LOS ANGELES – After 16 years and an astonishing 1,686 episodes, comedian Marc Maron has officially brought his pioneering and influential podcast, "WTF with Marc Maron," to an end. The final, highly anticipated episode, released on Monday, October 13, 2025, featured a historic return appearance by former President Barack Obama, providing a poignant and reflective capstone to a show that redefined the interview format and became a cornerstone of modern podcasting. ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]}### A Groundbreaking Run Concludes Maron, 62, announced in June 2025 that he and longtime producing partner Brendan McDonald had made the "full-hearted decision" to wind down the show, citing exhaustion and burnout after years of intense production. ^{[1][14][2][4][9]}The podcast, which launched in September 2009, began in Maron's humble "Cat Ranch" garage in Highland Park, Los Angeles, and quickly evolved from a platform for Maron to work out his personal and professional issues with fellow comedians into a global media institution. ^{[1][14][3][4][15][9][13]}"WTF" garnered critical acclaim for its raw honesty, deep conversations, and Maron's unique, probing interview style, attracting an unparalleled roster of guests from comedy, music, film, and politics. ^{[1][2][3][4][5][9]}By 2022, the show had surpassed 600 million downloads, solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon. ^[3] * **Launch Date:** September 2009 *^[3] **End Date:** October 13, 2025 *^{[1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][11]} **Total Episodes:** 1,686 *^{[10][11][12][13]} **Reason for Ending:** Host and producer burnout ^{[1][14][2][4][9]}In his penultimate episode, which was his last recorded from his iconic home studio, Maron delivered an emotional farewell directly to his listeners, reflecting on the 16-year relationship they shared. "We've been through a lot of stuff together. A lot of breakups. Death. Cats. The world," he said, expressing gratitude for being a part of their lives. ^[13] ### The Return of a Landmark Guest The identity of the final guest was kept under wraps until the episode's release, fueling fervent speculation among fans. Many correctly guessed that former President Barack Obama would make a return appearance, a choice Maron himself hinted at in a July interview with Variety, where he named Obama as his "ideal final conversation". ^{[4][5][15][7][9]}Obama had previously made history by visiting Maron's garage studio in June 2015, while still in office, an unprecedented move that elevated the status of podcasting as a legitimate platform for serious discourse. ^{[4][5][16][15][7][9]} For this final interview, the tables turned. Instead of Obama visiting the famed "Cat Ranch," Maron traveled to Washington, D.C., to conduct the conversation in Obama's office, marking a significant departure from the podcast's usual intimate setting. ^{[4][5][15][7][9][10][11]}Maron explained his choice for the final guest, stating, "It became clear that the guest we needed to have was singular, in that he could address the importance of this being our final episode, but also address how we move through the world we're living in, as frightening as it is". ^{[4][5][15][6][9]} The discussion between the two focused on reflection, the enduring need for human connection, and navigating challenging times. ^{[4][5][6][7][9][10][11]}Obama even initiated the conversation by asking Maron how he felt about moving on from "this thing that has been one of the defining parts of your career and your life," drawing a humorous parallel between Maron's podcasting tenure and his own presidency. ^[4][9]Obama offered Maron advice on transitioning from such a significant role, encouraging him not to rush into the next chapter but to "take a beat" and "take some satisfaction looking backward". ^[4][9] ### Legacy and Future Endeavors "WTF with Marc Maron" leaves an indelible mark on the media landscape. It championed the long-form interview, fostering a space for vulnerability and deep exploration of guests' lives and creative processes long before it became a widespread trend. ^[2][3][4][9]The podcast's success paved the way for numerous other ventures for Maron, including roles in film and television, and a significant boost to his stand-up comedy career. ^[1] While "WTF" has concluded, Maron's career is far from over. He plans to continue with stand-up comedy, pursue more acting roles, and, as he stated, "hopefully enjoying life a bit". ^[14]His recent documentary, "Are We Good?", named after one of his signature closing questions to guests, further explores his journey and impact. ^[14][2] Marc Maron's "WTF" podcast will be remembered not just for its impressive longevity and episode count, but for its profound influence on culture and its unique ability to connect listeners with the authentic, often messy, humanity of its diverse guests. The final conversation with Barack Obama serves as a fitting farewell, encapsulating the show's spirit of introspection, dialogue, and a shared search for understanding in a complex world.