Episodes
Published 10/30/19
Malcolm Gladwell joins Ramona Shelburne and Jody Avirgan to discuss Donald Sterling, the NBA, and his podcast series Revisionist History.
Published 10/30/19
Former NBA player Dennis Rodman is known for his wild, cross-dressing fashion sense, famous girlfriends, and public antics, including attempts at "Basketball Diplomacy" with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. But the roots of Rodman's unique persona are more of an enigma. The new 30 for 30 film 'Rodman: For Better or Worse,' unravels the mystery and reveals how he became a cultural trailblazer. Director Todd Kapostasy sits down with Jody Avirgan to discuss what the film has uncovered and...
Published 10/04/19
Ramona Shelburne and Jody Avirgan discuss the making of 'The Sterling Affairs,' including a rundown of their favorite moments from the series, answers to listener questions, and audio extras. Keep an eye, both on this feed and our Twitter feed (@30for30) for more bonus episodes, upcoming events, and more ways YOU can join the conversation. 30for30podcasts.com @jodyavirgan @ramonashelburne
Published 08/30/19
In the final episode of our 10th anniversary series, Jody Avirgan talks with Jalen Rose and David Jacoby (aka Jalen & Jacoby) about 'The Fab Five,' and the legacy it left on college basketball. 'The Fab Five' and the entire 30 for 30 film archive is available exclusively on our streaming service ESPN+: es.pn/2shPit7
Published 08/09/19
As part of our 10th anniversary series, Marina Zenovich chats with Jody Avirgan about 'Fantastic Lies,' which examined the Duke lacrosse scandal, and the nature of false allegations. Then, ESPN investigative reporter Paula Lavigne discusses her work around sexual assault on university campuses. 'Fantastic Lies' and the entire 30 for 30 film archive is available exclusively on our streaming service ESPN+: es.pn/2shPit7
Published 08/08/19
To help celebrate ten years of 30 for 30 films, we've invited some of our favorite other ESPN podcasters to give picks for their favorite films: Dan Le Batard, Mina Kimes, Bomani Jones, and Zach Lowe talk with Jody Avirgan. Subscribe to all their podcasts now! The entire 30 for 30 film archive is available exclusively on our streaming service ESPN+: es.pn/2shPit7
Published 08/07/19
Our series marking the 10th anniversary of 30 for 30 continues. Chris Herren was a star high school and college basketball player, and was even drafted by his hometown Boston Celtics. But his career was cut short by drug and alcohol abuse. He talks with Jody Avirgan about the films 'Unguarded' and 'The First Day,' which chronicle his efforts to share his story and help others escape substance abuse. 'Unguarded' and the entire 30 for 30 collection are available exclusively on our streaming...
Published 08/06/19
Our series marking the 10th anniversary of 30 for 30 continues. Jody Avirgan chats with Jeff and Michael Zimbalist - the brother directing team behind one of 30 for 30's most popular films. They discuss reporting on the Colombian drug wars, and why Pablo Escobar continues to be such an enduring cultural figure. 'The Two Escobars' and the entire 30 for 30 collection are available exclusively on our streaming service ESPN+: es.pn/2shPit7
Published 08/05/19
A bonus conversation about the new 30 for 30 film 'The Good, The Bad, The Hungry,' which examines the contests between Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut, a rivalry that defined the sport of competitive eating. Jody Avirgan talks with director Nicole Lucas Haimes about how Kobayashi, was transformed from hero to villain, and what the film can tell us about our present cultural moment. The film debuts Tuesday July 2 at 8pm ET on ESPN. You can find more bonus episodes about 30 for 30 in our...
Published 07/01/19
To wrap up our first batch of 10th anniversary episodes, we revisit a film that may have had more of an impact than any other 30 for 30. In 1984, the city of Chicago plunged into sorrow when star high school basketball player Benjamin "Benji" Wilson was killed in a shooting. Director's Coodie and Chike chat with Jody Avirgan about their film on his life and death. Then, Benji's killer Billy Moore and former US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan discuss how the film opened up doors for...
Published 06/28/19
Our anniversary series rolls on with a changeup pitch--a look at the niche phenomenon of fake 30 for 30s. Producers Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda, parodied 30 for 30 by 'documenting' classic sports movies like 'Space Jam' as if they were real life stories. On this episode, Jody Avirgan speaks to them about how a parody can help us better understand the original work, and how their faux 30 for 30s inspired their Netflix series 'American Vandal.' | All our bonus conversations are available in...
