Defiance Podcast By Michael Johnson cover art

Defiance

 Preview
Try for $0.00
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.

Defiance

By: Michael Johnson
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

About this listen

Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson embarks upon a personal journey through the history of protest in sport.

Drawing on conversations with fellow athletes, commentators and educators, he discovers the remarkable stories of those who’ve taken stands, and assesses the impact of their efforts in driving societal change.

Michael also reflects on his own actions of defiance, how the modern day differs from the peak years of his career and contemplates whether he himself would take the knee were he still competing.

©2021 Audible, Ltd (P)2021 Audible, Ltd
Episodes
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Sep 28 2021

    Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson embarks upon a personal journey through the history of protest in sport.

    Drawing on conversations with fellow athletes, commentators and educators, he discovers the remarkable stories of those who’ve taken stands, and assesses the impact of their efforts in driving societal change.

    Michael also reflects on his own actions of defiance, how the modern day differs from the peak years of his career and contemplates whether he himself would take the knee were he still competing.
    Show more Show less
    2 mins
    Try for $0.00
  • Ep 1: The Quiet Beginning

    Ep 1: The Quiet Beginning
    Oct 13 2021

    Michael shines the spotlight on the men and women who protested silently in his own sport of track and field. From Jesse Owens to Tommie Smith and John Carlos to Cathy Freeman. Together, Michael and Cathy reflect on a special night they shared at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

    This episode contains references to historical racism and a reference to suicide. Listener discretion is advised.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 6 mins
    Try for $0.00
  • Ep 2: Here's to You, Jackie Robinson

    Ep 2: Here's to You, Jackie Robinson
    Oct 13 2021

    Michael profiles the Godfather of sporting protest, Jackie Robinson, assessing the impact breaking the colour line in Major League Baseball had on the Civil Rights Movement.

    This episode contains strong language, including the N word, and historically racists terms and descriptions that are offensive. Listener discretion is advised.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 5 mins
    Try for $0.00
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro805_stickypopup
All stars
Most relevant
I appreciate the great content, knowledge and interviews. Definitely passing the title on to friends and family.

Couldn't stop listening

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Very insightful and raw content about issues that are not comfortable to the public. The race issues in sports globally need to be addressed and this podcast actually went beyond sports in providing detailed historical accounts of athletes that were courageous and altruistic. Defiance should be turned in a best selling book.

Powerful and honest

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I enjoy history and I learned new things I was not aware of. I have faced racism as a woman and being of mixed nationalities. Sometimes I thought that I could not continue listening because of the hurt I felt inside. I am glad I completed the series.

Engaging and in raging

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Just finished the first episode and have learned so much about some details of the protests, including Black history items that Inonly knew the larger story of. Enjoying the interviews with the actual individual, family members and biographers that give all of that background. So glad to support a fellow Black American, Baylor alum (Sic'em, Class of '92) and a birthday twin!! Awesome podcast , Michael!!

I Learned So Much

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have listened to every episode of this new series about the history of protest in sport and cannot recommend it more highly to anyone interested in sports and culture. On subjects I thought I knew, Michael Johnson brought me something new and important. On stories that are newer to me, he brought amazing historical and cultural context, thoughtful experts, his personal reflections. In every single episode, I was moved, challenged, expanded, reinforced, enlightened.
I especially appreciate the breadth of the athlete stories, men and women from across many sports and eras, including Tommie Smith and John Carlos Mexico '68 to Cathy Freeman Sydney 2000 to Naomi Osaka and the WNBA 2021, .
There is serious scholarship here as well as heart and soul.
The series explores this fundamental question: Where does our personal conscience lead us? How far we are willing to go to act on our values? What are we really willing to risk?
Thank you for exploring this in such a powerful way.

FASCINATING about sports, culture and conscience

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The boldness and articulate presentation of a very controversial subject matter from varying perspectives (i.e., female, male, Jewish, gay, white, bi-racial, black). Clearly researched and validated.

Incredible and Powerful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Excellent and informative information of which I was totally unaware. Like in the 68 Olympic how the silver metal winner influenced why each runner only had 1 glove and he never going to another Olympic tho qualifying. All episodes are Great

Life changing decisions people made to help someone else’s cause

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved these stories as they not only inspired and educated me - but it was done in such an engaging manner that pulled me into the stories told. Really well written and excellently narrated by Michael - and great to hear an authentic behind the scenes look at the world of sport, culture and the opportunities for the future of society. Excellent

Inspirational & educational stories told

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A must listen! This podcast is so much more than the stories we’ve heard about athletes who have raised a fist or taken a knee. Each episode provides a path to what shaped an athlete to make a pivotal decision, taking action at a specific moment in time and more times than naught impacted the outcome of their career-often negatively. Host Michael Johnson brings a unique perspective, drawing valuable insights from those he interviews. Whether you support athletes standing up in defiance or not, this podcast delivers a mind opening perspective that all should hear.

Stories that Transcend Sports…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
i like how this podcast went way back to Paul Robeson and forward to share how each generation had its own standout athlete who used their platform to defy the status quo! Since our history isn't taught in schools this is a great supplement to educating ourselves on our contributions to American history.

Defiant is our collective history

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews