Heavyweight

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. It showcases real people, from astronauts to actors, from teachers to truck drivers, getting up on stage and talking about their own lives in their own words. The stories run the gamut: funny, heartbreaking, enlightening, or sometimes all three at the same time. But whatever the stor...

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 apologize to the people he harmed that day.

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 nev...

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 then he found out that his lucky break was all based on a lie.

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...

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.

You can find Etta’s work on Instagram @ettabehrlich

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 s...

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 since her appearance in #15: Dina. During a visit back home, Jonathan’s mother Dina inadvertently admits something that forces him to question his past — and turn the mic on himself.

Credits

This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Kalila Holt, and Kait...

For our penultimate Heavyweight encore, we’re joined by Pen15 co-creator Anna Konkle to revisit last season’s junior high drama — #53: Leif.

On Valentine’s Day in junior high, Leif was supposed to ask Kalila out. But he never did. Leif’s lack of action that day impacted Kalila’s life to come. And so seventeen years later, she wants to know: what happened.

For more, head over to Push...

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 — all due to awkward misunderstandings. Jonathan and Gregor get involved to help him set things right.

Credits

This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Kalila Holt, Peter Bresnan, and Stevie Lane, with editing by Jorge Just and Alex Blumberg. Special th...

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 first published in 2019.

After a drunken slip of the tongue, Steve and his siblings discovered a secret their mother had been keeping for almost 40 years. Steve decides to step in and help his mom take action.

This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Kalila Holt, BA Parker and S...

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 sorority. “You know what you did,” was the only explanation she was ever given. All these years later, Rose still wants to know what it is she did.

Credits

This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Kalila Holt, and Kaitlin Roberts, with editing by Jorge Just, Alex Blu...

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 addict, he crossed a line he thought he would never cross. And he’s been trying to uncross it ever since.

Credits

This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Stevie Lane, Kalila Holt, and BA Parker, with editing by Jorge Just. Special thanks to Emily Condo...

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 brothers in their eighties who’ve been estranged for decades. Buzz visits Sheldon to see if there’s still a relationship left to salvage.

Credits

This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Wendy Dorr, Chris Neary, and Kalila Holt, with editing by Alex Blumberg and P...

While the new season is under construction, we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes and calling up former guests to see what’s happened since. This week: #2 Gregor. 20 years ago, Gregor lent some CDs to a musician friend. The CDs helped make him a famous rockstar. Now, Gregor would like some recognition. But mostly, he wants his CDs back.

Credits

This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Wendy Dorr, Chris ...

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. Over twenty years later, they want to find Harry and make things right.

Credits

This episode was produced by Phoebe Flanigan, Mohini Madgavkar, and Jonathan Goldstein. Our senior producer is Kalila Holt. Our supervising producer is Stevie Lane.

Editorial guidance from Emily Condon.&nb...