Rephonic
Artwork for Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Family Dynamics
Pushkin Industries
Childhood Trauma
Forgiveness
Motherhood
Mental Health
Bank Robbery
World War II
Crime and Consequences
Friendship
Redemption
Jerry Robbins
Customer Service
Addiction
Grief
Thomas E. Jones
Juvenile Justice
The Moth
Baseball

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes123Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RelationshipsPersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Heavyweight

Latest Episodes

When 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... more

This 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 pri... more

When 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... more

Today, 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, chil... more

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Jonathan Goldstein
Writer and podcast host known for Heavyweight
Wild Card, Heavyweight (NPR)
Episode: Jonathan Goldstein on Wild Card
Anna Sale
Host of Death, Sex & Money
Slate
Episode: Presenting Death, Sex & Money | From Brazilian Butt Lifts to Botox: Your Beauty Confessions
Dr. Jackie Cohen
Medical professional and friend of Jonathan Goldstein
Episode: #65 Meredith
Steve Marsh
Friend of Jonathan Goldstein and expert on drug experiences
Episode: #65 Meredith
Lutz Leitz
Spokesperson for Berlin's club commission and advocate of nightlife in the city.
Episode: Presenting Search Engine | Why didn’t Chris and Dan get into Berghain? (Part 1)
Sheila Heti
Author known for her book titled Motherhood
Episode: The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Stefano (Steven)
Child cared for by Anita during the flight to America in 1959, now an adult reflecting on his life.
Episode: #62 Stefano
John Paul
An individual who committed a bank robbery at age 14 and sought redemption
Episode: #61 The Bank Robber
Pat Croce
Former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and entrepreneur
Croce Enterprises
Episode: #60 The Messenger

Host

Jonathan Goldstein
Host known for his engaging storytelling that combines humor and heartfelt narratives. He often guides guests through personal revelations and reflections, providing an empathetic ear and sharp insight into human relationships.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 40.5k ratings
  • What happened to heavyweight

    Keep waiting for content, not replays of other podcasts, cross promotions etc. I want to hear new episodes like the good old days

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    spete88
    United States15 days ago
  • The BEST

    This is one of the VERY BEST podcasts. It’s so incredibly entertaining, insightful, witty, emotional, and inspiring. I bet a few of these episodes could turn a sociopath into an empathetic marshmallow. Really, what a special group of people.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ClassicFrey
    United States17 days ago
  • A big favorite

    The whole heavyweight crew is great. Such a sweet celebration of life told through remarkable stories. Please never stop (again).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Oyster.Boy
    United States19 days ago
  • The Podcast for the soul

    I fell in love with Jonathan’s storytelling on CBC’s “Wire Tapped “. He has taken the art of exploring the human condition to THEE best level ! Thanks Heavyweight! Thanks Jonathan…you are one of Canada’s best treasurers ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    She Came From Planet Clare
    Canada20 days ago
  • Exceptional

    Deborah’s story in particular had me sobbing and I’ve listened to them all. Thank you Jonathan,

    Deborah, and of course Jackie Cohen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scoobydoobydoo!?!
    United States25 days ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The production quality is consistently praised, highlighting thoughtful editing and storytelling techniques that enhance the listening experience.
There is an overall sense of appreciation for the podcast's ability to balance light-hearted moments with deeper, serious topics.
Some recurring themes include nostalgia and the exploration of past relationships, which resonate deeply with listeners' own experiences.
Listeners appreciate the heartfelt and humorous nature of the stories shared, often finding themselves emotionally moved by the content.
Many reviews mention a strong sense of connection with the host, Jonathan Goldstein, and his ability to empathize with guests, making their stories relatable and impactful.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

2026 Update: Skye
Q: What does Clark hope to learn from this conversation?
He hopes to see how forgiveness can coexist with accountability and to understand how his mother's decisions have shaped his own views on justice and mercy.
2026 Update: Skye
Q: Why did Skye choose to revisit this story now on the podcast?
To confront an unresolved past, seek understanding from those involved, and model a pathway to forgiveness that includes accountability.
The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Q: What do you think about the psychological impact of regret on decision-making?
Maria discusses how fear of regret can lead to irrational decisions, particularly in situations involving FOMO and the endowment effect.
The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error
Q: Nate, are there any decisions lately that you didn't make and now you're just experiencing a sense of regret?
Nate reflects on a poker hand where he didn't call a likely bluff, creating a sense of regret for not acting with the right play.
#60 The Messenger
Q: Why did Quincy lie?
Quincy initially believed that he had to create a more compelling narrative for the film, which led him to fabricate aspects of the story.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Heavyweight

What is Heavyweight about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intricacies of human relationships and the moments that shape our lives, a distinctive storytelling approach is taken to explore themes of love, loss, and personal growth. The narratives often involve deep dives into the past, where individuals confront their decisions, uncover emotional truths, and navigate the complexities of reconciliation and regret. Each episode typically features compelling personal stories, from heartfelt reunions to humorous misadventures, which resonate with listeners on an emotional level. The podcast's unique blend of humor and poignancy offers a reflective look at life's pivotal moments, making it appealing to those interested in the human experience and the dynamics of interpersonal connections.... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Heavyweight?

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How many listeners does Heavyweight get?

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How many subscribers and views does Heavyweight have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Heavyweight has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Heavyweight?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Heavyweight:

1. This American Life
2. Search Engine
3. This is Love
4. Radiolab
5. Criminal

How many episodes of Heavyweight are there?

Heavyweight launched 10 years ago and published 123 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Heavyweight?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Heavyweight?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Heavyweight from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Heavyweight?

Recent guests on Heavyweight include:

1. Jonathan Goldstein
2. Anna Sale
3. Dr. Jackie Cohen
4. Steve Marsh
5. Lutz Leitz
6. Sheila Heti
7. Stefano (Steven)
8. John Paul

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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