New Jersey Is The World

Here's our final pass through all of YOUR voicemails, sincerely our favorite part of the NJITW experience. We're happy to have one final round of voicemails, some ridiculous, some conversation provoking, some by deranged realtors, some sentimental. This half is going out on the free feed with a Turnpike Tier exclusive section to follow.There's only like 4 tickets left to the show at Smodcastle this Saturday!  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you might know by now, early last year, Andrea and Jodie Bergen County started a podcast called The Watchers, where they watch and review movies and tv (often but not always about New Jersey). This week, they interviewed Sav Rodgers, a filmmaker whose documentary Chasing Chasing Amy caught their attention earlier this year. The title alone should tell you why we've decided to release that episode here on New Jersey Is the World.Chasing Chasing Amy is a heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal documentary that explores identity, queer representation, cinematic influence, and our evolving relationship with pop culture. In this episode of The Watchers, Sav Rodgers shares how the film started as a quest to understand Chasing Amy's complicated connection to the LGBTQ+ community but grew into something much more meaningful. They dig into the behind-the-scenes process, from shooting interviews in people’s homes and on windy rooftops to how key editing choices helped shape the narrative, all guided by Sav’s strict “No Bullsh*t” policy. Along the way, they discuss Kevin Smith’s magnetic presence, the impact of queer narratives, and the importance of authentic storytelling.Keep up with Sav Rodgers and Chasing Chasing Amy on Instagram.Here’s where you can see Chasing Chasing Amy in theaters: It's really very goodWatch Sav’s TedTalk - Sav Rodgers: The Rom-Com That Saved My Life Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dylan from The Lower Aetna stuck around to give us the expert insider opinion on Medford Lakes! This focuses on one of the specific communities in South Jersey, with a hyper-focus on the Canoe Carnival, an annual tradition of Medford Lakes that sounds delightful, intense, and strange. This is one of the best deep dives EVER!  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lower Aetna is a band that recently released PINE, an album that evokes Springsteen, outlaw country, Gaslight Anthem, all while telling stories of queer longing in the Pine Barrens. It rules so hard and you can find it at https://theloweraetna.bandcamp.com/album/pineWe were lucky to talk with Dylan from The Lower Aetna about how these songs came to be, how growing up in Medford Lakes affected his songwriting, why buffalo sauce is secretly a very popular Jersey foodway, and much, much more.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our third installment of the Officially Unofficial New Jersey Is the World book club. This time, Andrea and Kerri read Welcome Home, Caroline Kline. It’s a very Jersey book about a young woman who–in the middle of some life upheaval–returns to her hometown to fill in for her dad on the local men’s softball league. It features everything we love here: Jersey families, Jersey music, the Jersey shore, Jersey bagels. It’s seriously all in there. And we were so lucky to talk with the book’s author, Courtney Preiss. We talked about writing characters who feel SO real, representing Asbury Park and The Stone Pony, creating the world’s most Jersey mascot, and so much more. It’s a great conversation about a really great book. Excited for folks to hear this episode and to read Welcome Home, Caroline Kline.More info about Welcome Home, Caroline KlineKeep up with Courtney Preiss: @cocogolightlyFind your local indie bookstore:https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last weekend, without any pre-planning, two of our NJITW stalwarts did some very Jersey things: Mike D and his family went to Camp NoBeBosCo, better known to horror fans as Camp Crystal Lake. Geth and his family wound up on an impromptu trip to the legendary Wild West City, and the experience was head spinning. We discuss both in this episode, along with shout outs to the Great Divide campground and the legendary Cliff's Dairy.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was not planned. Gethard found himself with time to kill and in need of an electric car charger, and the nearest one was at the dreaeded Short Hills mall. Listen as he wanders through the land of the wealthy, in this barely edited audio, mostly marveling at the watch stores. Including that one with a red velvet rope. That one, in particular, was bad. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kerri and Andrea are back, talking with another Jersey author! This time around, they're chatting with Nick Corsaniti, New York Times correspondent and author of I Don't Want to Go Home: The Oral History of the Stone Pony. They dive into the book's exploration of Asbury Park's music scene, its unique culture, and its rich New Jersey history. They talk writing process, anecdotes from the iconic venue, and what it was like giving Bruce Springsteen a deadline. It's a fun and fascinating discussion that complements a really fantastic book.Pick up I Don't Want to Go Home: The Oral History of the Stone Pony - Nick Corasaniti Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike D was able to sit down with Scot DeBockler the founder and everything else of NJ’s iconic SNK Pedals. They discuss what it’s like to start a business in NJ, the important role that NJ has played in the history of music gear and of course a very nerdy exploration of guitar pedals and amps. All the music fans out there are going to love this one.As a thank you for all the support over the years Scot shared a discount code for 10% off anything at SNK Pedals & Amplification. Just type ZEPOLE when you check out.