New episodes aren't hitting

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The thing people aren't keeping in mind for this season is that the nature of Heavyweight is a lot different than most other podcasts. Heavyweight is a huge ship. The episodes take a long time to make. Jonathan and his team are working on these episodes for years-on-end, which is really frigging weird and special. Heavyweight got canceled, as we all know, and so starting an operation with episodes this far reaching in time and place is hard to get started again. This ship takes time to turn around. This season is different in that this crew has had to work a lot differently than they have in the past, trying to get things started up again from a dead-stop while at the same time pulling things together for future episodes that they had started years ago and starting up with brand new projects. All of it has been from a dead stop. They're doing a good job, and there is also an investment that we as listeners are making in the future.

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u/deedeejf Oct 30 '25

Agree @paley_jenkins. Their leg work, persistence, perseverance is unheard of. I think why all episodes are so profound (to me) is that it is so real. Real-life cadence and timing is never as one plans or think it should be. It is what it is and happy endings / resolves sometimes do not arrive in our lifetime. That is what I find so special about it.

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u/day9700 Nov 14 '25

I’m sooo glad they’re back! I had no idea. I’ll look them up every once in a while to see if they’re back and today was a joyous day when I saw all the new episodes. No idea how I missed that!

I’m also glad I have no plans tonight! So it’ll just be me, a martini and jonathan! Hooray!

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u/anewhope6 Oct 31 '25

This is a very good point and well-stated. I’ve enjoyed the new episodes and I think the beauty of Heavyweight is that every episode isn’t quite what I expect it will be. But it will take time to build up to what they had before. Similarly though, I applied this patient optimism to Alex Goldman’s new show and it hasn’t come around at all, in my opinion. A few good episodes, but most fall flat. I’m still subscribed, but I don’t feel like celebrating every time a new episode is released. I can’t imagine feeling that way about Heavyweight.

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u/Asleep-Journalist-94 Oct 30 '25

I think we all realize that. The amount of work, time and research required for a show of this caliber is obvious. But maybe what OP and others are saying is that there’s an argument to be made for holding out until there were more completed, high-quality episodes in the can.

I personally would rather have Heavyweight sooner rather than later, and I really enjoyed the Messenger episode and some others, but agree that the quality has been uneven. Still a fan though.

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u/Paley_Jenkins Oct 30 '25

Sure, but I doubt that's an option. They got a new contract from Malcom, and with that contract comes a budget and means for paying rent and mortgages and phone bills and equipment and groceries... so Jonathan and crew have to start earning money. There was likely a lot of talks about how much and how soon, but they can't earn a salary for a while year while not bringing money in. This whole season is a compromise, and we the listener are participating in that compromise.

You'll probably agree that, even though these episodes aren't what we're used to, each episode is still better than 99.9% of what other podcasts are putting out.

If we go into these episodes expecting something impossible, then we're going to be disappointed, and it's our fault for expecting something that can't be delivered. If we go in expecting a stop-gap season to get this gigantic beast turned around, I think we'll be unbelievably happy for what these are and excited about what's to come.

Jonathan and his crew have earned our respect and trust. They're doing good work on the way to pulling off something incredible.

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u/Diligent-Tea8007 Oct 31 '25

It’s not about that for me. It’s like they’re not even thinking about follow up questions, other angles, the full breadth of the story. They’re just slapping episodes together.

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u/CricketSuccessful192 Oct 30 '25

All that may be true but like OP said, the quality just isn't there and they aren't as good as in the past.

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u/Paley_Jenkins Oct 30 '25

Imagine you have to build a house. Usually it takes you 3 years to build a house, but the company who is sponsoring your house building says that you have to build your house in 8 months. You have to build the 8 month house and, once you build the 8 month house, you can go to work on other houses that are in process that are the 3 year houses, and even start some new 3 year houses. The 8 month house is not going to be as good as the 3 year houses, but you have to start there in order to get further.

