Episodes

  • The Letting Go with Joe Holtaway
    Nov 21 2025

    Welcome back to Season 6 of the Bury Me in New Jersey podcast; we’re talking with musicians about grief, music, and how we can imagine and build a more liberated world.

    In today’s episode, I had the great pleasure of chatting with folk singer-songwriter Joe Holtaway. During out conversation, Joe talks about the Artists Supporting Palestine collective, experiencing censorship, building interconnectedness, and much more.

    Stick around after the interview to hear an excerpt from Joe’s song “The Letting Go,” and you can hear the full song on his album, Warmth of the Ages.

    Show Links

    * The next Gaza Grief and Action Circle will take place online Tuesday, November 25th from 7:30–9:00 pm GMT (2:30–4:00 pm EST). If you’re interested in an evening of singing and solidarity, please reach out to Joe. ➜

    * Joe’s website ➜

    * Joe’s music on Bandcamp ➜

    * Artists Supporting Palestine website ➜

    Credits + Gratitude

    Bury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, New Jersey and the theme music is from the song Grief on Repeat by my band, new harm. The podcast was edited by our head of operations, Katel LeDû. To stay connected with us, head over to burymeinnj.com.



    Get full access to Bury Me in New Jersey at burymeinnewjersey.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • The Last One: A conversation with Noel Petrie and Joseph Gough
    Nov 7 2025

    Hi everyone. Bradley here, the new host of the Bury Me in New Jersey podcast. Welcome back for the second episode of our sixth season where we’re talking with musicians about grief, music, and how we can imagine and build a more liberated world.

    In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Noel Petrie (vocals) and Joseph Gough (guitar & vocals) of the Philadelphia hardcore punk band Disappearances. In the interview, Noel and Joseph talk about their newest album, Harrowgate, and how grief is a unifying theme throughout the record. We also discuss how the punk scene has the potential to be a welcoming community and refuge in a world filled with so much suffering and oppression.

    Stick around after the interview to hear an excerpt from “The Last One” by Disappearances. You can hear the full song on their album Harrowgate (released in Janaury 2025 on Council Records).

    Upcoming shows:

    Tickets to see Disappearances with Open City, The HIRS Collective, and Taurus Judge at the FUC in Philadelphia on 11/23/25 ➜

    See Disappearances with KNUB, Hover, and Applied Knowledge at the Moose Lodge in West Chester, PA on 12/13/25 ➜

    Tickets to see Disappearances with Dead F*****g Last and All Torn Up! at KFN in Philadelphia on 1/17/26 ➜

    Links to purchase Harrowgate and a benefit compilation:

    Purchase Harrowgate ➜

    Yes Liberation: A Benefit for Mutual Aid in Gaza ➜

    Credits + Gratitude

    Bury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, New Jersey and it is edited by our head of operations, Katel LeDu. Our theme music is from the song Grief on Repeat by my band, New Harm. If you’d like to keep up to date with other work we’re doing to support Bury Me, please consider subscribing to our Substack at burymeinnj.com. It’s absolutely free to read our content, though we do offer paid membership options which help us to continue producing more grief content.

    Until next time



    Get full access to Bury Me in New Jersey at burymeinnewjersey.substack.com/subscribe
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    56 mins
  • Immigrant Songs: A conversation with Greg Saunier
    Oct 24 2025

    Hi everyone, this is Bradley writing, and I’m the new host of the Bury Me in New Jersey podcast.

    Many thanks to Sara, my wife and the creator of Bury Me in New Jersey, for giving me the opportunity to take over the podcast for a bit. Sara is busy working on the next volume of Mourning Papers, our literary magazine focused on grief, joy, resistance, and New Jersey. You can learn more and stay up to date about forthcoming volumes by signing up for our email list at mourningpapers.com.

    I’m super excited to be in conversation with musicians for the next string of episodes. I’ll be talking with guests about how grief moves through music, art, and collective action, and how those creative expressions help us imagine and build a more liberated world.

