All Of It with Alison Stewart: The Return of Heavyweight

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Episode Air Date: October 20, 2025
Featured Guest: Jonathan Goldstein, Host and Creator of Heavyweight

Overview

This episode of All Of It focuses on the highly anticipated return of the podcast Heavyweight, hosted by Jonathan Goldstein. After being canceled by Spotify in 2023, Heavyweight found a new home at Pushkin Industries and is now in its ninth season. The conversation delves into the show's evolution, its enduring appeal, and the challenges and triumphs of telling deeply personal stories. Goldstein and host Alison Stewart also discuss what makes a compelling story, the show’s subtle humor, the emotional stakes involved, and how the show adapted during the pandemic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Heavyweight’s Return and Goldstein’s Perspective

Timestamps: 00:08–05:38

• Alison introduces the legacy and unique format of Heavyweight, known for revisiting pivotal moments and unpacking past regrets, forgiveness, and closure.
• Jonathan Goldstein reflects on the uncertainty after Heavyweight's cancellation and the importance of being able to continue the show at Pushkin Industries.
  • He considers Heavyweight more “documentary than podcast” due to its immersive, long-form narrative approach (03:43).
  • On the show’s future:

    “I felt like I would probably keep doing it on my own...maybe just putting out an episode a year or something...I didn’t know if we would find a new home.” (04:37, Jonathan Goldstein)

2. Evolution of the Show and What Makes a Heavyweight Story

Timestamps: 05:38–08:12

• Goldstein emphasizes the necessity of emotional stakes and relatability for a story to make it onto Heavyweight.
  • Memorable quote:

    “It has to have emotional stakes...for people to hear it and be able to relate to it and feel...it open up something in them is usually a good sign.” (06:15, Jonathan Goldstein)

• Noted that some episodes take years to produce and often require finding the right guest willing to “go there” emotionally.

3. Notable Season 9 Episodes

Timestamps: 06:50–08:12

• Discussion of a Season 9 story where a man, once a 14-year-old bank robber, seeks atonement decades later.
  • Goldstein notes the past’s persistence:

    “The thing that we learn over and over in every episode is just how close to the surface the past is...people are just living with things in the here and now...” (07:02 & 07:57, Jonathan Goldstein)

4. Balancing Humor and Depth

Timestamps: 08:12–09:37

• Listener comment observes Goldstein’s ability to be caring and funny even with rough material; Goldstein describes the challenge of striking that balance without seeming flippant.
  • He approaches stories “like telling a story to a friend...poking fun at yourself and the situation...constant, trying to find the right balance.” (08:28, Jonathan Goldstein)

5. Crafting Intimate Conversations

Timestamps: 10:20–11:53

• Goldstein shares how he approaches vulnerable guests, making space for emotion but encouraging breaks and privacy. Editing offers guests the security that “they don’t have to get it all out perfectly all at once.” (10:34, Jonathan Goldstein)

6. Listener Reflections

Timestamps: 11:53–13:52

• Listener shares that The Marshes episode helped give them hope and perspective during a search for biological family: > “It gave me hope that I might have positive experiences like the Marshes. In the end, I did. Thank you, Jonathan.” (11:53, listener text)
• Goldstein briefly summarizes The Marshes episode—a family discovering and reuniting with an unknown sibling.

7. The Jackie Cold Open

Timestamps: 13:04–13:52

• Goldstein clarifies his relationship to Jackie, the recurring character in the show’s cold opens:

  “Some people think it’s my sister or my wife. I mean, we’re just old friends...She seems to both enjoy my phone call at the beginning of the show and find it annoying. It’s kind of a paradox.” (13:12, Jonathan Goldstein)

8. Sober Living and Personal Essays

Timestamps: 13:52–15:41

• The host raises Goldstein’s “preseason” episode about his choice to stop drinking. He describes how he unpacked his relationship with alcohol—past family dynamics, social habits, and the ups and downs of abstaining after 20 years.

  “I always just say it’s been two years without drinking and it’s been...OK.” (15:23, Jonathan Goldstein)

9. Listener Call-In: Unresolved Moments

Timestamps: 15:46–19:02

• Caller Alina shares her affection for episodes about friendship and closure, notably the episode with Gregor tracking down CDs lent to Moby.
  • Goldstein expands:

    “It’s sort of like the thing that a person is looking for in some ways is a MacGuffin...what he really...was looking for was to reignite his friendship with Moby.” (17:29, Jonathan Goldstein)

10. Storytelling After the Pandemic

Timestamps: 19:02–20:44

• Goldstein discusses the shift to remote interviews during COVID-19. Surprisingly, virtual recording let guests decompress in the safety of their own homes after emotional conversations.
  • Reflects on possible trends in listener emails and story pitches post-pandemic.

Notable Quotes

• On Heavyweight's unique identity:

  “This comes more out of the tradition of, yeah, I guess, like, like long form audio documentary, which doesn’t sound all that exciting. But you know, it’s like the kind of like radio that I was educated in as a producer at this American Life...” (03:43, Jonathan Goldstein)

• On processing the past:

  “The past is just a word. Like people are just living with things in the here and now that are just as close as anything that’s happening on a daily basis.” (07:57, Jonathan Goldstein)

• On exchanging humor and seriousness:

  “You just don’t want to take things too seriously, but at the same time you don’t want to feel dismissive or glib...Oftentimes, I guess you just want to strike the right tone.” (08:28, Jonathan Goldstein)

• On listener impact:

  “It gave me hope that I might have positive experiences like the Marshes. In the end, I did. Thank you, Jonathan.” (11:53, Listener)

Important Segments with Timestamps

• Introduction and Heavyweight’s premise (00:08–03:43)
• Documentary vs. podcast distinctions (03:43–04:31)
• The aftermath of cancellation and revival (04:31–06:07)
• Selecting and developing Heavyweight stories (06:07–07:02)
• Season 9 stories & the persistence of the past (07:02–08:12)
• Balancing humor and care (08:12–09:37)
• Preparing guests for vulnerability (10:20–11:53)
• Listener testimonials - “The Marshes” (11:53–13:04)
• Behind the scenes with Jackie in the cold open (13:04–13:52)
• Goldstein’s experience with sobriety (13:52–15:41)
• Listener call about closure and Gregor’s episode (15:46–19:02)
• Storytelling evolution post-pandemic (19:02–20:44)
• Farewell (20:46–20:58)

Conclusion

This episode offers a candid and heartfelt exploration of Heavyweight's rebirth, the purpose and craft behind its distinctive brand of storytelling, and the meaning it carries for both creator and listeners. Goldstein’s humility and thoughtfulness shine as he discusses the power of small unresolved moments, the mechanics of emotional storytelling, and the ongoing conversation between podcast, subject, and audience.