Even the staunchest Jersey supporter can admit there have been times when the Garden State has been embarrassing. Comically over the top political scandals. Cringy pop culture moments. Animals escaping from Six Flags Great Adventure. This week, Jersey’s Best Podcast is embracing the imperfections and ranking the 10 most embarrassing moments in New Jersey history. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com senior reporter Sean Sullivan to dive deep on an iconic duel that could only happen in N.J. (4:11), that time a baboon was roaming free in Jackson (7:53), that other time Bob Dylan got picked up by the cops at the Jersey Shore (18:44), how our infamous Bridgegate really went down (31:53) and more. Then Sean endures the Garden State Gauntlet, embarrassing edition! 

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The glory of the Jersey Shore is not up for debate. From the northern tip of Sandy Hook all the way to the southern shores of Cape May, every Garden State beach has its perks and virtues.  What is up for discussion, however, is which beach is best — and worst! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey’s Best Podcast producer and Jersey Shore lifer Bobby Olivier as they rank all 45 beaches in New Jersey from worst to best. Listen as the guys reveal the Shore’s most overrated beach (6:08), the beloved spot that’s now just a hassle (25:03), their secret slices of paradise (33:13) and crown the No. 1 beach at the Jersey Shore (43:16)! Then Bobby flips the script and makes Jeremy take on the Garden State Gauntlet, Shore trivia style (45:18)! 

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We all know New Jersey has the best bagels. But why is our bagel culture so prodigious? And what exactly makes those doughy rounds so good? Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Bagels by Jarrett owner Jarrett Seltzer to discuss how he went from rock band bassist to bagel-maker (2:17), the keys to great (albeit unconventional) bagel-making (8:51), why New Jersey bagels are indeed better than New York bagels (25:18) and why it’s a crime to toast (38:38) or scoop (44:46) your bagels. Then Jarrett runs through the Garden State Gauntlet, bagel edition (47:47)!

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Listen, we love the Jersey Shore — just not everyone who goes there. As summer takes hold of our beloved beaches, let’s count down all the worst people you’ll meet Down the Shore this year, and trust us, they’re not all Bennies. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey’s Best Podcast producer and Jersey Shore lifer Bobby Olivier as they knock over a few KanJams (16:54), smash a few boom boxes (23:10) and explain what a (checks notes) Mermaid Girl is (32:22). Then Bobby must endure the Garden State Gauntlet, Shore edition (41:04)! God bless us, it’s friggin’ summer!

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Follow Bobby Olivier at @bobbyolivier 

Check out the beach etiquette video Jeremy and Bobby did years ago here! 

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This week’s episode is going to hell! No, not Connecticut. We’re breaking down the 9 absolute worst places and situations a New Jerseyan may find themselves — and each one gets worse! Take the fiery journey with host Jeremy Schneider and comedian Emily Paige as they try to survive a true culinary nightmare (3:18), a day of Meadowlands mayhem (10:25) and the deeply evil fate that can only be spurred by NJ Transit (39:07). Then Emily completes the Garden State Gauntlet (44:02)!

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That’s it, we’re packing up and heading to Hollywood — or maybe just Wildwood. This episode is all about Jersey’s greatest celebrities, and where they belong in the pantheon of Garden State fame. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Frazier Tharpe, a senior associate editor at GQ magazine and Jersey native, who has interviewed about a million celebs, including Newark’s own Michael B. Jordan. Listen as the guys decide whether Shaq is a god-tier Jersey dude (3:24), where underrated stars like Kirsten Dunst (7:35) and Anne Hathaway (45:54) fit in, and if Jon Bon Jovi belongs on the same tier as Bruce Springsteen (36:55) — and so much more! Then Frazier completes a celeb-centric Garden State Gauntlet (55:28). 

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Call us Pope Leo because we’re taking you to church. Okay, not really. But in this episode, we’re heading into the confession booth to reveal our deepest, darkest Jersey-based confessions and hot takes — the kind of stuff that should get our Jersey cards revoked. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey City comedian Alex Nicholas — listen as the guys reveal their pick for the state’s most overrated foodie town (4:04), which iconic actress they think “insists upon herself” (28:42) and how they REALLY feel about our most notorious mall (43:27). Plus Springsteen, “The Sopranos,” local deer and more! Then Alex must endure the Garden State Gauntlet (48:40) - will he survive? 

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No part of New Jersey is misunderstood — and some would say underappreciated — like South Jersey. Host (and notorious North Jersey native) Jeremy Schneider is joined by South Jersey expert Andrea Quinn to shine some light on all the great things below I-195 the rest of the Garden State simply doesn’t get. Listen as Andrea educates Jeremy on how South Jersey REALLY feels about North Jersey (8:15), growing up with a pet raccoon (16:16), why South Jerseyans should never go to Rita’s (34:22) and if the NHL’s New Jersey Devils are stealing valor from the state’s most famous cryptid (40:04). Andrea then goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, South Jersey edition!   

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Follow Andrea Quinn @aqandreaq on Instagram and X and check her out on The Watchers Podcast.

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Let the great Jersey food debate begin! The true Jersey Food Dude, captain of the MunchMobile and veteran food journalist Pete Genovese joins host Jeremy Schneider for a delicious dive into all matters of Garden State culinary quandaries. Listen as the guys play overrated/underrated on Jersey’s most famous diner (3:57), our most colorfully named hot dog joint (11:30), a bustling pizza icon that Pete just can’t stand (26:10) — and much more. Then Pete takes on the Garden State Gauntlet (46:40), foodie edition!

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Follow Pete Genovese at @petegenovese on X and @peteknowsjersey on Instagram. Subscribe to Pete’s newsletter, Jersey’s Secret Sauce, here. Or read him on NJ.com! 

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Surprise! Here’s a fun mini-episode designed to make you scream: Host and Great Adventure expert Jeremy Schneider takes us on a twisting, hurtling journey through Six Flags, ranking all 13 roller coasters for the 2025 season (2:00) — including the newly opened The Flash Vertical Velocity (8:18). Jeremy gets into which are overrated, which are classics and how the Jackson theme park really, REALLY fumbled its Kingda Ka closing (RIP) (20:30). 

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