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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.

🔗 Watch the clip

Elis:

🐏 Phil Pugh – Proper Old School – A classic clip from the golden era of Welsh hardmen.

🔗 Watch on Twitter/X

Steff:

🏃‍♀️ Millie Bright Invests in Sports Bras – An important conversation about support, equality, and innovation in women’s sport.

🔗 Watch the clip

🔗 Read the full article

📌 PART 2 (OUT FRIDAY)

Steff’s Documentary Pick:

🎓 The Gareth Southgate Lecture – Leadership, resilience, and an England manager being genuinely inspiring.

🔗 Watch on BBC iPlayer

Elis’ Book Choice:

📖 Alternative Wales – Issue 17 – Welsh football culture, fan stories, and proper indie spirit.

🔗 Buy it here

📌 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.

🔗 Watch the clip

Steff:

🏈 Watching the 1981 Super Bowl in the UK – It’s grainy, it’s weird, and it’s glorious.

🔗 Watch on YouTube

Mike:

🧊 How Curling Stones Are Made – It’s oddly satisfying and a bit emotional.

🔗 Watch the clip

💡 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.

🚀 Prefer Wondery+?

  • 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!





🛍️ NEW MERCH ALERT

We’ve launched a brand new merch store — mugs, hoodies, prints and more!

If you fancy supporting the pod that way, head here 👇

🛒 sdsb2025.myshopify.com







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