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The Socially Distant Sports Bar
261: Medium Performance (Pt 1)
Ep. 529
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🎙️ The Socially Distant Sports Bar – Episode 261: Medium Performance
Elis James (Elis & John, Oh What A Time), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth), and Steff Garrero return for another week of niche sporting brilliance, poorly researched tangents, and top-tier nonsense.
This week we’ve got: good old-fashioned Welsh rugby nostalgia, Shaun Edwards’ eternal intensity, Millie Bright doing business, and the surprisingly emotional journey of a curling stone. Oh, and a Super Bowl, 1980s-style.
"Like a sports podcast, if the sport was optional."
🎟️ We’re Going on Tour in 2026!
That’s right – The Socially Distant Sports Bar is hitting the road in 2026!
Tickets go on general sale Friday 25 April via distantpod.com/live
🎫 Want early access? Join the Patreon on a paid tier and get in ahead of the crowd.
📍 Tour Dates:
- Fri 20 March 2026 – Cardiff, New Theatre
- Sat 21 March 2026 – Cardiff, New Theatre
- Tue 7 April 2026 – London, Hackney Empire
- Wed 8 April 2026 – London, Hackney Empire
- Fri 24 April 2026 – Carmarthen, Lyric Theatre
✨ What’s On This Week’s Episode?
📌 PART 1 (OUT WEDNESDAY)
Mike:
🗣️ Shaun on Danny – If you need motivation, Shaun Edwards has you covered. Again.
Elis:
🐏 Phil Pugh – Proper Old School – A classic clip from the golden era of Welsh hardmen.
Steff:
🏃♀️ Millie Bright Invests in Sports Bras – An important conversation about support, equality, and innovation in women’s sport.
📌 PART 2 (OUT FRIDAY)
Steff’s Documentary Pick:
🎓 The Gareth Southgate Lecture – Leadership, resilience, and an England manager being genuinely inspiring.
Elis’ Book Choice:
📖 Alternative Wales – Issue 17 – Welsh football culture, fan stories, and proper indie spirit.
📌 PART 3 (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
👉 Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes, spin-off shows, and pre-sale access to live shows.
Elis:
⚽ Angel Rangel – What a Guy – Swansea City’s Spanish cult hero.
Steff:
🏈 Watching the 1981 Super Bowl in the UK – It’s grainy, it’s weird, and it’s glorious.
Mike:
🧊 How Curling Stones Are Made – It’s oddly satisfying and a bit emotional.
💡 Get More of the Pod Every Week
🎧 Join Patreon for the full experience:
- Bonus Episodes – 30+ mins of extra content weekly.
- Hoffi Pod & Michael Owen’s Movie Club – Our beloved spin-offs.
- Gift Memberships – Give a mate the gift of nonsense.
- Early access & support – Keep the show going and help Mike expand his vintage leisurewear wardrobe.
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- Early access every Tuesday
- Ad-free episodes for pure, uninterrupted nonsense
🎉 Another week of niche sport, cult heroes, and completely unnecessary tangents – only on The Socially Distant Sports Bar!
We’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!
If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇
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