Post Reports

Just over seven years ago, we launched this daily news podcast from The Washington Post.Our goal was to bring you inside our newsroom, sharing our reporting with listeners to help make sense of what was happening in the world. We've published hundreds of episodes. We've covered elections, wars, a pandemic, tech revolutions, pop culture phenomena, scientific discoveries and more. As of this week, The Post has decided to suspend "Post Reports."It was a privilege to know that we got to spend time in your ears, as part of your day. To everybody who's listened to this podcast and made it a part of your lives: We want to extend our deepest gratitude for the trust you've put in us.

In his second term, President Donald Trump has gone on a mission to reinvent the Kennedy Center, the beloved performing arts venue in Washington, D.C.Trump promised to overhaul the center's programming. He installed loyalists on the board who made him chairman. In December, Trump's name joined John F. Kennedy's on the building's facade. This week, Trump announced further plans to close the center for two years as he undertakes a massive renovation. Details of the plan remain murky, but Trump says he intends to overhaul even the building's marble facade. Style writer Travis Andrews has been reporting on Trump's growing involvement with the Kennedy Center. Today, he joins Martine Powers to talk about why the president is so invested in the future of the institution — and why his plans have some people concerned. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, Thomas Lu and Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In late January of last year, an American Eagle flight and a U.S. Army helicopter collided above the Potomac River, killing everyone aboard both aircraft. It was the deadliest flight disaster in the U.S. in decades.A year later, families and first responders are reflecting on their enduring sorrow.Local public safety reporter Emma Uber reads her story that recounts how loved ones left behind are processing the anniversary and finding solace in the keepsakes first-responders were able to recover after the crash.Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Ten years ago this month, Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian was freed from Iran's Evin prison. He and his wife, Yeganeh, had been arrested at their home in Tehran and falsely accused of espionage. Since then, Rezaian has dedicated himself to advocating for press freedom, and now he's the director of The Post's press freedom initiatives. On Thursday, before a live audience at The Post, host Elahe Izadi sat down with Rezaian and his wife to talk about their reflections 10 years after their wrongful imprisonment. They were joined by ambassador Brett McGurk. As a presidential envoy, McGurk was integral to Rezaian's release. They also spoke about what's happening in Iran today, the widespread protests, what the United States could do and what this could all mean for the future of Iran.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Since the killing of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minnesota, President Donald Trump and his administration are feeling the pressure — not only from Democrats, but also from members of their own party. Some congressional Republicans have been critical of the administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and are worried about consequences for the midterms.“The more the image is out there that President Trump is pushing things very far … [and] is responsible for chaos,” senior national politics reporter Naftali Bendavid says, “the easier it is for Democrats to make the case that they are needed, if nothing else, to put some guardrails up.”Naftali spoke on this week's episode of the “Post Reports” politics roundtable, alongside host Colby Itkowitz and Dan Merica, co-anchor of the politics newsletter The Early Brief. They discussed how Democrats are using the threat of a government shutdown as leverage to demand stronger reforms of the Department of Homeland Security.Colby, Naftali and Dan also reflected on the attack against Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) at a recent town hall. “We've seen people lose their lives in political violence moments last year,” Merica says, ”and you have to worry that it could happen again this year.”Today's show was produced by Thomas Lu and Josh Carroll. It was edited by Martine Powers and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And watch us on YouTube here.

