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.
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 of your wait. In Chapter 8—the final chapter—Jonathan takes a co-reporting trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 of your wait. In Chapter 7, the most challenging interview of Jonathan’s life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 of your wait. In Chapter 6, Jonathan gets a new co-host. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 of your wait. In Chapter 5, the Heavyweight union rep threatens Jonathan’s dominion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 of your wait. In Chapter 4, Jonathan spends the weekend in a terrible funk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 of your wait. In Chapter 3, Jonathan goes to a strategy meeting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 of your wait. In Chapter 2, Jonathan tells a ridonculous lie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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 of your wait. In Chapter 1, Alex wants to see Jonathan in the studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For 16 years, Gimlet Media CEO Alex Blumberg carried the burden of an unfulfilled promise to his friends, Lars and Kitty: to produce an audio collage of their wedding. This episode chronicles Jonathan Goldstein's journey to help Alex finally deliver, highlighting the challenges of balancing a demanding CEO role with a creative passion. It culminates in an emotional surprise as Lars and Kitty finally hear their forgotten wedding memories.
Jonathan Goldstein explores the Russian film "Russian Ark," famous for its single 90-minute take, and his obsession with a single moment when a violinist looks into the camera. He speaks with the film's crew, including the cinematographer and lighting designer, who don't recall the incident, and then with director Alexander Sokarov who dismisses it as an acceptable accident. The host finally confronts the violinist, Marshall Besnard, who is completely unaware of his "mistake," leading to a deeper look at perfection, memory, and how individuals perceive their own actions.
Ten years ago, Rachel made a life-altering decision to not tell Oscar, the father, about their daughter, Lena. Now, facing Lena's growing curiosity and her own desire for honesty, Rachel enlists Jonathan's help to find Oscar. The search uncovers Oscar's new family, his deportation to Mexico, and struggles with sobriety, leading to a brief, tense exchange and Rachel ultimately having an honest conversation with Lena about her father.
This episode follows Soraya's journey through deep depression at Harvard, which led her to abandon a research project and ghost her supportive professor, Alyssa. Carrying immense guilt for years, Soraya decides to complete the abandoned work as a bold apology. With the host's help, she confronts her past, seeking not just forgiveness but also a re-evaluation of her self-perceived failure. The emotional climax reveals surprising truths about her past contributions and Alyssa's compassionate perspective.
This episode follows Joey, a young man grappling with severe social anxiety, as he attempts to redo a terrible day. He enlists the help of host Jonathan Goldstein and his friend Gregor to confront his former pizza parlor accusers and apologize to his old roommates for his reclusive behavior. The journey explores themes of overcoming shyness and the importance of vulnerability in forming connections.
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 about Heavyweight stories that never made it onto the air… until now. Plus: human beatboxing, Gimlet Media CEO Alex Blumberg’s vape pen collection… and Jackie Cohen. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was also produced by Stevie Lane, Peter Bresnan, and Kalila Holt. Editing by Jorge Just. Special th...
Sven, a former juror, carries deep guilt for eight years after he voted to sentence Paul Story to death, believing he couldn't sway the jury. He later learns a crucial misunderstanding: one dissenting vote would have resulted in life imprisonment. The episode chronicles Sven's path to finally speaking out and meeting Marilyn, Paul Story's mother, who, despite her own suffering, offers forgiveness and reveals the profound, unexpected impact of Sven's actions on judicial reform. Their meeting brings a measure of healing and hope for Paul's future.
This episode follows Skye and her son Clark as they embark on a decades-overdue quest to understand why Skye's middle school best friends vandalized her garage door with "fuck you" and then ostracized her. Prompted by Clark's desire for his "timid Mommy" to seek answers, Skye attempts to contact her former friends, encountering denial and discomfort, until finally meeting one who sheds light on the group dynamics and the meaning behind the hurtful message. The journey culminates in surprising revelations and a newfound understanding of bravery for both mother and son.
When Rob's daughter breaks her arm, it triggers a memory of his own childhood injury, but his entire family vehemently denies it ever happened. Host Jonathan Goldstein embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, confronting Rob's family with evidence and unraveling a complex web of collective amnesia, guilt, and the power of family narratives. The search leads to an old photograph and eventually medical records, forcing the family to confront their shared history and Rob to understand why his "champion" demeanor may have made his pain invisible.
During a visit to his childhood home with his wife and infant son, Jonathan Goldstein grapples with his mother's intense, worry-driven personality and his own emerging parental anxieties. As he delves into his family's fear-based dynamics, his mother unexpectedly reveals a deep-seated desire for a "second chance" and confesses to past actions that caused her shame. The episode culminates in a powerful moment of apology and forgiveness, offering Jonathan new insights into becoming a better son and father.
