Heavyweight Short: A Canadian Tale

Heavyweight Short: A Canadian Tale

Author: Pushkin Industries July 15, 2021 Duration: 17:15
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.

There’s a particular kind of memory that doesn’t fade-it’s the unresolved moment, the regret that quietly shapes a life. Heavyweight, from Pushkin Industries, is built on the belief that it’s never too late to go back and try to set things right. Host Jonathan Goldstein doesn’t just reminisce; he gets in the car, makes the phone call, and arranges the meeting. Each episode is a deeply human, often surprisingly funny journey into someone’s past to confront a lingering question: an apology never given, a friendship lost over a misunderstanding, a childhood promise broken. The tone here is a unique blend, fitting its categories of Society, Comedy, and Culture-it’s empathetic and thoughtful, yet laced with Goldstein’s wry, self-deprecating humor. You’ll hear the awkward silences, the nervous laughter, and the genuine breakthroughs. This isn’t a podcast about easy answers; it’s about the messy, courageous, and cathartic process of seeking closure, one personal heavyweight at a time. The conversations are intimate, the stories are specific, and the emotional weight is real, making for listening that is both moving and unexpectedly uplifting.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Heavyweight
Podcast Episodes
#63 Jasmin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:32
Jasmin grew up as one of the few Black girls in a mostly white town. Senior year, she was voted Homecoming Queen and she finally felt accepted. But then, at the dance, they announced someone else's name. Jasmin has alway…
The Canal, the Crash and the Ketamine - Pushkin's Reign of Error [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:25
Today, Jonathan joins his fellow Pushkin hosts for a special episode all about mistakes. Jonathan speaks with his friend, the writer Sheila Heti. Together, they muse on the cost of mistakes and whether we're really in co…
#62 Stefano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:52
On her flight to emigrate from Italy in 1959, Anita was tasked with babysitting a two-year-old boy being brought to the US for adoption. During the flight, Anita fell in love with the child, and for the rest of her life,…
#61 The Bank Robber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
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 Heavyweigh…
#60 The Messenger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:20
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-fr…
#59 Etta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:08
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…
Trailer: Heavyweight Season 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:12
A look at what’s to come this season. Heavyweight returns on September 18. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.Pushkin+ subscribers can get all episodes ad-free! Sign up on the Heavyweight Apple show page or at pushkin…
2025 Update: Dina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:03
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…
2025 Update: Leif + A Conversation with Anna Konkle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:17
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 n…
2025 Update: Joey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:12
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…