In early 2024, executives at artificial intelligence start-up Anthropic ramped up an ambitious project they sought to keep quiet. It was code-named Project Panama, and internal documents filed in court described it as an “effort to destructively scan all the books in the world.”According to the filings, the company had spent tens of millions of dollars to acquire and slice the spines off potentially millions of books, before scanning their pages to feed knowledge into the AI models behind products such as Claude, its popular chatbot. A judge ruled this fair use.Details of Project Panama emerged in more than 4,000 pages of documents in a copyright lawsuit brought by book authors against Anthropic. The company agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle the case in August – but a district judge's decision last week to unseal a slew of documents in the case more fully revealed Anthropic's zealous pursuit of books.Today on “Post Reports,” technology reporter Will Oremus explains the lengths to which AI firms such as Anthropic, Meta, Google and OpenAI went to obtain colossal troves of data with which to “train” their software – a frantic and sometimes clandestine race to acquire the collected works of humanity. He and host Martine Powers discuss how AI companies' efforts sometimes might have crossed over into the illegal, and how authors and artists might fare in an AI-centered future. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Dennis Funk and mixed by Sam Bair.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Houses in the United States keep getting bigger, but the people in bigger houses aren't necessarily happier. Bigger homes often come with higher costs and more maintenance and can pull people further away from the places and relationships that matter. For some, choosing a smaller home can actually make life feel easier, more connected and more satisfying.Elahe Izadi speaks with climate coach Michael Coren about the joys that come with living in a smaller house and what to prioritize when deciding where to live. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Dennis Funk with help from Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

After both Renée Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by Department of Homeland Security officers in Minneapolis this month, the story from the agency's secretary, Kristi L. Noem, was that these individuals' intentions represented acts of domestic terrorism. Confirmed as DHS secretary a year ago under President Trump, Noem has been one of the most visible defenders of Trump's immigration agenda, executing a sprawling deportation campaign and backing the increasingly aggressive tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and Customs and Border Patrol agents, which fall under her purview. Over several months, ICE and CBP officers have been fanning out across Democratic-run cities — entering neighborhoods and homes to make arrests, aggressively spraying protesters with tear gas, and even detaining U.S. citizens. Federal officers have been involved in 16 shootings since July and have killed three people, including two U.S. citizens. Yet this sweeping immigration agenda and the consequent actions by federal officers were not part of the original mission of DHS. Today, immigration reporter Marianne Levine discusses how former South Dakota governor Kristi Noem has transformed DHS and what that could mean for its future. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Dennis Funk and mixed by Sam Bair.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The killing of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti on Saturday morning marks a dramatic escalation of what was already a very tense moment for Minneapolis. Just a day before, thousands of residents marched in a citywide strike organized by faith leaders and labor unions. They were protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in the state, including the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renée Good by an ICE officer earlier this month. Although it is not clear how Pretti's interaction with federal agents began on Saturday, bystander footage reviewed by The Post raises questions about Homeland Security's account of what happened. On Saturday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti – a legal gun owner, who was carrying a gun in or near his waistband when he was killed – had been committing an act of domestic terrorism. According to a Post analysis, federal agents had already secured the handgun he was carrying by the time they fatally shot him.Today on “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with national reporter Kim Bellware about the death of Alex Pretti – why many people are worried that his death won't get a thorough investigation, and how this encounter is raising important questions around America's gun debate.Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon and Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Annie Gowen, Lauren Gurley and Gina Harkins. Follow the latest in The Post's Minneapolis coverage here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And watch us on YouTube here.

Today on the show, we explore the science behind why going outside is so good for us, even when it's freezing.If you're interested in learning more about nature therapy, check out the Center for Nature Informed Therapy.A psychologist says this exercise can make you more hopeful in 14 days: the Noticing Nature Intervention is straightforward, but its results might surprise you.If you want more Optimistic stories in your inbox, subscribe to our newsletter. And if you'd like to hear more hopeful stories on the weekend on “Post Reports,” please send us an email: podcasts@washpost.com. Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy who also mixed the show. It was edited by Allison Klein and Ariel Plotnick. Thank you to Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

President Donald Trump made headlines with two speeches this week. First came his sprawling, stream-of-consciousness address in the White House briefing room on Tuesday. Then, his barbed remarks about fellow world leaders at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.Trump concluded the week with a purported deal on America's future role in Greenland – but it remains unclear what that deal will entail.“A lot of what we've seen from Trump during his political career, but specifically over the last year is … notching the win before the details are worked out,” White House reporter Cleve Wootson said on this week's episode of the “Post Reports” politics roundtable. “He gets to walk away from Davos saying: I got what I wanted from these European leaders. America has won.”Wootson spoke on the podcast with host Colby Itkowitz and Dan Merica, co-anchor of the politics newsletter The Early Brief. They also talk about the 2026 midterms, and why Democrats are newly optimistic about their chances in the Senate.“The map is not overall very favorable to them,” Colby says, “but they're suddenly looking at it and thinking: We might be able to do this.”Today's show was produced by Thomas Lu and Josh Carroll. It was edited by Martine Powers and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And watch us on YouTube here.

