Heavyweight

#65 Meredith

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Meredith unknowingly ate a bag of her teenage son’s weed gummies. She wants him to apologize. He wants her to apologize. At a stand-off, they ca...

Presenting Search Engine | Why didn’t Chris and Dan get into Berghain? (Part 1)

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two Americans embark on a quest: fly across an ocean to try to get into the most exclusive nightclub in the world – Berghain. A German techno pa...

How to Experience the Joy of Giving Right Now: A Giving Tuesday Special from The Happiness Lab

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to the science, it really is better to give than receive. Donating a dollar; sharing a kind word or lending someone a hand changes lives, bu...

#64 Kevin

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin's childhood was a hard one. But it was made bearable by his neighborhood friends, Jason and Gerald. Then, one afternoon, the boys just vanished....

Heavyweight: Live from New York

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In October, the Heavyweight team gathered in New York City for a live event at Caveat on the Lower East Side. There was a reading, a Q&A, and a Me...

#63 Jasmin

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jasmin grew up as one of the few Black girls in a mostly white town. Senior year, she was voted Homecoming Queen and she finally felt accepted. But th...

The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Jonathan joins his fellow Pushkin hosts for a special episode all about mistakes. Jonathan speaks with his friend, the writer Sheila Heti. Toge...

#62 Stefano

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On her flight to emigrate from Italy in 1959, Anita was tasked with babysitting a two-year-old boy being brought to the US for adoption. During the fl...

Heavyweight Presents...The Moth

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we’re giving the feed over to a podcast we know you’ll love—The Moth. The Moth is all about true stories told live....

#61 The Bank Robber

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

He had just turned 14 when he sawed off his father’s shotgun, skipped school, and robbed a bank for $40,000. Now, 33 years later, he wants to ap...

#60 The Messenger

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As a senior in high school, Michael got a huge opportunity: the chance to star in a big-budget movie. Shooting wrapped; a premier date was set. And th...

#59 Etta

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gregor's parents are pushing 90. Gregor wants to move them out of their big Victorian home. But they refuse. So, he's come up with a bold plan. Get a...

Trailer: Heavyweight Season 9

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A look at what’s to come this season. Heavyweight returns on September 18. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.Pushkin+ subscribers can get al...

2025 Update: Dina

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the last Heavyweight encore before our new season begins on September 18th! This week, we talk to Jonathan's mom about life in the years si...

2025 Update: Leif + A Conversation with Anna Konkle

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For our penultimate Heavyweight encore, we’re joined by Pen15 co-creator Anna Konkle to revisit last season’s junior high drama — #5...

2025 Update: Joey

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we check back in with Joey to answer everyone’s burning question: does he still have a mullet?Years ago, Joey had a very bad day &mda...

2025 Update: The Marshes

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we talk to Steve Marsh from our episode, The Marshes. The family has changed in ways they could never have guessed at when the story was fi...

2025 Update: Rose

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re calling up one of our fan-favorite guests from season two: Rose. Almost twenty years ago, Rose was kicked out of her college so...

2025 Update: Scott

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we check back in with Scott to find out what turns his life has taken since the original episode aired in 2019.When Scott was a heroin addi...

2025 Update: Buzz

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we catch up with Jonathan's dad about the years since his appearance in our first ever episode — #1 Buzz. Buzz and Sheldon are brothe...

2025 Update: Gregor

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While the new season is under construction, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes and calling up former guests to see what’s happ...

Heavyweight Short: A Sobering Thought

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the better part of his adult life, drinking was Jonathan’s great comfort. But after getting laid off, something changed.See omnystudio.com/l...

Heavyweight Short: Returns and Reformers

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In her year off, Stevie had a lot of time to wait on hold. And Kalila took a hard look at not wanting to be looked at.See omnystudio.com/listener for ...

Heavyweight Check In: What’s to Come

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What we’ve been up to, and what’s in store through the coming weeks.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heavyweight Has a New Home

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Heavyweight team officially has a new home at Pushkin Industries. Tell your friends, your exes… tell the strangers on the subway! And be su...

Hello from Heavyweight

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A small hello from the Heavyweight team Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

#58 Harry

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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. ...