    In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Greg Saunier, drummer of the band Deerhoof. This chat carries the message that by experiencing our grief instead of avoiding it, we can grow closer, care more about each other, and experience joy and freedom that might otherwise be inaccessible.

    Stick around after the interview to hear an excerpt from Deerhoof’s track, “Immigrant Songs.” You can hear the full song on their album Noble and Godlike in Ruin (released in April 2025).

    And if you’re in the Philly/NJ area, come see us at the Philly Zine Fest on Saturday November 1st. The fest runs from 11am–5pm at Mitten Hall (1913 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122). We’ll have Volume 1 of Mourning Papers and other zines and stickers available.

    Until next time.

    Read Greg’s writing ➜

    Check out info about Deerhoof’s upcoming tour in Japan ➜

    Listen to Chris Hedges confront the NJ State Assembly on dangerous antisemitism bill ➜



    Get full access to Bury Me in New Jersey at burymeinnewjersey.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Lord Let Me Die In Essex County
    Oct 17 2025
    Today’s episode centers on one of our key pillars, New Jersey—a theme we’ve returned to often but haven’t yet devoted an entire episode to. And who better to talk about Jersey with than Kerri Sullivan, a writer, librarian, and the creator of Jersey Collective—a multifaceted project that has documented and celebrated New Jersey history, happenings, and voices for well over a decade.I’ve been following Jersey Collective for several years on Instagram, watching how it began with weekly takeovers where different people shared their perspectives on the state and highlighted the places and things that mattered most to them here. More recently, it has evolved to include some awesome New Jersey-themed products and artistic collaborations that highlight local designers and celebrate everything that makes our state feel so intrinsically Jersey. In that time, Kerri has also curated and edited New Jersey Fan Club: Artists and Writers Celebrate the Garden State, an anthology of personal essays, interviews, and comics from both emerging and established voices reflecting their relationship with New Jersey. During our conversation, we talk about what inspired her to start the Jersey Collective, how she navigates the balance between staying true to her creative vision while maintaining a large, engaged audience, and the importance of making space to create for the sake of creating, even when it might not be what people expect. And, inevitably, we get into the often debated regions of our small state. Spoiler alert, we both firmly believe in Central Jersey. Listen to Lord Let Me Die In Essex County ➜Check out Jersey Collection online ➜About Kerri SullivanKerri Sullivan is a writer, librarian, and the creator of Jersey Collective, a multifaceted project about New Jersey. Through that project, she puts out a monthly newsletter.She’s also the editor of New Jersey Fan Club: Artists & Writers Celebrate the Garden State (Rutgers University Press). Her writing has appeared on McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Catapult, The Rumpus, NJ Indy, and elsewhere.Learn more about Kerri ➜Follow Kerri and Jersey Collective ➜Credits + GratitudeBury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, NJ, with the help of our sound guy Nick Rumaczyk, head mensch and husband Bradley Nussbaum, and operations chief Katel LeDu.Our theme music is Grief on Repeat by New Harm—you’re getting an exclusive first listen here, and their debut EP is coming soon!Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our Kickstarter backers who made this season possible: Anjanette R., Sergey K., Molly E., Kim H., Erin and Bill H., Fluffy Farms, Lauren L., Fairacres Organic Produce, Holly, Stacy G., Sam J., Kerrie, and Colleen C. We are endlessly grateful for your support.If you’d like to keep up to date with the other work we’re doing to support Bury Me, please consider subscribing to our Substack at burymeinnj.com. It’s absolutely free to read our content, though we do offer paid membership options which help us to continue producing more grief content. Get full access to Bury Me in New Jersey at burymeinnewjersey.substack.com/subscribe
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    53 mins
  • An Italian Scholar Sets the Record Straight on Columbus
    Oct 13 2025
    As someone with family ties to Italian roots, I’ve long been familiar with the often contentious pride that centers around Columbus Day. While some Italian Americans see this time as a much-deserved recognition for our contributions to this country, others see it as upholding a violent colonial narrative, in addition to being an inaccurate representation of the Italian contribution to our society.We spoke about this topic at great length during my interview with Steve Cerulli, a PhD student at Fordham University whose work focuses on the Italian diaspora to the United States. His research dives into themes like assimilation, settler colonialism, and Italy’s role in supporting colonialism abroad. In addition to his doctoral work, Steve is a researcher at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and teaches at Haas’s Community College of the City University of New York. In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, we decided to create a mini episode focused on this specific topic that arose during our conversation, to give people a chance to hear more information about why, for many Italian Americans like me, Columbus does not feel like the essential representation of our people or our culture.Also, I’d like to announce an initiative taking place in New Jersey that more accurately celebrates the radical traditions of our culture in hopes of establishing inclusive community for all. Welcoming the Ancestors: Tomato Pie, Percussion, and Petitions—a Mama Leeds Collective event—is and an intimate gathering of food, music, and ancestral connection hosted by Bury Me in New Jersey. Learn more and grab your spot ➜About Steve CerulliSteve Cerulli is working on a PhD at Fordham University in the Modern History track. He is a researcher at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College/CUNY. He sits on the board of the American Italian Cultural Roundtable, Italian Enclaves Historical Society, Casa Lago Press, and the Giovanni Schiavo Series. He is interested in the development of historic and international Italian identities, transatlantic fascism and anti-fascism, and anarchist and socialist thought and movements within the Italian diaspora.Follow Steve on Instagram ➜Learn more about this episode’s (song) title and listen to Stornelli D’esilio ➜Credits + GratitudeBury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, NJ, with the help of our sound guy Nick Rumaczyk, head mensch and husband Bradley Nussbaum, and operations chief Katel LeDu.Our theme music is Grief on Repeat by New Harm—you’re getting an exclusive first listen here, and their debut EP is coming soon!Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our Kickstarter backers who made this season possible: Anjanette R., Sergey K., Molly E., Kim H., Erin and Bill H., Fluffy Farms, Lauren L., Fairacres Organic Produce, Holly, Stacy G., Sam J., Kerrie, and Colleen C. We are endlessly grateful for your support.If you’d like to keep up to date with the other work we’re doing to support Bury Me, please consider subscribing to our Substack at burymeinnj.com. It’s absolutely free to read our content, though we do offer paid membership options which help us to continue producing more grief content. Get full access to Bury Me in New Jersey at burymeinnewjersey.substack.com/subscribe
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    19 mins
  • Elastic Heart
    Sep 9 2025

