Heavyweight

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 sets off to find Nick and revisit the day that changed the course of both their lives.

Credits

Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein.

This episode was produced by senior producer Kalila Holt, along with Stevie Lane and Mohini Madgavkar.

Special thanks to Emily Condon, Reverend Patricia Shelden, Alex Blumberg, Caitlin Kenney, Gabby Bulgarelli, and Jackie Cohen.

The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. 

Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 prom. Fifteen years later, Brandon wants to know: why him?

Credits

Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein.

This episode was produced by Stevie Lane, and Mohini Madgavkar. The senior producer is Kalila Holt.

Special thanks to Emily Condon, Alex Blumberg, Sharon Mashihi, Mimi O’Donnell, Jessica Yung, and Jackie Cohen.

The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. 

Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Michael Hearst, the Jacobi Family Band, Podington Bear, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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—who can prove his story is Jonathan Goldstein.

Heavyweight returns with a full new season on September 30th.

Credits

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

It was mixed by Catherine Anderson, with music by Trabants, Blue Dot Sessions, and Bobby Lord.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heavyweight often features grownups grappling with childhood trauma. But in today’s Heavyweight Short, Jonathan visits a place where children grapple with trauma in the present. At The Sharing Place, kids talk about things most adults can’t even face. A warning: This episode deals with sensitive topics like suicide and death.

Credits

This story originally ran on This American Life in 2015, and was produced by Sean Cole. It was mixed for Heavyweight by Emma Munger, with music by Christine Fellows, Blue Dot Sessions, Bobby Lord, and Poddington Bear.

If you’re feeling depressed or just want someone to talk to, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

You can find out more about The Sharing Place’s work at thesharingplace.org.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Heavyweight short was hosted and produced by Kalila Holt, along with Stevie Lane, Mohini Madgavkar, and Jonathan Goldstein.

Special thanks to Sam Reisman, Cheri Mantz and Dr. Lynd.

The show was mixed by Catherine Anderson. 

Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, and Bobby Lord.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, and Kalila solves the mystery of an enigmatic gravestone.

Mixed by Bobby Lord.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.