Podcast
Jersey's Best Podcast
Hosted by nj.com · EN
New Jersey is America’s greatest state — so why wouldn’t it have the best podcast? Join NJ.com culture reporter Jeremy Schneider for Jersey's Best Podcast, a weekly dive into everything that makes New Jersey spectacular, bizarre, beautiful, maddening and, ultimately, the best. A cast of very Jersey guests will join Jeremy in the pursuit of demystifying the Garden State's obsessions, from the Shore and Springsteen to pizza to pork roll and everything in between. Jersey forever!
35episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Is the World Cup Really Going to Be a Disaster for N.J.? An Investigation.
2w ago00:40:58Tap to summarizeThe World Cup has come to New Jersey, and we're excited — but also kind of terrified. MetLife Stadium (renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the event) is playing host to the biggest sporting event in the world. Is New Jersey ready for thousands of tourists to descend on what is already the most densely populated state in the country? Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com reporter Sean Sullivan to break down the politics behind a World Cup bid, if New Jersey Transit is prepared for the onslaught of riders, if you can walk to the games and if New Jersey is actually going to make any money off of this. Then Sean goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, World Cup edition. Editor's note: This podcast was recorded before the first World Cup game at the Meadowlands, which featured massive post-game delays. Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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N.J. Families are Getting Played by Rich Dorks Ruining Youth Sports
3w ago00:44:59Tap to summarizeSchool is almost out for summer but that doesn’t mean it's the offseason for kids across the Garden State. There is no offseason anymore. Many of New Jersey’s young athletes are now expected to train year-round now, playing with elite club teams and working with private trainers. All those club teams, all that travel, all those coaching sessions, all that equipment? Just like everything in 2026, it is expensive. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com sports columnist Steve Politi, who recently reported on the rising costs of youth sports in New Jersey. Jeremy and Steve breakdown what exactly costs so much, why there's more pressure than ever for New Jersey parents to spend on their kids' athletic endeavors, and if Sen. Cory Booker's efforts will do anything to stem the rising costs. Email us! Jerseysbestpodcast@gmail.com Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Steve at @StevePoliti and read his report here Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Did N.J.'s Jamie Ding Become a 'Jeopardy' Legend? We Asked Him!
4w ago01:01:55Tap to summarize“Jeopardy” just had a player go on an all-time heater, one of the best performances the 60-year-old program has ever seen. Jamie Ding won 31 straight games — the fifth-longest winning streak in show history! He won more than $880,000 along the way. But more importantly… Jamie is from New Jersey! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jamie Ding himself to talk about how he got on Jeopardy, his record-setting strategy and how fast even a month-long run on the show can feel. Jamie also breaks down how he ended up in New Jersey, how his perception of the state has changed and why it’s better than neighboring states. Then Jeremy and Jamie play some Jersey-themed Jeopardy before running through the Garden State Gauntlet! Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Inside Story of How Troma Studios Came to N.J.
May 2700:31:22Tap to summarizeLong before Adam Sandler, Timothee Chalamet and Sydney Sweeney were filming movies all over New Jersey and long before Netflix was setting up shop in Monmouth County, the Garden State was already home base for an iconic film studio — Troma Entertainment. Troma is the longest-running independent movie studio in the world, one of the biggest names in horror and B movies. The studio is best known for the 1984 cult classic "The Toxic Avenger," which was set and filmed in New Jersey! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Lloyd Kaufman, the head of Troma Studios to talk about why Troma filmed so many movies in New Jersey, the inspiration for "The Toxic Avenger," Lloyd's love of New Jersey diners and more. Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Ultimate Jersey Shore Beach Day Fantasy Draft!
May 2000:56:01Tap to summarizeA trip to the Jersey Shore is basically a choose your own adventure of beautiful beach options — there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a beach bum, a foodie, a concert-lover, a pinball wizard or a dive-bar aficionado or all of the above, it’s almost impossible to have a bad time down the Shore. In fact, there are so many things to do at the Jersey Shore that it’s almost overwhelming! That’s where we come in. On this week’s episode of Jersey’s Best Podcast, host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com data reporter Katie Kausch to draft the ultimate Jersey Shore beach day! Jeremy and Katie drafted in categories including beach, breakfast restaurant, on-beach lunch, off-beach activity, dinner restaurant and more! Then Katie runs through the Garden State Gauntlet, beach day edition! Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Katie Kausch at @katiekausch Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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New Jersey is an Asian Dining Haven. The Ultimate Dining Guide.