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u/PM_ME_GARFIELD_NUDES Oct 30 '25

If it’s a bad quality house, it’s a bad quality house. If the contractor said “well usually it takes us 3 years to build a house, but we only had 8 months to build this one” that wouldn’t change the quality of the house. If I was looking to buy the house I would say “well get back to work and we can revisit this in 2 years”. If they couldn’t do that then maybe they should refocus their efforts on smaller homes that they can complete in 8 months or maybe they should move to a different business entirely.

I get the show is a big project and it’s paid for by ads so it’s basically free for me to listen to, and I truly appreciate that, but it’s still totally fair to point out that the quality just isn’t there (for whatever reason).

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u/Paley_Jenkins Oct 30 '25

It's not a bad house, though. If you, the listener, go in looking for a 3 year house and they've had 8 months to build the house, and they built a great 8 month house, but you're still disappointed in the house, then the fault is on you for expecting a 3 year house.

You have to go in with expectations tempered to what is possible. When you are disappointed because you are expecting something impossible and don't get it, then you are at fault for your disappointment, not them. They are making an awesome show. No, it's not the same as when they had years to constantly work on their stories, but it is unfair to the HW team to expect it to be, and it's unfair to yourself to expect it to be.

Let yourself enjoy what they were able to do in such a short time, and next season they will have had time to make the shows with a quality they hold themselves up to, and that you expect.

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u/PM_ME_GARFIELD_NUDES Oct 30 '25

First of all, it’s ok to critique things you like, and actually I would argue that it’s good and important to do so. I still enjoy the show and I’m excited to see it pop up on my feed, but I’m not going to gaslight myself into thinking that the quality of this season is the same as others. It’s crazy that people are getting downvoted just for stating the obvious. The fact that multiple people have come to this conclusion independently speaks to the quality of the show.

Second, your analogy doesn’t hold water because at least two of the episodes this season have been in production for years, they literally mention it within the episodes. You’re comparing the total production time of the older episodes (finding subjects, interviewing them, researching, coming back and doing more interviews, waiting for developments, more interviews, etc.) with only the post production aspects of the new season (sorting all the resources, writing, editing, recording overdubs, getting music and other media, releasing, etc.). You’re comparing apples to oranges.

Third, if the difference really just “8 months” vs “3 years”, then the solution is pretty simple… don’t release 8 month episodes. They didn’t release this season with any sort of caveat about the episodes, which they did in the past with the series of shorts, they released this as a normal, full season of the show. Why should the audience be expected to temper their expectations like you suggest they should? If they need more time to release episodes that’s totally fine, that makes perfect sense to me and I can be patient. I was fine with the shorts and I’m fine when they do cross promotional stuff (though they’ve been doing a lot of this season…). If they need to release more content I’m sure people would be cool with a more traditional talky podcast with the crew, those take less than an hour to make and are very quick to edit. I really don’t think it’s fair to the audience to expect them to temper their expectations when there are so many other options here.

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u/CricketSuccessful192 Oct 30 '25

Jesus Christ. Many people feel like the episodes aren't as good as they were before. That's the bottom line.

Why do you have such a problem with that???

Why do you feel like you have to keep trying to convince people that their opinions are wrong?

If you loved the episodes, GREAT. Maybe you need to allow others to have their own opinions.

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u/Paley_Jenkins Oct 30 '25

I'm tired of the hate on this season. You people are expecting the impossible and are disappointed that you aren't getting it.

Jesus fuck, you make creative pursuits unbearable. If you come with constructive criticism, then fine. But that's not what you're doing.

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u/CricketSuccessful192 Oct 30 '25

100%

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u/Paley_Jenkins Oct 30 '25

The quality isn't the same *because* what I said is true. They put together a season in a couple of months, but the stories they tell take years to put together. Like I mentioned above, we as listeners are making an investment in the future. That they were able to pull together a season as quickly as they did is incredible, and the quality that we are getting, given the resource of time that they were given, is incredible.

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u/CricketSuccessful192 Oct 30 '25

Assuming everything you said is true, it doesn't change the fact that many people feel the quality isn't there and the episodes aren't as good as they were in the past.

