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New Jersey Is The World — Comedy
New Jersey Is The World

New Jersey Is The World is a loose, hilarious, loving exploration of America’s greatest and strangest state.

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Copyright: © New Jersey Is The World

Latest Episodes:

Final Gagootz: Part One! Nov 21, 2024

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!

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Chasing Chasing Amy with Sav Rodgers Nov 14, 2024

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 good

Watch Sav’s TedTalk - Sav Rodgers: The Rom-Com That Saved My Life

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Deep Dive: Medford Lakes Nov 07, 2024

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!

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Interview: Dylan from The Lower Aetna Nov 04, 2024

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/pine

We 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.

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NJITW Book Club: Welcome Home, Caroline Kline with Courtney Preiss Oct 28, 2024

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 Kline

Keep up with Courtney Preiss: @cocogolightly

Find your local indie bookstore:https://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder

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Camp Crystal Lake and Wild West City Oct 21, 2024

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.

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An Audio Tour of the Short Hills Mall Oct 14, 2024

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.

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The Oral History of the Stone Pony Sep 30, 2024

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

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Interview: Scot from SNK Pedals Sep 25, 2024

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.

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September Gagootz Part 1! Sep 19, 2024

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.

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The Greatest Voicemail of All Time Sep 11, 2024

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.

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Book Club! MAKING THE SCENE! Sep 02, 2024

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 Stateand 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

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Interview: The Devil and Daisy Dirt Aug 26, 2024

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.

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New Jersey: The Roleplaying Game Aug 19, 2024

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.

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Vacation Planning for Hebba's Friend Aug 12, 2024

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.

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Interview: S.P. Sullivan, Crime Reporter at NJ.com Aug 05, 2024

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.

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Bobby Gold Barz Discussion/Garden State Gagootz Jul 29, 2024

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.

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How the NJITW Pork Roll Is Made Jul 22, 2024

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.

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Jersey Dude Jersey Food: Fattal's, Paterson Jul 15, 2024

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!

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Interview: Ryan and Katie from the Hometown History Podcast Jul 01, 2024

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.

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Interview: Martyna Majok, Pulitzer Winning Jersey Playwright Jun 24, 2024

Martyna Majok is the Pulitzer winning author of many great plays, many of which focus very specifically on Jersey. We talk about Jersey artists, about Belleville and Kearny, about immigrant groups finding each other in this state, and so much more. Seriously, just listen to it, Martyna is so fucking great.

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Interview: Chris Payne and NJ Emo Jun 17, 2024

Chris Payne is the author of the book Where Are Your Boys Tonight? The Oral History of Emo's Mainstream Explosion - you will probably not be shocked to hear that this book is VERY heavy on New Jersey content. That being said, upon reading it I think you will be pleasantly surprised to see how much New Jersey was at the core of this massive explosion of underground to mainstream music. It was a joy to talk to Chris about his book, and specifically some of the bands, venues, and moments that tie this era of emo to the Garden State.

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NJ Craig's List: An Exploration Jun 10, 2024

On this week's show we ask a simple question: "What's the dumbest/weirdest/most inexplicable stuff to be found on New Jersey Craig's List right now?" This leads, as you imagine, down some real weird rabbit holes as we suss out not just the stuff that is odd at face value, but some other things that are clearly written in coded language. It's also fun to see which towns are producing the real oddball stuff. You will like this episode.

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Interview: Anthony DeVito, Jersey Boy: A True Crime Story Jun 02, 2024

This week we talk with friend of the show Anthony DeVito, a hilarious comedian and Bloomfield native. He's also currently starring in the off-Broadway show Jersey Boy: A True Crime Story about how he came to find out that his family and organized crime in New Jersey were intertwined. It's a jaw-dropping show, hilarious, smart, and VERY JERSEY. We talk with Anthony about workshopping something so specific and personal, the Edinburgh experience, and how Jersey still brings up tumultuous feelings for him. You can get tickets to the show RIGHT HERE.

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A Return to Ong's Hat May 27, 2024

WARNING: Some listeners may be disturbed by the fact that at no point in this episode do Mike D and Andrea mention diarrhea. This is a diarrhea-free episode. Proceed at your own risk.

Longtime subscribers to our Patreon may remember an early episode of South Jersey Is Also the World where Andrea and Gethard went deep into the history of Ong’s Hat, a South Jersey ghost town so tiny it doesn’t even appear on most maps. Its history is a fascinating one, with debatable origins involving bootlegging and hat-based feuds as well as an early Internet legend regarded by many as the genesis of Alternate Reality Games. Since that episode, Ong’s Hat has popped up in a few other places, so we figured it was time for a revisit. While we do discuss the above in some detail, this episode is really about urban legends, how they spread, and why we seem to love them so much more in Jersey. We also discover something about our own history that has the potential to crack this whole Ong’s Hat mystery wide open. We need your help on that one though, so have a listen and let us know what you think!

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Port Authority: Secret Bathroom, Secret History May 20, 2024

A recent article revealed the existence of a secret super clean bathroom in the well known NYC nightmare commuter hub, Port Authority. Being that Port Authority is a place MANY North Jersey residents know well and have true hatred/fear for, we figured this was a perfect excuse to look not just at the secret bathroom of Port Authority, but the many secrets it holds, both currently and in its storied history.

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Interview: Kate and Danny Tamberelli May 13, 2024

Kate and Danny Tamberelli are not just a married couple, they're also the co-authors fo the new book Road Trip Rewind, which is great and you should read. The book features characters born in Jersey, much like Danny himself was. Danny was raised in Wyckoff before starring as Little Pete on The Adventures of Pete and Pete, a show Gethard has long argued is actually the most Jersey show of all time. Danny and Kate talk to Chris and Andrea about building creative projects as a married couple, what it's like to star in something so iconic, and most importantly, a secret route from Bergen County to Giants Stadium.

Learn more about the new book at https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496742865/the-road-trip-rewind/

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Summer Reading List 2024 May 06, 2024

On this episode we give you: some Jersey authors, some Jersey specific writing, some Jersey adjacent books, some historical looks at authors who help set the tone of what Jerseyana is, and a proposed summer comic book book club. ENJOY THE BEACH, YOU CHOOCHES.

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Mega Gagootz Assemble Apr 29, 2024

Your voicemails. The hosts on our mini-network. Like so many of them. WOTown, Andrea, Fanelli, Fierro, HEBBA. The largest gang of gagootz ever assembled, listening to the batshit messages you all have left us in recent months. What beats that? Nothing beats that.

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New Jersey Survival Kit (Enter Hebba) Apr 22, 2024

We break down everything you might need for a New Jersey survival kit if you're not from this place. From items you should own to rules you should know to conversations you should be ready to have - if you want to survive in New Jersey, this episode fills you in on everything you need to know about. Whose idea was this? Hebba's idea. Who is Hebba? We legit don't know. But she is here. And everything has changed.

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Jersey Dude/Jersey Food: Fanny's of Bloomfield/A Glimpse Into Don's Mind Apr 15, 2024

Ostensibly, this episode reviews Fanny's - an Italian restaurant in the blossoming food hub of Bloomfield. But when Don starts speaking to how he orders for groups, we realize this episode is actually a glimpse into the mind of a mad man.

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An Evening At Home With Bonadooch Apr 08, 2024

Here is real found audio of what it sounds like when Bonadooch comes by your house to watch a Seton Hall game and you shoot the breeze. We turned mics on and gave you exclusive access to the real life sounds of a good old Bonadooch hang at home.

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Origins of the New Jersey Devil Apr 01, 2024

Mike D has recently read up on some of the historical roots of the legends surrounding the New Jersey Devil, the Garden State's most infamous legend. How was Benjamin Franklin involved? Is this all just the hundreds year old result of a smear job campaign directed to one unfortunately targeted family? Were almanacs the fanzines of their day?

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NJ Disasters (The Legend of Willy P) Mar 25, 2024

This episode has some technical disasters. Broken headphones, weird audio, and even right now I'm posting it from the Denver airport where my flight has been delayed over five hours. And that's all fitting because we talk about NJ's greatest disasters throughout this thrilling piece of audio. We are the only podcast on earth that can have a surprisingly touching discussion about the beauty of Morris County land deeds this close in proximity to a bizarre half committed rant about the ghost of William Paterson being summoned by pissing in a bathtub.

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Erin Go Fuck Yourself: St Patrick's Day Mayhem in New Jersey Mar 18, 2024

New Jersey is a place of chaos. St. Patrick's Day is a holiday of chaos. New Jersey also has a lot of residents of Irish descent. You will not be shocked to hear that it was very easy for us to find many examples where St. Patrick's Day in New Jersey descended into absolute chaos. You will also not be shocked to hear this one talks a lot about Hoboken.

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Small Business Spotlight: Fat Moose Comics Mar 12, 2024

In this episode we interview Shawn Hendricks, the owner of New Jersey's longest operating comic book store. Located in Whippany, this store is really special, and Sean has a lot of experience and philosophy into what goes into running a kick ass comic book store. On top of that, how does New Jersey's proximity to New York City give it historical ties to comics fandom?

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Vin Gopal's Scrapple Factory Mar 04, 2024

Politics in New Jersey is becoming must see. We're currently embroiled in the "Tammy Murphy versus Andy Kim" Senate primary that's getting nastier by the day. Soon we'll have the governor's race, where Steve Fulop, Ras Baraka, and Steve Sweeney have already joined, with more rumored to be eyeing the prize. It's a crazy time.

That made me think: how much do WE here at NJITW know about the structure of NJ politics? I decided to put Nick and Mike (and myself) through some basic state focused civics quizzing for fun, to see where we're at knowledge-wise, and to encourage our listeners to go brush up on their related knowledge as well.

Little did I know that at some point we would say a name that would set Bonadooch off on the most Bonadooch tirade this show has ever seen.

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Getting to know BONADOOCH Feb 26, 2024

Who is the real Bonadooch? The question we get asked the most here at NJITW - after “Why don’t you talk about Bergen County more?” - is "Who is Bonadooch?" Here’s your answer. An in-depth interview with the one and only Bonadooch where no topic is off the table.

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Marissa, Joe, and the Northeast Corridor Feb 19, 2024

You'd think if you have Joe Steinhardt from Don Giovanni Records and Marissa Paternoster of Noun and Screaming Females, you might talk a lot about their legendary impact on New Brunswick's basement scene. Or at the very least about their great new graphic novel, Merriment. Nope. This is New Jersey is the World, so we're talking about the Northeast Corridor train line!

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FIFA Is Coming, God Help Us All Feb 12, 2024

Last week it was announced that the World Cup Finals are coming to New Jersey in a couple years. This is a huge deal. Like, more than many American sports fans might even realize. Mike D and Chris get together to discuss the impact, how it happened, all the ways we hope it goes right, and the many ways we assume it could go wrong. What happens when one of the most corrupt organizations on earth teams up with one of the most corrupt state governments? WE CAN START GUESSING RIGHT NOW.

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Town Check: A War Is Brewing Feb 05, 2024

I didn't set out to create controversy. The idea felt simple. "Hey, we talk about Jersey relentlessly on this show, let's go through the list and see which towns we as a collective have and haven't actually been to."

I thought it would be basic: Exhaust ourselves reading the list of New Jersey town names and everyone says yes or no and we probably have some little tangents along the way.

What I never saw coming is the war we unintentionally created.