May 1300:54:02Tap to summarizeHappy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Jersey's Best Podcast loves celebrating New Jersey's diversity and culture all year long. But with May being AAPI Heritage Month, we wanted to take a closer look at New Jersey's AAPI dining scene. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com food and culture reporter Lauren Musni to discuss what AAPI Heritage Month means to New Jersey. Then they discuss the best towns for AAPI eats across the Garden State (with a special look at Bradley Beach) and some of New Jersey's top Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Bangladeshi and Taiwanese restaurants and more. Finally, Lauren is put through the Garden State Gauntlet, AAPI edition! Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Lauren at @laurengisellemusni and read her award-winning story on Bradley Beach here Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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What Your N.J. Diner Order Says About You. A Delicious Breakdown!
May 600:48:00Tap to summarizeDiners are famous for long hours and vast menus that cover countless cultures and multiple meals — in a way, they defy time and space. There is no wrong order at a New Jersey diner, per se, but there are some questionable decisions to be made while seated in a cozy — fine, sticky — vinyl booth. And you order can be very telling. That’s where we come in. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey City-based comedian Nick Fierro to analyze what your diner order says about you. From classics like turkey clubs, omelettes and coffee to more adventurous orders like seafood and eggs Benedict, Jersey's Best Podcast has a breakdown for it all. Then Nick is run through the Garden State Gauntlet, diner order edition. Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Nick Fierro at @schtickfierro Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Anne Hathaway Appreciation Episode! Is She N.J.'s Top Modern Movie Star?
Apr 2900:56:11Tap to summarizeThis week, Jersey’s Best Podcast is paying homage to one of New Jersey’s greatest actresses. A Golden Globe winner. An Emmy winner. An Oscar winner. Most importantly, a native of Millburn, New Jersey — that’s right people, this is the Anne Hathaway episode! There's really no bad time to talk about Mrs. Hathaway. But this is the perfect time, because 2026 is shaping up to be a hell of a year for the pride of Millburn High School. She has five movies coming out this year, including "The Devil Wears Prada 2" which hits theaters on Friday. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by New Jersey pop culture obsessive and Anne Hathaway expert Tom Gawronski to break down Anne Hathaway's career, what makes her such a star, watching "The Devil Wears Prada" in 2026 and finally erecting the Anne Hathaway Mount Rushmore. Then Tom is run through the Garden State Gauntlet, New Jersey movie edition! Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Tom Gawronski here. Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Episode artwork: John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images | Canva illustration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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New Jersey Neighborhood Restaurants Are Dying. We Asked a Chef Why.
Apr 2200:56:33Tap to summarizeIt’s always been hard to operate a restaurant in New Jersey. But in 2026? It's damn near impossible. The COVID-19 pandemic rocked the industry to the core — and in many ways it never recovered. With everything becoming more expensive in 2026 as inflation spikes prices, dining habits are changing across the board. NJ.com food and culture reporter Lauren Musni just documented this in her story on how middle-class dining is disappearing in New Jersey. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Laura Brahn, owner of Cardinal Provisions in Asbury Park and Mabel in Holmdel, who was quoted in the story. Jeremy and Laura break down the post-COVID dining landscape, why middle-class restaurants are taking the brunt of the crisis, why chain restaurants are thriving and why owning a restaurant is so hard in general. Then Laura is run through the Garden State Gauntlet, restaurant-owner edition! Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Read Lauren Musni's story on the death of middle-class dining here. Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Garden State Pet Peeves! The Most Annoying Parts of Living In N.J.
Apr 1500:48:36Tap to summarizeThis week Jersey’s Best Podcast is getting on my NERVES. Because while we spend most episodes detailing the spectacular, bizarre and beautiful aspects of life in the Garden State, this week we’re breaking down the sometimes annoying components of being a New Jerseyan. That’s right, I’m talking about Garden State pet peeves. For all this state’s beauty and wonder, living in the most densely populated does have its drawbacks. Stressful and frustrating moments are simply part of everyday life in New Jersey, engrained in our daily routine — ironically, they often happen in the places we love the most! Restaurants. Beaches. Highways. Okay, we don’t always love highways, but you get the point. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com food and culture reporter Chris Burch to break down what really grinds their gears in the Garden State. From drivers obeying the speed limit on the Garden State Parkway and Central Jersey drivers to restaurants that pretend they're in New York and Bruce Springsteen fans who don't pay attention to his lyrics, the complaints run the gamut. Then Jeremy and Chris update NJ.com's best cheesesteak list, including yet another steak taste test. Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Chris Burch at @swishburch Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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