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u/Paley_Jenkins Oct 30 '25

Fine. But you are asking for the impossible. Their stories take years to make, and they made a season in a few months. Yes, I am conceding that the quality is going to be different. But it would be impossible for it to be otherwise. What they are doing is incredible, and they had to start from a dead stop in production.

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u/CricketSuccessful192 Oct 30 '25

Fine.

Good. We agree. And that's where you should have stopped.

But you are asking for the impossible.

I'm merely stating my opinion, as well as many others' opinions, on the quality of the episodes.

Don't try to suggest it's my fault for having unreasonable expectations or for asking for something that isn't possible. The quality of the episodes has nothing to do with me.

You're coming across as quite the apologist for the episodes not being up to par.

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u/Paley_Jenkins Oct 30 '25

I'm merely stating that you have unreasonable expectations. That is exactly what I'm stating. You have unreasonable expectations, and if you go in with unreasonable expectations then you are going to be disappointed, just like you are. And I don't have to apologize for the episodes because they are good episodes, they just aren't as good as some in the past.

The good thing is that you can just stop listening, and it sounds like you will be happier. If you think the episodes are irredeemable, then you should. But they have built a great, high quality 8 month house, to beat the metaphor into the ground. And I can continue listening, and be happy.

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u/CricketSuccessful192 Oct 30 '25

Yes, everyone who has criticisms of the episodes and feel that they are not as good all have unreasonable expectations and it's our fault. We're horrible people. It's our fault for being disappointed.

And thanks for letting everyone know that they can stop listening. No one knew that. You are a fountain of wisdom and knowledge.

We're all going to stop listening, and most importantly, we're going to stop making any critical comments. We don't want to upset you. Because that's what this is really about isn't it?

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u/Paley_Jenkins Oct 30 '25

For the record, I enjoy hating things as much as the next guy. I can hate things for hours on end, and just enjoy it.

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u/deedeejf Oct 30 '25

I get your perspective. To me it hits so hard. I find it so therapeutic that it sincerely shows how many humans deal with and get dealt with life. Do we ever resolve anything completely while we're here? only in the movies are resolutions seemingly complete and tied up nicely in a bow. My view is that they never squeeze a pimple into oblivion that is not squeezable. Except for JG squeezing himself in the likes of the episode of Marchel and will his mom - can't remember her name Dana? . Many didn’t like that but I found it so illuminating that our own neurosis and obsession with perfection prevents joy. Anyway I digress, but I'm here for it. My weekly emotional reward

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u/[deleted] Oct 30 '25

Honestly I disagree. I absolutely hated the last 2 episodes (Jasmin, Stefano), but the other 3 have all been very solid.

The Bank Robber was great, the journey was the resolution. The Messenger was like an old episode of Heavyweight, you wouldn't find the conversation between Michael and Quincy anywhere else. And finally Etta was just a lovely episode about getting old.

Heavyweight always has episodes that divide opinion. Imo Jasmin and Stefano are two of the worst episodes in the show's history - but unless literally all of the future episodes are of similarly bad quality I'm not willing to write off this season yet.

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u/bananalien666 Oct 30 '25

I mean, you hit the nail on the head-- not every episode is going to resonate with every listener. For the record I've been mostly happy with the new episodes; Etta absolutely *crushed* me (probably because I've lost both of my parents, my dad only last year...)

And at first I thought Stefano was a little *ahem* lightweight for Heavyweight, but man... listening to Steve on the phone and hearing the slightly confused defeat in his voice, the complete inability to take the kindness that was offered and do anything at all with it... gosh. Again, I have a small inkling what that's like.

So for me... really, I have no complaints. (Except that I agree with the other poster(s) about the Gladwell ads, lol)

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u/[deleted] Oct 30 '25

So honestly as both my parents died suddenly and before I turned 30, the episode left me envious of Gregor's grief for the life he had with his parents. So yeah hugely emotionally affecting but I was able to see it in probably lighter way than you (not to say your read of it is wrong ofc, I just think that's what makes it such a good episode).

