The Weird NJ Podcast Experiment

In this episode, we talk with Bloomfield native and comedian Greg Stone. We asked him to buckle up for a story about Clinton Road. He did a lot of research... on Annie's Road. This led to a wild ride of an episode that follows Greg's energy down a ridiculous number of rabbit holes. Perhaps most importantly of all, he tells us about FRANKLINSTEIN, a monster sighted in Franklin Lakes and definitely not something he made up on the spot because he is an unpredictable mad man. Thanks to Skeebop & Sons (Keith Haskel and Bethany Hall) for production, Andrea Quinn for audio production, and John Cozz for music. Make sure to pick up issue #65 of Weird NJ at www.weirdnj.com today!

In this episode we discuss one of New Jersey's favorite past times: illegally entering abandoned mental hospitals. We hear from someone who had some bone chilling experiences at a facility known to generations of Jersey teens simply as the infamous "Skillman". We are joined by Kate Nichols, who is not just a hilarious comedian, not just a Maplewood native, but also a licensed clinical social worker who can speak to the reality of mental hospitals and what in the human psyche leads us to want to explore them. Thank you to Skeebop & Sons (Ketih Haskel and Bethany Hall) for production, Andrea Quinn for audio production, and John Cozz (johncozz.bandcamp.com) for the music. Make sure to pick up your copy of Weird NJ #65 today at www.weirdnj.com

At long last, Weird NJ is dipping its toes into the podcasting game. In episode one of the Weird NJ Podcast Experiment, longtime WNJ contributor Chris Gethard sits down with comedian Nick Fierro as they listen to legitimately unsettling tales of a haunted house in Paterson. From shadow people to melting faces to amorphous smoke, this house has it all. Don't forget to pick up issue #65 of Weird NJ magazine right here. Thank you to Skeebop Productions and Andrea Quinn for producing, and to John Cozz for the music.

In our final episode, it's our honor to bring you a ramshackle, funny, all over the map trivia contest LIVE in front of a sold out crowd at Kevin Smith's Smodcastle Cinemas. For just about a half decade we've discussed the glorious state of New Jersey in all its forms. Sometimes the podcast has even been good. We've had a lot of fun and hope you have too. This trivia contest isn't only consumable for NJITW listeners, but if you've listened along the way it enhances the fun. Featuring all the NJITW mainstays and including guest appearances from not one but TWO Jersey devils, Kerri Sullivan, Jeremy Schneider, Hebba (who is that?), and music from one of the true champions of New Jersey, John Cozz. (Including the debut of his collab with Chris Gethard, Lord Let Me Die In Essex County.)Seriously, thanks for hanging with us all these years. A lot of people have told us we helped them out during the pandemic and it's been such a joy to hang, connect with old friends, create a community along the way, and celebrate this place in the process.CARMANOOCH LIVES!

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! 

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

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! 

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