Jonathan discovers a mysterious suitcase filled with love letters, photographs, and keepsakes detailing a long-distance romance between Isabelle and Brad from the 1990s. He embarks on a quest to return these precious memories, first tracking down Brad, who reveals his side of their breakup, then Isabelle, who surprisingly refuses to reclaim her past. The episode explores the profound act of letting go, the power of nostalgia, and how our past shapes, or doesn't shape, our present lives.
The episode delves into the 1970s world of daredeviling, focusing on Ken Carter's ambition to surpass Evil Knievel with a mile-long rocket car jump. After years of setbacks and Knievel's condemnation, the stunt is performed by Ken's best friend, Kenny Powers, leading to a severe crash and an apparent betrayal. However, interviews with those close to them reveal a surprising narrative of loyalty, love, and protection against shadowy investors, culminating in Kenny's unexpected pop culture legacy.
Four years after a near-fatal bike accident, Jesse (now Gavanna) has transformed his life and wants to thank the driver who hit him. This episode follows the podcast host's search for Christian, the driver, who also suffered deep trauma and PTSD from the incident. Their eventual meeting, facilitated by a therapist, provides both men with a chance for reconciliation, shared understanding, and a profound emotional connection, closing a painful chapter for both.
Christina finally confronts her strict foster mother, Isabelle, about a decision 30 years ago that she believes derailed her life: being forced to quit basketball. The emotional encounter reveals Isabelle's own difficult past and her pragmatic views on life and education. Through their conversation, Christina begins to understand Isabelle's tough love, finding an unexpected sense of closure and reconnecting with her lost passion.
Over a decade ago, Rose was abruptly expelled from her college sorority with the vague explanation, 'You know what you did.' This episode delves into Rose's persistent quest for answers, as host Jonathan Goldstein contacts former sorority sisters and national headquarters, facing a wall of silence and secrecy. The investigation uncovers a parallel story with her ex-boyfriend and a theory involving rumors, ultimately leading Rose to a profound realization about her true identity and why she never truly fit in.
Jonathan Goldstein investigates how a previous Heavyweight episode allegedly ended an 85-year-old man's 65-year friendship. He uncovers deeper, unaddressed grievances through Sidney's lengthy breakup letter to Milt, revealing a history of unreciprocated care. The episode culminates in an attempt at reconciliation through Milt's poetry, exploring the intricate dynamics of long-term friendships and the power of emotional expression.
Host Jonathan Goldstein explores his teenage devotion to Hasidic Judaism, a path he abandoned, by revisiting the Lubavitch World Headquarters and his former rabbi. He then meets Jeremy, an old acquaintance who converted to Orthodox Judaism, and compares their vastly different lives. The episode delves into faith, doubt, and finding a sense of belonging, concluding with Jonathan discovering an unexpected "home" during a Christmas celebration.
Julia, a journalist, confronts a 20-year-old regret: not answering her doorbell when her former bullies appeared after she secretly changed schools. Her investigation leads her to reconnect with classmates, revealing a pervasive bullying culture and the tragic suicide of a beloved teacher. Though the mystery of the doorbell remains unsolved, Julia finds profound self-forgiveness and closure by confronting her past.
James, Jonathan, and their friend Howard embark on an improbable mission to scatter James's late father Douglas's ashes on the 18th hole of a prestigious golf course, fulfilling his unusual dying wish. Despite legal obstacles, budget constraints, and a complete lack of golf skills, the trio navigates the challenges of their
Years after their teenage romance, Jonathan's first girlfriend, Galit, reaches out to meet. Their reunion forces Jonathan to confront how their breakup shaped his emotional guardedness and his capacity for love. As they reminisce and unpack their past, Jonathan grapples with their differing memories and the universal struggle of building and dismantling emotional walls throughout life.
Years after his life took difficult turns, including addiction and divorce, Tony fears he may never have children of his own and seeks to rekindle relationships with his three godchildren. The episode follows his awkward and often painful attempts to bridge years of absence, from a failed "god-date" with Paul and a peculiar road trip with Zoe, to a deeply honest conversation with young Nicholas about his separation from Natalie. Tony grapples with the definition of a godfather and ultimately finds validation and renewed purpose.
Decades after watching an experimental video, Jonathan Goldstein embarks on a quest to find a little girl who appeared silently alongside her distressed intersex parent. His search leads him to reconnect with the now-adult daughter and her father, who has since transitioned back to living as a man. The episode explores their family's poignant story, revealing the father's lifelong struggles with a rare hormonal disorder and gender identity, and the profound impact of societal changes on understanding these issues. It's a testament to resilience and the evolving nature of identity and family bonds.
