Welcoming Heavyweight
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What is the significance of Jonathan's Canadian identity?
Hello, hello revisionist history listeners. We're having a very exciting week here at Pushkin. You know that I'm Canadian, right? We actually fly a big maple leaf flag here at Pushkin HQ. Well, this week we added another Canadian. The great Jonathan Goldstein, native of Quebec, has brought his acclaimed narrative series Heavyweight to the Pushkin Network. Oh, Canada, our home and native land. True patriot love in all our hearts command. Jonathan and the Heavyweight team represent everything we believe in here at Pushkin. The power of storytelling, the value of intelligence and emotion, the belief that Canadians can and should dominate all aspects of American culture. Heavyweight examines personal histories and resentments.
It tries to heal old wounds and in the process reminds us of our shared humanity. Yes, it's that good. We're dropping the first ever episode here in the feed about Jonathan's quest to reconcile his father with his estranged brother Buzz. Enjoy, and there is much, much, much more to come. And if you want to listen to more Heavyweight, which I'm sure you do, check out the show notes for the revisionist history team's favorite episodes.
Yeah, hello.
What is the premise of Heavyweight?
From Gimlet Media, this is Jonathan Goldstein, your old pal.
Is that what it's called, Gimlet? Gimlet Media?
That's correct.
It sounds like giblets. The inside of a chicken, like all the innards?
Well, everybody loves giblets.
Ew. Oh, shit, they're my kids. Hey, guys, I'm up here.
Do you know what my new podcast is about?
No, I don't know anything about it.
Each week, I travel into people's pasts to help them repair something that's been troubling them.
Mm-hmm.
Why is Jonathan concerned about his father's relationship with Sheldon?
I'm sort of like a therapist.
Like a therapist.
Do you find that funny?
I just think supportive.
That's the laughter of support?
I think it's great. I think it's great.
Do you have any questions for me about what my show is and what it's going to be like?
What's the name of your show? What's the name of your show? Yes, we're going to go now, but Jonathan's just about to tell me the name of his new show. As soon as he tells me, I'm going to bang down on him in five.
No, no, wait.
Do you remember when we used to do that?
Yes, hang up the phone on each other. Okay, ready?
Yes, yes.
The name of the show is Heavyweight.
Heavyweight.
You get it?
Two, one. No, it's... Hello?
What memories does Buzz have of his brother Sheldon?
Hello? From Gimlet Media, I'm Jonathan Goldstein, and this is Heavyweight. Today's episode, Buzz. Hello? Hey, Dad. Hi, Johnny. Hey, how you doing? Good, you? Good, good. Good yumtiv. Shana tova. Aksameyach. Aksameyach. What's that mean? I'm not sure. Oh, oh. This is my father, Buzz. I'm calling him at his home in Montreal. And the reason we're talking crazy talk is because it's Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement, which seems as good a day as any to talk with him about forgiveness. So I wanted to ask you something, and I just wanted to gauge your interest. Yeah. How would you feel about paying your brother Sheldon a visit?
I have no feelings, but I'm not really interested.
You're not? No. My father, Buzz, is 80, and his brother, Sheldon, his only sibling, is 85. And for the past 40 years, they've pretty much been on the outs. My father lives in Montreal, and Sheldon lives in Florida. And the last time they saw each other, over 20 years ago, was at their mother's funeral, when they had a fight over the details of the arrangements. Since then, they've hardly spoken. It worries me, because there's not a lot of time left. And I don't want my father to have regrets. When the subject of his brother comes up, as it often has over the years, my father feels competing things. He grows angry or defensive, but other times he'll become sad and remorseful. And it's the sorrow and the remorse that I like best, because it's these feelings that I believe speak to his better self, the self I want to encourage. I'm not surprised that you're not jumping at the idea, but I'm a little surprised that you're as against the idea. Yeah.
Yeah, time's passed. He hasn't shown much interest. So I'm respecting that and I leave him alone.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the significance of Jonathan's Canadian identity?
0:13–1:37
2
What is the premise of Heavyweight?
1:37–2:04
3
Why is Jonathan concerned about his father's relationship with Sheldon?
2:04–2:50
4
What memories does Buzz have of his brother Sheldon?
2:50–7:14
5
How does Buzz feel about the past and his relationship with Sheldon?
7:14–11:35
6
What steps does Jonathan take to reconnect Buzz with Sheldon?
11:35–14:34
7
How does Buzz feel as he prepares to meet Sheldon?
14:34–16:11
8
What emotions does Buzz express about his estrangement from Sheldon?
16:11–41:44