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Jersey Dude, Jersey Food: A Way Too Close Look Into Rutt's Hut Jan 29, 2024

Don Fanelli, the Jersey Dude Who Loves Jersey Food, is back! Not just on the podcast, but Don was also recently back in New Jersey, and he visited the legendary Rutt's Hut to try their duck. We talk about that much buzzed about item, but this leads to a WAY TOO THOROUGH breakdown of the entire Rutt's Hut menu, which honestly keeps going and going in a way that we didn't know and no one is talking about.

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We Grade Every Other State Jan 22, 2024

It's well known that this podcast's participants are big fans of New Jersey. They give it an A+. But that begs the question: what grade do they give each of the other 49 states?

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A Montclair Guy Jan 15, 2024

Keith moved to Montclair from Brooklyn six years ago. He considers himself a Montclair guy. He has nothing against New Jersey, but isn't particularly interested in participating in it on a larger level. We ask him the crucial questions about this like: "Do you know this attitude is infuriating to everyone else in the area?" and "Why not drive like twenty minutes to other stuff?" and "What's wrong with you?" and he manages to probably piss off everyone more but also somehow win the conversation.

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New Jersey 2024 Bingo Board Jan 08, 2024

Today we discuss all the things we think might happen in and around New Jersey in 2024, so that we might build a bingo board for your enjoyment throughout the year. Some of them are very chattered about political moves we expect people to make, for example. But in typical NJITW fashion, our predictions get progressively more off the rails and don't even necessarily make logical sense after a certain point. ENJOY!

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Santa's Flight Path Dec 25, 2023

Guys, this is crazy. We set up a whole bunch of police scanners and short wave radios last night, and we were able to record Santa's communication with local authorities as he flew around above New Jersey delivering presents last night. This is a stunning glimpse into Santa's strategies in how he handles different areas of New Jersey, what route he takes, and the New Jersey specific trials and tribulations he faces on Christmas Eve.

**Note to parents - this one sounds like it would be kid friendly. We assure you, it is not.**

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Gagootz Voicemails For Ya Dec 18, 2023

Here are some of the voicemails YOU left at 973-780-4660 for us. Joined by Nick Fierro for the first time, the Gagootz assemble and react to all things Jersey. A LOT OF FEEDBACK ON THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS LIST IN THIS ONE, plus a whole lot more!

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Channel 9 Reimagined Dec 11, 2023

This episode is a loving tribute to the iconic, wild west television station many of us grew up with: Channel 9. If you were in the New York media market, you were exposed to the weirdness of this TV station, much of which originated out of Secaucus, NJ. In this episode we discuss the station, PLUS Mike D tracked down a daily schedule of Channel 9 that allows us to say what we would do if given a chance to relaunch the network: what would stay, what would go, and what would be adjusted for modern times.

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Small Business Spotlight: Backyard Cinemas Dec 04, 2023

We're back with our semi-regular series highlighting small businesses around New Jersey, this time with our friend Steve Zig over at Backyard Cinemas!

Steve's company has a Jersey origin, a lot of hustle, and is growing fast. By going all over the state setting up mobile screenings, he and his crews see different parts of New Jersey, run into Jersey hustles of their own, and have a unique on the ground perspective on how people are living out there.

This is a cool conversation from someone with a unique perspective on our state AND on top of it, Steve is down to give a $100 discount to NJITW listeners with the code "NJITW", so that's RAD AND KIND OF HIM!

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Jersey Dude, Jersey Food Interview: Peter Candia, NJ Digest Nov 27, 2023

This week, Don Fanelli and myself had the pleasure of interviewing Peter Candia, a writer and editor at the New Jersey Digest. We set out to talk about his list of the 40 best pizzas in the state, but we never got there. Mostly because him and Don have a longstanding bromance and took off running. From restaurant etiquette, to new school fancy places dropping the attitude, to what makes Jersey unique, to EXTENSIVE TALK ON COLLINGSWOOD, this was a great food conversation. You can read all of Peter's writing over at https://thedigestonline.com/author/petercandia/

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New Jersey: The Essential Ingredients Nov 20, 2023

In this very idiotic high concept episode, we pre-suppose the not at all important question: "If New Jersey was in fact a prepared dish cooked in a kitchen instead of a state, which towns would be the ESSENTIAL ingredients?" We had a lot of fun sorting this out but also we imagine there are going to be people telling us we got it wrong. We can't wait.

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Newark Airport: A Frank Discussion Nov 13, 2023

Newark Airport is a center of gravity for this entire state. Which leads us to ask: What do we hate about EWR? What are the good aspects? Are there any? Also, roughly a dozen manic tangents that have nothing to do with Newark Airport. Plus, Bonadooch tells stories of what it was like building portions of Newark Airport. Also, Geth almost bought a painting once or something? This one is all over the map, in a good way.

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Asylums, catacombs and fear with explorer @max.bon Nov 06, 2023

When was the last time you were really afraid? Bonadooch and MikeD are joined by our good friend urban explorer and photographer Max Boncina. We spend an hour swapping stories about the people you meet in abandoned asylums, the horror of Jersey mosquitoes, what really happens in the Paris catacombs and the kind of pranks that go down really well in old hospitals. You can check out Max’s photography on IG @Max.Bon

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Halloween Voice Mails! Oct 30, 2023

We asked you to leave us voicemails about Halloween, Mischeif/Goosey/Cabbage Night, and freaky New Jersey stuff in general - and man did you deliver. In this episode Geth, Andrea, Bonadooch and Mike D answer a slew of your voicemails - some quite bizarre, some full of nostalgia for this time of year, some downright freaky. THANK YOU to everyone who leaves voicemails at 973-780-4660 and remember, for another full slate of voicemails plus a whole bunch of other stuff, you can sign up at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld

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Interview: Michael Jasorka (CASTLE DRACULA!) Oct 23, 2023

This week Mike D interviews illustrator Michael Jasorka, who's made a slew of Jersey focused graphic novels, and just last year put out an illustrated version of the real employee handbook from the infamous Wildwood attraction known as CASTLE DRACULA. This is some real deal Jersey love on display, and we're lucky that Michael shared his words with us. To find more of his work visit http://www.bombshell-comics.com/

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A Halloween History and Mischief Night Plea Oct 16, 2023

On this week's show, we look at a brief history of Halloween, both overall and in relation to New Jersey in general. But as Mike D predicted, this really becomes an avenue to go down 145 rabbit holes and also follow 3,000 tangents. It is a fun, rambly mess in the best way. LET'S SAVE MISCHIEF NIGHT!

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Genuinely Scary Places In New Jersey Oct 09, 2023

We are here with a mega-episode focusing on places in New Jersey that are genuinely scary. Which Weird NJ spots actually send shivers? What are some under-discussed places that will freak you out? Halloween MATTERS in this state and October is upon us. Let's talk about places all over this great Garden State of ours that produce true fear.

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Interview: John Cozz Oct 02, 2023

John Cozz is a musician. He's a coffee roaster. He's an artist. He's a music label runner. He's a filmmaker now, too? Most of all, he is a true lover of New Jersey and one of the most vital manic minds making DIY art in our great state.

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Senator Menendez and the NJ Corruption Hall of Fame Sep 25, 2023

In this episode we welcome esteemed New Jersey Senator BOBBY GOLD BARZ to the New Jersey Corruption Hall of Fame! First we discuss the accusations against Senator Menendez, the insanity of his money jacket and gold bars, as well as the in-the-moment-as-we-recorded news that Andy Kim was going to primary him. Then on top of all that Mike D breaks down the New Jersey corruption hall of fame and the MANY members to be inducted before Senator Menendez.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: The Belmont Tavern and Tiers of Italian Food Sep 18, 2023

Geth has finally gone to the infamous Belmont Tavern in Belleville, and he and Don Fanelli are here to talk about it. This springs into a discussion the tiers of Italian food - from street food all the way up to fine dining. And a surprisingly thoughtful though admittedly un-researched conversation about immigration, assimilation, real estate, and America's moving goalposts on the definition of whiteness.

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Chris Christie's Playlist Sep 11, 2023

Chris Christie was asked to create a playlist of “songs that stir his soul”. With an assist by special guest Jody Bergen County the NJITW crew examines this playlist track by track. Join us for the most judgmental, petty episode of NJITW yet! But we know you’re all going to agree with us. Sure, “Thunder Road” is a great song - but that’s the best you can do? Aerosmith? Let the shade throwing begin.

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Gethadooch Summer Crap-tacular! Sep 04, 2023

It's Geth and Bonadooch this week, checking in with each other about how summer has gone and what they hope to do in the final days of the season. You might not be shocked to hear this turns into a lot of screaming about handjobs, but you might be surprised at who's leading the charge on that.

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Bagels by Jarrett vs. West Orange Aug 28, 2023

The town of West Orange is fining Bagels by Jarrett over $1,000 a day for having window shades. This has created a ton of chatter in the New Jersey online world, ranging from "Just put the window shades up," on one end all the way to "This represents authoritarianism and we must rally behind our beloved bagel shop that barely even serves bagels." It's also shown up in newspapers and on tv news programs all over the tri-state area. We're here today interviewing our old friend Jarrett himself, to hear what's really going on, the conspiratorial thoughts raised by all of this, as well as one way Jarrett thinks he might be able to fix it all... by running for office?

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SOLIDARITY EPISODE! Support the Nurses at Robert Wood Johnson! Aug 25, 2023

Have you heard the nurses of one of New Jersey's largest and most influential hospitals are on strike? Have you been surprised there hasn't been more press or political speech in relation to it? Us too. Luckily, one of the striking nurses, Carol Tanzi, came and spoke to us. She filled us in on the picket line, what caused the walkout, and why it's not just about the nurses getting a living wage, it is very much a strike aimed at patient safety.

On a personal level - this one is shocking and infuriating and I am proud to stand in solidarity and help spread word on the cause. Hopefully I am not the only one inspired to find more ways to help.

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Interview: James Lynch, Private Detective Aug 21, 2023

It's always a joy to talk to someone who has a different view of New Jersey due to their unique job - and private investigator (and author!) James Lynch is here to tell us what it's like from his very unusual perspective. Has he ever had to crack skulls during a stakeout in Bayonne? Listen and find out.

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Scene Report: Land of Make Believe Aug 14, 2023

Geth recently had the chance to bring his four year old son to the Land of Make Believe, an amusement park he hasn't been to in over 35 years. It's located in the small Warren County town of Hope, which we assume was named as such because people really felt like they needed it. First things first - the Land of Make Believe RULES and is worth your time and money. That being said, there are some insane things about it as well. In this episode we break down the good, the bad, and the downright terrifying about the legendary Land of Make Believe.

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Interview: Brewster Aug 07, 2023

Gethard is camping somewhere in the hinterlands of northwest Jersey, so Mike D takes the helm this week! He sat down with Mark Bucci from the band Brewster. What started out as a conversation about their new record quickly turned into a deep discussion on Rahway. Did you know Rahway has a deep, long running DIY music scene? Neither did we. Have a listen and start your Rahway re-education.

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Interview: Wheeler Antabanez Jul 31, 2023

I first came to know of Wheeler Antabanez when he ran an incredible website about the Bin, the haunted asylum in the hills of West Essex County that was a huge part of my high school lore. Then over the years we became part of the same Weird NJ inner circles, and I've long admired his obsession with going to the exact types of places in New Jersey that many people try to ignore the existence of. We talk about the old Weird NJ days, his relentless need to create, and especially focus in on his newest books about abandoned rail lines. You can find more about Wheeler at his website

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Garden State Gagootz, July 2023, Part 1 Jul 24, 2023

It's the best time of the month, everyone: when all of the creators from NJITW get together and listen to *your* voicemails. Usually this is reserved for the Turnpike tier patrons over at our patreon, but we had so many amazing voice mails this month that we decided to put some here in the main feed. Don't worry, Patrons, we saved the real batshit ones for you later this week.