Iranian director Jafar Panahi has been making social cinema since the 1990s. His work follows everyday Iranians and their struggles against societal forces. In 2010 the director received a ban on filmmaking from the Iranian government, and in 2022 he was imprisoned after he inquired into a fellow filmmaker's arrest. Despite being jailed and censored, Panahi has continued to work. His films such as "The Circle,” “Taxi” and “No Bears” have won awards from the top film festivals in the world. Now his latest film, “It Was Just an Accident,” has been nominated for two Oscars for best international feature film and best original screenplay. The film follows a group of former Iranian political prisoners who kidnap a man they suspect was their torturer, but they aren't totally sure it's him. Panahi shot the film in secret in Iran because he didn't have official government permission to make it. While it is receiving critical acclaim around the world, it's being repressed in Iran, where the government recently handed Panahi a new prison sentence. Today on “Post Reports” Elahe Izadi speaks with Jafar Panahi about how he made “It Was Just an Accident” and why he is planning to return to Iran once his awards campaign is over. The two spoke this month, before this week's Oscar nominations and the most recent escalation of anti-government demonstrations and crackdowns in Iran. Today's show was produced by Lucas Trevor, Joshua Carroll and Sam Bair, who also mixed it. It was edited by Elana Gordon and Peter Bresnan, with help from Reena Flores.Thanks to Neon for movie clips and photos.Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And watch us on YouTube here.

When U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced the death of a detainee at a Texas detention camp this month, the agency initially gave no cause of death. A fellow detainee said he witnessed Geraldo Lunas Campos being choked to death by guards; ICE said “staff observed him in distress.” Seeking answers, Lunas Campos's family called El Paso County's Office of the Medical Examiner, and an employee told them that – subject to the result of a toxicology report – the office is likely to classify Lunas Campos's death as a homicide. Today on “Post Reports,” investigative reporter Douglas MacMillan tries to find out what really caused the death of a detainee – and takes us inside the black box of the largest detention camp in the United States. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick, Dennis Funk and Martine Powers and mixed by Sean Carter.Thanks also to Juliet Eilperin. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump sent an unusual text to the prime minister of Norway. The two leaders had been messaging about Greenland – specifically, Trump's threats to impose tariffs on European countries opposed to the United States taking over the autonomous Danish territory. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement that he had been trying to de-escalate the situation. President Trump responded by linking his insistence on taking over Greenland to his grievance over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize – bestowed yearly by the Nobel Committee in Norway. Today on “Post Reports,” London bureau chief Steve Hendrix joins host Martine Powers with the latest on Trump's bid for Greenland, how it all comes back to his perceived Peace Prize snub, and how his obsession is starting to have a real impact on geopolitics. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Dennis Funk and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Friendship is vital for our health and happiness, but we don't always prioritize it. The Optimist's Maggie Penman goes on a journey to make new friends and learn why so many of us are craving connection.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman, with help from Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Allison Klein. For more stories from The Optimist, subscribe to our newsletter. If you want to hear more stories like this on “Post Reports,” send Maggie an email at maggie.penman@washpost.com. If you want to check out Billy Baker's book, it's called “We Need to Hang Out: A Memoir of Making Friends.”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

