Barack Obama was the final guest on Marc Maron’s podcast, “WTF With Marc Maron,” marking the end of a 16-year run and nearly 1,700 episodes. Obama’s appearance brought full circle his relationship with the show, which he visited in person while serving as president a decade ago.
For the last episode, Obama hosted Maron at his Washington office. The former president began by asking Maron about his feelings regarding the end of such a long-standing project. “How are you feeling about this whole thing? Transition, moving on from this thing that has been one of the defining parts of your career and your life?” Obama asked.
Maron replied, “I feel OK. I feel like I’m sort of ready for the break, but there is sort of a fear there, of what do I do now? I’m busy. But, not unlike your job … I’ve got a lot of people who over the last 16 years have grown to rely on me.” He laughed as he compared podcasting to being president.
“I think it’s pretty similar,” Obama responded.
The identity of Maron’s final guest was kept secret until release. Many fans speculated it would be Obama due to his past connection with “WTF” and because Maron previously told Variety that Obama would be his ideal closing interview.
In an introduction to the episode, Maron explained why he chose Obama: “It became clear that the guest we needed to have was singular,” he said, “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.”
During their conversation, Maron sought advice from Obama about leaving behind significant work. “You’ve still got a couple of chapters left,” Obama advised him. “Don’t rush into what the next thing is. Take a beat. Take some satisfaction looking backwards.”
Obama also reflected on what made Maron’s show resonate with listeners: “I think we’re going to be OK,” he said. “I think part of the reason you had such a big fan base during this 16-year run is there was a core decency to you and the conversations that you had.”
Maron avoided sentimental farewells during his discussion with Obama but addressed listeners directly in Thursday’s penultimate episode: “I’m grateful to have been part of your lives,” he said. “We’ve been through a lot of stuff together. A lot of breakups. Death. Cats. The world.”
The final episode was number 1,686 for “WTF,” which began in 2009 as an outlet for Maron’s conversations with fellow comedians recorded in his garage studio known as “The Cat Ranch.” Over time and with appearances by figures like Robin Williams and Paul McCartney alongside political leaders such as Obama, “WTF” grew into an influential media platform featuring wide-ranging interviews.
Maron closed out Monday’s episode by paying tribute to cats that had died during his podcasting years: “Cat angels everywhere,” he said.
He announced earlier this year that both he and producer Brendan McDonald decided it was time to end “WTF,” citing fatigue but satisfaction with their achievements.
