Marc Maron ends WTF with Obama, what changes for comedy

TL;DR:

Marc Maron ended WTF on Oct 13, 2025 with Barack Obama.
The show ran 16 years and nearly 1,700 episodes.
Maron cited creative fatigue and closure, then signed off.
His 2025 HBO special “Panicked” marks a focus on stand-up.
Short LA club dates continue this month, then likely new projects.

Marc Maron closed his podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, on October 13, 2025. The final guest was former U.S. President Barack Obama, returning 10 years after his 2015 appearance. The episode was recorded in Washington, D.C., and centered on endings, legacy, and finding clarity after a long run.

The sign-off capped a 16-year stretch that helped define modern interview podcasts. Maron finished with a brief tribute to his late cats and a simple farewell. He kept the tone steady, after offering a more emotional monologue in the penultimate episode.

The scale of WTF

WTF began in 2009 in Maron’s garage. It grew into a fixture for candid, long-form talks with artists, comics, and public figures. Listeners often described the show as intimate and steady, a companion through life changes. That bond helps explain the strong reaction to its ending on October 13.

Across nearly 1,700 episodes, the guest list ranged from Robin Williams to Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Nicole Kidman, with hard conversations that often cut through PR gloss. Obama’s 2015 garage visit was a landmark moment for podcasting.

Why end now

Maron and producer Brendan McDonald said they felt done. The work had cleared its purpose, and creative fatigue had set in. Rather than coast, they chose a clean break, with Obama’s return underscoring the show’s historical weight.

In the final week, Maron framed the close as acceptance. He wanted to honor the audience without stretching the format past its prime. The last two episodes were structured to do both: a reflective monologue, then a measured, forward-looking talk.

What changes for listeners

The feed will no longer post new long-form interview episodes. Catalog listening remains the best way to revisit the arc of the show, from early garage chats to major cultural moments. Fans looking for current Maron work can shift to his stand-up, where he has been building new material on stage. His second HBO special, “Marc Maron: Panicked,” released in 2025, is a clear signal of focus.

Snapshot: where to find Maron now

Channel	What’s new	Status
Stand-up specials	“Panicked” on HBO/Max	Released 2025
Live shows	Short Los Angeles club runs in October	Scheduled Oct 14, 17, 28
Archive	WTF back catalog on wtfpod.com	Available

Dates for October 14, 17, and 28, 2025, appear on Maron’s official tour page for Largo and Dynasty Typewriter in Los Angeles. Tickets are listed via the WTF site. Third-party sellers may not reflect these pop-up sets.

The legacy he leaves

WTF showed that an interviewer’s vulnerability could unlock a guest’s honesty. The series normalized talk about grief, addiction, recovery, and career stumbles. Many celebrity podcasts followed, but few matched the depth of Maron’s one-on-one sessions. Media retrospectives on October 13 called the show “pioneering” and credited it with reshaping podcast storytelling.

Two episodes often cited as turning points are Robin Williams’s reflective conversation and the 2015 Obama garage visit. The latter placed podcasts at the center of national culture. That legacy made Obama’s return for the finale feel like a full circle.

What happens next

Maron has not announced a new podcast. He has a fresh hour in progress on stage and a recent HBO hour on screen, which suggests a near-term focus on stand-up. Any future audio work will likely take a tighter format, or arrive as limited series, not a twice-weekly engine. That would fit his comments about creative energy and closure in the final stretch.

If you are in Los Angeles, keep an eye on Largo and Dynasty Typewriter calendars. Maron often tests material with little lead time. The official WTF tour page is the most reliable source for dates.

Why it matters

WTF ending is a turning point for podcasting. A first-generation flagship has stepped off the field. That opens space for new voices and formats, and it marks a shift in where fans will hear Maron next. For listeners, the lesson is clear. Great interviews are timeless. The archive remains a class in how to listen and how to ask better questions.