Heavyweight Short: Loch

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Loch swears his kindergarten teacher used to steal his cheese. But no one believes him.CreditsThis episode was produced by Phoebe Flanigan, Mohini Mad...

Heavyweight Short: Yasser

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 van...

Introducing: Death, Sex & Money

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Heavyweight will be back next week with a brand new episode. But today, we’re excited to introduce you to Death, Sex & Money — a show hosted b...

#57 The Budget Motel

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 relation...

#56 44 Photos

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

#55 Toby

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 parent...

Introducing: The Retrievals

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Heavyweight will be back with a new episode next week. In the meantime, we’re excited to introduce you to a show we love from our friends at Serial ...

#54 Victor and Maite

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 hi...

#53 Leif

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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. Credi...

#52 Lenny

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ma...

Trailer: Heavyweight Season 8

02 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 choi...

#51 The Elliotts

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 1525, the Archbishop of Glasgow placed a curse on the Elliott family. Now, 500 years later, one very unlucky branch of the Elliotts wants it lifted...

#50 Nick

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is Nick hearing his dead brother’s voice in a song by a Grammy-nominated musician?CreditsHeavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein.Th...

Heavyweight Short: Jesse & Tori

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For Jesse, Tori has always been the one that got away. Credits This Heavyweight short was hosted and produced by Stevie Lane, along with Mohini Madgav...

#49 Another Roadside Attraction

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When Stephanie was in high school, a bookstore seemingly dropped out of the sky into her small Texas town. Then, just as quickly, it was gone. Credits...

#48 Ben

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ben was just a kid when Sihan arrived from Korea. He lived with Ben’s family for several years. And then one day, just as suddenly as he’d arrived...

#47 Frederick J. Brown

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maia found a painting in the garbage and took it home. But as it turned out, it wasn’t just any painting. Credits This episode was hosted and pr...

Heavyweight Short: Cody

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One day in high school, Cody received a hug that melted his heart. Sixteen years later and he still can’t stop thinking about it.CreditsHeavyweight ...

#46 Dan

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On Dan’s first date with his wife Nancy, a stranger took their photograph. Nineteen years later, Dan wants the photo back. But to get it, he'll ...

#45 Sgt. John Kapphahn

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When Melanie was a kid, she recorded Billy Ray Cyrus’s 1993 TV Special over something irreplaceable: the sole copy of an interview her father di...

#44 Sara

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sara received a letter from a woman with the exact same name as her. In it, the woman claimed to be her childhood best friend. The only problem? Sara ...

#43 Maura

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When Maura was 17, her favorite cousin died in a car crash. Maura’s been too afraid to drive ever since. But now, a decade later, she wants to f...

#42 Mark

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When Mark was in college, his dream was to be a famous painter. It’s a dream he missed out on by only an inch. This is the story of that inch. C...

#41 Barbara Wilson

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second and final part of episode #40 Barbara Shutt. So if you’ve not yet heard it, go back and listen to that first. Credits Heavywe...

#40 Barbara Shutt

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In 1968, Jonathan’s mother-in-law Becky spent one of the best summers of her life with a woman named Barbara. But then they never spoke again. N...

#39 Stephen

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second and final part of last week’s episode. So if you’ve not yet heard the episode “Justine,” go back and listen...

#38 Justine

21 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Growing up, Justine’s father always told her unbelievable stories about his life: that he was a big winner on Jeopardy; an outlaw who robbed ban...

#37 John

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Before he became a best-selling author, John Green was going to dedicate his life to God. Until he crossed paths with Nick. Twenty years later, John s...

#36 Brandon

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Throughout high school, Brandon was a misfit. Then one day, out of the blue, one of the school’s prettiest, most popular girls asked him to...

Heavyweight Short: A Canadian Tale

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Adam swears he met Fidel Castro in Montreal 25 years ago. But ever since, no one’s believed him. Fortunately for Adam, the one person—one Canadian...

Heavyweight Short: The Sharing Place

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Heavyweight often features grownups grappling with childhood trauma. But in today’s Heavyweight Short, Jonathan visits a place where children grappl...

