New Jersey Is The World

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. 

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

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. 

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.

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

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. 

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.