As always, thanks to everyone who leaves voicemails at 973-780-4660.

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Newark Conversations: Gerald Flores, Brick City Run Club Jul 17, 2023

In this edition of our semi-regular series featuring conversations about Jersey's largest city, we talk with Gerald Flores, co-founder of the Brick City Run Club. We talk about how he came to start a running club in Newark, how people can participate, and if there's anything inherently activist (if not political) about helping people get a street level view of a city so many area residents are taught to avoid.

Find out more about the Brick City Run Club right HERE.

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Interview: Sir Pete Genovese returns! Jul 10, 2023

The great Pete Genovese returns to the show! NJ.com's culture and food writer, the former steward of the Munchmobile, a guy we like so much we once had him do a live show at Asbury Park with us where we knighted him. Pete's written a new book on the Jersey Shore and it rules. We talk about that and a whole lot more. You can check out the book right here!

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Talkin Totowa Episode Two: The Route 46 Ecosystem Jul 03, 2023

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Interview: Brian Fallon Jun 26, 2023

This week we interview New Jersey musician Brian Fallon. As a music fan, you probably know him from his many solo albums or his group work with The Gaslight Anthem. As a New Jersey fan, you might know him as "someone who did the local scene proud and is also personal friends with Bruce Springsteen now, which is wild." We talk about all of these topics, plus MANY others, including the importance of Crossroads in Garwood, the grease trucks, and a *LOT* of philosophy on stage banter.

Since the beginning of NJITW, one of the most requested guests has been Brian. We're really psyched it came together, and thank him for taking the time for talking to us about all things Jersey.

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The Great Renaming Jun 19, 2023

Some things in this state are perfectly named. We should stop messing with them. Some other things desperately need new names. We have suggestions for those new names. This episode is kinda nuts but also pretty great.

Brought to you by David LaMorte, one of our favorite artists! Check out his work at End of Elm in Morristown now through the end of July!

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The Seven Deadly Sins of New Jersey Jun 12, 2023

In this episode we ask the very simple question: What are the seven deadly sins of New Jersey? Are the same old ones like sloth and lust and all that nonsense? Or are there Jersey specific behaviors/ideas/ethics that cross a red line we don't accept in these parts?

This episode is brought to you by one of our favorite artists, David LaMorte. You can see Dave's work on display at End of Elm in Morristown from now until July 30th, and meet him at Sip Studios' Nerd Mart in Jersey City on June 17th.

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Interview: Jerry Izenberg Jun 05, 2023

We're here today having a dream conversation with Star-Ledger legend Jerry Izenberg, largely about his new book "Baseball, Nazis, and Nedick's Hot Dogs: Growing Up Jewish in the 1930s in Newark".

Jerry is an absolute gem: at 92 years old, he's full of nearly a century's worth of amazing stories about Newark. I've long admired him and it was an honor to sit back and listen to him spin some of his incredible tales.

We've had a long running series as part of NJITW called Newark Conversations, and I think many might agree that this is about as ultimate a Newark conversation as a person could ever hope to have.

He is rightfully a member of the New Jersey Hall of Fame and I'm humbled he took some time to hang out with us.

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Rules That Should Be Broken May 30, 2023

In this episode, Mike D poses a simple but important question: what rules are out there in New Jersey deserve to be broken? From unspoken rules to laws targeting specific groups to traffic laws, we all know some rules shouldn't be honored as written 100% of the time.

I also want to cop to the fact that I, Chris Gethard, got a little extreme during this one.

Enjoy!

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Talkin' Totowa w/Nick Fierro: Episode 1 May 22, 2023

New series alert! In this new show we talk to the great New Jersey comedian Nick Fierro about his upbringing in the small Passaic County town of Totowa. While many North Jersey people might know Totowa as "that town you pass through quickly on Route 46" or "isn't that where Midgetville is?", this episode makes a solid argument that Totowa, NJ may have the highest concentration of North Jersey weirdness you will find anywhere. From cemetery views to multiple insane bus drivers to anachronistic crossing guards to rumors of tongueless psychos in the woods, this town really has it all.

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New Jersey Moms May 14, 2023

In this special Mothers' Day episode of NJITW, we discuss NJ moms: what unique qualities do they have? What might one expect from a Jersey specific mom? What makes them so badass? This is a fun one. Happy Mothers' Day!

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What's the Saddest Place in New Jersey? May 08, 2023

Hello all! YES WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE PASTA IN THE WOODS. Now that that's out of the way, today we're combining two of my longstanding passions in life: New Jersey and Sadness. After a recent trip to a famous New Jersey park that I realized was a lot sadder than I ever realized, I posed the question to the WOTown boys - what's the saddest place in this entire state? Some great answers sprung up in the episode, and I imagine your comments/voicemails will only expand this very worthy topic. 973-780-4660!

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Heirloom Kitchen May 01, 2023

In this stunning turn of events, Chris is the one who had the food in this month's JDRJF. And he's using his knowledge to try to make Don jealous. You see, Chris has had a longstanding nervousness surrounding the idea of fine dining, and yet he recently took his wife Hallie on a date to Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge, oft cited by those in the know as the best fine dining in the Garden State. Was Chris able to function? Will Don be mad that he wasn't there? How many types of pasta can one boy eat? We answer all these questions and more.

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Interview: Aaron Levine, Master of Insurance Apr 24, 2023

Mike D made the acquaintance of one Aaron Levine, who is behind LG Insurance in West Long Branch. We realized - what an interesting lens to look at New Jersey through. From homes and climate to cars on notoriously insane roads, Aaron has a part of his brain that's constantly processing New Jersey life very differently from all of us. We ask him about how he sees New Jersey from those angles, and also he is just generally good at stories and advice.

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77 vs. 23: When Was Jersey Better? Apr 17, 2023

We've broken down a number of aspects of Jersey life and listed how they were in 1977 versus how they are today. And we're deciding which lifestyle was better? Was our state better 45 years ago? Or are we in a golden age today by comparison? Only one thing is certain - I have no idea how this episode ends. You'll soon find out why that is.

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NJ Summer Games Apr 11, 2023

Guys, this is really weird, but the state government came to us and said this summer they're starting a new version of the Olympics that revolves around New Jersey and takes place in New Jersey and they need US to brainstorm all the events for it. You'd think they'd have a whole team in place to figure this out but no, they need me and Mike D and Bonadooch to sort it all out.

LET'S PITCH SOME BITS AND SEE WHAT STICKS!

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Interview: Joanna Angel Apr 03, 2023

You might know Joanna Angel as a woman who revolutionized the porn industry. I knew her many years ago as Joanna, the punk rock girl who worked at Brower Commons when we were both students at Rutgers University. In this wide ranging interview, she and I talk about how being on the periphery of New Brunswick's legendary music scene helped inform both our careers, which bands back then had members who were out there breaking hearts, and how she and Fid once battled some goths at the Menlo Park Mall. One of the running themes of this show is that Jersey's strong DIY culture extends from music to many other areas of business and life, and this one shows that as much as any other conversation we've had in the history of the show.

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Bonadooch vs. Machine Mar 27, 2023

Jersey is a driving state. Listen to any Springsteen song and you'll remember this state romanticizes cars. We spend a lot of time in them. And we spend a lot of time listening to our precious robots, the GPS.

But here at NJITW, we are firm believers that we mustn't let man succumb to the evil machines! And we happen to have a secret weapon, our own Bonadooch, who has worked many early mornings in every Godforsaken corner of this state.

In this episode we put it to the test: who knows directions better? The GPS? Or Bonadooch off the top of his head?

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Interview: Jackson Pines Mar 20, 2023

On today's episode we interview Jackson Pines, a South Jersey band. But not just any South Jersey band - a band that's chronicling the folk music that's come out of the Pine Barrens for many decades with their new album Pine Barrens Volume 1. They're combining all the DIY ethics and methods Jersey bands are known for with a fierce devotion to making sure songs that have existed for centuries in the pines are recorded anew and find a modern audience. LONG STORY SHORT, IT'S SUPER COOL.

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Interview: Jerry Carino, Oracle of NJ Basketball Mar 13, 2023

March Madness is upon us! And Jersey cares about basketball. Jersey style basketball also directly reflects the state and its attitude. In this episode, Chris talks with Jerry Carino from the Asbury Park Press, who knows more about Jersey basketball than maybe anyone else on earth. They talk about where things are at right now, as well as the bigger picture of how this sport and the state's relationship with it show off things about the Garden State's mindset. It's a good one!

**PLEASE NOTE** that the intro was recorded on Sunday afternoon, and that evening there was a huge shock: Rutgers did *not* make the tournament. It's considered the biggest surprise snub in the sport. Both Rutgers and Seton Hall are in the less prestigious NIT tournament, and if both win two games they'll face each other there in what would be a weirdly contentious game for the NIT.

Jersey fans, it looks like we now have to all rally behind the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights, who face off against Texas Southern in the NCAA tournament on March 15th. And maybe even... PRINCETON?!

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Who Is The Least Jersey Jersey Person? Mar 06, 2023

There's certain qualities that we all like to think of as "Jersey". And in the Garden State, we think of many great representatives of this state who demonstrate that grit, tenacity, and attitude. We love celebrating the people who embody "Jersey" as an adjective. But it does beg the question - when we're done celebrating NJ natives that nail it in a good way... who are the least Jersey Jersey people out there?

We had fun making this one and can not wait to see who you all think should be added to the list of decidedly un-Jersey people from Jersey.

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Jim Brown and the Rutgers Strike Feb 27, 2023

Hello fine people of New Jersey!

Today on NJITW, Andrea and I are talking to Jim Brown, a professor at Rutgers Camden involved pretty heavily with unionization efforts at our state university. Not sure if you've heard about this, but things aren't going great on this front. In fact, there's a pending strike on the horizon at my (and many of yours') alma mater.

Jim walks us through what professors are asking for, how the university can mess with Camden and Newark by creatively presenting the budget, how athletics tie into the big picture at the school financially, and so much more. It's a fascinating conversation and we hope things get settled the right way, without too much duress, and ideally without holdovers from the Christie administration at the wheel. That part's just weird.

If you are interested in supporting after hearing this, there is a Rutgers Board of Governors' meeting TOMORROW, the 28th of February. Union actions will be held on all three Rutgers campuses, with a particular focus at the Newark campus, where said meeting is taking place.

And here are some links if you'd like to learn more about what's going on:

Alumni petition:

https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/rutgers-you-need-to-negotiate-fair-union-contracts-2

Rutgers AAUP-AFT Twitter:

https://twitter.com/ruaaup

"Not so fun facts" about the Rutgers Budget (infographics):

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HuBn5RCbWm8TmAKHn8vE4j2BYV4qA_uR

Unions say Chris Christie's labor legacy playing out in Rutgers University contract talks

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/01/chris-christie-labor-rutgers-university-contract-00079714

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Interview: Jeremy Schneider and Bobby Olivier Feb 20, 2023

Old friend Jeremy Schneider returns to the show and this time he's brought his NJ.com editor Bobby Olivier with him. These two psychos spent a long time publishing articles detailing why New Jersey is better than every single other state. They went one by one. 49 articles, a compendium of which can be found here.

We talked about what it's like to troll 49/50ths of the United States, which states got the most salty about it, which were surprisingly cool, which seem like kindred spirits to Jersey, and in which cases the rivalries felt most real.

We also had some tangents about why journalism is vital in general, let alone in Jersey, and why we hope articles like this - the fun ones, the food writing, culture, music, all that stuff - remind people to support the entire efforts of the NJ journalism community. (Someone needs to keep an eye on Norcross, after all.)

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The Ultimate NJ Valentine's Playlist Feb 13, 2023

Hey you! Tomorrow's Valentine's Day. Did you forget? It's cool, we got your back.

It's well known that Jersey has produced an embarrassment of riches when it comes to music. From pop to punk to hip hop to r&b, our small state has produced a ridiculous amount of good music relative to its size.

This episode builds a perfect Valentine's Day playlist consisting solely of songs with a New Jersey connection. Buy some gas station roses, throw some chocolates down, and put this on for the ultimate Jersey celebration of love.

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Interview: Baseball Legend Rick Cerone Feb 06, 2023

Months back we stumbled into the knowledge that baseball legend and Newark native Rick Cerone released a song in 1981 called "A Long Way Home". We made it a stated goal to someday talk to this Jersey sports icon about this strange blip in his history.

Huge thanks to listener Erin, who was able to put us in touch with Mr. Cerone, and huge thanks to Rick himself, who is a charming ass dude with many stories to share. From the story behind the aforementioned song, to coming up in Essex County, he has no shortage of stories...

... but perhaps most importantly, he reveals the existence of a New Jersey organization that is beyond our wildest imagination.

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Newark Conversations: Maria Lopez-Nunez Jan 30, 2023

Our series focusing on New Jersey's largest city continues, this time featuring an interview with one of the most badass people I've ever had the pleasure of talking to: Maria Lopez-Nunez of the Ironbound Community Corporation.

She's done an amazing amount of work focusing on environmentalism in Newark. I've thought long and hard about the relationship between Newark and its suburbs (like the one I grew up in), but always from a social and economic sense. Until speaking with Maria, I never understood how Newark carries a burden directly from its suburbs in an environmental sense as well.

This conversation is eye opening and mind blowing and I bet you're going to be as inspired by it as I am!

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Small Business Spotlight: Cat's Luck Vegan, Neptune City Jan 23, 2023

Today we continue our spotlight on small businesses around the Garden State, or more accurately, "Small businesses in or near Asbury Park", which I swear is not intentional but for some reason a lot of the coolest stuff happening focuses on that area!

This episode features an interview with Michelle from Cat's Luck Vegan, who I think might be the coolest person in New Jersey? From accidentally stumbling into being a business owner, to integrating ones' business into a local community that might cast a wary eye, to the importance of making one's space a community center with a set of ethics... Michelle is just doing stuff the right way.

I think a lot of people are going to want to head to Cat's Luck asap after hearing this, just to support what Michelle has built. Even if you're like "I don't want vegan food," you might find yourself saying, "If you're that willing to get the cops called on you for throwing hardcore shows in your parking lot, and you make your bakery a place where addicts can find help, I'm down with what you stand for."

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Garden State Gagootz January '23 Edition! Jan 16, 2023

Hello all!

Enjoy this episode of Garden State Gagootz, in which we listen to your voicemails and react to them. If you want to leave a voicemail about anything Jersey related, feel free to do so at 973-780-4660. We'd love to feature you on the show sometime!

Gagootz is usually a Patreon exclusive, but we decided to pull it out from behind the paywall this month. If you'd like more episodes of peoples' insane voicemails (and a heckuva lot more exclusive content), sign up at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld

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Legends of NJ Comedy with Rich Vos Jan 10, 2023

In this very special episode, Chris interviews legendary NJ born and bred comedian Rich Vos about legends of New Jersey comedy. From the Peppermint Lounge in East Orange to almost getting murdered in Denville to the people long forgotten from the NJ scene to the relationship NJ comedy has always had with NYC, Rich has been doing this for a long time and has seen and done literally everything one can do in comedy. His tales of NJ are epic, and his tangents about topics far and wide even more so. His new album VII is out now!

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Special Report: Lucy the Elephant is back! Jan 02, 2023

This episode breaks our usual format(s) in a big way, but that's because certain things in New Jersey are just that important. For example, if you've spent much time in the vicinity of Atlantic City, you know that one of the most legendary local icons is a big ass elephant in Margate City that used to be a hotel but mostly now people just go to look at and say, "Huh. That's a big ass elephant." Renovations have been ongoing for a long time, but were recently completed - and our own Mike D was at the unveiling of the new and improved Lucy and is here with a report. We know this one is shorter than usual, but it's topical and we really, really care about this big ass elephant, ok?

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Who Yelps the Yelpers? Dec 26, 2022

In this very passionate episode of JDRJF, we ask a simple question: Who's out there leaving these one star Yelp reviews on some of our most beloved New Jersey small businesses? Instead of reviewing food this episode, Don reviews some Yelp reviews left for NJ restaurants. Not surprisingly, this leads to a lot of Don and Chris venting anger at the pithiness of Yelp, shouting support for working people, and wondering how this is the system we've all come up with.

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The NJITW Audio Yule Log Dec 20, 2022

All North Jersey residents fondly remember the WPIX Yule Log, when Channel 11 ran the image of a crackling fire for endless hours on Christmas. In tribute to this regional video tradition, we bring you the NEW JERSEY IS THE WORLD AUDIO YULE LOG!

Set to a background audio bed of a crackling fire, this is four and a half hours of New Jersey audio you can put on in the background of your holiday. Maybe you want to throw headphones in as you cook for weird cousins you barely know, or need to drift off to sleep after many hours of entertaining. We've got you covered - consisting of holiday wishes from past NJITW interviewees, comedy and music from artists who played our live shows in Asbury Park throughout the year, watch alongs to holiday classics, long stretches of audio grabbed from random places throughout the state, and SO MUCH MORE, this is a gift to you, our listeners for your holiday amusement.

This project was the brainchild of our one and only Mike D, who conceived it and then assembled all of this into a shockingly listenable four and a half hours.

Special thanks to EVERYONE who appears in this. I'll hold off on listing specific names here so you can be surprised along the way :)

The folks who played our New Jersey Electroshock Karaoke live show at House of Independents earlier this year were kind enough to contribute brand new music to the Yule Log. They all have fantastic projects. Check them out:

"On The Run in Harmony, NJ (Nebraska Style)" - The Tisburys

https://tisburys.bandcamp.com/

"Dancing in the Dark" - Riverby

https://riverby.bandcamp.com/

"Merry Nightmare SUV" - The Lunar Year

https://thelunaryear.bandcamp.com/

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The New Jersey Music Scene Dec 12, 2022

This week, Alt Press put out a pretty great article tracing the history and impact of New Brunswick's basement music scene. We figured this was a perfect opportunity to pull our episode on the NJ music scene out from behind the Patreon paywall where it's lived for over a year. If you're not a Patron, enjoy for the very first time this look into Jersey's legendary music scene, featuring quotes from members of The Front Bottoms, Night Birds, Screaming Females, Worriers, Don Giovanni Records, Long Neck, GDP, and Mikey Erg, as well as reminiscences about times spent at legendary shows and venues all over this state. (And for anyone who does remember this from the Patreon way back when, THANK YOU for supporting us so much and we can not express our appreciation for you enough!)

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Small Business Spotlight: Flux Modern Dec 05, 2022

How does one go from hitting up garage sales looking for cassette tapes and Mr. T lunch boxes to running a thriving furniture resale business on the Jersey Shore? We talk to Drew from Flux Modern to find out!

Hear about dealing with furniture obsessives, staking one's business on an unexpected $7,000 worth of chairs in a random garage, and tracing the recent history of Asbury Park based on who's buying what furniture.

To make this even cooler - get in touch with Flux and tell them you're a NJITW listener for 10% off your purchase. If you're looking for furniture, this could mean hundreds of dollars in savings. This is a very cool and kind offer from Drew and Danielle. It applies to anything in the shop, online, or at the warehouse sale.

The Flux Modern Warehouse Sale will be December 17th and 18th from 11-3PM, at 810 Monroe Ave in Asbury Park.

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Interview: This Psycho Is Trying To Eat Every Taylor Ham Egg And Cheese In The State Nov 28, 2022

Hello all!

First things first, don't forget our upcoming show at the House of Independents on December 11th! It would truly be an honor to see you all there.

SECONDLY, THIS DUDE KYLE FROM TOMS RIVER IS ON A QUEST TO EAT EVERY PORK ROLL, EGG, AND CHEESE SANDWICH IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

It's true madness, and some might say an insurmountable goal. In our interview, we speak on the endless nature of this task, the judgment of others, the health effects, and what makes a good and bad sandwich.

THIS IS IMPORTANT STUFF.

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Black Friday: A New Jersey History Nov 25, 2022

Happy holiday, everyone! In New Jersey, land of malls, Black Friday has always meant a lot. In this special episode, we break down a brief history of Black Friday in general (no one in Jersey will be shocked to hear this insanity started in Philly). Then we break down a history of some of Jersey's most notable Black Friday moments of mayhem.

Patrons! Listen on the Patreon site/app and you'll be lucky enough to have a huge chunk of extra content, focusing on stories of retail hell we all have personally witnessed and/or participated in.

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The Ultimate NJ Thanksgiving Invite List Nov 21, 2022

This episode is simple, sweet, and quite dumb. Just like we like it! In it we pre-suppose a simple question: "If you could assemble the ultimate Thanksgiving guest list consisting of New Jersey notables living or dead, who would they be and what would you ask each person to bring?"

On a schmaltzy note - we are thankful for everyone who listens to and supports this show. We started it as a fun way to make something and reconnect as old friends during the pandemic. The fact that we're still cranking em out means something, and it's only because of the community that's gathered around the show that it continues.

Happy holiday everyone!

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Kohr's Frozen Custard Nov 14, 2022

You would think this episode would be exactly this long: "Kohr's frozen custard is good." What else is there to say about frozen custard? Well, little did we know that the history of this company is hilariously old-timey. AND their current corporate structure is indecipherable, to the degree that we couldn't quite figure it out while reading a NY Times article aimed at explaining it. THEN PATRICIA GETS INVOLVED. Seriously, listen to the end for an epic meltdown showing Don and Chris at their most unhinged.

SPONSORED BY DAVID LAMORTE'S STICKER CLUB

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Interview: Joe Pompeo, author of Blood & Ink Nov 07, 2022

New Jersey and true crime... they seem very much linked. I mean, between The Watcher and The Good Nurse it seems like Netflix is making all its money this month solely by focusing on true crime in the Garden State.

But did you know there was a murder that went down a hundred years ago that many say was the birth of the modern true crime obsession? It's the Hall-Mills case, a Somerset County murder involving some New Brunswick high society elites, a sensationalized trial, and of course the mysterious PIG WOMAN.

Joe Pompeo has just released the book BLOOD & INK all about the case and its historical significance, and it was an honor to talk with him about this case, its impact, and of course, Grease Trucks.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at GRIT REFINERY, who are making the coolest concrete furniture and also insane art pieces. Use the code NEWJERSEY at checkout for 10% off your order.

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Trick or Trauma: Halloween in New Jersey Oct 31, 2022

Happy Halloween, New Jersey! This holiday is a sacred one in this state, since it's not just about dressing up and collecting candy. It's also a big step in the New Jersey tradition of kids testing their mettle and getting in over their heads. We share stories of the traumatic side of Halloween in this episode, from dosed candy to bag snatchers to power hungry mayors.

