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
- Heavyweight
#47 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. Credits This episode was hosted and produced by…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Short: Cody
One day in high school, Cody received a hug that melted his heart. Sixteen years later and he still can’t stop thinking about it. Credits Heavyweight is hosted…
- Heavyweight
#46 Dan
On Dan’s first date with his wife Nancy, a stranger took their photograph. Nineteen years later, Dan wants the photo back. But to get it, he'll have to…
- Heavyweight
#45 Sgt. John Kapphahn
When Melanie was a kid, she recorded Billy Ray Cyrus’s 1993 TV Special over something irreplaceable: the sole copy of an interview her father did on…
- Heavyweight
#44 Sara
Sara received a letter from a woman with the exact same name as her. In it, the woman claimed to be her childhood best friend. The only problem? Sara…
- Heavyweight
#43 Maura
When Maura was 17, her favorite cousin died in a car crash. Maura’s been too afraid to drive ever since. But now, a decade later, she wants to face her…
- Heavyweight
#42 Mark
When Mark was in college, his dream was to be a famous painter. It’s a dream he missed out on by only an inch. This is the story of that inch. Credits…
- Heavyweight
#41 Barbara Wilson
This is the second and final part of episode #40 Barbara Shutt. So if you’ve not yet heard it, go back and listen to that first. Credits Heavyweight is…
- Heavyweight
#40 Barbara Shutt
In 1968, Jonathan’s mother-in-law Becky spent one of the best summers of her life with a woman named Barbara. But then they never spoke again. Now, over…
- Heavyweight
#39 Stephen
This is the second and final part of last week’s episode. So if you’ve not yet heard the episode “Justine,” go back and listen to that…
- Heavyweight
#38 Justine
Growing up, Justine’s father always told her unbelievable stories about his life: that he was a big winner on Jeopardy; an outlaw who robbed banks armed…
- Heavyweight
#37 John
Before he became a best-selling author, John Green was going to dedicate his life to God. Until he crossed paths with Nick. Twenty years later, John sets off…
- Heavyweight
#36 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…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Short: A Canadian Tale
Adam swears he met Fidel Castro in Montreal 25 years ago. But ever since, no one’s believed him. Fortunately for Adam, the one person—one Canadian—who can…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Short: The Sharing Place
Heavyweight often features grownups grappling with childhood trauma. But in today’s Heavyweight Short, Jonathan visits a place where children grapple with…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Short: Hallie
When Hallie was 17, she spent a few minutes with a stranger who changed her life. A decade later, Hallie sets out to find her. Credits This Heavyweight short…
- Heavyweight
Check In: Holiday Special
Happy holidays! In our last check in of 2020, Stevie confronts her grandfather with a question she’s been afraid to ask for over twenty years, and Kalila…
- Heavyweight
Check In: Curtis Sittenfeld
Jonathan speaks with Curtis Sittenfeld about her novel Rodham, which deals with many of the themes we explore on Heavyweight: things like returning to the past…
- Heavyweight
Check In: Do You Like Music?
Jonathan, Stevie, and Kalila are back, to talk about Thanksgiving and music. Music and mix by Bobby Lord. Additional music by Sean, Ryan, Kevin, and Brian…
- Heavyweight
#35 Rachel and Jon
Rachel and Jon are siblings who were separated as young children. Jonathan helps them confront the woman responsible... fifty years later. Credits Heavyweight…
- Heavyweight
#34 Annie
Every time Annie’s family comes to town, they exclude her from their plans. Annie needs to know why. Credits This episode of Heavyweight was hosted and…
- Heavyweight
#33 Bobby
How the worst McDonald’s commercial ever made came to be. And how Bobby got mixed up in it. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan…
- Heavyweight
#32 Vivian
In 1995, Vivian’s uncle Helio died of AIDS. Now, 25 years later, Vivian’s on a search to find the man who cared for him until his death. Credits…
- Heavyweight
Why Is Mason Reese Crying?