    One of my favorite aspects of the show is the opportunity to learn more from individuals based on their grief experiences. And while I absolutely love meeting and speaking with new people who have insights to share on these topics, I’m especially honored when I can connect with longtime friends who share parts of their stories that I might never have otherwise known.

    I had this exact opportunity with today’s guest, Josh Moorhead. Josh is someone I’ve grown up with–literally miles apart on the same road. I was fortunate enough to reconnect with him in our early adult years, and thanks to social media, we’ve had the chance to build on our childhood friendship through our shared perspectives on the world and the ways we hope to help change it for the better.

    After reconnecting with Josh to work on some new merch for Bury Me through his design company, Scope Creep, we had the chance to connect more deeply about the project and some of Josh’s grief experiences. It became clear pretty quickly that this was a conversation worth sharing with a larger audience, especially since it touched on so many topics that others have most likely experienced–navigating relationships affected by substance use disorder, the grief that comes from family estrangement, and trying to find closure when the circumstances don’t necessarily foster that on their own.

    In this deeply personal conversation, Josh reflects on the complexities of navigating a relationship with a parent whose presence was often fleeting. “Our relationship was like a big house with lots of rooms, but we only ever got to look at a few of them,” he says, capturing the emotional distance and unanswered questions that defined their connection. Through stories of familial estrangement, forgiveness, and his evolving role as both son and father, Josh explores what it means to hold space for imperfection while still showing up with care. He shares how he’s raising his own children with emotional honesty—preparing them for life’s inevitable losses and the difficult truths that often come with loving others.

