Jersey's Best Podcast

This week, Jersey’s Best Podcast is throwing a birthday party for the Meadowlands Sports Complex! Because the Meadowlands is one of the most essential yet exhausting components of New Jersey life — and Sept. 1 marked the 50th anniversary of its opening! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com's award-winning sports columnist Steve Politi to break down the history of the sports complex, its significance to the Garden State, what it means having all those sports and music venues all in one place and if building this on a swamp was one big mistake. Then Jeremy and Steve break down the 11 best moments in Meadowlands history before going through the Garden State Gauntlet, Meadowlands edition! This week, Jersey’s Best Podcast is throwing a birthday party for the Meadowlands Sports Complex! Because the Meadowlands is one of the most essential yet exhausting components of New Jersey life — and Sept. 1 marked the 50th anniversary of its opening!  Email us! at Jerseysbestpodcast@gmail.com! Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you!  Follow Steve at @StevePoliti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jersey’s Best Podcast is helping New Jersey secede from the United States and become its own country! Because New Jersey is basically its own country — with a vibe and culture all its own. We are already the best state in the country — if we were a country, we’d be the best country in the world! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey City-based comedian Alex Nicholas break down who will be the president of New Jersey, the national anthem, the capital, who we're going to war with and who will miss us most. Then Jeremy runs through the Garden State Gauntlet, New Jersey independence edition! Email us! Jerseysbestpodcast@gmail.com  Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you!  Follow Alex Nicholas at @notalexnicholas Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Jersey’s pizza industry is trending away from slices and toward whole pies, and we don’t like it! Look, we're not saying pizza slices are an endangered species. But when Coniglio’s King of Pies, arguably 2026’s most anticipated New Jersey pizzeria, opened in Asbury Park, it did so with a long menu of pies and a proclamation. “No slices. Whole pie or no pie.” More and more pizzerias are going away from slices and serving pies only. This inspired NJ.com to ⁠write a story on the matter⁠ and to do a whole story on the matter. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Mike Bergemann of Corner Slice to break down the business of why more pizzerias are going pie-only, the science of a good slice, the cultural importance of the slice shop and why Corner Slice still serves slices. Then Mike goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, pizza edition! Follow us! ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Corner Slice on Instagram! Read NJ.com's story on the death of the N.J. slice here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NJ.com just updated its New Jersey sandwich rankings — which generated no controversy or scandal at all! So this week Jersey's Best Podcast isn't just talking about sandwiches, we're drafting them! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com food and culture reporter Lauren Musni to discuss why the Garden State loves sandwiches so much before moving on to the draft — with categories ranging from different regions to different types of sandwiches. Then Lauren goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, sandwich edition! Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Lauren at @laurengisellemusni Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch here!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A vast network of surveillance cameras has popped up up not all over New Jersey, but across the country. The cameras are automated license plate readers, logging the make, model, and color of passing cars as we traverse the Garden State. Law enforcement agencies say these cameras have become crucial to investigating crimes. But many across New Jersey believe they create a surveillance state, violate privacy and rights and can easily be misused. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com investigative reporter Jana Cholakovska Follow us! ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Jana Cholakovska @JCholakovska and read her story on Flock cameras here Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk about Anthony Bourdain in some way shape or form in pretty much every episode of Jersey's Best Podcast. The Leonia native has become synonymous with Garden State culture. He was one of New Jersey’s greatest champions — he famously once said “to know New Jersey is to love her.”  But this week we’re talking specifically about Mr. Bourdain this week because we are days away from the release of "Tony," the A24 film starring New Jersey’s own Dominic Sessa portraying a young Anthony Bourdain as he falls in love with cooking during a summer on Cape Cod. The movie hits theaters on August 7. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Men's Health Magazine culture editor Evan Romano to talk about his recent interview with Sessa and director Matt Johnson, review "Tony," critique Sessa's performance as the iconic New Jerseyan and predict how people will perceive the film. Then Evan goes through the Garden State Gauntlet. Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Evan Romano @EvanRomano  Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jersey’s Best Podcast is talking to one of the most influential and iconic bands in Garden State history — The Bouncing Souls! The boys from Basking Ridge founded The Bouncing Souls all the way back in 1989 — that’s right, they’ve been rocking for nearly 40 years! Their signature energetic punk rock sound helped make them a staple of the New Brunswick basement scene. