The Best of New Jersey Podcast

Step inside the classroom of a true hometown hero as *The Best of New Jersey* podcast welcomes Stefanie Lachenauer. A "Jersey girl" through and through, Lachenauer shares her inspiring journey from a Nutley upbringing to her 19-year tenure at Montgomery Township schools, where she empowers middle schoolers through innovative courses on global leadership and mindfulness. Whether she's discussing the science of breathing with her students or recounting the surprising student question that led to an entire book chapter on "is farting mindful?" Stefanie’s passion for education and mental health shines as a beacon for the Garden State. Connect With Stefanie Lachenauer Visit Her Website: https://stefanielachenauer.com/ Buy Her Book: https://www.amazon.com/Let-Glitter-Settle-Mindfulness-Teens/dp/B0FVW3FVFL/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/njstoy2025/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Stefanie-Lachenauer-2025-NJ-State-Teacher-of-the-Year-61559565622585/Follow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

In this Episode of The Best of New Jersey Podcast, Amanda hangs out with the incredibly multi-talented Matthew Sims, Jr. Tune in as he opens up about his "accidental" move to New Jersey (we’ve all been there, right?), performing just over Cynthia Erivo's shoulder at the 2025 Tony Awards, and at SNL 50, plus his online Math Tutoring business, MathYOU Tutoring. Connect with Matthew Sims, Jr. Website: https://matthewsimsjr.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewsimsjrTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@MatthewsimsjrOfficial Podcast Synopsis:The Best of New Jersey Podcast is a dynamic podcast that celebrates the deep-rooted connection between New Jersey’s most influential figures and the communities that shaped them. Each episode features engaging conversations with high-profile celebrities, executives, athletes, and entertainers who have lived, worked, or continue to be a part of the Garden State. Through personal stories, nostalgic reflections, and shout-outs to their favorite local businesses—from beloved coffee shops to iconic pizzerias—we explore what makes New Jersey truly special.More than just a storytelling platform, The Best of New Jersey Podcast is a tribute to the state’s vibrant culture and thriving business scene, spotlighting the places and experiences that have left a lasting impact on those who call New Jersey home. Whether you’re a proud Jersey native or just curious about what makes this state so unique, our podcast offers an entertaining and insightful look at the personalities and businesses that define the heart of New Jersey.Follow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

Connect with Jake ThistleWebsite: https://jakethistle.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakethistlemusic/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4BUgwO5xK19G3Ch6MCq8EWYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jakethistleTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jakethistlemusicSupport Our Sponsor, SoJo Spa ClubWebsite: https://sojospaclub.com/Book a Day Pass or Treatment: https://sojospaclub.com/book/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sojospaclub/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sojospaclub/For More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: Follow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

In this Episode of The Best of New Jersey Podcast, host Amanda Morrison enters the vibrant world of New Jersey art with award-winning artist Ricardo Roig. Roig, who went to Westfield public schools and later Kean University, shares his journey from being an art teacher in Westfield to a full-time professional artist, a transition that occurred after an opportunity with the W Hoboken. Listen in and learn about the development of Ricardo’s unique hand-cut stencil screen print method, the personal reason behind his life-altering decision to leave art school in Florence, Italy, and about his upcoming major mural project in one of NJ’s most popular cities.Learn More About Ricardo RoigVisit his Website: https://www.roigcollection.com/Follow Ricardo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roigcollectionFollow Ricardo on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RoigCollection/Subscribe to Ricardo on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Cmocy4qNmtXk7wicJLgAQRoig Family Art Scholarship at Kean University: https://www.keanfoundation.org/roig-family-art-scholarshipFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:  - Follow Amanda on Social Media @DontSitHome  Instagram: https://instagram.com/dontsithomeYouTube:  ⁨https://www.youtube.com/@DontSitHomeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dontsithome- Follow Best of New Jersey @BestofNJ Website: https://bestofnj.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnjFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj  YouTube:  ⁨http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com  - Follow the Podcast @bestofnjpoFollow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

On this Episode of The Best of New Jersey Podcast, Amanda chats with Stephanie Scott-Bradshaw, Owner and Public Relations Expert behind First and Last PR.  If you're looking for expert tips on how to build your brand or elevate your business, this is the MUST-WATCH podcast of 2026! Learn More About First and Last PRVisit their Website: https://firstandlastpr.com/Follow First and Last PR on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstandlastpr/Follow First and Last PR on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-and-last-pr/For More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:  - Follow Amanda on Social Media @DontSitHome  Instagram: https://instagram.com/dontsithomeYouTube:  ⁨https://www.youtube.com/@DontSitHomeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dontsithome- Follow Best of New Jersey @BestofNJ Website: https://bestofnj.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnjFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj  YouTube:  ⁨http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com  - Follow the Podcast @bestofnjpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastIntro Music: Safety Net - Riot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faEtFGEqEAo) The Best of New Jersey Podcast Synopsis:  The Best of New Jersey Podcast is a dynamic podcast that celebrates the deep-rooted connection between New Jersey’s most influential figures and the communities that shaped them. Each episode features engaging conversatioFollow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