This episode is sponsored by GRIT REFINERY. Use the promo code NEWJERSEY for ten percent off at their site!

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South Jersey Is Also The World Patreon Sneak Peek! Oct 28, 2022

Hello NJITW listeners!

You've heard us plug our Patreon over the years. I promise you, we post a lot of good stuff back there. Here's a teaser of this month's South Jersey Is Also The World, in which we talk to director Tommy Avallone about Kevin Smith, the South Jersey influence on his creativity, and a LOT of references to people who worked at one specific movie theater. If you want to know more about the latest project Tommy's cooking up, visit www.thehousefrom.com

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We Watched The Watcher Oct 24, 2022

Everyone's talking about The Watcher - the new Netflix show based on the infamous Watcher House of Westfield. We watched The Watcher. What did they get right? What did they get wrong? Why was the main character's outfit so tan?

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Interview: Sean from Secret Pizza Oct 17, 2022

Last month we reviewed Secret Pizza, an LA based establishment claiming to serve North Jersey style pizza out in California. Don gave us his honest thoughts, Chris questioned the topping choices, we were confused as to how Jersey pizza was being made 3,000 miles away.

Well it turns out, I have a ton of mutual friends with the man behind the madness. So we set up an interview and were able to ask Sean: what's it like being a Jersey ambassador? Do you agree with my assessment of Verona kids? And why the HELL are you putting jalapenos on your pies?

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What Is The Most Garbage Town In New Jersey? Oct 10, 2022

In this uncharacteristically negative episode, each of the WOTown mainstays votes for what they think is the most garbage town in the entire state.

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NJ Believe It Or Not Oct 03, 2022

Mike D has designed a game where he tells us things about New Jersey and we have to guess whether they're true or not. Sounds pretty simple, right? Well nothing in this state is ever as simple as it seems. So while, yes, we learn some new things about New Jersey along the way... and sure, we marvel at some things the gang knows and laugh at some of the easy ones they messed up... we ALSO spend an unexpected amount of time shitting on Princeton, as one does.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Colonial Bakery, Lavallette Sep 26, 2022

Don Fanelli spent some time at the shore this summer, and made a habit of hitting up Colonial Bakery every morning. Hear Don's description of their donuts, coffee, tea buns, and yes - CRUMB CAKE - but also Don's borderline erotic descriptions of jogging to the sea every morning. ENJOY!

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Interview: Steve Politi Sep 19, 2022

There are certain fall traditions in New Jersey, and one of them is upon us - the great Steve Politi is at the Ledger writing about Rutgers Football, as well as everything else in the world of sports in New Jersey.

Chris was able to talk with this longstanding Jersey journalistic icon about some of the greatest moments in New Jersey sports history, about Arturo Gatti, what it was like meeting Nick Suriano, does the Ledger really have a Seton Hall bias?...

... but most importantly we were able to discuss looking at New Jersey through the lens of sports. Why does Jersey respond so hard to certain stories? Why does it produce a certain type of athlete? Through these stories, can we help define the often hard to nail down reasons why Jersey is the way it is?

Enjoy!

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DICOSMOS vs. HOLSTEN'S: NJ Dessert Battle to the Death Sep 12, 2022

Chris recently returned to New Jersey from a month spent overseas, and immediately brought his young son to two classic New Jersey dessert spots: Italian ice legend DiCosmos in Elizabeth and the number one ice cream spot in New Jersey AND iconic Sopranos shooting location, Holsten's in Bloomfield.

He gets together with the WOTown crew to describe both experiences as in depth as possible so that they can declare once and for all which is the apex predator of NJ frozen dessert experiences as we pit the two in a head to head battle where one shall stand and one shall fall.

It's the end of summer, so get out to these places and YOUR iconic summer dessert spots to let us know if you think there's anyplace else that should take the throne.

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Interview: Brian Donohue of News 12 NJ Sep 06, 2022

This week we're lucky to speak to one of the primary chroniclers of things that are fascinating about New Jersey: Brian Donohue, a longtime Jersey journalist currently known for his Positively New Jersey segments on News 12.

We speak about how he finds his stories, how his dedication to journalism separates what he does from the pack, surfboards in the Meadowlands, Space Farms, the state of the New Jersey press corps, what happens when you piss off Essex County political boss Joe D, and a whole lot more.

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Let's Fix The State Constitution Aug 29, 2022

In this short but sweet episode, we cover two things: the ongoing saga of Jersey City Councilwoman Amy DeGise and the New Jersey State Constitution. We never really think about the state constitution - it's superseded, obviously, by the big dawg, the federal Constitution. In reading it, there's a lot to like - and I break down my favorite thing of all in this episode. But there's also one big thing I think we should change, and I'm wondering if you think the same.

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Scotland Ground Report feat David O'Doherty Aug 23, 2022

When Mike D and Geth met up in Scotland, they figured it only made sense to do a report from the streets of Edinburgh comparing it and contrasting it with New Jersey while gauging its Jersey-ness. They didn't anticipate a surprise drop in from noted Irish comedian David O'Doherty, who was able to step in and break down the matter better than they ever imagined.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: SECRET PIZZA LA Aug 15, 2022

Don Fanelli is back with a review of a Jersey food item NOT in Jersey? Secret Pizza in Los Angeles is making waves for serving Jersey pizza made by a Jersey native. Don tests out to see if it matches the hype, and if it's as Jersey as promised. Do you know any other Jersey food ambassadors out there spreading Jersey food? Let us know!

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Interview: Dr. Brian on Emilio Carranza Aug 08, 2022

Gethard's voice is shredded, so Mike D leads the gang in talking to Dr. Brian, a supporter of our show who happens to be an expert in many fields. One thing he's researched is the story of Emilio Carranza, the famed Mexican aviator who has a monument built to him deep in the Pine Barrens... and there's way more to the story than most of us know!

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Interview: Kerri Sullivan of New Jersey Fan Club Aug 01, 2022

A new book just came out. It's a celebration of Jersey culture, and it's not a stretch to say that if you dig our podcast you will enjoy said book! (I even have an essay in it but full disclosure I'm not getting any kickbacks for this. It's a genuinely great book!) You can find info on said book HERE.

Today I'm lucky to interview the author/curator of said book, Kerri Sullivan. We talk about the book itself, why Jersey leads to such a compulsion in us, and also roughly 85 side tangents no one saw coming.

Many of you might know Kerri as the brains behind the Jersey Collective instagram, and as a long time member of this community. She rules and it was fun to talk to her! I hope you have fun listening and later reading.

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New Jersey Town Seals: An Audio Discussion Jul 25, 2022

Mike D has tracked down dozens of New Jersey town seals. We discuss them. Which ones are bringing the heat design wise? Messaging wise? More importantly, which ones are hot garbage? And as always, the rest of the state is left to ask: what is Manville thinking?

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Small Business Spotlight: Mutiny BBQ, Asbury Park Jul 18, 2022

This is our second ever small business spotlight interview. This time around, we talk to Tom from Mutiny BBQ in Asbury Park. We hear about things like meeting the bar that's set by Asbury Park's food scene, how help from other businesses was vital to his restaurant's beginning, what it's like boxing out space in a culinary style Jersey's not known for, and SO much for. Tom's a great guy and we hope you head to Asbury Park ASAP to sample his meats (and sides, fellow vegetarians!)

Join up at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld and get a $5 discount off your order at Mutiny BBQ this week only!

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Your Most New Jersey Night Ever Jul 11, 2022

In this laid back episode, we shoot the shit in casual fashion discussing our MOST JERSEY NIGHTS EVER. This leads to a lot of idiotic anecdotes, as one might imagine. We're left wondering - out of the listed options, what do you think is the most Jersey night laid out. And more importantly, what's YOUR most Jersey night ever? Let us know at 973-780-4660, or drop a comment over at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Crumb Cake 2 (2 Crumb 2 Cake) Jul 04, 2022

Last month, Don reviewed crumb cake from B&W Bakery in Hackensack. You might remember that part way through that episode, he had a meltdown when we found out that another Bergen County bakery - Just Crumb Cake in Park Ridge - made a funfetti crumb cake.

Don is usually so philosophical and even keeled about food - it was concerning to see him blow a gasket about funfetti crumb cake.

Well guess what? I found out that Just Crumb Cake ships their food, so I sent Don the damn funfetti crumb cake (and three other flavors, all of which he reviews today.)

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Yo, Just Fix It Jun 27, 2022

Look, we love Jersey. Obviously. This podcast's existence hinges upon it. BUT - we can all admit that part of loving Jersey is recognizing that there's a lot of shit broken around here so why don't they just FIX IT ALREADY? In this episode we break down a tiny number of the MANY things this state should just FIX ALREADY, GODDAMMIT.

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Interview: Mikey Erg! Jun 20, 2022

Today we interview the one and only Mikey Erg: if you are a fan of punk music and New Jersey, you are probably already a fan of Mikey's. From his seminal days revitalizing the New Brunswick basement scene alongside The Ergs to being a lynchpin of the Asbury Lanes era of Asbury Park, Mikey has been a huge part of NJ's punk scene. Topics discussed include why he has always garnered so much Jersey love despite not writing explicitly about Jersey, underground Jersey bands that deserved more acclaim, and his relationship with Jersey today.

Mikey's new album Love at Leeds comes out later this week. Pre-order your copy by clicking here!

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Jersey Vacations That Aren't The Shore Jun 13, 2022

Last year we gave you a summer reading list. This year, we're kicking off summer by providing a public service - a list of places you can do Jersey vacations that aren't the shore. Maybe you're not in the mood for salt water or sand or watching guidos fist fight on a boardwalk. Well this state has more than the shore and we're thrilled to put a magnifying glass on some of our favorite options out there. And I'm SURE we missed a lot so let us know at 973-780-4660.

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Deep Dive: The Ballad of Rick Cerone Jun 09, 2022

We're back with this month's edition of our monthly Deep Dive series, usually reserved for Patreon. What starts as an exploration of Long Branch quickly devolves into a head-spinning mystery about former Yankees and Seton Hall catcher Rick Cerone, and a piece of long lost media he released many moons ago.

This is, by far, one of the strangest rabbit holes NJITW has ever gone down. May God help us all.

Rick Cerone... take me home...

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Interview: Joel Nadler, Abandoned New Jersey Jun 06, 2022

It's a well known fact that every Jersey teen goes through a phase where they greatly enjoy checking out abandoned places. Today, we interview Joel Nadler, who took that phase and turned it into a book of killer photos. From places that are infamous to places you've never heard of, he's chronicled a ton of Jersey's abandoned sites, and has some recommendations for day trips to nearby non-Jersey locales that are worth a visit too.

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Interview: Nancy Solomon May 30, 2022

Nancy Solomon isn't just the person behind the brilliant podcast "Dead End: A New Jersey Murder Mystery", she's also covered the intricate web that is New Jersey politics for two decades. We talk to her about Dead End, what it's like airing out the Norcross machine, and why New Jersey operates the way it does. It was a real privilege to have this discussion - Nancy's hugely accomplished, totally down to earth, and able to break down the political side of Jersey in a way few rarely can.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Crumb Cake May 23, 2022

You would think reviewing crumb cake would be a simple and easy process. Not in Jersey, it isn't. I've known and worked with the esteemed Don Fanelli for well over a decade now and I've only seen him get this angry two other times.

This month NJITW is brought to you by our friends at LUNAR FAIRE.