At a time of year when many of us are reflecting on our lives and setting goals, we look at the research into what makes for a good life – and share some advice on how to get there.Here's what science considers a path to a good life. Plus, some tips and advice on how to get there.Are you living a good life? Take this quiz to find out.7 simple ways to be a bit happier each dayDoing good is good for you, research showsBoredom is a warning sign. Here's what it's telling you.If you want to hear more stories like this on “Post Reports,” please let us know. You can reach the whole team at podcasts@washpost.com or email Maggie at maggie.penman@washpost.com.The Optimist has a newsletter! Subscribe here.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and Allison Klein. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This week, the FBI raided the home of a Washington Post journalist, sparking First Amendment fears. At the same time, the Justice Department has opened an investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell, drawing concerns from bigwigs on Wall Street and questions as to how the administration treats its perceived political enemies. Colby speaks with Dan Merica, co-anchor of our politics newsletter The Early Brief, and Matt Viser, White House bureau chief, about President Donald Trump's playbook for intimidating his critics, the chilling effects of his administration's probes and why his coarse response to a heckling auto worker has drawn both criticism and praise.Today's show was produced by Thomas Lu and Josh Carroll. It was edited by Martine Powers and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And watch us on YouTube here.

Early Wednesday, FBI agents raided the home of a Washington Post reporter as part of an investigation of a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials. The reporter – Hannah Natanson – was at her home in Virginia at the time of the search. She covers the federal government for The Post and spent the past year connecting with sources while reporting on the Trump administration's efforts to fire federal workers. Investigators said neither Natanson nor The Post are the focus of the probe, but many saw the search as a jarring new step aimed at limiting news organizations' ability to gather information. Today on “Post Reports,” democracy reporter Sarah Ellison joins host Elahe Izadi to discuss the unusual move by federal law enforcement and the lengths journalists go to to keep sources safe. And, in the second half of the show, we bring you an excerpt from an April 2025 conversation with Natanson – about how she became The Post's “federal government whisperer.”Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Dennis Funk and mixed by Sam Bair.The April 23 episode was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon and edited by Peter Bresnan.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

For years, President Donald Trump has complained about Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome H. Powell. He's called him names, said he should be fired and has tried to pressure the Fed leader into lowering interest rates.Trump's feud against Powell escalated over the weekend, when Powell revealed that the Justice Department launched a criminal inquiry against him, alleging that Powell lied about the cost of renovations to the Federal Reserve buildings.Host Elahe Izadi speaks to banking reporter Andrew Ackerman about what this probe could mean for Powell, the Fed and whether Trump's consistent pressure on Powell could undermine America's central bank forever.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Conflicting narratives of Renée Good's killing in Minneapolis have quickly emerged – federal officials claim the ICE officer who shot her was acting in self-defense, while others believe her death was easily avoidable and that ICE's tactics are overly aggressive. Host Martine Powers speaks with immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti about how law enforcement officials are scrutinizing the shooting and what accountability in this case could look like.

The turmoil started in late December, when some Tehran merchants closed up shop to protest the free fall of Iran's currency. That initial outcry sparked a wave of protests across the country. Demonstrators demanded not just economic reform, but a total overhaul of Iran's government and an end to repression. Some called for the ouster of the country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Now the government has cracked down, and there are reports that hundreds of protesters have been killed. The country has been under a communications blackout since Thursday, making it nearly impossible to assess the extent of the bloodshed.Elahe Izadi speaks with Iran correspondent Yeganeh Torbati about how things boiled over - and what might be happening inside the country.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff with help from Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. You can learn more about Torbati's forthcoming book on Iran here. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Decades after a brazen art theft drove Merry White's father to despair, federal agents closed in on the missing work. For White, the search is personal.Read more:Merry White is the daughter of a Harvard professor who was close friends with painter Jackson Pollock. White's parents came to own several of the painter's artworks, and one hung over White's bed when she was a child. It was stolen in 1973, along with two other paintings by Pollock. The theft destroyed White's father's peace of mind, and left White with complicated feelings.On this weekend episode of “Post Reports,” art critic Sebastian Smee reconstructs the provenance and theft of these precious works of art. Audio production and original music by Bishop Sand, with help from Sean Carter.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

This week, the shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis has drawn new scrutiny of President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement push, and reactions have become something of a political Rorschach test. Meanwhile, Democrats such as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. Mark Kelly (Arizona) are facing new challenges as they navigate attacks from Republican leaders. And the Trump administration continues to project defiance in the aftermath of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's removal.“This is just one expression of raw American power after another,” says White House reporter Michael Birnbaum on this week's “Post Reports” politics roundtable.Michael spoke with host Colby Itkowitz and Dan Merica, co-anchor of the Early Brief newsletter, to unpack a jam-packed week of political news. Today's show was produced by Thomas Lu and Josh Carroll. It was edited by Martine Powers with help from Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And watch us on YouTube here.

Go to sleep earlier. Read more books. Eat better. Exercise. Changing our behavior is hard, but what if some simple – and dare we say fun – tricks could help us keep our resolutions for the new year?From temptation bundling to buddying up, Optimist reporter Maggie Penman shares the science on how to make your New Year's resolutions, whatever they are, stick in 2026. Plus, on the eve of national “Quitters Day,” we explore why making resolutions can actually be beneficial – even if you don't stick to them perfectly. Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Dennis Funk and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Allison Klein and Theresa Tamkins.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Just hours before U.S. aircraft surged into Caracas as part of an operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, an anonymous person placed a final online bet that the Venezuelan president would soon be ousted. The mystery gambler netted more than $400,000 on that long-shot bet – raising questions about whether they had inside knowledge of the operation. The payout has drawn attention to the growing world of prediction markets, online bets on real-world scenarios that some critics warn could have unintended negative effects. Today, Martine Powers talks with banking reporter Andrew Ackerman about the loosely regulated prediction market industry and what we know about the mystery gambler who won big on the Maduro ouster.Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick with help from Dennis Funk and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has held many titles during Donald Trump's presidency. He may have just acquired his most challenging one yet: viceroy of Venezuela.The national security adviser, acting archivist and administrator of the now-defunct U.S. Agency for International Development was central to masterminding the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday. And with no immediate successor to govern the country of roughly 29 million, Trump is leaning on Rubio to help “run” Venezuela, divvy up its oil assets and usher in a new government, a fraught and daunting task for someone with so many other responsibilities.Today on “Post Reports,” State Department reporter John Hudson explains how Rubio has become so influential, and what that could mean for Venezuela's future. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sam Bair.

After U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday, President Donald Trump declared: “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.”The world is still digesting the consequences of the intervention, which the Trump administration has characterized as a law enforcement mission against Maduro rather than a military operation in a foreign country. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and machine gun possession.White House reporter Michael Birnbaum joins host Martine Powers to explain the political ramifications of Maduro's arrest, the next steps of the Trump administration and the reactions of Venezuelans. We also hear from Ana Vanessa Herrero, The Post's reporter in Caracas. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy and Reena Flores. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today we share one of our favorite episodes, from Optimist reporter Maggie Penman about the new science of aging, and a hopeful research finding that getting stronger and healthier in old age is possible for many of us – even after a health setback. If you want to hear more stories like this, please let us know. You can reach the whole team at podcasts@washpost.com or email Maggie at maggie.penman@washpost.com.Today's episode was reported and produced by Maggie Penman. It was edited by Allison Klein and Ted Muldoon who also mixed the show.The Optimist has a newsletter! Subscribe here.And, subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes from this past year, about super agers: people who continue to thrive into their 80s and 90s. One of them lives just down my block.Ednajane Truax, who is known to friends and neighbors as “E.J.,” can often be found on her hands and knees in the dirt, working in the garden at the Sherwood Recreation Center in Northeast Washington. She also has an impressive garden of her own and helps out with other neighbors' gardens. She works out several times a week, sometimes while wearing a shirt that says, “You don't stop lifting when you get old — you get old when you stop lifting.” She can bench press 55 pounds and leg press 250.Truax has never married — “just lucky, I guess,” she jokes when I ask her about that — but she has remained social her entire life. She volunteers, goes to the gym, throws parties, knows her neighbors and their children by name. Truax says her secret to thriving as she ages is simple: Be active.It turns out that research backs her up.If you're looking for more surprising, delightful stories about the best of humanity, check out The Optimist from The Washington Post. We also have a newsletter: Subscribe to get stories from The Optimist in your inbox every Sunday morning.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman with help from Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. The Optimist's editor is Allison Klein. If you liked hearing this story on “Post Reports,” send us an email at podcasts@washpost.com. You can email Maggie directly at maggie.penman@washpost.com.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Once a month for 15 years, David Weiner has hosted a jazz party, inviting everyone he knows and many people he's never met over to his D.C. rowhouse. Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes of the year and go inside the wildly welcoming ritual to understand how he's built this community — and kept it going.You can read more about Wiener's jazz party here.If you're looking for more surprising, delightful stories about the best of humanity, check out The Optimist from The Washington Post. We also have a newsletter: Subscribe to get stories from The Optimist in your inbox every Sunday morning.Today's show was reported and produced by Maggie Penman and Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. The Optimist's editor is Allison Klein. If you liked hearing this story on “Post Reports,” send us an email at podcasts@washpost.com. You can email Maggie directly at maggie.penman@washpost.com.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In one of our favorite episodes of the year, a group of self-proclaimed “old ladies” dive for garbage — and unexpectedly find joy. This is a story from The Optimist, The Washington Post's section about the best of humanity. If you want more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter. If you love hearing these stories on “Post Reports,” please send us an email at podcasts@washpost.com. You can reach Maggie Penman directly at maggie.penman@washpost.com.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman. It was edited and mixed by Ted Muldoon. Thank you to Allison Klein. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Fartlek is a Swedish term for “speed play.” This informal version of interval training is simple, effective and dare we say … enjoyable? And not just because fartlek is fun to say. Exercise columnist Gretchen Reynolds is here to vouch for this often-overlooked, decades-old practice. Reynolds, who helped popularize the 7-minute workout, has found that a growing body of research points to the benefits of this approach, even in small doses. According to exercise scientists, it can improve strength, endurance and longevity and may even lower the risk of dementia.Today's show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Thanks to Anjuman Ali.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes from the past year: about the science of how dogs make us calmer, happier — and maybe even more trusting.If you want more optimistic content on the weekends, let us know at podcasts@washpost.com and maggie.penman@washpost.com – and check out our newsletter.Today's show was produced and hosted by Maggie Penman and reported by Kyle Melnick. It was edited by Allison Klein and mixed by Ted Muldoon.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The cafeteria at Ballard High School during lunch is a loud place. Students are talking and laughing, playing card games and going out to the courtyard for an informal recess. On Fridays, students have started playing bingo.It's a big change from the past couple of years — and it's not the only one. In the first month of school this year, students took out 67 percent more books from the school library than the same month last year.Today on the show, we interview psychologist Jean Twenge, author of the new book “10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World.” Listen to our episode about the young people giving up their smartphones.Today's show was produced by Maggie Penman and Rennie Svirnovskiy, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Allison Klein.Subscribe to The Optimist here. And if you want more optimistic stories in your podcast feed, write to us at podcasts@washpost.com. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Schools and community programs in Washington, D.C., are teaching students to play go-go music to help extend the legacy of the official music of the District.Producer Sabby Robinson spoke with enterprise reporter Marissa Lang about the history that these students are keeping alive and the impact the programs are having. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Carolyn Hax has been an advice columnist for The Washington Post for over 25 years. So, she's seen, heard and read it all. There's no family drama and no question too bizarre for the seasoned columnist. That's especially true during the holiday season, when some relationships get tested more than usual.Today on the show, host Elahe Izadi brings Carolyn into the studio to answer some reader questions, putting her to the test on some tough holiday scenarios.Today's episode was produced by Sabby Robinson and Josh Carroll. It was mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Reena Flores and Haben Kelati.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

