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 Sullivan
Kerri 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.
Follow Kerri and Jersey Collective ➜
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.
