Many third-party apps on the Google Play Store are designed to "summarize and collect" stories for offline listening in optimized formats. Technical Breakdown: Bitrate vs. File Size
Several fan-maintained sites and apps specialize in providing these lightweight files:
The Ultimate Guide to Downloading Sunday Suspense in Low Quality
Because Sunday Suspense is primarily spoken word, the "tinny" effect of low bitrates is less distracting than it would be for complex music. Best Platforms for Low Quality Downloads
In areas with poor 4G/5G signals, smaller files download much faster and stream without buffering.