In an executive order last week, President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to reclassify marijuana as a less-dangerous substance. The drug is currently considered Schedule I, which is the most tightly controlled tier of illegal substances. Trump's order would direct the Justice Department to move marijuana into Schedule III, a less-restricted class of drugs. Host Martine Powers speaks with health reporter David Ovalle about what this move means for consumers, scientists and business owners. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Christopher Rowland.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Donating money can induce anxiety if you're not sure how to afford it or feel pressured into doing so by the people around you. “Try This” host Cristina Quinn talks to Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary about how to give back, whether it's through money or time. Singletary reminds us that there's always a way to give. She explains how to think through where you want to give, how to afford it and how to commit to giving year-round. Singletary also shares her personal experiences and passion for why she gives, how to make sure you're giving to a legitimate charity, and what you will experience when you give back. For more of her work, sign up for her "Color of Money newsletter and follow her on Instagram. Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.

The week started with a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump about the death of Hollywood director Rob Reiner that drew backlash from within his own party. Then, a high-profile Vanity Fair profile of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles revealed her disparaging assessments of the president's Cabinet. And it's unclear if the fast-paced, campaign-style remarks from the White House achieved Trump's goal of reconnecting with voters on the economy.So how is the White House dealing with these divisions on the right? Host Colby Itkowitz sits down with Dan Merica, co-anchor of the Early Brief newsletter, and White House reporter Natalie Allison to recap it all.Today's show was produced by Charla Freeland and Josh Carroll. It was edited by Reena Flores with help from Martine Powers and mixed by Sean Carter. Subscribe to The Washington Post here. And watch us on YouTube here.

“Heated Rivalry,” a TV adaption of Rachel Reid's gay romance novel, has taken social media feeds and group chats by storm. Thanks to a deal with HBO, this Canadian TV show has been steaming up living rooms across North America, and has become one of the streamer's most-watched shows.The series centers on two rival hockey players, Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov, who in public are fierce competitors but in private nurture a blossoming romance.Today on “Post Reports,” host Martine Powers speaks with Lifestyle reporter Rachel Kurzius and Style reporter Shane O'Neill to talk about the show's depictions of gay intimacy, why this extremely steamy show has struck a chord with audiences, and what it says about our collective anxieties around sex and relationships.Today's show was produced by Thomas Lu. It was mixed by Sam Bair. And edited by Peter Bresnan.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Investigative reporter Beth Reinhard first noticed it in January, when President Donald Trump's second inauguration celebration got moved indoors because of freezing temperatures. Thousands of ticketed spectators were left to stand out in the cold, but at least 17 billionaires, collectively worth more than $1 trillion, claimed coveted seats in the Capitol Rotunda — a historic concentration of wealth that seemed to herald a new class of American oligarchs, there to celebrate the inauguration of the 47th president.In the months since that cold January day, Reinhard and her colleagues discovered that spending on elections by the richest 100 Americans crossed the $1 billion threshold for the first time, and that $1 out of every $13 spent in last year's election was donated by a handful of the wealthiest Americans. Today on “Post Reports,” Reinhard speaks with host Colby Itkowitz about how billionaires have driven up campaign costs and, as a result, how they may be reshaping American democracy. Today's show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Elana Gordon and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Patrick Caldwell.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Rob Reiner is the director of classics that include “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “This is Spinal Tap.” His wife Michelle Singer Reiner worked alongside him and was famous in her own right, including photographing what would become the cover of Donald Trump's book “The Art of the Deal.” The Reiners were advocates for Democratic candidates and causes. News of their deaths over the weekend sparked an outpouring of grief – and was met with more shock when the couple's son Nick Reiner was arrested on suspicion of murder in his parents' deaths. Features reporter Sonia Rao explains what we know about the killings so far and the public's reaction – including disparaging comments by the president. Today's show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Peter Bresnan and mixed by Sam Bair.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.