    CONTENT NOTE: In addition to discussing estranged family relationships, this episode includes discussion relating to substance use disorder.

    About Josh Moorhead

    Josh Moorhead is an experienced artist, designer, creative strategist, and brand builder who brings attention to small businesses and start-ups through a broad range of creative marketing solutions, including brand identity, web design, digital, and print. Learn more about Josh’s creative work and follow Scope Creep on Instagram.

    Listen to Elastic Heart by Sia ➜

    Credits + Gratitude

    Bury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, NJ, with the help of our sound guy Nick Rumaczyk, head mensch and husband Bradley Nussbaum, and operations chief Katel LeDu.

    Our theme music is Grief on Repeat by New Harm—you’re getting an exclusive first listen here, and their debut EP is coming soon!

    Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our Kickstarter backers who made this season possible: Anjanette R., Sergey K., Molly E., Kim H., Erin and Bill H., Fluffy Farms, Lauren L., Fairacres Organic Produce, Holly, Stacy G., Sam J., Kerrie, and Colleen C. We are endlessly grateful for your support.

    If you’d like to keep up to date with the other work we’re doing to support Bury Me, please consider subscribing to our Substack at burymeinnj.com. It’s absolutely free to read our content, though we do offer paid membership options which help us to continue producing more grief content.



    Get full access to Bury Me in New Jersey at burymeinnewjersey.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Stornelli D’esilio (Story of the Exiles)
    Jul 8 2025
    Today Sara is joined by Steve Cerulli, a PhD student at Fordham University, whose work focuses on the Italian diaspora to the United States. His research dives into themes like assimilation, settler colonialism, and Italy’s role in supporting colonialism abroad. In addition to his doctoral work, Steve is a researcher at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute and teaches at Hostos Community College of The City University of New York.* A brief note that Steve mistakenly mentions Jessica Barbata Jackson in relation to the book, Whom We Shall Welcome, but the author is Danielle Battisti. More about this episode in a personal note from Sara:I first came across Steve’s work while doing my own deep dive into this subject—trying to make sense of the stories I was raised with, and why certain versions of history always seemed to rise to the surface while others stayed buried. The more I learned—especially about Italy’s anti-fascist and anarchist movements—the more I realized how much had been left out.Steve’s work helped fill in those gaps. He sheds light on the progressive and leftist roots of Italian American identity—histories often erased or overshadowed by a dominant narrative of conservatism and white nationalism.In our conversation, we talk about the ways Italian-American history has been manipulated to serve political and economic agendas, where Christopher Columbus fits into that narrative, and, as Steve powerfully puts it, why “Italian Americans went from a group that was being lynched to a group that did the lynchings.”This was an incredibly informative and thought-provoking conversation for me—and as you’ll see from our extensive show notes, Steve brought all his receipts.Our conversation pushed me to think more deeply about my own cultural roots—and left me with a renewed commitment to examine the stories I’ve inherited, especially the ones I’ve never thought to question.And even if Italian-American identity isn’t your own, I hope this episode offers you a moment to reflect; to ask yourself:What have I been taught about who I am?Why do I believe what I believe?And who does that story really serve?A heartfelt thank you to Steve Cerulli for joining us on today’s episode.About Steve CerulliSteve Cerulli is working on a PhD at Fordham University in the Modern History track. He is a researcher at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College/CUNY. He sits on the board of the American Italian Cultural Roundtable, Italian Enclaves Historical Society, Casa Lago Press, and the Giovanni Schiavo Series. He is interested in the development of historic and international Italian identities, transatlantic fascism and anti-fascism, and anarchist and socialist thought and movements within the Italian diaspora.Follow Steve on Instagram ➜ Learn more about this episode’s (song) title and listen to Stornelli D’esilio ➜ Final Call! Contribute to The Mourning PapersSubmissions are now open for The Mourning Papers, our new quarterly print publication centered on community, care, and connection. It’s inspired by our core themes—grief, joy, resistance, and New Jersey—and we’re looking for contributions from writers, artists, organizers, and anyone with a story to tell.While we’re prioritizing voices from New Jersey, we also welcome submissions from beyond the state that resonate with our mission.The first issue drops on the autumn equinox—September 22, and submissions are due by July 24. All the details are at burymeinnj.com.And if you’re someone who’s been questioning the power of your voice—your ability to create meaningful work—or even just the desire to make anything at all in a time that feels so heavy with grief and noise...Join Us Live! And Write for Your Life We invite you to a space that honors that feeling, and gently makes room for something new. Join us for a one-day creative retreat in South Jersey, led by our beloved Operations Chief, Katel LeDu, founder of the creative consulting practice Liminal Bloom.This retreat is designed for anyone looking to restore their creativity during times of resistance—a space to reconnect with yourself, your voice, and the collective power we hold when we choose to create, even in the midst of chaos.We’ll gather on Saturday, September 13th, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, for a day rooted in meditation, writing practice, and community care.Morning refreshments and lunch are included, and we’re offering sliding scale tickets and two scholarship seats to help make this space accessible for all who need it.If your creative spark feels dim—or if you’re simply longing for solid ground while carrying your grief—we’d be honored to hold that space with you.Spots are limited, and you’re hearing about it here first! Learn more about the retreat and secure your spot ➜Credits + GratitudeBury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, NJ, with the help of our sound guy Nick Rumaczyk, head ...
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • DtFM
    Jun 24 2025