On this Episode of The Best of New Jersey Podcast, Amanda catches up with Chef Jamie Knott, the Restaurateur behind Saddle River Inn and Saddle River Cafe in Saddle River, as well as Madame and Cellar 335 in Jersey City. Learn about how he developed his culinary skills, lessons learned as a restaurant owner, his favorite places in the world to eat, and what's on the horizon.Learn More About Chef Jamie Knott Follow Chef Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knott.jamie/Follow Saddle River Inn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saddleriverinn/Check Out his new Clothing Line: https://www.instagram.com/wearsundaysauce/For More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:  - Follow Amanda on Social Media @DontSitHome  Instagram: https://instagram.com/dontsithomeYouTube:  ⁨https://www.youtube.com/@DontSitHomeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dontsithome- Follow Best of New Jersey @BestofNJ Website: https://bestofnj.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnjFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj  YouTube:  ⁨http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com  - Follow the Podcast @bestofnjpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastIntro Music: Safety Net - Riot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faEtFGEqEAo) The Best of New Jersey Podcast Synopsis:  The Best of New Jersey Podcast is a dynamic podcast that celebrates the deep-rooted connection between New Jersey’s most influeFollow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

On this Episode of The Best of New Jersey Podcast, Amanda chats with Nino Coniglio: Owner of Coniglio's Old Fashioned in Morristown, and world-renowned Pizza Making champion. Learn about how Nino first got into the pizza world, his first title win, traveling around the world competing with the US Pizza Team, and what's on the horizon for Nino's next business venture.Learn More About Nino Coniglio Visit the Coniglio's Website: https://www.coniglios.com/Follow Coniglio's on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coniglios/Order Coniglio's Online: https://www.toasttab.com/coniglios-old-fashioned-11-south-street/v3For More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:  - Follow Amanda on Social Media @DontSitHome  Instagram: https://instagram.com/dontsithomeYouTube:  ⁨https://www.youtube.com/@DontSitHomeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dontsithome- Follow Best of New Jersey @BestofNJ Website: https://bestofnj.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnjFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj  YouTube:  ⁨http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com  - Follow the Podcast @bestofnjpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastIntro Music: Safety Net - Riot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faEtFGEqEAo) The Best of New Jersey Podcast Synopsis:  The Best of New Jersey Podcast is a dynamic podcast that celebrates the deep-rooted connection between New Jersey’s most influentFollow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

In this Episode of The Best of New Jersey Podcast, host Amanda Morrison sits down with Joel Steele, Financial Advisor, Speaker, and Author of Life Switch. Learn about Joel's path to success, the pitfalls he's overcome, and how his mantra of "never give up" helped him crawl out of crippling financial debt and become a successful entrepreneur (complete with an NJ Championship ring)! Learn More About Life Switch Get the Book at https://bookjoelsteele.com/ Follow Life Switch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeswitchofficial/Find Joel Steele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-steele-9685888 For More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:  - Follow Amanda on Social Media @DontSitHome  Instagram: https://instagram.com/dontsithomeYouTube:  ⁨https://www.youtube.com/@DontSitHomeTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dontsithome- Follow Best of New Jersey @BestofNJ Website: https://bestofnj.com/  Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnjFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj  YouTube:  ⁨http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com  - Follow the Podcast @bestofnjpodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastIntro Music: Safety Net - Riot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faEtFGEqEAo) The Best of New Jersey Podcast Synopsis:  The Best of New Jersey Podcast is a dynamic podcast that celebrates the deep-rooted connection between New JeFollow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

In the first episode of The Best of New Jersey Podcast, host Amanda Morrison sits down with Steve Edwards, President of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.In addition to their annual Induction Ceremony, featuring 15 categories across many different fields, the Hall of Fame has a Learning Center & Museum at the American Dream. Listen in as Amanda gets the inside story on the creation of the Hall of Fame, past and present inductees, and what makes the Hall of Fame Museum the ultimate hub of Jersey Pride.This Episode was Edited by GR Productions. Visit their Website to learn more.Learn More about the New Jersey Hall of Fame:Website: https://njhalloffame.org/Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | TikTokFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:Follow Amanda on Social Media (@DontSitHome): Instagram | YouTube | TikTokFollow Best of NJ (@BestofNJ): Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFollow the Podcast! (@bestofnjpodcast): Instagram | TikTokFollow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

In this debut episode of The Best of New Jersey Podcast, we meet Amanda Morrison. She is the founder of lifestyle brand, Don't Sit Home. Using her social media platforms, Amanda encourages New Jerseyans to be active, eat well, and have fun. From being on the field for six Super Bowls to dining at New Jersey's hottest restaurant, to winding down with some relaxing waterfront yoga in Hoboken, Amanda does it all (and shares it with you!)This Episode was Edited by GR Productions. Visit their Website to learn more.For More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:Follow Amanda on Social Media (@DontSitHome): Instagram | YouTube | TikTokFollow Best of NJ (@BestofNJ): Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFollow the Podcast! (@bestofnjpodcast): Instagram | TikTokFollow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com

The Best of New Jersey Podcast is a dynamic podcast that celebrates the deep-rooted connection between New Jersey’s most influential figures and the communities that shaped them. Each episode features engaging conversations with high-profile celebrities, executives, athletes, and entertainers who have lived, worked, or continue to be a part of the Garden State. Through personal stories, nostalgic reflections, and shout-outs to their favorite local businesses—from beloved coffee shops to iconic pizzerias—we explore what makes New Jersey truly special.More than just a storytelling platform, The Best of New Jersey is a tribute to the state’s vibrant culture and thriving business scene, spotlighting the places and experiences that have left a lasting impact on those who call New Jersey home. Whether you’re a proud Jersey native or just curious about what makes this state so unique, our podcast offers an entertaining and insightful look at the personalities and businesses that define the heart of New Jersey.Follow Amanda @dontsithomeFor More from The Best of New Jersey Podcast:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofnjpodcast/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnjpodcastKeep Up with Best of New Jersey (BestofNJ.com)- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bestofnj- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestofnj- YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@bestofnewjersey- TikTok: (https://www.tiktok.com/@bestofnj.com