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by lead singer Greg Attonito to break down how The Bouncing Souls came together, what coming up in the New Brunswick basement scene was like, Warped Tour horror stories and their newest album. Then Greg runs through the Garden State Gauntlet, music edition! Follow us!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Follow @gregattonito and @BouncingSoulsNJ on Instagram! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone loves hot dogs — especially New Jersey. The Garden State’s hot dog history is grand and gluttonous, diverse and divisive. From old-school joints deep-frying dogs, covering them with chili and calling them wieners from another state to new fangled spots slinging glizzies from all over the country, there is a hot dog for everyone in New Jersey. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by hot dog connoisseur Mike Mistake of Moonlite Weenie Ranch to discuss New Jersey's top hot dog styles, why we love them so much and the four hot dog joints that belong on the Garden State's glizzy Mount Rushmore. Then Mike eats his way through the Garden State Gauntlet, hot dog edition! Follow us!⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Moonlite Weenie Ranch @WeenieRanchForever Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the most wonderful time of the year in New Jersey — beach season. But as great as going down the Shore is, some people don't know how to act on the beach! That's where Jersey's Beach Podcast comes in with our ultimate Jersey Shore beach etiquette guide! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey City comedian Nick Fierro, a man who proudly once wore combat boots to the beach, to talk about the do's and don'ts of beach behavior. From parking and planning to smoking and sand-removal, Jeremy and Nick cover it all. Then, Nick is run through the Garden State Gauntlet, beach behavior edition! Follow us!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Nick Fierro at ⁠@schtickfierro⁠  Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tomato season is in full effect, New Jersey! And to celebrate, we decided it was time to re-run our episode from last summer — the tomato episode with Jersey Shore chef Laura Brahn! You say tomato, we say podcast! It is officially peak tomato season in the Garden State, and there is no better time to enjoy the delicious red vegetable — one that has a distinct connection to New Jersey. Not a tomato fan? Have no fear. Jeremy is joined by tomato expert Laura Brahn, owner of Cardinal Provisions in Asbury Park and Mabel in Holmdel, for the ultimate guide to enjoying New Jersey’s top crop. Listen as Jeremy and Laura break down how New Jersey popularized the tomato, invented the most popular tomato in the world, the joys of Tomato Girl Summer, the characteristics of a good tomato, the dirty little secret about tomato sandwiches and how heirloom tomatoes represent New Jersey immigrants. Then, Laura flips the script on Jeremy and administers a blind tomato taste test!  Email us! ⁠Jerseysbestpodcast@gmail.com⁠  Follow us! ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠, our journalists need you!  Follow Laura at ⁠@lcbeanz⁠ and ⁠@crdnal ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Jersey is a burger paradise, and we're hungry! From iconic 90-year-old diners serving tiny onion-laden sliders to pubs and bars grilling up thick tavern-style burgers and everything in between (yes, I’m looking at you, smashburger spots) New Jersey’s burger scene runs the gamut. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by burger expert Nick Lepore aka Burger Buff to break down what makes New Jersey's burger scene impressive, how it stacks up nationally, the best types of burgers and burger spots across the Garden State. Then Jeremy and Nick build there New Jersey burger Mount Rushmores before going through the Garden State Gauntlet — burger edition. Follow us!⁠⁠⁠⁠ @jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The New York Knicks are the 2026 NBA Champions. And two of their most important players were born right here in New Jersey. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Asbury Park Press college basketball writer and news columnist Jerry Carino to break down how it was clear all the way back in middle school that KAT was going to be a star, how Towns took his game to the next level in the playoffs, Karl-Anthony Towns the person and if he makes the all-time all-New Jersey basketball starting five. Then Jerry is run through the Garden State Gauntlet, New Jersey basketball edition! Follow us!⁠⁠⁠⁠ @jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Cup has come to New Jersey, and we're excited — but also kind of terrified. MetLife Stadium (renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the event) is playing host to the biggest sporting event in the world. Is New Jersey ready for thousands of tourists to descend on what is already the most densely populated state in the country? Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com reporter Sean Sullivan to break down the politics behind a World Cup bid, if New Jersey Transit is prepared for the onslaught of riders, if you can walk to the games and if New Jersey is actually going to make any money off of this. Then Sean goes through the Garden State Gauntlet, World Cup edition. Editor's note: This podcast was recorded before the first World Cup game at the Meadowlands, which featured massive post-game delays. Follow us!⁠⁠⁠ @jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠, our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