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First off, a big announcement in this episode. More on that to follow soon.Secondly - your voicemails! Our reactions! Lots of laughs! Lots of reminiscing. Chef Volas! Letters home from camp! Road signs that are inappropriate even for New Jersey. And much, much more!Turnpike tier patrons, you'll get a second dose of these soon including a voicemail from Rick from Bergenfield that set the discussion on fire.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As you can see, this was supposed to be an episode of our Patreon-exclusive Garden State Gagootz. It went in a different direction. I couldn't hide this behind a paywall. Don't worry patrons - the new Gagootz is coming soon with some killer voicemails. But in the meantime, enjoy whatever the hell this is.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s finally happening. Andrea has been threatening it for years, and now she’s got backup in the form of the great Kerri Sullivan, who our listeners know as the editor of New Jersey Fan Club: Artists and Writers Celebrate the Garden State and the person behind Jersey Collective. This episode is the first installment of our unofficial book club. They’re starting with a conversation with Dewar MacLeod about his fantastic book Making the Scene in the Garden State: Popular Music in New Jersey from Edison to Springsteen and Beyond. It’s a really fun, accessible, informative look at the various points in space, time, and place that have helped to create and define Jersey’s rich, varied relationship with music. They talk about everything from Edison’s crappy taste in music, to the club where Bruce really got his start, to visiting the Meatlocker as an adult, and a million things in between. We think you’re gonna love this book.Making the Scene in the Garden State: Popular Music in New Jersey from Edison to Springsteen and Beyond - Use discount code RUP30 for 30% off and free shipping.Check out Jersey Collective Reads Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Devil and Daisy is a play. But it's not just a play - it's a play that involves an eight foot tall Jersey Devil puppet and a whole lot of Jersey folklore embedded deep in its roots. In this interview we talk with Alex Dawson and Dan Diana about how this play came to be, their involvement in immersive/grassroots Jersey art, how one makes an eight foot tall Jersey Devil puppet, and much much more.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve been with NJITW for a while, you might remember a super brief stint we had way back in August of 2021 with a New Jersey Is the World role-playing game, appropriately titled, New Jersey: The Role Playing Game. It was livestreamed just for our Patreon subscribers, and it only happened three times, so even long-time listeners might have missed it.Well, since it’s the 3-year anniversary, we figured it’s the perfect time to dust it off and share it with you all. Here’s the plan: Today, everyone is getting the first installment. Then, on Thursday, our Patreon subscribers will get the rest. We didn’t finish the campaign, but we wrapped up a pretty satisfying (absolutely ridiculous) first arc, so you’ll definitely want to hear it all.We’ve done a bit of editing, but it’s still just the original livestream audio, which means you’ll catch some crosstalk, on-mic snacking, and various imperfections. But it’s really funny, and totally stupid, and we think you’re all gonna love it. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've been listening to the show, you know that Hebba is a woman who asked to intern for us, and to whom we explained that we aren't nearly successful enough to need an intern, BUT she occasionally comes out of nowhere and designs killer episodes of the show even though I literally don't have her contact information. This time, Hebba let us know that she has a friend coming to town. Her friend has some strict parameters on what she wants out of New Jersey. Their base of operations is Bloomfield. The friend has some limits on food that mean it can't just be a "show off the sick food of the Essex County area" trip. And Hebba has asked US to come together to recommend how to show off New Jersey to this friend. I am sure we got some things majorly wrong. I am sure we nailed some others.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode we have a great interview with none other than S.P. Sullivan, who covers the crime beat at the Star Ledger. He talks us through the Menendez trial, Norcross, the county line, who's now sweating it, in what ways Menendez might be an empathetic figure, and why this state is as shady as it is. It was a true joy and honor talking to Sean, who gave us a real insider view into the crime side of this sometimes sordid state. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are joined by Jodie Bergen County and Kerri Sullivan as we discuss Bobby Gold Barz, his downfall, what happened, and our quick reactions to this insane year in New Jersey politics. THEN some of your voicemails, from heartfelt to strange to nonsense, and our delighted reactions.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever curious about how NJITW actually gets made? Well we know some of you are - because you’ve asked us. In this episode Andrea and Mike D take you behind the scenes and dig into: the infamous lost episode, NJITW the Role Playing Game, some history from the early days of the show and of course lots of random NJ related tangents.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don and Geth make their way to Fattal's supermarket in Paterson, where they make their way to both the baklava bar and the brick oven bakery in the back. They take their food down to the Great Falls, and then spend this episode telling you about the incredible experience.FIX THE FUCKIN' FOOTBRIDGE! Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever taken a drive through Mendham - and have you ever noticed a sign claiming Mendham was the hometown of the man who invented baseball? What if we told you this was a giant fraud. Did George Washington really sleep here? Did Jackie O actually live here? Seriously, What is going on in Mendham? We’re joined by our new friends Ryan and Katie who host the Hometown History podcast to dig into the mysteries of Mendham.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.