The True New Jersey Story of Karl-Anthony Towns

The True New Jersey Story of Karl-Anthony Towns

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 [https://www.instagram.com/jerseysbestpodcast/] on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠ [https://www.nj.com/subscribe/?utm_source=google-ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=paid-search&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaign%7D&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqIm_BhDnARIsAKBYcmvz_DECw5VP8Y8V_33w_WA2hAicvIGvSo2i-yYEGkp1mRK5DibPNfkaAmbJEALw_wcB], our journalists need you! Follow Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven [https://x.com/NJHoopsHaven?lang=en] Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/]here⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Is the World Cup Really Going to Be a Disaster for N.J.? An Investigation.

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 [https://www.nj.com/news/2026/06/travel-disaster-strands-nj-world-cup-fans-for-hours-its-hard-to-believe-were-in-america-right-now.html]. Follow us!⁠⁠⁠ @jerseysbestpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/jerseysbestpodcast/] on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠ [https://www.nj.com/subscribe/?utm_source=google-ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=paid-search&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaign%7D&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqIm_BhDnARIsAKBYcmvz_DECw5VP8Y8V_33w_WA2hAicvIGvSo2i-yYEGkp1mRK5DibPNfkaAmbJEALw_wcB], our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/] here⁠⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

N.J. Families are Getting Played by Rich Dorks Ruining Youth Sports

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 [Jerseysbestpodcast@gmail.com]  Follow us! @jerseysbestpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/jerseysbestpodcast/] on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky Subscribe to NJ.com [https://www.nj.com/subscribe/?utm_source=google-ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=paid-search&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaign%7D&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqIm_BhDnARIsAKBYcmvz_DECw5VP8Y8V_33w_WA2hAicvIGvSo2i-yYEGkp1mRK5DibPNfkaAmbJEALw_wcB], our journalists need you!  Follow Steve at @StevePoliti [https://x.com/StevePoliti] and read his report here [https://www.nj.com/sports/2026/05/the-shocking-cost-of-youth-sports-in-new-jersey.html] Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/] here⁠⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

How Did N.J.'s Jamie Ding Become a 'Jeopardy' Legend? We Asked Him!

“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 [https://www.instagram.com/jerseysbestpodcast/] on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠ [https://www.nj.com/subscribe/?utm_source=google-ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=paid-search&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaign%7D&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqIm_BhDnARIsAKBYcmvz_DECw5VP8Y8V_33w_WA2hAicvIGvSo2i-yYEGkp1mRK5DibPNfkaAmbJEALw_wcB], our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/] here⁠⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Inside Story of How Troma Studios Came to N.J.

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 [https://www.instagram.com/jerseysbestpodcast/] on Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Blue Sky ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to NJ.com⁠⁠⁠⁠, our journalists need you! Buy Jersey’s best podcast merch⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/] here⁠⁠⁠ [https://jerseysbestpodcasts-shop.bigcartel.com/]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]