'Garden State Roots' is the podcast that wants to put an end to New Jersey being the butt of the joke for evermore. After 250 years of revolutionary history, it's time to give props to NJ's contribution to the modern culture of America, if not the world. From music to film, sports to tech, food to politics, host Justin Williams and guests explore the unique historical moments and inspirational people that has made the 'Garden State' so fertile to change down the years.
Garden State Roots
Claim This Podcastby RevNJ
5.0(2 reviews)
9 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
'Garden State Roots' is the podcast that wants to put an end to New Jersey being the butt of the joke for evermore. After 250 years of revolutionary history, it's time to give props to NJ's contribution to the modern culture of America, if not the world. From music to film, sports to tech, food to politics, host Justin Williams and guests explore the unique historical moments and inspirational people that has made the 'Garden State' so fertile to change down the years.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/14/2026
2 verified contact emails on file for Garden State Roots
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Recent Episodes
June 22, 2026
How New Jersey shaped American sports
<p>Sports are so crucial to American life but did you know that New Jersey played a foundational role in shaping so many of them? Host Justin Williams is joined by NJ.com sports writer Steve Politi and sports historian Sue Macy to explore how New Jersey was the catalyst for the first ever football and baseball games in the United States, the first pro basketball match and the first soccer association anywhere outside of Great Britain. It turns out, there are few places in the world that have played such a formative role in the sports we now know and love. And what about New Jersey's GOAT athletes? Where else boasts a heavyweight boxer who fought real grizzlies as part of his career? Only in the Garden State ... </p><p>Check out all of the extra stories and NJRevolution history in the 'Garden State Roots' show notes: <a href="https://www.revnj.org/s/How-NJ-Shaped-Sports-Show-Notesdocx.pdf">https://www.revnj.org/s/How-NJ-Shaped-Sports-Show-Notesdocx.pdf</a><br></p><p>'Garden State Roots' is the podcast that wants to put an end to New Jersey being the butt of the joke for evermore. After 250 years of revolutionary history. it's time to give props to NJ's contribution to the modern culture of America, if not the world. From music to film, sports to tech and food to politics, host Justin Williams and guests explore the unique historical moments and inspirational people that has made the Garden State so fertile to change down the years.</p>
June 2, 2026
How New Jersey created Hollywood
<p>The movie business is so often associated with the West Coast of the United States and Hollywood, but what if its true origins could be traced all the way back to the East Coast and New Jersey? Catch up with host Justin Williams, Adam Nelson - professor at the New Jersey Film Academy and the publisher of Socko! Magazine - and Angela Matusik - editor-in-chief of Socko! and founder of the Maplewood Film Society - as they spool through 250 years of NJ movie history and the founding of a billion-dollar industry in the Garden State. </p><p>Check out all of the extra stories and NJRevolution history in the 'Garden State Roots' show notes: <a href="https://www.revnj.org/s/Episode-7-How-New-Jersey-Built-Hollywood-Show-Notes.pdf">https://www.revnj.org/s/Episode-7-How-New-Jersey-Built-Hollywood-Show-Notes.pdf</a> </p><p>'Garden State Roots' is the podcast that wants to put an end to New Jersey being the butt of the joke for evermore. After 250 years of revolutionary history. it's time to give props to NJ's contribution to the modern culture of America, if not the world. From music to film, sports to tech and food to politics, host Justin Williams and guests explore the unique historical moments and inspirational people that has made the Garden State so fertile to change down the years.</p>
May 11, 2026
How New Jersey transformed hip hop
<p>The birth of hip hop is so often thought of as a New York-only story but, ever since its creation, New Jersey has played an instrumental, if underreported, role in transforming two turntables and a microphone in to global music. 'Garden State Roots' host Justin Williams is joined by Master Gee, founding member of the Sugar Hill Gang, and Jay Quan - Minister of Information for Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 as well as the official historian for the Hip-Hop Museum in D.C. - to break down NJ's hip hop credentials. </p><p><br></p><p>Check out all of the extra stories and NJRevolution history in the 'Garden State Roots' show notes: <a href="https://www.revnj.org/s/6-How-New-Jersey-Transformed-Hip-Hop.pdf">https://www.revnj.org/s/6-How-New-Jersey-Transformed-Hip-Hop.pdf</a></p><p><br></p><p>'Garden State Roots' is the podcast that wants to put an end to New Jersey being the butt of the joke for evermore. After 250 years of revolutionary history. it's time to give props to NJ's contribution to the modern culture of America, if not the world. From music to film, sports to tech and food to politics, host Justin Williams and guests explore the unique historical moments and inspirational people that has made the Garden State so fertile to change down the years. </p><p><br></p>
9 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Garden State Roots?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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