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Feuds! May 16, 2022

If there's one thing that's true in every corner of New Jersey it's that we love a good fight and we can hold a damn grudge. From food feuds to some statewide legendary feuds to a hyper-local neighborhood feud to a personal beef (you'll see), we cover only a few of our favorite feuds in Garden State history. We highly look forward to hearing about the feuds you know about, especially those local ones that the greater world hasn't had the platform to hear about until now.

In the month of May, NJITW is brought to you by our friends at LUNAR FAIRE!

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Interview: Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill May 09, 2022

It is with great pride that I invite you to listen to this interview with my Congresswoman, the great Mikie Sherrill of the NJ-11th District.

I am an unapologetic fanboy of my congressional rep, so buckle up. I was flattered that the Congresswoman took the time to meet me at Silverstream Studios in Montclair for this in-depth discussion.

Topics that come up include: Andy Kim, how one mentally handles being the human tasked with representing such a non-homogenous area, the housing cost explosion in New Jersey, infrastructure, the role Instagram plays in a congressional rep's life and career, and a whole lot more. We also talk about Action Park AND she lets a curse word slip, proving that she is real deal Jersey.

I was a fan of Congresswoman Sherrill before this sit down and am even more so now. I can tell you that one on one she comes off as someone who really, genuinely cares and is in it for the right reasons. My opinion? We're lucky to have her.

This month, NJITW is presented by Lunar Faire, NJ's premiere night market that is run by witches and revolves around the lunar cycle. It rules. Go to www.lunarfaire.com for more info.

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Jersey STYLE May 02, 2022

The clothes we wore. The slang we used. The haircuts we rocked. What defines Jersey STYLE?

We lay out the things we remember - and it poses some big questions? Was the Jersey style? 90s style? 90s Jersey style? What were the micro-styles confined to our neighborhoods, towns, or counties? What of these things do you remember your own versions of from your corner of the Garden State?

This is an incredibly funny episode and I am psyched to see how this conversation gets going!

NJITW is brought to you by LUNAR FAIRE in the month of May.

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Jersey Things That Are More Fun While High Apr 25, 2022

It's official: recreational marijuana is now legally being sold in New Jersey. This is all anyone's talking about around the state, so we needed to chime in. Not with high brow analysis. Not with breakdowns of the state's execution of the program. No - we simply list a bunch of stuff that's more fun to do in New Jersey while high. (And some warnings on things you're definitely going to want to avoid after eating edibles.)

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A Sunday Morning With the Bagel Wizard Apr 18, 2022

Chaos, cooking, noise, and BAGELS. In this episode we are flies on the wall at Bagels by Jarrett, one of the most buzzed about bagel stores in all of North Jersey, as orders fly out the door. Jarrett Seltzer invited us to record at his establishment and we were thrilled to sit at a plastic folding table on a Sunday morning as we saw what it's really like inside a North Jersey bagel store during its busiest stretch. We try to capture the vibe of how the gears turn at a place like this on a busy day. We talk to the proprietor himself. And we eat. Oh man, do we eat.

This is a severe departure for us. Instead of stories or interviews or food reviews, it's found audio. It's random noise captured, it's random questions thought of on the spot and answered by a busy man sprinting from one grill to the other.

It's chaotic and we hope you think it's cool!

We invite you to follow Bagels by Jarrett on instagram. Just as importantly, we implore you to support the local businesses in YOUR community, the ones without corporate backing, the ones built by people who have drive and dreams and are doing their best to be a part of the fabric of New Jersey.

To further support New Jersey Is The World, consider joining us at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld - thanks!

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Newark Conversations: Mystery Instagram King Apr 11, 2022

Our series of interviews relating to Jersey's largest city continues today, featuring a chat with the mysterious individual behind the NewarkNJBlog Instagram account. He tells us what compelled him to establish an online presence celebrating the beauty of Newark, how he keeps it positive, where to get a good bite, how to avoid the trappings of Insta-fame, and we even hear a couple stories about how hands on he's gotten in stopping negativity in his home city.

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The Top NJ Movies of All Time Apr 04, 2022

The greats over at the Star Ledger put out their list of the 51 best New Jersey movies of all time. I challenge Mike D and Bonadooch to guess what's on the list and where it comes in on the rankings. This leads to MANY a tangent. Plus, we voice our overall love of this list as well as a few choices we are baffled by. It's a funny, loose episode. You're gonna love it!

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St. Peters Peacocks Audio Diary Mar 28, 2022

This weekend, all of New Jersey went crazy watching the amazing run by the St. Peters Peacocks in the NCAA Tournament. They took it further than anyone thought. They did it with style and toughness and grit. It was one of the most New Jersey stories that's ever unfolded, and we all got to watch it in real time.

Well, we chronicled it in real time as well. I recorded audio before, during, and after both games this weekend. We cover the legend of Shaheen Holloway and how he has become one of the most iconic Jersey figures of all time during this run. Mike D got equally obsessed with what was happening and broke down the statistical unlikelihood of what we all just saw. Carson took some of the most iconic quotes from this weekend and made them musical, and Carson and Andrea put it all together into this audio mosaic tracking what it was like for 72 magical hours this past weekend when Journal Square, Jersey City, and the Garden State as a whole took to the basketball court and threw some punches that bloodied up the mouths of bigger, better, richer teams.

Thank you, St. Peters. Jersey forever.

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NJ Celebrity Deathmatch Tournament Mar 21, 2022

It's March, which means everything is all about tournaments, baby! In the realm of basketball, that means watching St. Peters shock the world. But here at NJITW that means picking 32 random New Jersey celebrities and arbitrarily discussing who would kill whom in a fight to the death! This episode is full of a lot of reaaallllly dumb hypotheticals about people who - to our knowledge - have nothing against each other, fighting brutally to their ultimate demise.

Thanks to everyone who's joined up at our Patreon and especially everyone who came to hang at Four City Brewing last week.

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Small Business Spotlight: Four City Brewing Mar 14, 2022

For this month's interview, I'm trying something new and shining a spotlight on a small business that I hope our community actively supports: Four City Brewing in Orange.

I had the chance to talk to Roger Apollon, one of the brewery's owners. We touched on what it takes to break into the craft brewery business, its foothold in New Jersey, what it's like being one of only a handful of black entrepreneurs in the field, and how to use one's business to not be used as a tool for gentrification but rather as a source of community strength and enrichment.

This one went in about a hundred directions I didn't expect and that blew my mind. I hope you get something out of it too!

This is going live on Monday the 14th. If you're free Friday the 18th from 6PM to 8PM, come hang out in Orange and check out Four City for yourself. If you're a patron your first drink is on me (and Turnpike tier, let's make it the first two!) There's no better reason to join up at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld than to get a free drink out of it!

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Eso Artisinal Pasta Mar 07, 2022

On this month's food review episode, Fanelli and Geth sample Eso Artisinal Pasta - a fresh pasta joint in Morristown that's garnered much buzz both for its food and its compelling creation story. Does the taste match the buzz? How does fresh handmade pasta play differently for Don, who often makes it himself, and Geth, who wouldn't know where to begin? And what sad things did Geth do in his kitchen that Don was too kind to make fun of him for until recording? Listen and find out!

If you want to support Eso, it's at 92A Elm Street in Morristown.

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The Official NJ Museum Feb 28, 2022

In this episode, the WOTown gang assembles and asks one simple question: If we were tasked with creating a museum dedicated to New Jersey, and we could only pick 23 items to include, what would those 23 items be? I think we came up with an AMAZING museum. Can't wait to read your thoughts about other possible additions!

ASBURY PARK! MARCH 2nd! www.houseofindependents.com

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An Interview with Anthony DeVito and Greg Stone Feb 21, 2022

Anthony DeVito and Greg Stone are two fine gentlemen from Bloomfield, NJ and two absolutely killer stand up comics. As you can imagine, we've always had a lot to talk about. In this episode we a) fuck around and do bits and b) talk a lot about what it's like being from where we're from and c) Greg and Anthony tell us all what it's like to come up in the NJ comedy scene, which is something I have less hands on experience with. They are hilarious and this episode is hilarious and you will like it!

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Jersey Is The Most Romantic State Feb 14, 2022

It's Valentine's Day. Lucky for you, you're listening to a podcast about the most romantic place on earth - New Jersey.

That's right - we're breaking down all the romantic things one can do in this state. We've researched places that are currently open, as in TODAY if you are listening day of, so if you forgot to organize something you can scramble.

Virginia is for lovers? No way. NEW JERSEY IS FOR LOVERS.

Join the patreon at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld

NJITW live at House of Independents in Asbury Park March 2nd!

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Boost! Feb 07, 2022

We finally got our hands on a jug of Boost!, the miraculous non-carbonated soft drink only popular in a handful of Burlington County towns. Don breaks down the experience, the flavor profile, and imagined ideal circumstances for Boost.

But honestly, there's not a ton to say about Boost so we also hear an insane tangent about a wild customer service call, and then at the end the great rice pudding debate erupts. Call 973-780-4660 if you have opinions on that one, by the way.

Also very psyched to talk about Bagels by Jarrett a little bit more at the top of the episode, and as stated, if you have a small NJ based business and you wanna work together on some dumb stuff we are always down! Get in touch.

SINCERELY HOPE YOU ENJOY!

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The NJ Doomsday Clock Jan 31, 2022

In this very trippy episode, we ask the hypothetical: what if there was a clock ticking down towards armageddon in New Jersey? What things could happen to show off Jersey's greatness and collectively buy us all more time? What could go down that would accelerate the clock, hurtling us all towards societal doom? THIS IS A WEIRD ONE, AND A FUN ONE.

Don't forget we're performing live Wednesday night at House of Independents in Asbury Park! Get tickets today!

You can support the show by joining the Patreon!

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This Guy Ate a One Pound Mozzarella Stick Jan 24, 2022

This month instead of a traditional food review, Don and I interview NJ.com food writer Jeremy Schneider. Initially what we focus on is that this crazy motherfucker attempted to eat a one pound mozzarella stick by himself at a restaurant in Bloomfield. But as you can imagine, we broaden the conversation to include topics as diverse as: "How food tells the story of class divide in New Jersey" and "Is Pete Genovese a man or a myth" and "why every town in this state has more to it than its bullet points especially Montclair" and a whole lot more.

Jeremy is a funny, smart guy with a lot of thoughtful things to say about Jersey. His work at NJ.com consistently brings a lot of Jersey pride to the forefront and we feel lucky we got to talk with him!

February 2nd we're doing a live show at House of Independents in Asbury Park. Get tickets here!

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Food Court Fantasy Draft Jan 17, 2022

Chris, Mike, and Nick compete in a cutthroat fantasy draft to see who can assemble the greatest mall food court known to humankind. Thanks to the listener who suggested this AWESOME idea! In this episode we draft our ultimate mall food court and it's a heated battle. As you'll see, Patrons can vote on whose is best - and whomever comes in last will face dire consequences at our Asbury Park show on February 2nd. I'm sure debate will be HEATED on this one - please, air out your opinions on our choices, what we did right, what we did wrong, and the food court options we totally missed!

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Newark Conversations: Daniel Joseph Jan 10, 2022

Our interview series revolving around Newark continues. My quest to figure out the complicated feelings any Essex county raised suburbanite has towards our state's largest city resumes with activist, rapper, Newark native, and in general thoughtful and smart person Daniel Joseph. I first knew Daniel's output as an artist - but was fascinated to speak to him from his perspective as someone working towards housing justice who has to think a lot about things like redevelopment, gentrification, and infrastructure.

