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.
Justine grew up idolizing her father, Gary, who told unbelievable stories about his adventurous life. As an adult, she questions their veracity, leading her to embark on a journey to fact-check his claims. While some stories prove true, a deeper family secret about her brother's paternity emerges, forcing Justine and her mother to confront a long-held truth with significant consequences.
This episode follows John Green's journey from aspiring minister to renowned author after a harrowing experience as a chaplain with a child burn victim, Nick, caused him to lose his faith. Two decades later, grappling with unresolved questions, John seeks out Nick, now an adult, and discovers a profound and unexpected difference in how they each processed the tragedy. Their emotional reunion reveals how the same event that fractured John's faith ultimately brought Nick and his family closer to God, leading to a powerful reflection on suffering, belief, and the meaning of life.
This episode follows Brandon, who, as a high school misfit, was baffled when a popular girl, Ali, asked him to prom. Years later, still pondering "why me?", he reaches out to her. Their conversation unearths Ali's surprising, genuine reasons, which challenge Brandon's long-held insecurities and helps him reconcile with his past, finding comfort in his present relationships.
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 prove his story is Jonathan Goldstein. Heavyweight returns with a full new season on September 30th. Credits This episode was produced by Stevie Lane, Kalila Holt, and Jonathan Goldstein. It was mixed by Catherine Anderson, with music by Trabants, Blue Dot Sessions, and Bobby Lord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...
Heavyweight often features grownups grappling with childhood trauma. But in today’s Heavyweight Short, Jonathan visits a place where children grapple with trauma in the present. At The Sharing Place, kids talk about things most adults can’t even face. A warning: This episode deals with sensitive topics like suicide and death. Credits This story originally ran on This American Life in 2015, and was produced by Sean Cole. It was mixed for Heavyweight by Emma Munger, with music by Christine Fellows...
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 was hosted and produced by Kalila Holt, along with Stevie Lane, Mohini Madgavkar, and Jonathan Goldstein. Special thanks to Sam Reisman, Cheri Mantz and Dr. Lynd. The show was mixed by Catherine Anderson. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, and Bobby Lord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...
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 solves the mystery of an enigmatic gravestone. Mixed by Bobby Lord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 to change it, and the question of what our lives might have been like if we’d made one decision differently. Rodham is a novel about what Hillary Clinton’s life and political career might have looked like if she had never married Bill Clinton. Mix by Bobby Lord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See om...
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 Jacobi. Find our playlist, "Goldstein's Party Faves to Get the Party Going," here Find Madeline Forman's music here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Fifty years after their manipulative father, Alvin, engineered their separation in a bitter custody battle, Rachel and John confront the past. They discover shocking evidence of Alvin's psychological coaching and influence on a social worker's report, which led to their permanent estrangement. The siblings finally meet the social worker, Joyce, who expresses deep remorse, providing Rachel and John with a long-sought sense of healing and acknowledgment. This episode explores the profound, lasting impact of parental manipulation and the difficult path to understanding and reconciliation.
Annie, deeply hurt by years of exclusion from family gatherings, contacts Heavyweight to confront her Uncle Tim, who she sees as a father figure. Producer Khalila, a non-confrontational individual, navigates difficult conversations with Annie's family members, uncovering conflicting perspectives. The episode culminates in a vulnerable, emotional call between Annie and Tim, revealing both long-held resentments and unwavering love, and a first step towards healing.
Delve into the unlikely saga of Bobby Lord, Heavyweight's sound engineer, whose punk rock dreams collided with the corporate world when he unknowingly became the voice of the notoriously awful "Random Red Couch" McDonald's jingle. This episode explores the ad's creation, its universal revulsion, and the host's journey up the corporate ladder to uncover who greenlit the widely hated commercial. Discover how the incident impacted those involved and ultimately strengthened the bonds of friendship.
Vivian embarks on a quest to find Marcello, her uncle Elio's longtime partner, who cared for him during his final years with AIDS. The episode explores the family's hidden shame surrounding Elio's sexuality and illness, contrasting with Marcello's unwavering devotion. Through their eventual meeting, old wounds heal as Marcello reveals the complexities of Elio's identity, leading to a profound connection and a new understanding of family.