Mason Reese was the biggest child star of the early 1970's. Recently, he posted a YouTube video of himself crying. Jonathan sets out to discover why. This is a…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Check In 8
As we turn our attention back to producing classic Heavyweight episodes, we leave you with one last check in. SPOILER ALERT: This check in contains a special…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Check In 7
During these times of uncertainty and sadness, we bring you two stories of two women seeking the comfort of childhood. Amber and Eva are in search of their…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Check In 6
Milestones and cramped houses. Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, Bobby Lord, and Blue Dot Sessions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Check In 5
Jonathan surprises Stevie and Kalila with some special friends from seasons past who, wouldn’t you know it, are still in need of his help. Mix by Bobby…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Check In 4
Stuck in new homes and old. Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows and Bobby Lord. Also, we put together a Heavyweight playlist… fan and staff…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Check In 3
A lot of people have been feeling lonely lately. So, they've been reaching out. Music by Christine Fellows and Bobby Lord. And Simon. Mix by Bobby Lord. Learn…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Check In 2
Jonathan, Stevie, and Kalila check in, to talk about what’s been going on in their lives, and in your lives, too. Mix by Emma Munger. Music by Christine…
- Heavyweight
Heavyweight Checks In
Things are feeling strange and uncertain right now. So we on the Heavyweight team decided to record our day and share it with you. Mix and music by Bobby Lord…
Heavyweight#31 Marie-Claude
Jonathan’s oldest friend, Marie-Claude, had a problem in high school. At 50, she thought it was behind her. But the problem’s recently returned…
Heavyweight#30 The Marshes
After a drunken slip of the tongue, Steve Marsh and his siblings discover a secret their mother has been keeping for almost 40 years. Now, Steve wants to help…
Heavyweight#29 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…
Heavyweight#28 Dr. Muller
In his twenties, Jonathan began seeing an inscrutable, mysterious therapist. After 6 years without progress, she told him it wasn’t working out because of him…
Heavyweight#27 Scott
Eight years ago, when Scott was addicted to heroin, he crossed a line he thought he would never cross. And he’s been trying to uncross it since. Credits…
Heavyweight#26 Beverley and Van
Ashley’s grandmother, Beverley, had a hard life and an unhappy marriage. But she spoke frequently of a man named Van. Ashley believes Van was the great…
Heavyweight#25 Becky and Jo
Becky and Jo were raised by a procession of eccentric babysitters, 16 in total. But their favorite was Leticia. The girls adored her… right up until the day…
Heavyweight#24 Jimmy and Mark
When he was only 10 years old, Jonathan Marshall was sent on a 240 mile bicycle trip. 3 days. Across 2 states. With no adult supervision. 45 years later…
- Heavyweight
The Heavy Wait Diaries: Chapter 8
Heavyweight Season 4 begins September 26th. Until then, we bring you The Heavy Wait Diaries. Each Thursday, a new chapter will be presented to ease the burden…
- Heavyweight
The Heavy Wait Diaries: Chapter 7
Heavyweight Season 4 begins September 26th. Until then, we bring you The Heavy Wait Diaries. Each Thursday, a new chapter will be presented to ease the burden…
- Heavyweight
The Heavy Wait Diaries: Chapter 6
Heavyweight Season 4 begins September 26th. Until then, we bring you The Heavy Wait Diaries. Each Thursday, a new chapter will be presented to ease the burden…
- Heavyweight
The Heavy Wait Diaries: Chapter 5
Heavyweight Season 4 begins September 26th. Until then, we bring you The Heavy Wait Diaries. Each Thursday, a new chapter will be presented to ease the burden…
- Heavyweight
The Heavy Wait Diaries: Chapter 4
Heavyweight Season 4 begins September 26th. Until then, we bring you The Heavy Wait Diaries. Each Thursday, a new chapter will be presented to ease the burden…
- Heavyweight
The Heavy Wait Diaries: Chapter 3
Heavyweight Season 4 begins September 26th. Until then, we bring you The Heavy Wait Diaries. Each Thursday, a new chapter will be presented to ease the burden…
- Heavyweight
The Heavy Wait Diaries: Chapter 2
Heavyweight Season 4 begins September 26th. Until then, we bring you The Heavy Wait Diaries. Each Thursday, a new chapter will be presented to ease the burden…
- Heavyweight
The Heavy Wait Diaries: Chapter 1
Heavyweight Season 4 begins September 26th. Until then, we bring you The Heavy Wait Diaries. Each Thursday, a new chapter will be presented to ease the burden…
- Heavyweight
#23 Alex
16 years ago, Gimlet Media CEO and founder Alex Blumberg made a promise that he didn’t keep. And it’s been eating at him ever since. In this season finale…
- Heavyweight
#22 Marchel
Russian Ark is a cinematic masterpiece. Dozens of sets, thousands of actors, years of planning. It’s a perfectly executed work of art. Almost. In this episode…
- Heavyweight
#21 Rachael
Ten years ago, Rachael had a baby. She never told the father. All these years later, she thinks it’s about time she did. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and…
- Heavyweight
#20 Soraya
When Soraya was in college, her favorite professor hired her to help research a book she was writing. But when she fell into a deep depression and dropped out…
- Heavyweight
#19 Joey
Joey recently had a very bad day, all due to awkward misunderstandings. So now, he's enlisted the help of Jonathan "Debonair" Goldstein and Jonathan’s friend…
- Heavyweight
Zoe, PJ, and Chanel
Heavyweight performed a sold-out live show in Brooklyn, NY, last June. Jonathan is joined by This American Life’s Zoe Chace and Reply All’s PJ Vogt to talk…
- Heavyweight
#18 Sven
Sven was on a jury that sentenced a man named Paul Storey to death. He's regretted it ever since. Then, eight years later, Sven gets an email from Paul’s…
- Heavyweight
#17 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 spoke again…
- Heavyweight
#16 Rob
Rob remembers breaking his arm as a kid. But the rest of his family says it never happened. Did he break his arm? The answer will determine Rob’s sanity…
- Heavyweight
#15 Dina
During a visit back home, Jonathan’s mother inadvertently admits something that forces him to question his past. In this season finale, Jonathan turns the mic…
- Heavyweight
#14 Isabel
In 1999, an old suitcase was found abandoned on a Brooklyn street corner. The suitcase contained 5 years worth of love letters between a young man and young…
- Heavyweight
#13 Kenny
Ken Carter was a Canadian daredevil who dreamt of performing the biggest stunt the world had ever seen. He wanted to jump a rocket car one mile over a river…