Heavyweight Short: Hallie

17 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When Hallie was 17, she spent a few minutes with a stranger who changed her life. A decade later, Hallie sets out to find her. Credits This Heavyweigh...

Check In: Holiday Special

17 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Happy holidays! In our last check in of 2020, Stevie confronts her grandfather with a question she’s been afraid to ask for over twenty years, a...

Check In: Curtis Sittenfeld

10 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan speaks with Curtis Sittenfeld about her novel Rodham, which deals with many of the themes we explore on Heavyweight: things like returning ...

Check In: Do You Like Music?

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan, Stevie, and Kalila are back, to talk about Thanksgiving and music.Music and mix by Bobby Lord. Additional music by Sean, Ryan, Kevin, and Br...

#35 Rachel and Jon

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rachel and Jon are siblings who were separated as young children. Jonathan helps them confront the woman responsible... fifty years later.CreditsHeavy...

#34 Annie

05 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Every time Annie’s family comes to town, they exclude her from their plans. Annie needs to know why. Credits This episode of Heavyweight was hos...

#33 Bobby

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How the worst McDonald’s commercial ever made came to be. And how Bobby got mixed up in it. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonath...

#32 Vivian

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In 1995, Vivian’s uncle Helio died of AIDS. Now, 25 years later, Vivian’s on a search to find the man who cared for him until his death. C...

Why Is Mason Reese Crying?

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mason Reese was the biggest child star of the early 1970's. Recently, he posted a YouTube video of himself crying. Jonathan sets out to discover why. ...

Heavyweight Check In 8

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As we turn our attention back to producing classic Heavyweight episodes, we leave you with one last check in. SPOILER ALERT: This check in contains a ...

Heavyweight Check In 7

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

During these times of uncertainty and sadness, we bring you two stories of two women seeking the comfort of childhood. Amber and Eva are in search of ...

Heavyweight Check In 6

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Milestones and cramped houses.Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, Bobby Lord, and Blue Dot Sessions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Heavyweight Check In 5

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan surprises Stevie and Kalila with some special friends from seasons past who, wouldn’t you know it, are still in need of his help. Mix b...

Heavyweight Check In 4

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Stuck in new homes and old.Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows and Bobby Lord.Also, we put together a Heavyweight playlist… fan and staff ...

Heavyweight Check In 3

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people have been feeling lonely lately. So, they've been reaching out. Music by Christine Fellows and Bobby Lord. And Simon. Mix by Bobby Lor...

Heavyweight Check In 2

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan, Stevie, and Kalila check in, to talk about what’s been going on in their lives, and in your lives, too. Mix by Emma Munger. Music by C...

Heavyweight Checks In

18 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Things are feeling strange and uncertain right now. So we on the Heavyweight team decided to record our day and share it with you. Mix and music by Bo...

#31 Marie-Claude

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan’s oldest friend, Marie-Claude, had a problem in high school. At 50, she thought it was behind her. But the problem’s recently ret...

#30 The Marshes

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After a drunken slip of the tongue, Steve Marsh and his siblings discover a secret their mother has been keeping for almost 40 years. Now, Steve wants...

#29 Elyse

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When Elyse was 21, her father, Billy, disappeared without explanation. When Elyse finally learned of his whereabouts, she was shocked by the new life ...

#28 Dr. Muller

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In his twenties, Jonathan began seeing an inscrutable, mysterious therapist. After 6 years without progress, she told him it wasn’t working out beca...

#27 Scott

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Eight years ago, when Scott was addicted to heroin, he crossed a line he thought he would never cross. And he’s been trying to uncross it since....

#26 Beverley and Van

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ashley’s grandmother, Beverley, had a hard life and an unhappy marriage. But she spoke frequently of a man named Van. Ashley believes Van was the gr...

#25 Becky and Jo

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Becky and Jo were raised by a procession of eccentric babysitters, 16 in total. But their favorite was Leticia. The girls adored her… right up until...

#24 Jimmy and Mark

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When he was only 10 years old, Jonathan Marshall was sent on a 240 mile bicycle trip. 3 days. Across 2 states. With no adult supervision. 45 years lat...