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 story Jonathan made for Reply All in 2015. The new season of Heavyweight starts next week. Credits This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, along with Chris Neary, Tim Howard, Sruthi Pinnamaneni, PJ Vogt, and Alex Goldman. Editing by Alex Blumberg. The show was mixed by John DeLore and Bobby Lord. Learn more about your ad choices....
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 treat. Special thanks to Matthew Boll and Doug Barron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 first grade teachers. Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson , Bobby Lord, and Blue Dot Sessions. Further Reading: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/becoming-a-parent-in-the-age-of-black-lives-matter/612448/ https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a23960/james-baldwin-cool-it/ https://www.mpd150.com/report/...
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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 Lord. Music by Bobby Lord, Christine Fellows, Blue Dot Sessions, and Connie Shi ( https://www.iamconnieshi.com/ ). We put together a Heavyweight playlist… fan and staff favorites. If you’re looking to introduce friends to the show, it’s a good place to start: heavyweight.show/playlist . You can find Connie's song here: https://open.spotify.com/tr...
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 favorites. If you’re looking to introduce friends to the show, it’s a good place to start: heavyweight.show/playlist . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
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 more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 Fellows, Blue Dot Sessions, and Bobby Lord. Special thanks to Paul Swensen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jonathan Goldstein's oldest friend, Mary Clode, confronts a lifelong struggle with math, which resurfaces as a requirement for her real estate license. Despite her initial resistance to help, Jonathan enlists a tutor and a parade of inspiring guests to encourage her. A pivotal moment comes with a dyslexia diagnosis, reframing her past difficulties. Ultimately, Mary Clode triumphs over her math anxiety, not just passing the exam but also finding a new understanding of herself and her motivations, especially for her daughters.
Steve Marsh and his siblings discover their mother, Jeane, secretly gave up their eldest sister, Lisha, for adoption almost 40 years ago. Driven by a desire for connection and to ease his mother's decades of shame, Steve enlists help to spur Jeane into writing a letter to the adoption agency. The episode follows the cautious correspondence between Jeane and Natalie (Lisha's new name) and culminates in a heartwarming family dinner and barbecue, exploring themes of hidden pasts, forgiveness, and the enduring power of family.
When Elise's father, Billy, mysteriously disappeared and started a new family, even naming his new daughter Elise, she felt profoundly betrayed. This episode documents her attempt to finally confront him for answers, revealing Billy's evasiveness and a broader pattern of abandonment that ultimately helps Elise find her own path to closure.
Decades after an enigmatic therapist, Dr. Mueller, ended their 6-year sessions by blaming him, Jonathan Goldstein embarks on a quest for answers. Through interviews with former patients, he uncovers varied experiences—some found her harsh, others transformative. The journey culminates in a shocking revelation about Dr. Mueller's family history during WWII and a new understanding of her unique philosophy of "self-birth" as a continuous process of forging one's identity.
This episode follows Scott's deeply personal journey of addiction, crime, and redemption as he strives to right the wrongs of his past. After stealing his grandfather's treasured WWII Luger from his father to support a heroin addiction, Scott, now clean for eight years, embarks on a complex mission to recover the heirloom. The search uncovers unexpected connections, family secrets, and ultimately leads to a profound conversation about forgiveness, love, and what truly matters between a father and son.
Ashley delves into her grandmother Beverly's past to understand her profound connection with Van, a man Beverly insisted was "just a friend" despite undeniable affection. The episode uncovers Beverly's challenging marriage to Llewellyn and Van's subsequent life, revealing how their decades-long, deeply supportive friendship was a rare and enduring love story, ultimately bringing Ashley a new appreciation for their unique bond.
Becky and Joe revisit a painful childhood memory: the mysterious disappearance of their favorite babysitter, Letitia, twenty years ago. The sisters embark on a search to find her, hoping to understand what truly happened that day. Their reunion uncovers conflicting memories and reveals the hidden struggles that shaped each person's experience.
This episode explores a transformative 240-mile bicycle trip taken by a ten-year-old Jonathan Marshall and three other boys in 1974. Forty-five years later, Jonathan is still shaped by the experience and embarks on a quest to reconnect with his childhood companions. The reunion reveals varying memories of the trip, as well as the underlying personal struggles some of the boys faced at the time, highlighting how one shared adventure can hold vastly different meanings for each participant.