Published 06/27/19
Any retrospective on the 30 for 30 series must include 'OJ: Made In America,' the five-part, seven-and-a-half hour film that broke away from the usual format to great acclaim. On episode three of our anniversary series, Jody Avirgan talks with the film's director Ezra Edelman about how he used OJ's Simpson's life story as a venue to explore America's complicated racial history, as well as his rise and fall as a sports icon. The film and the entire 30 for 30 collection are available...
Published 06/26/19
Our 10th anniversary podcast series continues with the director responsible for more 30 for 30 films than anyone else, Jonathan Hock. His six films have covered the iconic Jim Valvano and his 1983 NC State basketball team's run to the championship, the infamous Soviet hockey team, and the fleeting promise of great young athletes. In this episode, Hock talks to Jody Avirgan about why few things are as irretrievable as an athlete's past triumphs. These films and the entire 30 for 30 collection...
Published 06/25/19
It's the 10th anniversary of 30 for 30 and we're kicking off a series of commemorative podcast episodes with a conversation between Jody Avirgan and Billy Corben. Corben is the director of three 30 for 30 films, starting with 'The U,' about the 1980s rise and eventual dominance of the University of Miami football team. He also directed 'The U Part 2" and 'Broke,' which looked at how athletes often come to lose their money. Those films and the entire 30 for 30 collection are available...
Published 06/24/19
Jody Avirgan speaks with Andrew Helms and Meradith Hoddinott about 'Back Pass' their episode on the WUSA and what the story of the former league tells us about America's current relationship with women's professional soccer.
Published 06/18/19
A bonus conversation about the new 30 for 30 film 'Qualified,' which chronicles Janet Guthrie's captivating rise to become the first woman to ever compete in the Indianapolis 500. Host Jody Avirgan welcomes Janet herself along with filmmakers Jenna Ricker and Caroline Waterlow for an exploration of Janet's stunning achievements, how her career inexplicably stalled out, and what her story tells us about the state of women's equality. | All bonus conversations about 30 for 30 films are...
Published 05/28/19
Prime Time finally has a 30 for 30. Jody Avirgan talks with Deion Sanders and director Ken Rodgers about the new 30 for 30 film 'Deion's Double Play,' which depicts the surprising controversy over Sanders' 1992 attempt to play two MLB playoff games AND an NFL game over two days. The film debuts Thursday, January 31 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. For info on re-airs and the ESPN+ streaming debut, keep an eye on our Twitter feed: @30for30. All bonus conversations about 30 for 30 films are available in...
Published 01/31/19
As 2018 draws to a close, Jody Avirgan and Julia Lowrie Henderson check back in on the world of Bikram Yoga, and how it's changed since we published our five-part series earlier this year. Listen to the full series at 30for30podcasts.com/bikram | We'll be back in 2019 with all new original documentaries and lots more!
Published 12/28/18
A bonus conversation about the new 30 for 30 film '42 to 1,' which examines Buster Douglas' shocking upset of heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in 1990. Jody Avirgan speaks with directors Jeremy Schaap and Ben Houser about why they consider it the greatest upset in sports history, the fight's often overlooked and misunderstood details, and the factors that helped Douglas rise to the moment after many missed opportunities. '42 to 1' debuts Tuesday, December 11 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. For info on...
Published 12/11/18
30for30's Jody Avirgan speaks with Clinton Yates of The Undefeated about the podcast documentary "Rickey Won't Quit." They discuss whether Rickey Henderson is undervalued, and why the public viewed his personality so divisively. For more visit 30for30podcasts.com
Published 11/18/18
Jody Avirgan talks with legendary manager Bobby Valentine and producer Andrew Muscato about Hideo Nomo, Japanese baseball, and the making of "The Loophole." NYC! We have an event on December 3rd. More info at 30for30podcasts.com/events
Published 11/11/18
Jody Avirgan speaks with Gretta Cohn of Transmitter Media and host Hillary Frank (The Longest Shortest Time) about our documentary "Six Who Sat."
Published 11/04/18
Jody Avirgan and Keith Romer discuss the making of our episode "All In." Keith plays some tape that didn't make the final cut, and convinces Jody that he's actually a pretty good poker player himself. Toronto! We'll be doing an event at the Hot Docs festival on Saturday, November 3rd. Come say hi!
Published 10/28/18
Jody Avirgan and Andrew Mambo discuss the making of our episode "Juiced." Andrew plays some tape that didn't make the final cut, and describes interviewing Jose Canseco.
Published 10/21/18