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New Jersey, New Slogan Jan 03, 2022

We've decided that New Jersey needs a new slogan. Something as good as NEW JERSEY AND YOU PERFECT TOGETHER, but with a modern twist. Luckily, Mike D has access to some artificial intelligence programs and he asked them to auto-generate options. We debate what this machine came up with and offer up the top five choices to you!

Sign up at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld to vote on what you think should be New Jersey's new official state slogan!

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New (Jersey) Year's Resolutions Dec 27, 2021

Today's episode ends the year with something simple and sweet: New Jersey themed New Year's resolutions. Things we haven't seen we vow to see. Things we haven't done we vow to do. And because this is Jersey, things we haven't eaten that we vow to eat.

Thanks to everyone who's supported the project in its first year!

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An Interview With Congressional Candidate Imani Oakley Dec 20, 2021

Today on the show we start off with a very important voicemail about bagels. So that's huge.

THEN we continue a conversation that's been unfolding over time on the show that's probably even more important than bagels - one about how the political gears of New Jersey turn and how strange and fascinating and rigged the game can be in this state.

I spend an hour talking with Imani Oakley, who's running for Congress in New Jersey's 10th District. She's specifically and vocally talking about how NJ's machine politics are not a good thing. As you can imagine, taking on the Democratic party machine doesn't get you their support and therefore makes a race in Essex County an uphill climb. Imani was able to speak to me about how vocalizing this has effected her campaign, how she's navigating this state's daunting political infrastructure, as well as a number of issues that she's fighting for, including but not limited to voting rights, redistricting, real estate development, fair representation for people of color, and so much more.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Porta Dec 13, 2021

This month Don makes his way down the shore to check out PORTA, one of the most buzzed about restaurants in recent Jersey history and one whose rise goes hand in hand with the resurgence of Asbury Park. We talk about what we had, what we liked, and then get into a more philosophical discussion regarding New Jersey's relationship with fine dining and fanciness in general. Listen, enjoy, and order some good pizza for yourself after hearing this one.

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Jersey Has The Worst Roads. So What? Fuck You. Dec 06, 2021

A recent national study has decided that New Jersey has the worst roads in the nation. As you can imagine, we both vehemently agree but are not into anyone talking bad about us. This study leads to a lot of convo about Jersey infrastructure, and a whoooooooole lot of stories of insane things we've seen and done ourselves out there on the highways of the Garden State.

For a cavalcade of more, don't forget to check out www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld

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New Jersey and the ACLU: A Convo with Amol Sinha Nov 29, 2021

We are lucky to be joined by Amol Sinha, the head of the New Jersey ACLU. Topics covered include: what civil liberties issues are the prime focus in Jersey these days, prison reform, the inequality between Jersey's cities and suburbs, how people aiming to change and improve laws navigate the machine politics of New Jersey, and a WHOLE LOT MORE. As you can imagine, our esteemed guest has seen how Jersey works backwards and forwards from his position, and has incredible insight into how positive change might happen in this state.

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WOTown: Guilty Pleasures Nov 22, 2021

From weeknight trips to Atlantic City to food items where you definitely know better to Danzig's solo output, there are a *lot* of guilty pleasures to be found within the borders of the Garden State. The WOTown gang discuss the moments where they've realized they've crossed into guilty pleasure territory.

Don't forget: NJITW is back LIVE at House of Independents in Asbury Park on 12/26. Get your tickets today at www.houseofindependents.com

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Four Listener Suggested Spots! Nov 15, 2021

In this episode, we bust open the voicemails so Don Fanelli can visit FOUR different spots suggested by listeners just like you! We speak on the Brownstone Pancake Factory in Englewood Cliffs, Toast in Montclair, Godfather Pizza in East Hanover, and The Green Papaya in River Edge. A few things become evident: 1) There's a lot of great food in New Jersey 2) Don doesn't like this trend where things don't get enough salt and 3) Maybe there are certain things that don't need to be toppings on a slice of pizza.

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Newark Conversations: Alexis Guerreros Nov 08, 2021

Growing up in West Orange in my era, Newark was this looming presence that most families (including mine) had deep roots in. But we were conditioned to fear Newark, to not go there. The stolen car capitol. America's most dangerous city. But now I'm older and wiser and realize that any statistics aside, the relationship between Newark and its suburbs is strange. Very strange, and distant, and dehumanizing.

I want to untangle my feelings surrounding this, and the best way I can think to start that process is to talk one on one to people with strong Newark connections. And hence, this series is born.

Up first is my friend and fellow comedian Alexis Guerreros. We met in the comedy scene many years ago and connected over our Essex County roots. Alexis has a lot of great material about growing up in Newark. I kick things off by asking Alexis a simple question: I know what kids from the suburbs were thinking about Newark back when we were growing up... but what did Newark kids think about us?

This will be an ongoing series and if you live in/grew up in/work in/are an activist or educator or artist based out of Newark I would LOVE to talk to you.

Please follow Alexis and support all of his work. He's hilarious. As a comedian and also through his work with the Cooligans, doing voices on Bojack Horseman, all kinds of good stuff. He's super funny and also a genuinely nice person.

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New Jersey Is The Nerdiest State Nov 01, 2021

We all know Jersey is the state with the biggest chip on its shoulder. Outsiders say it's the dirtiest state. But did you know it's the nerdiest state, too? In this episode we break down all the ways that Jersey is nerdy, as we pitch our home as the ultimate nerd haven with ultimate nerd credibility.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: The Great Bagel Battle Oct 25, 2021

I hope you are hungry. Because Don Fanelli is back, and he's finally tackling a food that means a LOT to Jersey people: bagels.

Rather than take on one bagel place, Don is reviewing THREE of North Jersey's finest. From Bagels by Jarret's mad scientist unpredictability, to the neighborhood mainstay Hot Bagels Abroad, to the nationally renowned Teaneck Hot Bagels, Don examines Jersey's favorite carb backward and forward.

Remember that we have tons of great bonus content over at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld and you can get t-shirts over at www.belowthecollar.com/chrisgethard

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Joseph is the Bonaparte of New Jerseys Oct 18, 2021

Just in time for Halloween comes an episode laying out a very NJ mystery. This episode is different for us, as Mike D dives into an adventure that starts in sleepy little Bordentown but spans the globe and centuries in the process. We've gone down a real rabbit hole here and none of us are sure how this might end.

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WOTown: Sports Oct 11, 2021

New Jersey has had its fair share of sports moments and sports heroes. In this episode we discuss it all, from "what it's like playing high school football" in Jersey to "an unexpectedly heartfelt explanation of why Arturo Gatti was as much myth as man" to "whoa that baseball camp sounds like a nightmare" to "why is NCAA wrestling champion Nick Suriano the most intense human being on planet earth"?

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Many Saints of Newark Reaction Episode! Oct 06, 2021

HBO has released the first Sopranos content in 14 years. Obviously this is of outsized importance to your favorite New Jersey obsessed podcast. We break down what we liked, what we thought could be fixed, have some unexpectedly thoughtful exchanges about the city of Newark itself, and also go down a strange tangent involving a letter sent home to the parents of West Orange High School students in 1995. Featuring an appearance by the one and only Tom Carvel!

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How New Jersey Politics Really Work (Allegedly) Oct 04, 2021

I wanted to do an episode getting to the complicated, sometimes shady world of NJ politics, but realized even my own knowledge is so surface level that I needed to call in an expert. So today I interview Matt Friedman, who writes the NJ Playbook over at Politico, so he can answer my questions and let me know what's swirling around in the political underbelly of this often severely flawed state I love so much. Thanks to Matt for this incredibly informative look into some good old NJ nonsense.

And don't forget - this Wednesday you get a second free episode as the Gagootz gang reacts to The Many Saints of Newark. Watch before then so you can enjoy what promise to be a wide array of overreactions!

In the meantime, join the patreon over at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld for more!

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Taylor Ham Cookbook Sep 27, 2021

For months, people have been wondering, "How you gonna do Jersey food reviews and not do Taylor Ham?" Other people have been wondering, "How you gonna do Jersey food reviews and not do pork roll?"

Today, the day has come.

Rather than do a traditional review of Jersey's most talked about food, we decided to put Don Fanelli to the test by sending him piles of Taylor Ham and challenging him to come up with his own non-traditional uses for it.

Some of them were hits. Others were misses. And one sounds completely fucking awesome.

Enjoy. Celebrate Jersey. And if you have a recipe that involves our mainstay meat, leave a comment or a voicemail.

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Voices From the Jughandle: 2 Voices 2 Jughandle Sep 20, 2021

YOUR voicemails. YOUR words. YOUR time to shine. If you have anything you want to say about Jersey places, people, things, or experiences - even if you want to hate on the Garden State - call 973-780-4660. The one and only Colonel Carson Kopp is standing by to curate your words into a hypnotic hallucinogenic audio trip.

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An Interview with Peter Genovese! Sep 13, 2021

Peter Genovese has long been a features and food writer for NJ.com and he recently published the most ambitious piece of his career - a list of the best thing in every NJ town. Last week, we went through some of his choices, applauding some and critiquing others. He heard it. Now, he's here to let us know how the list came to be, what he's learned about New Jersey via its food, why Central Jersey is real, and much much more. This is an insanely fun conversation with a true Jersey icon, a culture defining writer who's driven the Munchmobile all over this God damn state showing us its best parts.

Please support all of Peter's work at NJ.com and don't forget to check out his books like NJ Diners, The Great American Road Trip: US 1 Maine to Florida, and New Jersey State of Mind.

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Analyzing The List: Part One Sep 06, 2021

Peter Genovese has been the Star Ledger's food writer for many moons now and he is an unquestioned New Jersey treasure. He recently put together a list of the best thing about every town in New Jersey - it's a heroic feat and kind of insane. You have to go read it. Once you do, come back here for our analysis of said list. We go county by county to see which things we agree with, disagree with, and marvel at from his crazy ass list. If you're on the Patreon and want to volunteer to help us analyze future counties we cover, let us know in the comments section over there!

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MALLS Aug 30, 2021

Malls. In Jersey, everyone's got theirs. It says a lot about who you are and where you come from. Formative stories unfold within their walls. First jobs are had. Class conflict permeates. Jersey and malls are forever linked.

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Jersey And the Cold War Aug 23, 2021

Much has been written about the psychological effect of being a "Cold War Kid" - but being in between New York and Philly gave Jersey a special place in the anxiety riddled hopelessness of a Cold War childhood. What's it like growing up being told that you will be the collateral damage when cities are attacked? How does it contribute to the legendary screw loose nature of being a Jersey native? And how did the Cold War alter the physical infrastructure of the state in ways kept secret, even though it was happening in our very backyards?

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Clifton Aug 17, 2021

We were lucky to have Don Fanelli back in his native land for a while, which meant a whole lot of food got reviewed. Not via the mail. Via he drove to the food and ate it with his mouth.

This gave us the opportunity to review not one, not two, but THREE places all within the borders of legendary North Jersey food haven, Clifton.

Rutt's Hut. Hot Grill. Sharkey's Wings. All in one episode. We're lucky Don's still alive to tell these tales.

(Also sorry we were late this week. I've had a crazy busy week and Carson moved and between those two things we fell behind!)

