reflects on his role and responsibilities as editor of one of the most enduring publications in sport: the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, now in its 163rd annual edition. 

    He explains how the title comes together each year, where he sees its place in the cricket landscape, and how he has tried to update its remit to reflect wider change in the sport while staying true to its traditions. 

    And speaking in his more regular role as cricket correspondent for the Daily Mail, he picks through the narratives that could define the 2026 season in England – from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, to two home men’s Test series in the aftermath of the Ashes, and a changing relationship between the Hundred and the rest of the domestic game. 

    Outlines is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope

    57 min
  • S1 Ep35: Philippe Auclair: plotting the path of Kylian Mbappé
    French football writer Phiippe Auclair discusses his latest book, The Mbappé Project: Making a Football Superstar, about the careful orchestration of the career of France icon Kylian Mbappé.
    Philippe explains how Mbappé’s family and a tight-knit group of advisers have set a professional and commercial course from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, and discusses how the complications of that club career have affected perceptions of the FIFA World Cup-winning striker.

    He also explores the differences between Mbappé’s public profile and those of earlier French heroes – including the likes of Eric Cantona and Thierry Henry, subjects of previous Auclair biographies – and what that might tell us about footballers and the media in 2026. 

    Outlines is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope

    1 hr 11 min
  • S1 Ep34: Tim Percival: how coaches play the media game
    England Rugby team communications lead Tim Percival talks about his award-nominated debut book, On The Record & On The Ball: How Elite Coaches Master the Media. 
    He runs through the lessons of his conversations with 30 top-level operators – including Eddie Jones, Roy Hodgson, Emma Hayes, Ange Postecoglou, Zak Brown and Mickey Arthur – and his own career helping to navigate narratives on and off the field. 
    He reveals the goals of coaches’ media strategies, explores the influence of personal philosophies and the importance of managing relationships, discusses the implications of diverse digital media storytelling, and much more.
    Outlines is a 26 Forty original and is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope
    1 hr 1 min
  • S1 Ep33: Matthew Barrett: Goal Click into place for the World Cup
    Goal Click founder and CEO Matthew Barrett talks through the evolution of the first-person sports storytelling platform, which has helped unearth original perspectives from surprising locations and communities around the world.
    He explains where the company finds its storytellers, and how it has expanded its horizons – moving into sports beyond football, while incorporating video and live storytelling events alongside written accounts and its signature photographic projects. 
    And he maps out Goal Click’s plans for the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the US, from its plans and partnerships to its approach to the controversies, sensitivities and complexities surrounding a mammoth tournament.
    Outlines is a 26 Forty original and is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope
    59 min
  • S1 Ep32: Sam Carp and Richard Gillis: taking care of business
    SportsPro head of editorial Sam Carp and Unofficial Partner founder Richard Gillis explore the role and challenges of the sports industry media. 
    They discuss changes in the sector’s relationship with its audience – specialists and casual alike – across platforms like events and podcasts and amid greater mainstream coverage. 
    And as April’s SportsPro London event aims to address ‘the reality of sport, right now’, they ask how conversations about the sports business are shaped by competing incentives and perspectives – from enthusiastic sellers to alienated fans. 
    SportsPro London will be held at the Kia Oval on 29th and 30th April. Click here to find out more. 

    Outlines is a 26 Forty original and is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope

    1 hr 22 min
  • S1 Ep31: Tony Pastor: the rest is podcasting

    Goalhanger co-founder Tony Pastor explains how the UK’s leading independent podcast production company is taking the medium into new spaces.

    He reflects on how media rights deals with DAZN, LaLiga, Netflix and the Premier League have made The Rest Is Football – fronted by fellow Goalhanger co-founder Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards – an ever more visually compelling experience.

    And he delves into the strategies behind Goalhanger success stories like The Rest Is Politics, The Rest Is Entertainment, and global smash hit The Rest Is History – a favourite of everyone from Oscars host Conan O’Brien to Disney chief Bob Iger and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney.   

    Outlines is a 26 Forty original and is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope

    1 hr
  • S1 Ep30: Ed Chamberlin: from the racecourse to the living room
    With huge horse racing events like the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National on the horizon, ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin explains the unique role of the live TV sports presenter.
    He talks about acting as a conduit between the racing community and a multi-layered audience at home, the importance of intensive preparation and communication, turning nerves into energy, and letting the pictures do the talking. 
    He also reveals what drew him to the racecourse from fronting Premier League coverage at Sky Sports, explains why Des Lynam remains the reference for presenters to this day, and sets out how he’s applied the lessons of his job to other professions through coaching.  
    Outlines is a 26 Forty original and is presented, produced and edited by Eoin Connolly.

    Instagram: @outlines_podcast
    Threads:     @outlines_podcast
    Bluesky:     @outlinespodcast.bsky.social
    TikTok:     @outlines.podcast

    Check out the newsletter: Outlines – notes in the margins of the sports industry

    Theme music from Upbeat: Crush - Kaleidoscope
    1 hr 13 min

About Outlines - a podcast about sport, stories and the media

From the publisher's feed

Eoin Connolly talks about sport and storytelling with a range of journalists and authors, broadcasters, filmmakers, executives, innovative creators and campaigners.