School is almost out for summer but that doesn’t mean it's the offseason for kids across the Garden State. There is no offseason anymore. Many of New Jersey’s young athletes are now expected to train year-round now, playing with elite club teams and working with private trainers. All those club teams, all that travel, all those coaching sessions, all that equipment? Just like everything in 2026, it is expensive. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com sports columnist Steve Politi, who recently reported on the rising costs of youth sports in New Jersey. Jeremy and Steve breakdown what exactly costs so much, why there's more pressure than ever for New Jersey parents to spend on their kids' athletic endeavors, and if Sen. Cory Booker's efforts will do anything to stem the rising costs. Email us! Jerseysbestpodcast@gmail.com Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com, our journalists need you! Follow Steve at @StevePoliti and read his report here Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Jeopardy” just had a player go on an all-time heater, one of the best performances the 60-year-old program has ever seen. Jamie Ding won 31 straight games — the fifth-longest winning streak in show history! He won more than $880,000 along the way. But more importantly… Jamie is from New Jersey! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jamie Ding himself to talk about how he got on Jeopardy, his record-setting strategy and how fast even a month-long run on the show can feel. Jamie also breaks down how he ended up in New Jersey, how his perception of the state has changed and why it’s better than neighboring states. Then Jeremy and Jamie play some Jersey-themed Jeopardy before running through the Garden State Gauntlet! Follow us!⁠⁠⁠ @jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠, our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long before Adam Sandler, Timothee Chalamet and Sydney Sweeney were filming movies all over New Jersey and long before Netflix was setting up shop in Monmouth County, the Garden State was already home base for an iconic film studio — Troma Entertainment. Troma is the longest-running independent movie studio in the world, one of the biggest names in horror and B movies. The studio is best known for the 1984 cult classic "The Toxic Avenger," which was set and filmed in New Jersey! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Lloyd Kaufman, the head of Troma Studios to talk about why Troma filmed so many movies in New Jersey, the inspiration for "The Toxic Avenger," Lloyd's love of New Jersey diners and more. Follow us!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A trip to the Jersey Shore is basically a choose your own adventure of beautiful beach options — there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a beach bum, a foodie, a concert-lover, a pinball wizard or a dive-bar aficionado or all of the above, it’s almost impossible to have a bad time down the Shore. In fact, there are so many things to do at the Jersey Shore that it’s almost overwhelming! That’s where we come in. On this week’s episode of Jersey’s Best Podcast, host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com data reporter Katie Kausch to draft the ultimate Jersey Shore beach day! Jeremy and Katie drafted in categories including beach, breakfast restaurant, on-beach lunch, off-beach activity, dinner restaurant and more! Then Katie runs through the Garden State Gauntlet, beach day edition! Follow us!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Katie Kausch at @katiekausch Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Jersey's Best Podcast loves celebrating New Jersey's diversity and culture all year long. But with May being AAPI Heritage Month, we wanted to take a closer look at New Jersey's AAPI dining scene. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com food and culture reporter Lauren Musni to discuss what AAPI Heritage Month means to New Jersey. Then they discuss the best towns for AAPI eats across the Garden State (with a special look at Bradley Beach) and some of New Jersey's top Chinese, Thai, Japanese, Indian, Bangladeshi and Taiwanese restaurants and more. Finally, Lauren is put through the Garden State Gauntlet, AAPI edition! Follow us!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Lauren at @laurengisellemusni and read her award-winning story on Bradley Beach here Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diners are famous for long hours and vast menus that cover countless cultures and multiple meals — in a way, they defy time and space. There is no wrong order at a New Jersey diner, per se, but there are some questionable decisions to be made while seated in a cozy — fine, sticky — vinyl booth. And you order can be very telling. That’s where we come in. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey City-based comedian Nick Fierro to analyze what your diner order says about you. From classics like turkey clubs, omelettes and coffee to more adventurous orders like seafood and eggs Benedict, Jersey's Best Podcast has a breakdown for it all. Then Nick is run through the Garden State Gauntlet, diner order edition. Follow us!⁠⁠ ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Nick Fierro at @schtickfierro Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jersey’s Best Podcast is paying homage to one of New Jersey’s greatest actresses. A Golden Globe winner. An Emmy winner. An Oscar winner. Most importantly, a native of Millburn, New Jersey — that’s right people, this is the Anne Hathaway episode! There's really no bad time to talk about Mrs. Hathaway. But this is the perfect time, because 2026 is shaping up to be a hell of a year for the pride of Millburn High School. She has five movies coming out this year, including "The Devil Wears Prada 2" which hits theaters on Friday. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by New Jersey pop culture obsessive and Anne Hathaway expert Tom Gawronski to break down Anne Hathaway's career, what makes her such a star, watching "The Devil Wears Prada" in 2026 and finally erecting the Anne Hathaway Mount Rushmore. Then Tom is run through the Garden State Gauntlet, New Jersey movie edition! Follow us!⁠ ⁠@jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠ on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Follow Tom Gawronski here. Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch ⁠here⁠! Episode artwork: John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images | Canva illustration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices