Jersey's Best Podcast

Welcome to the Jersey Olympics, a series of events that recognizes the Garden State’s unique set of passions, interests and um, talents — even if the real Olympics will never actually come here. We have organized a set of very Jersey-centric events, and we’re going to give out some gold medals. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey comedian, musician and filmmaker Pat Byrne as the guys decide...

New Jersey is the diner capital of the world. You’ll find around 500 diners here, more than any other state. But why? How did we get all these timeless Jersey staples, what about them draws our unconditional love, and is diner culture changing here in the Garden State? Only one man is up for this ultimate Jersey diner deep dive, and that’s Pete Genovese, NJ.com food writer extraordinaire. Pete has...

For so many New Jerseyans, cultural lines are drawn by imperfect measures: the nebulous dividers between North, Central and South Jersey, the very inexact food science of pork roll vs. Taylor ham. But how about judging each other based on something a little more concrete, like your telephone area code? This week, Jersey’s Best Podcast is taking a closer look at what your New Jersey area code says...

Welcome to a new occasional series dedicated to New Jersey’s cities and towns — taking a closer look at the culture and history of these beloved places and analyzing why they matter so much to the Garden State at large. First up: Asbury Park, an iconic shore town with a checkered past, a conflicting present and an unclear future. In the 2000s, Asbury Park became the epicenter of a cultural revival...

Even the staunchest Jersey supporter can admit there have been times when the Garden State has been embarrassing. Comically over the top political scandals. Cringy pop culture moments. Animals escaping from Six Flags Great Adventure. This week, Jersey’s Best Podcast is embracing the imperfections and ranking the 10 most embarrassing moments in New Jersey history. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by...

The glory of the Jersey Shore is not up for debate. From the northern tip of Sandy Hook all the way to the southern shores of Cape May, every Garden State beach has its perks and virtues.  What is up for discussion, however, is which beach is best — and worst! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey’s Best Podcast producer and Jersey Shore lifer Bobby Olivier as they rank all 45 beaches in New J...

We all know New Jersey has the best bagels. But why is our bagel culture so prodigious? And what exactly makes those doughy rounds so good? Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Bagels by Jarrett owner Jarrett Seltzer to discuss how he went from rock band bassist to bagel-maker (2:17), the keys to great (albeit unconventional) bagel-making (8:51), why New Jersey bagels are indeed better than New York...

Listen, we love the Jersey Shore — just not everyone who goes there. As summer takes hold of our beloved beaches, let’s count down all the worst people you’ll meet Down the Shore this year, and trust us, they’re not all Bennies. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey’s Best Podcast producer and Jersey Shore lifer Bobby Olivier as they knock over a few KanJams (16:54), smash a few boom boxes (23...

This week’s episode is going to hell! No, not Connecticut. We’re breaking down the 9 absolute worst places and situations a New Jerseyan may find themselves — and each one gets worse! Take the fiery journey with host Jeremy Schneider and comedian Emily Paige as they try to survive a true culinary nightmare (3:18), a day of Meadowlands mayhem (10:25) and the deeply evil fate that can only be spurre...

That’s it, we’re packing up and heading to Hollywood — or maybe just Wildwood. This episode is all about Jersey’s greatest celebrities, and where they belong in the pantheon of Garden State fame. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Frazier Tharpe, a senior associate editor at GQ magazine and Jersey native, who has interviewed about a million celebs, including Newark’s own Michael B. Jordan. Listen...

Call us Pope Leo because we’re taking you to church. Okay, not really. But in this episode, we’re heading into the confession booth to reveal our deepest, darkest Jersey-based confessions and hot takes — the kind of stuff that should get our Jersey cards revoked. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Jersey City comedian Alex Nicholas — listen as the guys reveal their pick for the state’s most overra...

No part of New Jersey is misunderstood — and some would say underappreciated — like South Jersey. Host (and notorious North Jersey native) Jeremy Schneider is joined by South Jersey expert Andrea Quinn to shine some light on all the great things below I-195 the rest of the Garden State simply doesn’t get. Listen as Andrea educates Jeremy on how South Jersey REALLY feels about North Jersey (8:15),...

Let the great Jersey food debate begin! The true Jersey Food Dude, captain of the MunchMobile and veteran food journalist Pete Genovese joins host Jeremy Schneider for a delicious dive into all matters of Garden State culinary quandaries. Listen as the guys play overrated/underrated on Jersey’s most famous diner (3:57), our most colorfully named hot dog joint (11:30), a bustling pizza icon that Pe...

Surprise! Here’s a fun mini-episode designed to make you scream: Host and Great Adventure expert Jeremy Schneider takes us on a twisting, hurtling journey through Six Flags, ranking all 13 roller coasters for the 2025 season (2:00) — including the newly opened The Flash Vertical Velocity (8:18). Jeremy gets into which are overrated, which are classics and how the Jackson theme park really, REALLY...

What exit? We’ll tell you what exit! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by veteran journalist Brian Donohue (The Jersey Angle Podcast, Red Bank Green) to present the first-ever Roadie Awards (8:43) — our way of unpacking the best and worst of the New Jersey Turnpike. Ride shotgun as the guys get into how the Turnpike fits into Jersey culture (6:39), and award exits for their devilry, beauty — and the...

Our, uh, colorful New Jersey language unites us, even if the rest of the country doesn't know what the hell we're saying. Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by comedian and noted Bennie dissenter Allie Mae to break down all their favorite Jersey slang, from saltpepperketchup (7:34) and 20regularcash (14:42) to the more obscure Jersey Slide (16:29) and Goosey Night (22:38). They also bond over which N...

This episode is all about New Jersey wildlife and the power of nature — versus the moxie of one unsuspecting podcast host. Jeremy Schneider is joined by veteran zoologist and wildlife photographer Wild Mike Miller to appreciate some of our favorite local fauna, and how most of them would put Jeremy in the hospital. From honey bees (4:21) to rattlesnakes (17:59) to black bears (33:04), this is defi...

Yes, New Jersey loves Wawa like a brother (who brings you hoagies). But QuickChek is actually the true Jersey native? Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by Wawa superfan Tyler Gyuirsin — the dude who famously collected sandwich receipts 1 to 999 — to settle once and for all, which is the greatest N.J. convenience store. The guys talk history (8:10), signature items (14:47) and do a live taste (19:25)...

Let’s get ugly! Host Jeremy Schneider is joined by comedian Nick Fierro to count down 10 of the “so hideous they’re spectacular” places only true New Jerseyan could love. Come along as the guys detail a strip club under a bridge (5:34), a hot dog that looks like a witch’s finger (8:40), the gross glory of Fairytale Forest (12:12) and the refinery that gives us a bad name (and smell) (30:05). Nick...

New Jersey is America’s greatest state — so why wouldn’t it have the best podcast? Beginning April 2, join NJ.com culture reporter Jeremy Schneider for Jersey's Best Podcast, a weekly dive into everything that makes New Jersey spectacular, bizarre, beautiful, maddening and, ultimately, the best. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices