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.

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.

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. 

Gino Bartali, an all-time great cyclist who defied both Mussolini and Hitler, comes under the microscope for his stand against fascism and in helping save Jews during World War 2. But how much of the story is accurate? Michael analyses the myths that surround protest and whether the truth really matters in the end.

This episode contains strong language. Listener discretion is advised.

Michael looks back at how sport helped end apartheid in South Africa, highlighting three men who risked their lives to lead the way. He also speaks to Francois Pienaar, who famously captained the Springboks to victory in the 1995 World Cup on home soil.

This episode contains references to historical racism that are offensive. There will also be adult themes and graphic descriptions of violence. Listener discretion is advised.

Michael explores the story of women’s protest in sport. From Billy Jean King to Naomi Osaka, he digs into why women have found it so difficult to compete on a level playing field. Hope Solo talks to Michael about her fight for equal pay for the US women’s national soccer team and The Queen’s Gambit inspiration Lisa Lane tells of her defiance in the field of chess.

This episode contains strong language and reference to sexual abuse.

Michael examines the journey of Colin Kaepernick from first taking the knee to his position today as a symbol of modern-day defiance. Why was his protest seen as a slur against the flag, the military and everything the USA ‘stands’ for? And why do people around the world feel so strongly about a movement that shook America to its core?

This episode contains strong language, as well as descriptions of racist violence, police brutality, and descriptions that some people may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.

Twenty-five years on from launching with the slogan We Got Next, the US Women’s National Basketball Association continues to take the lead on social justice. In this penultimate episode, Michael speaks to WNBA All-Star Renee Montgomery to discuss how female basketball stars are blazing the trail of defiance.

This episode contains extremely strong language, including use of the N word, as well as descriptions of racist violence, police brutality, and descriptions that some people may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised.