Shows / Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Maybe you’ve laid awake and imagined how it could have been, how it might yet be, but the moment to act was never right. Well, the moment is here and the podcast making it happen is Heavyweight. Join Jonathan Goldstein for road trips, thorny reunions, and difficult conversations as he backpedals his way into the past like a therapist with a time machine.
Episodes
HeavyweightJonathan + Death of an Artist
Jonathan talks with married journalists Alice Gregory and Leon Neyfakh, hosts of the new Pushkin series Death of an Artist, Season 3. The series tells the…
Heavyweight#70 Cayden
As a kid, Cayden was repressed, quiet, and very much closeted. But on a church mission trip, he met Andrew, who inspired him to come out. Now, as an adult…
HeavyweightRegrets, I've Had a Slew
In February, the Heavyweight team headed to Brooklyn for a live show at On Air Fest. There was a countdown of Jonathan’s most regrettable moments from…
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Gobi | From This Is Love
We're taking a break to bring you an episode of This Is Love, from the makers of Criminal and hosted by Phoebe Judge. Where Heavyweight explores past regrets…
Heavyweight#69 Tamara
Tamara and B were best friends and roommates at their Christian boarding school. Then, in 12th grade, a teacher declared B to be possessed by a demon and an…
Heavyweight#68 Songe
When Songe was 8 years old, he made fun of a girl with a facial tic. Just months later, he developed tics of his own—the first signs of the Tourette…
Heavyweight#67 Jenna
When Jenna was eight years old, she was taken from her mom and placed with a foster family called the Grizzles. For two and a half years, she built a life with…
HeavyweightTrailer: Heavyweight Season 10
Heavyweight returns on September 17. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Pushkin+ subscribers can get all episodes ad-free! Sign up on the Heavyweight Apple…
Heavyweight2026 Update: James
James’s father’s dying wish was for his ashes to be spread on the 18th hole of a fancy private golf course. That was 16 years ago. In this episode…
HeavyweightJonathan Vs. Kalila on Smash Boom Best
Jonathan and Kalila go toe-to-toe as guests on the children’s debate podcast, Smash Boom Best, where they debate the merits of phone calls vs. texting…
Heavyweight2026 Update: Julia
In grade 8, Julia was bullied so badly by a group of girls that she changed schools without telling anyone. Soon after, the girls from her old school showed up…
Heavyweight2026 Update: Brandon
Throughout high school, Brandon was a misfit. Then one day, out of the blue, one of the school’s prettiest, most popular girls asked him to prom. Fifteen…
Heavyweight2026 Update: Frederick J. Brown
Maia found a painting in the garbage and took it home. But as it turned out, it wasn’t just any painting. In this update, Kalila learns that she might…
Heavyweight2026 Update: Christina
When Christina was in 11th grade, her foster mother made her quit playing basketball. After that, she felt like her life never got back on course. And so…
Heavyweight2026 Update: Skye
When Skye was in middle school, her best friends showed up at her home one night and wrote “f*ck you” on her garage door. After that, they never…
HeavyweightJonathan Goldstein on Wild Card
This week, Jonathan joins the ranks of A-list celebrities as a guest on NPR's Wild Card with Rachel Martin. Death, ghosts, the pleasures and perils of talking…
Heavyweight2026 Update: Elyse
When Elyse was 21, her father, Billy, disappeared without explanation. When Elyse finally learned of his whereabouts, she was shocked by the new life he was…
Heavyweight2026 Update: Tony
Today, we speak with Jonathan's longtime friend Tony. A lot's changed in his life since the episode came out ten years ago. Tony messed up his relationship…
HeavyweightHeavyweight in 2026
What to expect from Heavyweight this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
HeavyweightMinneapolis
In part one, Jonathan and his wife, Emily, check in. In part two, the story of a family forced into hiding after an ICE shooting. Places to donate: Yamelis's…
HeavyweightPresenting Death, Sex & Money | From Brazilian Butt Lifts to Botox: Your Beauty Confessions
The Heavyweight team is hard at work on some episode updates for later this spring, as well as a brand new season, which will be coming this fall. But in the…
Heavyweight#66 Deborah
At 101 years old, Deborah discovered a box she'd stashed away a lifetime ago. What was inside reignited an old love and turned her life upside down. Get…
Heavyweight#65 Meredith
Meredith unknowingly ate a bag of her teenage son’s weed gummies. She wants him to apologize. He wants her to apologize. At a stand-off, they call…
Heavyweight#64 Kevin
Kevin's childhood was a hard one. But it was made bearable by his neighborhood friends, Jason and Gerald. Then, one afternoon, the boys just vanished. Over…
HeavyweightHeavyweight: Live from New York
In October, the Heavyweight team gathered in New York City for a live event at Caveat on the Lower East Side. There was a reading, a Q&A, and a Meet & Greet…
Heavyweight#63 Jasmin
Jasmin grew up as one of the few Black girls in a mostly white town. Senior year, she was voted Homecoming Queen and she finally felt accepted. But then, at…
HeavyweightThe Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Today, Jonathan joins his fellow Pushkin hosts for a special episode all about mistakes. Jonathan speaks with his friend, the writer Sheila Heti. Together…
Heavyweight#62 Stefano
On her flight to emigrate from Italy in 1959, Anita was tasked with babysitting a two-year-old boy being brought to the US for adoption. During the flight…
Heavyweight#61 The Bank Robber
He had just turned 14 when he sawed off his father’s shotgun, skipped school, and robbed a bank for $40,000. Now, 33 years later, he wants to apologize…
Heavyweight#60 The Messenger
As a senior in high school, Michael got a huge opportunity: the chance to star in a big-budget movie. Shooting wrapped; a premier date was set. And then he…
Heavyweight#59 Etta
Gregor's parents are pushing 90. Gregor wants to move them out of their big Victorian home. But they refuse. So, he's come up with a bold plan. You can find…
HeavyweightTrailer: Heavyweight Season 9
A look at what’s to come this season. Heavyweight returns on September 18. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Pushkin+ subscribers can get all…
Heavyweight2025 Update: Dina
It’s the last Heavyweight encore before our new season begins on September 18th! This week, we talk to Jonathan's mom about life in the years since her…
Heavyweight2025 Update: Leif + A Conversation with Anna Konkle
For our penultimate Heavyweight encore, we’re joined by Pen15 co-creator Anna Konkle to revisit last season’s junior high drama — #53: Leif…
Heavyweight2025 Update: Joey
This week, we check back in with Joey to answer everyone’s burning question: does he still have a mullet? Years ago, Joey had a very bad day — all…
Heavyweight2025 Update: The Marshes
This week, we talk to Steve Marsh from our episode, The Marshes. The family has changed in ways they could never have guessed at when the story was first…
Heavyweight2025 Update: Rose
This week, we’re calling up one of our fan-favorite guests from season two: Rose. Almost twenty years ago, Rose was kicked out of her college sorority…
Heavyweight2025 Update: Scott
This week, we check back in with Scott to find out what turns his life has taken since the original episode aired in 2019. When Scott was a heroin addict, he…
Heavyweight2025 Update: Buzz
This week, we catch up with Jonathan's dad about the years since his appearance in our first ever episode — #1 Buzz. Buzz and Sheldon are brothers in…
Heavyweight2025 Update: Gregor
While the new season is under construction, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes and calling up former guests to see what’s happened…
HeavyweightHeavyweight Short: A Sobering Thought
For the better part of his adult life, drinking was Jonathan’s great comfort. But after getting laid off, something changed. See omnystudio.com/listener…
HeavyweightHeavyweight Short: Returns and Reformers
In her year off, Stevie had a lot of time to wait on hold. And Kalila took a hard look at not wanting to be looked at. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
HeavyweightHeavyweight Check In: What’s to Come
What we’ve been up to, and what’s in store through the coming weeks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
HeavyweightHeavyweight Has a New Home
The Heavyweight team officially has a new home at Pushkin Industries. Tell your friends, your exes… tell the strangers on the subway! And be sure to…
- Heavyweight
Hello from Heavyweight
A small hello from the Heavyweight team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
Heavyweight#58 Harry
Before Scott died, he bequeathed to his brothers his beloved pet parrot, Harry. The brothers promised to care for the bird. Except they didn’t. Over…
HeavyweightHeavyweight Short: Loch
Loch swears his kindergarten teacher used to steal his cheese. But no one believes him. Credits This episode was produced by Phoebe Flanigan, Mohini Madgavkar…
HeavyweightHeavyweight Short: Yasser
When Yasser was a boy, he saw a cartoon that changed his life. He’s been searching for it ever since. The only problem is… it’s vanished…
Heavyweight#57 The Budget Motel
In 1993, Nick was shot in an Idaho motel room. One stranger came to his aid. Nick wants to find him. CREDITS If you're feeling unsafe in your relationship…
Heavyweight#56 44 Photos
One morning, Amy opened her mailbox and found a package with 44 photos inside—photos of complete strangers. Now Amy wonders: Who are they? And why were…
Heavyweight#55 Toby
After his father’s death, Toby found a box of cassette tapes in his dad’s house. These private recordings tell the story of how his parents&rsquo…
Heavyweight#54 Victor and Maite
Victor can’t stop painting portraits of his ex-wife, decades after their divorce. You can find Victor's work at victorrodrigueznyc.com, or on his…
Heavyweight#53 Leif
On Valentine’s Day in junior high, Leif was supposed to ask Kalila out. But he never did. Seventeen years later, Kalila wants to know why. Credits This…
Heavyweight#52 Lenny
Lenny was Jonathan's childhood best friend, but they drifted apart as they grew into adulthood. Now, Lenny is dying and needs a friend. So Jonathan makes the…
HeavyweightTrailer: Heavyweight Season 8
Here’s a taste of what’s in store. Season 8 begins October 5th. Listen on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- Heavyweight
#51 The Elliotts
In 1525, the Archbishop of Glasgow placed a curse on the Elliott family. Now, 500 years later, one very unlucky branch of the Elliotts wants it lifted. Credits…
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#50 Nick
Is Nick hearing his dead brother’s voice in a song by a Grammy-nominated musician? Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This…
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Heavyweight Short: Jesse & Tori
For Jesse, Tori has always been the one that got away. Credits This Heavyweight short was hosted and produced by Stevie Lane, along with Mohini Madgavkar and…
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#49 Another Roadside Attraction
When Stephanie was in high school, a bookstore seemingly dropped out of the sky into her small Texas town. Then, just as quickly, it was gone. Credits If you…
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#48 Ben
Ben was just a kid when Sihan arrived from Korea. He lived with Ben’s family for several years. And then one day, just as suddenly as he’d arrived, Sihan was…