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

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]

The Ultimate Jersey Shore Beach Day Fantasy Draft!

A trip to the Jersey Shore is basically a choose your own adventure of beautiful beach options — there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a beach bum, a foodie, a concert-lover, a pinball wizard or a dive-bar aficionado or all of the above, it’s almost impossible to have a bad time down the Shore. In fact, there are so many things to do at the Jersey Shore that it’s almost overwhelming!  That’s where we come in. On this week’s episode of Jersey’s Best Podcast, host Jeremy Schneider is joined by NJ.com data reporter Katie Kausch to draft the ultimate Jersey Shore beach day! Jeremy and Katie drafted in categories including beach, breakfast restaurant, on-beach lunch, off-beach activity, dinner restaurant and more! Then Katie runs through the Garden State Gauntlet, beach day 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 Katie Kausch at @katiekausch [https://x.com/KatieKausch]  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]