Heavyweight

4.9 (16K)
PERSONAL JOURNALS
WEEKLY SERIES

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. From Spotify Studios.

EPISODE 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 call. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by supervising producer Stevie Lane, along with Phoebe Flanigan. The senior producer is Kalila Holt. Production assistance by Mohini Madgavkar. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Lauren Silverman, Neil Drumming, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Katie Condon, Paper Rabbit, Boxwood Orchestra, Principle, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Heavyweight is a Spotify Original Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

44 min
EPISODE 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 episode was hosted and produced by senior producer Kalila Holt, along with Jonathan Goldstein and Phoebe Flanigan. The supervising producer is Stevie Lane. Production assistance from Mohini Madgavkar. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Max Green, Flora Lichtman, and Connor Sampson. In the IM recreation, Karina was played by Reagan Didier, and Leif was played by John Claassen—thanks to Greg Holt and Tony John for making that possible. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Katie Mullins, Florian Le Prisé, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

47 min
EPISODE 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 Instagram at instagram.com/victorrodrigueznyc CREDITS Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by supervising producer Stevie Lane, along with Phoebe Flanigan. The senior producer is Kalila Holt. Production assistance by Mohini Madgavkar. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Lauren Silverman, Neil Drumming, Mimi O’Donnell, Anya Schultz, Jackie Cohen, and Jessica Bashir—the director of Heroin, a short documentary about Victor and Maite. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Hearst, Sean Jacobi, Saigon Would Be Seoul, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Heavyweight is a Spotify Original Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

35 min
EPISODE 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’ relationship fell apart—a story that Toby never knew, and might not want to know. CREDITS Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by senior producer Kalila Holt, along with Phoebe Flanigan. The supervising producer is Stevie Lane. Production assistance by Mohini Madgavkar. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Alex Blumberg, Max Greene, Blythe Terrell, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Saigon Would Be Seoul, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

50 min
EPISODE 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 the photos sent to her? Credits This episode was hosted and produced by supervising producer Stevie Lane, along with Jonathan Goldstein, Phoebe Flanigan, and Mohini Madgavkar. The senior producer is Kalila Holt. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Alex Blumberg, Mimi O’Donnell, Lauren Silverman, Maureen Taylor, Estelle Ivory, and all the incredibly patient people over at the USPS. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Golden Dunes, In Skies, Megatrax, Christopher Lennertz, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Heavyweight is a Spotify Original Podcast. Amy has just written a new book, Artificial, a graphic memoir about her father’s efforts to preserve her late grandfather’s identity using AI technology. You can find it at your local bookstore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

32 min
EPISODE 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, call 1.800.799.7233, or text "START" to 88788. You can also visit www.loveisrespect.org. Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by senior producer Kalila Holt, along with Phoebe Flanigan. The supervising producer is Stevie Lane. Production assistance by Mohini Madgavkar. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Annie Minoff, Laura Morris, Lauren Silverman, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Hearst, Katie Condon, Ehren Ebbage, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

40 min
EPISODE 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 twenty years later, they want to find Harry and make things right. Credits This episode was produced by Phoebe Flanigan, Mohini Madgavkar, and Jonathan Goldstein. Our senior producer is Kalila Holt. Our supervising producer is Stevie Lane. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Mimi O’Donnell, Lauren Silverman, and Katherine Brewer. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Heinz Kiessling, Boxwood Orchestra, Luke Janela, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Stay in touch on Twitter @heavyweight, on Instagram @heavyweightpodcast, or at our new email address: [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

47 min
EPISODE 59

Hello from Heavyweight

A small hello from the Heavyweight team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 min
SEASON 8 TRAILER

Trailer: 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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1 min
12/07/2023

Heavyweight 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. Credits This episode was hosted and produced by supervising producer Stevie Lane, along with Jonathan Goldstein, Mohini Madgavkar, and Phoebe Flanigan. The senior producer is Kalila Holt. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Pia Gadkari, Bobby Lord, Dr. Mohamed Ghazala, and Tom Scharpling over at The Best Show. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Podington Bear, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Heavyweight is a Spotify Original Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

27 min
12/14/2023

Heavyweight 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, and Kalila Holt, along with Jonathan Goldstein. The supervising producer is Stevie Lane. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Pierce Singgih, Wendy Zukerman, and extra special thanks to Loch’s mom, Dawn. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Sean Jacobi, Matthew Hollingsworth, Jaybird Blonde, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 min

See All Season 8 (11)

4.9

out of 5

16,096 Ratings

Are we breaking up?

3 days ago

nikkigirl8118

Are you really returning to us? Don’t lead us on..break our hearts if you aren’t, but please just give it to us straight Jonathan! Hands down the best podcast! I miss the new episodes!
Love

4 days ago

Lindsey beam

Great story telling, never leaves me feeling depressed.
Hilarious and humane

6 days ago

lwwfb

I heard Jonathan’s voice on This American Life one day. As another Montreal transplant living in the US, my nostalgia was stirred and I spotted his Canadian accent instantly. Intrigued at the reference to this show and my curiosity about Jonathan, I found Heavyweight. It’s been a beacon in my life during a bit of a tough time. I can’t get through an episode without laughing, and then crying, and then laughing again. I’ve binged all 8 seasons in about 6wks and could not believe when I got to the end of season 8 to learn that the show hasn’t yet been renewed. Jonathan, you (and your team) are a joy to listen to. Your vocabulary is brilliant — I literally write down your words in my journal in the hopes of making my own vocab a little juicier. I have now told all my friends to listen, and anxiously wait for the show’s return. Thanks for the wonderful storytelling and doing what you do.
Great stories, lugubriously told

Feb 2

LoveYouMoreSD

This show is like David Sedaris meets Humans of New York meets a depressed and amusingly irreverent Nancy Drew. I miss it so much. I’m re-listening to the entire library with melancholy nostalgia, remembering how much I enjoyed them the first time around. Thank you for existing, Jonathan Goldstein.