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The Great Outdoors Aug 09, 2021

The world likes to laugh at New Jersey being an industrial wasteland, but those in the know understand that actually it has endless opportunities for outdoor activity. Continuing our loosely themed summer episodes, we break down a bunch of our favorite places Garden Staters explore when they want to step away from the hustle and bustle. Featuring a standout Mike D tale that makes a state park sound like the setting of a Soderbergh movie.

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NJ Summer Reading List Aug 02, 2021

Here is a very useful summer reading list! Books about New Jersey, books by New Jersey authors, books that capture the Jersey experience to its core. Get reading and expand your mind! Join the patreon at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld to discuss this episode and for a ton of exclusive content!

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An Interview with Governor Phil Murphy Jul 26, 2021

The title of this episode is not a lie. It is an interview with the one and only New Jersey governor, Phil Murphy. That's right. Not an actor pretending. The real Governor is on this show. The same show where we usually share stories of how insane the bathrooms at Penn Station are or "remember that time one of the cowboys at Wild West City got shot for real?" We interviewed the current sitting governor.

He had a fantastic sense of humor, and also let us ask him some serious stuff along the way. We feel honored that the governor learned of our show and sees it for what it is: a loving exploration of the fascinating and at times confounding state we live in, that celebrates its underrated joys but doesn't sweep its complicated aspects under the rug. Governor Murphy was an amazing sport in laughing at the state's weirdness with us while also telling us where things are at for real. From where he thinks they might find Perfy's body buried to how he hopes our cities revitalize without falling into the traps of gentrification, this one has it all. Huge thanks to Daniel Bryan for his assistance in making this episode happen.

If you want more content looking at every aspect of New Jersey, please join us at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld

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WOTown: Jersey-Ish (with special guest Sara Benincasa) Jul 19, 2021

Fellow comedian/writer/Jersey die hard Sara J. Benincasa joins the show to discuss things that are JERSEYISH - from other places that remind us of Jersey, to people with a Jersey spirit, to anything else that encapsulates the hard to define chip on the shoulder that makes Jersey so great.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Maruca's Pizza Jul 12, 2021

Don Fanelli is back, reviewing Maruca's, one of the most famous purveyors of pizza on the Jersey Shore. Jersey Shore pizza is a reflection of the Jersey Shore itself - larger than life and not necessarily good for you but man does it fill you up. Don breaks down one of the most famous slices/pies on the whole coast, and we answer a question that will create endless debate amongst Jerseyans: can you send pizza in the mail?

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Garden State Gagootz LIVE in Asbury Park! Jul 05, 2021

Stunning audio from our first ever live show from House of Independents in Asbury Park, NJ! Listener submitted questions about NJ answered not just by the Gagootz, but by a loud and heckling rage filled audience of real deal NJ residents! Thanks to everyone who came out live, we can't wait to do more of these. Subscribers to the Turnpike tier at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld get the second live episode too!

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Voices From The Jughandle Episode 6 Jun 28, 2021

Colonel Carson Kopp is back with YOUR voicemails. Call 973-780-4660 to let us know your stories, opinions, questions, rage, love, or confusion regarding New Jersey!

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WOTown: Local Media Jun 21, 2021

If you grew up in the tri-state area in the 80s and 90s, this NOSTALGIA FEST is for you! We take a close look at the local tv shows, commercials, and broadcasters who dominated the airwaves in our youth. Cats is now and forever, motherfucker. Take that shit to the Milford Plaza. For this episode in particular we NEED to hear from our South Jersey compatriots as well as those who grew up before and after us. 973-780-4660 - leave a voicemail to tell us about your local media memories.

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WOTown: Our Prices are INSANE Jun 14, 2021

Today: tales of commerce. Industry. SHOPPING. We remember the places that sustain us throughout New Jersey, especially in an era before Amazon and box stores. We cover many topics throughout this episode and it features a story certain to be remembered as an all time classic: the tragic, bizarre tale of the soon to be infamous CARMANOOCH.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: Fralinger's Taffy Jun 07, 2021

We kicked off the summer with our Jersey Shore Gagootz episode - now we continue celebration of the New Jersey coast with an iconic boardwalk food: saltwater taffy. Enjoy not just the breakdown of the legendary Fralinger's product, but also Don Fanelli's complete OCD in this one. If you like this, make sure you get on the Patreon, as we have ANOTHER patrons-only food episode coming this week focusing on Johnson's Popcorn.

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Jersey Shore! May 31, 2021

One of the most asked questions since we launched this podcast: When are you getting to the Jersey Shore? Memorial Day, duh. Don Fanelli joins the WOTown gang as they break down the Jersey Shore in all its insanity, glory, danger, awfulness, and nostalgia.

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WOTown: Class Trips May 24, 2021

When you are a kid you think class trips are cool. Some of them are. But some of them are also local spots that are quite strange and you don't know that all the kids in surrounding towns are also being forced to go to the same weird ass places. This one covers a lot of ground of what North Jersey kids of our era endured on class trips. PLEASE let us know about your NJ class trips by calling 973-780-4660. This episode also features Gethard telling a story that fills him with so much shame that he can barely breathe.

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WOTown - THE MAFIA May 17, 2021

We've all seen the Sopranos. And any Jersey resident knows that there's a lot of truth to the mob's presence in our state. But this is a look at how it really effects us on a day to day level. And most fun of all this episode takes a VERY unexpected turn as Mike D takes us through a step by step process of what it was like as a West Orange youth to sneak around in a compound of well known Mafia houses. Patrons will get a link to a map that allows them to explore along with the episode. This episode is NOT what you expect and is a helluva lot more fun than you'll see coming.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food: NJ Tap Water! May 10, 2021

Due to a very strange turn of events, we were connected with legendary television reviewer Alan Sepinwall. Not only did Alan spend fourteen years writing for the Star-Ledger, he's also an avowed fan of water. Turns out, predictably, that Don also has strong opinions on water. Don Fanelli (a completely unqualified reviewer) and Alan Sepinwall (one of the most qualified reviewers in the world) review many different types of bottled water, then Alan partakes in the ultimate test: comparing all those bottled waters to New Jersey tap water.

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Voices From The Jughandle Ep 4 May 03, 2021

Half an hour of YOUR voicemails, airing out experiences, opinions, secrets, and violent emotions regarding the Garden State. All curated by the mysterious Colonel Carson Kopp. Topics covered include: South Jersey horseshoe crabs, the return of Maya and Hannah, Old Bridge shenanigans, THE SAUCE HOSE, the Go Blue pizza fiasco, Gandolfini in the wild, Toms River contamination confirmation, Action Park discipline, Beach house security, and more! Call us and leave our own message at 973-780-4660

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WOTown: Adventures on Public Transportation Apr 26, 2021

Many Jersey residents know the horror of public transportation in this state. We talk about trains, busses, the PATH, Penn Station, and share some truly horrible tales of one of the worst places on planet earth: Port Authority. This episode is hilarious and at times truly disgusting. Enjoy!

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WOTown: I Think It's Condos Now Apr 19, 2021

This episode is a tribute to the beloved Jersey things that are gone but not forgotten. The places where we used to eat, shop, and hang out. The places that got turned into box stores and parking lots in heartbreaking fashion. The people who have left this earth. All the things that defined our childhoods, set the tone for what it means to be a Jersey person, and showed how insane and off-kilter this state can get. This is nostalgia at its best.

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Jersey Dude Reviews Jersey Food - THE TOWN HALL DELI Apr 12, 2021

To the rest of the country, a sloppy joe is a loose meat sandwich. But Jersey People know that the Essex County sloppy joe is something way different. Don reviews the sandwich from one of the two primary delis that made it famous. And best of all - he's never had it before! Come learn about one of the Jersey classics that the rest of the world doesn't know much about.

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Garden State Gagootz Ep 3: Takin on Haters Apr 05, 2021

Don Fanelli. Bonadooch. Mike D. Geth. All in one place, answering questions submitted by non-NJ people so they can explain this oft confusing state to outsiders. Welcome to a loose, sloppy, funny as hell exploration of New Jersey culture that also taps into the traditional "Every Jersey native has a weird defensive anger" vibe.

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New Jersey Is The World - JOBS Mar 25, 2021

It’s a well known fact that everyone in New Jersey has just a bit of a hustler inside of them. This episode focuses on jobs we've worked that are uniquely New Jersey - either in that they relate specifically to the state or because they're like jobs anyone could have had growing up but infected by that NJ steroid/toxicity. From summer camp jobs that highlight NJ class division, to sad Rutgers University student employment, to the things you see working at Jersey liquor store. PLUS Chris's loving tribute to his time working at Weird NJ and Bonadooch's ponderings on what it's like helping to build the physical infrastructure of our fine state.

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Bonus Episode: THE MEAT TOWN CHRONICLES Mar 12, 2021

In a few weeks we'll be dropping an episode all about New Brunswick. Anyone in Jersey knows it's a town where a lot of shit goes down. This voicemail was epic, focusing on life in a New Brunswick punk house. It's insane and deserves its own spotlight, so we're giving it to you as a hint of what's to come. Sign up at www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld to make sure you get the full New Brunswick episode (and much more). Sign up by April 15th and you'll receive a beach badge that gets you onto any NJ beach for free! (Not really but you're welcome to try.)

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New Jersey's Relationship with POLLUTION Feb 25, 2021

We know that everyone out there thinks of New Jersey as a polluted wasteland. That makes us mad. But we can also recognize that sadly - it's in many ways quite true. From growing up on a superfund site, to falling into polluted rivers (not one but two), to Dr. Shitfoot, this discussion has it all. Plus your voicemails, a teaser of Don's review of White House Subs, and a Gagootz tease featuring a question about how to tell one's kids they're from New Jersey.

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FREE BRUCE (An Emergency Topical Episode) Feb 18, 2021

Bruce Springsteen was given a drunk driving citation at Sandy Hook and will be appearing in court next week. NJITW weighs in with a mini-episode voicing opinions and venting frustrations regarding this dark moment in New Jersey/American/world history. Emotions run high. Conspiracies are explored. Screen doors slam, Mary's dress waves, they blew up the Chicken Man in Philly last night.

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WOTown: The Bin Feb 04, 2021

In New Jersey there's a huge cultural tradition of driving around and looking for completely terrifying stuff in your teenage years. Haunted stuff, evil stuff, and abandoned stuff. In this episode Chris, Mike D, and Bonadooch reminisce about THE BIN - an abandoned mental hospital where they had some truly chilling experiences. This isn't just an exploration of New Jersey - it's a look back in confusion at the wild west way we were raised back in the 80s and 90s.

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New Jersey Is The World AMUSEMENT PARKS Jan 28, 2021

Welcome to New Jersey Is The World! This episode is anchored by a WOtown focusing on New Jersey's culture of screwed up amusement parks. It's not just Action Park. We speak about Wild West City, Bowcraft, local carnivals that are basically Bloodsport, and of course Great Adventure. Also: voicemails from listeners, a quick discussion of the mafia, a teaser for the Jimmy Buff's food review, and more.

Remember to support at our Patreon by visiting www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld

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New Jersey Is The World is coming Jan 13, 2021

New Jersey Is The World is a new mega-podcast coming down the (Turn)pike in two short weeks. Each month you'll get a free mega-episode in this feed. From the mafia to pollution to music to amusement parks to food, we'll dive deep into everything that makes New Jersey the greatest and most strange state in the nation.

And if you want more, check out www.patreon.com/newjerseyistheworld - you'll see that you get hours of extra content a month by signing up. On top of that, if you join us in January of 2021, you'll get both a NJITW membership card and a stand up album from Chris Gethard that you can't find anywhere else!

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