It is a bit of an exaggeration to describe ESPN’s umbrella brand for sports documentaries, 30 for 30as a podcast. The brand’s films, celebrated for using sport to ask bigger questions about life and societal issues, have aired on U.S. television since 2009 and are frequently referenced in pop culture, including in a parody episode of The Simpsons22 for 30. Launched in 2017, the podcast spin-off tells new, original stories designed specifically for audio, but also includes bonus interviews and anniversary specials that revisit some of the films’ biggest hits, like the OJ Simpson trial and The Two Escobars, the story of a Colombian soccer player murdered for a mistake during the 1994 World Cup and the soccer-mad drug lord who may or may not have been involved.

The audio episodes follow the format of the films, diving deep into a diverse anthology of sports history and related digressions that, like the films, are not limited to American athletes. “The Loophole” examines the case of Hideo Nomo, who in 1995 battled seemingly insurmountable legal and cultural barriers to become the first Japanese Major League Baseball player in 30 years. “Pink Card” tells the story of three generations of Iranian football fans who dared to disregard the law banning women from attending live sporting events. “Be Water” details Bruce Lee’s own struggle against social injustice and his close relationship with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.