The Pledgeball Podcast
The Pledgeball podcast is what happens when sport, culture and climate action meet.
Hosted by our CEO Katie Cross and football YouTube royalty Laurence McKenna, each episode welcomes a new guest to explore the intersection of sport and sustainability, from football clubs and players to creators, campaigners and voices from beyond the sporting world. Together, they dig into practical, realistic actions fans and communities can take, from travel and food to fast fashion and the systems around the game we love.
Courtesy of some very special guests, we'll keep you updated on the goings on in the Pledgeball League along the way too. Don't forget, you can help your team by making a pledge at pledgeball.org.
But for now, sit back, relax and listen to these crucial conversations from those who are going above and beyond to Protect Where We Play.
Episodes
14 episodes
The England Fan Road Diaries | Ep 4: Inside Miami’s Heatwave, Extra-Time Drama & Squeezing Past Norway
England are in the semi-finals! After a grueling, extra-time 2-1 victory over Norway, Harvey checks in with Pledgeball's Katie Cross from their new base in Atlanta as the anticipation for a historic clash with Argentina reaches fever pitch.<...
The England Fan Road Diaries | Ep 3: Beer Showers at the Azteca, Lightning Storms & Silencing Mexico
What a match, what a win, and what an away day. Harvey checks in from Miami after witnessing one of the most chaotic, historic, and beer-soaked England victories in living memory at the legendary Estadio Azteca.In this episode, Pl...
Ep 8: Can Tennis Survive a Changing Climate? feat. Kyle Edmund, the LTA's Jack Baker and Rafatennisonly
Live from Day One of the Lexus Nottingham Open! 🎾🌱In this episode, Katie sits down on-site to explore how tennis is adapting to a changing climate, from elite tournaments to local grassroots courts. We are joined by a fantastic pa...
The England Fan Road Diaries | Ep 2: Grasshoppers, High Altitude & Facing Mexico
From a nerve-shredding late win in Atlanta to eating grasshoppers in Mexico City, Harvey checks in for Episode Two of The England Fan Road Diaries!In this episode, Pledgeball’s Katie Cross catches up with Harvey right after he tou...
The England Fan Road Diaries Ep 1: High Costs, Massive Stadiums, and Following England Stateside
Welcome to the first instalment of our brief tournament check-ins: The England Fan Road Diaries.This week, Katie Cross catches up with Harvey from the Football Supporters Association (FSA), who is embedded with the England fan emb...
Ep 7: Can Comedy and Sport Save the Planet? feat. Stuart Goldsmith and Peter Smith
In this episode, Katie flies solo to explore how unexpected worlds collide to tackle the climate crisis. Joined by award-winning stand-up comedian Stuart Goldsmith to discuss his Edinburgh Fringe show, Spoilers, looking at how comedy can disarm...
Ep 6: Serving Up Sustainability: Tennis Ball Waste & Life on the ATP Tour with Lloyd Glasspool
This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna are serving up a brilliant father-son double act to explore how tennis is grappling with its own massive climate footprint.We are joined by Neil Glasspool, the driving force behind Hubba'...
The World Cup Fan Guide Special
The 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest tournament in football history. But what does that actually mean for the travelling fans on the ground?In this special episode, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna sit down with Ashley Brown...
Ep 5: The season finale, lessons learned & looking back with Laurence McKenna
This week, we are shaking things up for the season finale. Host Katie Cross turns the microphone on her usual co-host, Laurence McKenna, to explore the man behind the mic.Why does sustainability matter to him? What initiall...
Ep 4: Sustainability at the elite level & The Red Way with Rishi Jain
This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna explore what sustainability looks like at the very top of the footballing pyramid.How does a global institution like Liverpool FC translate climate action into a stra...
Ep 3: The un-dying shirt, fast fashion & inclusivity with Joana Czutkowna and Julia Cove-Smith
This week, hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna unpick the fabric of the modern game. Literally.We all love copping our club's latest shirt, but have you ever stopped to consider what your kit is actually made of?W...
Ep 2: Taking on Fossil Fuels from the Dressing Room with David Wheeler
We are continuing the series with a player who refused to just "stick to sports."Join hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna as they sit down with former Exeter City, QPR and Wycombe Wanderers star David Wheeler to discuss what it’s like...
Ep 1: Giving Food Waste the Red Card with Lagom Chef
We are kicking off The Pledgeball Podcast with a guest who is on a mission to fix the way we eat.Join hosts Katie Cross and Laurence McKenna as they sit down with Martyn Odell (aka Lagom Chef) to discuss why the kitc...