    Today Sara is joined by Lupe Diaz, an end-of-life care specialist and death doula based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Lupe moved to the Midwest in 2022 to gain a new perspective on how different communities face death, grief, and healing. Lupe brings a deeply intentional approach to death care—shaped by her experiences in close-knit Indigenous communities, and a belief that living true to our values helps reduce suffering for ourselves and for others.

    In our conversation, we talk about what it means to build community with people from different cultural backgrounds, how living in alignment with your values sometimes means going against the grain, and why Lupe believes that accepting death can help us live more intentionally. Lupe's insights on life, death, and community offer a powerful reminder that the way we live is deeply connected to the way we face the end and that authenticity is the key to building true community.

    Listen to Bad Bunny’s DtFM

    Follow Lupe on Instagram ➜

    About Lupe Diaz

    Born in Mexico City, Lupe (She/Her) has a strong cultural connection to death and dying. Receiving her education from Going With Grace, studying under the renowned death doula, Alua Arthur, Lupe aspires to help not only with the dying process, but also with grieving and the deep psychological aftermath of loss and death.

    In February of 2019, Doula Damn Thing was founded. An organization committed to serving the BBIPOC, LGBTQ+, lower income, and other marginalized communities with all of their end of life care needs.

    About This Show

    Bury Me in New Jersey is recorded in Hammonton, NJ, with the help of sound guy Nick Rumaczyk, head mensch and husband Bradley Nussbaum, and operations chief Katel LeDu. Our theme music is Grief on Repeat by New Harm. You’re getting an exclusive first listen to their material–their debut EP will be coming out soon!

    Drop us a line at hello@burymeinnj.com if you’d like to share feedback or ideas for an upcoming episode!

    A special shoutout to Anjanette R., Sergey K., Molly E., and Kim H, Erin and Bill H, Fluffy Farms, Lauren L., Fairacres Organic Produce, Katel, Holly, Stacy G., Sam J, Anjanette R, Kerrie, and Colleen C. We’re back on the air because of Kickstarter contributions like yours, and we’re deeply grateful for your support.

    If you’d like to keep up to date with the other work we’re doing to support Bury Me, please consider subscribing to our Substack at burymeinnj.com. It’s absolutely free to read our content, though we do offer paid membership options which help us to continue producing more grief content.

    Visit our website, burymeinnj.com, to learn about all the ways you can support the show. Thanks.



    Get full access to Bury Me in New Jersey at burymeinnewjersey.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 hr and 6 mins