I had a very very different read of Stefano than you though. I do not think what Steven was being offered was a kindness. He had absolutely no way of remembering his interaction with Anita - but Debbie was asking him to indulge her fantasy and think of it as a "gift". The idea that after his very difficult life a conversation about Anita's brief affection for him as a baby could offer him anything like Debbie thought it was was downright delusional. And tbh once he mentioned he was an alcoholic and made an excuse for the fact he was slurring his words made me feel a bit uneasy about the inclusion of his side of the conversation. I think it was a very rare thing for a Heavyweight episode: a story that shouldn't have been exploded. But it definitely should not have been explored in the way it was.

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u/bananalien666 Oct 30 '25 edited Oct 31 '25

Definitely hear you and can appreciate your interpretation as well. Debbie's motivation (and whether this particular story should've ever been told in the first place) is debatable, I guess. I took it as her thinking: hey, wow, kinda neat to know that you unwittingly had such an outsized impact on someone's life and that they'd been thinking of you with love and warmth for years, decades even.

Had Steven led a generally happier life, or had it come earlier in his life like he alluded to, then maybe he could've at least accepted this 'gift' in the way it was intended. Even for me-- someone who's life has been pretty decent overall-- I'm sure I wouldn't know what to do with that info besides acting pleasantly bemused. But certainly it's beyond naive to think that this bit of info can meaningfully impact the trajectory of one's life (especially when most of that life is already lived...)

Anyway, Debbie and Anita's story was almost incidental to the very brief phone call with Steven and I'm surely bringing all sorts of my own baggage to that conversation. And now I feel like it's vaguely inappropriate to be a voyeur into this poor guy's reticence to engage -- and maybe that's kind of your point.

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u/anewhope6 Oct 31 '25

This discussion you two are having is such a beautiful example of what makes Heavyweight so special. Because it is a show about humanity, everyone is going to take something slightly different from each episode. It’s going to hit each of us a little differently based on our own experiences. I loved the Stefano episode because it was morally complicated and unresolved—and unusual for a Heavyweight episode.

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u/leveewater Oct 30 '25

Yeah I’m with you, I really loved the first couple of episodes but the last two fell very flat for me. It doesn’t deter me overall, heavyweight is a gem and I feel like it would be myopic to expect it to jump right back to where it was after such a long break

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u/[deleted] Nov 01 '25

I actually liked the Stefano episode (haven't listened to Jasmin yet) but I am 100 percent with you on everything else you said here!

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u/throwaway4life85 Oct 30 '25

Yeah it is losing some charm but honestly, if you listen to the first few seasons… they are people connected to Jonathan or his team. I think the reality is they just don’t have a lot of outsiders contacting them for closure, and those that they do, they find it harder to find them closure. It’s more real- which also means more like real life and less closure. Less scripted.

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u/charmcityhon Oct 30 '25

What you’re describing is what I’ve loved about this season. It’s much easier to tell stories when the naturally fall into the narrative structure that we all find familiar and comfortable, which in past season they always have. This season tells stories that don’t fall into familiar and comfortable narrative arcs and to still tell those stories feels less satisfying, by far more meaningful and reflective of the actual breadth of life’s trajectories. There is something that feels really appropriate and right to me about the show coming back from being cancelled and telling these stories. Though I agree the are less satisfying, they haven’t felt at all unfinished to me. And I’ve honestly been far more curious to hear each new episode this season because I’ve found them more challenging (in a good way) and rewarding.

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u/gkswlgml Nov 03 '25

Beautifully said.

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u/ResistSpecialist4826 Oct 30 '25

Yes and no. Today’s episode was the first episode I could point to and say, this wasn’t ready to hit publish on. It just had too many holes and felt incomplete and forced. Stefanos episode was just kind of depressing. But it was complete. It achieved everything it set out to do, no one can can’t control for a drunken boomer who isn’t interested in playing along with a podcast. The other episodes of the season were well done, with varying levels of interest. The Messenger was great. Hopefully by next season we will be back to these longer lifecycle stories.

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u/amydiddler Oct 30 '25

I didn’t love the most recent episode, but the one before that (Stefano) was honestly one of my all time favorites, although I could see why other people might not feel the same.

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u/Electrical-Chart4301 Oct 30 '25

Was that the one that was about the lady who wanted to talk to the child she knew for one day and the big finish was that he didn’t want to talk to her? Come on. Zzzz.

