Podcast
Heavyweight
Hosted by Pushkin Industries · EN
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.
99episodes
Episodes
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2026 Update: Christina
1w ago00:48:11Summary readyWhen Christina was in 11th grade, her foster mother made her quit playing basketball. After that, she felt like her life never got back on course. And so, she’s always wanted to ask her foster mother: why’d you make me quit? Now, 9 years after the episode originally aired, we check back in with Christina, and she tells us about seeing her foster mother one last time. You can sign up for our free newsletter at patreon.com/heavyweight This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein and Kalila Holt, with editing by Jorge Just, Alex Blumberg, and Wendy Dorr. The senior producer is Kaitlin Roberts. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Stevie Lane, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Kate Bilinski. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, and Edwin, with additional music by Blue Dot Sessions and Hew Time. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Mixing on this update by Sarah Bruguiere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2026 Update: Skye
3w ago00:50:22Summary readyWhen 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. Decades later, at the urging of her eleven-year-old son, Clark, Skye sets off to finally ask them why. In this update, Skye tells us how that confrontation has shaped her and Clark in the years since. You can sign up for our free newsletter at patreon.com/heavyweight This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Kalila Holt, Peter Bresnan, and Stevie Lane, with editing by Jorge Just and Alex Blumberg. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Devon Taylor, Annika Pillsbury, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Bobby Lord, Edwin, Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Hearst, and Hew Time. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Mixing on this update by Sarah Bruguiere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Jonathan Goldstein on Wild Card
Apr 900:44:58Summary readyThis week, Jonathan joins the ranks of A-list celebrities as a guest on NPR's Wild Card with Rachel Martin. Death, ghosts, the pleasures and perils of talking to strangers... Rachel and Jonathan talk about it all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2026 Update: Elyse
Mar 2600:47:25Summary readyWhen 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 living. Seven years after the release of this episode, we check back in with Elyse, and she tells us all about what's happened with her dad in the time since. You can sign up for our free newsletter at patreon.com/heavyweight This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, B.A. Parker, Kalila Holt, and Stevie Lane, with editing by Jorge Just and Alex Blumberg. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Kaitlin Roberts, Alex Goldman, Caitlin Kenney, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Hearst, Shanghai Restoration Project, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Mixing on this update by Sarah Bruguiere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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2026 Update: Tony
Mar 1200:42:51Summary readyToday, we speak with Jonathan's longtime friend Tony. A lot's changed in his life since the episode came out ten years ago. Tony messed up his relationship with each of his three godchildren owing to three difficult chapters in his life. Now, childless and single in his late 40’s, and fearing he may never have kids of his own, Tony wants to win them back. You can sign up for our free newsletter at patreon.com/heavyweight This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Wendy Dorr, Chris Neary, and Kalila Holt, with editing by Jorge Just and Alex Blumberg. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Anna Asimakopulos, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Haley Shaw. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Smith, Wonderly, and Hew Time. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records. Mixing on this update by Sarah Bruguiere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Heavyweight in 2026
Feb 2600:01:29Summary readyWhat to expect from Heavyweight this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Minneapolis
Feb 500:32:39Summary readyIn part one, Jonathan and his wife, Emily, check in. In part two, the story of a family forced into hiding after an ICE shooting. Places to donate: Yamelis's GoFundMe Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota Immigrant Defense Network MN50501 Mutual Aid Additional thanks to Joe Midthun.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Presenting Death, Sex & Money | From Brazilian Butt Lifts to Botox: Your Beauty Confessions
Jan 2901:04:56Summary readyThe Heavyweight team is hard at work on some episode updates for later this spring, as well as a brand new season, which will be coming this fall. But in the meantime, we wanted to “wet your whistles,” so to speak, with another show that we respect and enjoy. It’s called (00:04:30) Death, Sex & Money.In this episode, host Anna Sale talks to listeners about their appearance choices: Asher, who spent $43,000 on plastic surgery and openly celebrates his investments; Caroline, who used fillers and Botox after her divorce but recently filed for bankruptcy and can no longer afford treatments; Alexandra, who stopped dyeing her gray hair at 38 despite pushback from family; and Nick, whose multiple cosmetic surgeries nearly ended his marriage and forced him to confront deeper issues. Find more episodes of Death, Sex & Money wherever you get podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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#66 Deborah
Dec 1800:42:15Summary readyAt 101 years old, Deborah discovered a box she'd stashed away a lifetime ago. What was inside reignited an old love and turned her life upside down. Get ad-free episodes of Heavyweight by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushkin.fm. You'll also get an exclusive bonus episode where Jonathan, Stevie, and Kalila remember how the beloved Jackie calls came to be and share a never-before-aired opening that could have started the show in an alternate Heavyweight universe. Thanks for your support—and be sure to check out the other offerings available to Pushkin+ subscribers, including ad-free episodes, full audiobooks, and exclusive binges of other podcasts throughout the year. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.com/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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From Cautionary Tales: Dangerously Near to Absolute Perfection
Dec 1600:39:41Summary readyWe've got a special episode from our friends at Cautionary Tales, another Pushkin podcast. On Cautionary Tales, economist and author Tim Harford shares stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, daring heists and hilarious fiascos. They’ll delight you and scare you—but also make you wiser.In the 1880s, two friends in the flourishing Arts and Crafts Movement in London share a vision: to print the ultimate edition of the Bible. Together they create Doves Press, and its unique font, Doves. But in their quest to make something beautiful, the friends spiral towards an act of incredible ugliness. It's a story of how different perspectives can cause bitter rifts between even the closest of friends. Listen to more episodes of Cautionary Tales (00:10) wherever you get podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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