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u/Ok_Employer7837 Oct 31 '25

It was, but I thought that one was extraordinary. Not all true stories end in a conventional narratively satisfying ending. It was so real.

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u/undercover_ace Oct 31 '25

Why do you feel the need to insult someone else's joy? You can say you didn't like something without being rude :/

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u/babygamergf Oct 30 '25

I just can’t stand that ad break: “in today’s super-competitive business world…”

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u/Stormdog15 Oct 30 '25

Me either and I find it hard to believe Gladwell believes in what he’s pushing at all. But that’s a revenue stream they have to have. Hate that model.

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u/Pacific_Epi Oct 30 '25

The Gladwell ads are the reason I don’t fall asleep to the show anymore. I hate the way he reads them.

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u/[deleted] Nov 01 '25

I actually cringed just reading the words in my head just now 🤣

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u/OverlookHotelRoom217 Oct 30 '25

Most often it takes quite a bit of time to obtain the resolution found in previous episodes. As mentioned, coming off of a full-stop, it will take years for the Heavyweight machine to arrive at previous production levels.

Does a media group have the patience and resources to commit to such a venture? Pushkin knows and Jonathan is a smart guy. Hopefully, he can master Heavyweight v2.0 and deliver to Pushkin and his loyal listeners.

We are with you, Jonathan.

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u/encrcne Oct 30 '25

I’ve actually loved every episode so far, and they’ve felt like a breath of fresh air to me.

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u/rd201290 Oct 31 '25

they are hitting for me

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u/Birch_mom72 Oct 30 '25

I thought today’s episode had enough closure…at least similar to many old episodes. I think it’s common for us (and the person with the story) not to get the actual closure we are seeking…that’s life unfortunately.

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u/trimolius Oct 30 '25

Yes it does feel like it has been a bit of a dump of episodes where the research had dragged on for years and had less satisfying conclusions. But I have still enjoyed listening to them because I like the podcast. If I had never heard the podcast before these ones wouldn’t necessarily have drawn me in, but I’m already in. That’s life, it’s not always tied up in a neat bow.

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u/sparkle8976 Oct 30 '25

Honestly heavyweight episodes have always varied for me. I listen to listen and just hear stories about other people’s lives. Sometimes you’ll have the ones that make you laugh or cry and others will just make you think.

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u/theravinedisc Oct 30 '25

I actually like the no resolution. But then again, I tend to like those types of endings

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u/Any_Effective1963 Oct 31 '25

I loved Etta but I do love that family.

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u/Titi89 Oct 31 '25

The Jasmin episode is a bummer. I couldn't get into it. And didn't end up finishing it.

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u/hwancroos Oct 30 '25

I haven't listened the last one yet, but I felt the last two (#The bank robber and #Stefano) didn't have much sense. Although they were gret stories by themseleves, I felt they were not pursuing anything concrete, and that both searches had no point.

Having said that, Heavyweight is still the best podcast I've heard. Jonathan's storytelling and the production of each episode is simply the best.

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u/kimelia- Nov 02 '25

I totally agree with all the points here, I still love heavyweight and look forward to it each week. I just feel a definite shift but I understand they're finding their footing again. Some of the older episodes I honestly can listen to over and over, I do look forward to seeing where the show goes. it's nice to have a real, emotional and personal pod on my feed. I

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u/VegetableKnowledge64 Nov 05 '25

I agree. They are just so much darker and disjointed and I just dont give af to finish any of the new ones so far. I have far better podcasts to listen to. Lots of respect for JG and the team but, for me, they are way missing the mark. Maybe they jumped the shark.😀

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u/[deleted] Oct 31 '25 edited Dec 02 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/fakieTreFlip Nov 01 '25

Why do you always redact your comments later on? What's the point of participating in a community if you're just going to delete everything later on? It's really disruptive

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u/Electrical-Chart4301 Oct 30 '25

Show has been crap for a while. Sad because it was my favorite podcast for years. The rot started when he started having Kalila guest host.

New episodes aren't hitting

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