Marc Maron's Podcast, WTF, Ends After 16 Years

Marc Maron's HBO comedy special, Panicked, explores his obsessions and anxiety. He recently announced the end of his podcast, WTF, after 16 years, citing burnout and concerns about quality. Maron plans to focus on other projects, including a documentary and an Apple TV+ series, and aims to expand his social life to fill the void left by the podcast.

Marc Maron, a prominent comedian and podcaster, recently released his HBO comedy special, "Panicked," which explores his obsessions and anxiety. Concurrently, Maron announced the end of his long-running podcast, "WTF," after 16 years. The decision to conclude the podcast, which he co-hosted with producer Brendan McDonald, was driven by concerns about burnout and the potential for diminished quality [1].

Maron's HBO special, "Panicked," delves into his personal struggles with anxiety and his life with three cats. The special also touches on his experience with grief following the loss of his partner, Lynn Shelton, in 2020. Despite the heavy themes, Maron maintains a comedic edge, reflecting his ability to find humor in difficult situations [1].

The podcast "WTF" has been a significant part of Maron's career, with the final episode scheduled for the fall of 2025. He acknowledges that the decision to end the podcast is challenging, as it has been a critical part of his life for 16 years. However, he believes that the time has come to move forward with other projects and expand his social life [1].

Maron is currently working on several new ventures. He is the subject of an upcoming documentary, "Are We Good?," which follows his journey post-COVID and the loss of his partner. Additionally, he co-stars with Owen Wilson in the Apple TV+ comedy series, "Stick." These new endeavors aim to fill the void left by the podcast and provide Maron with new creative outlets [1].

In addition to his comedy work, Maron has also faced financial challenges in securing music rights for his HBO special. He revealed that licensing a specific song from Taylor Swift's catalog, "Bigger Than the Whole Sky," cost approximately $50,000. Maron emphasized the importance of the song for a pivotal moment in his special and reached out to a mutual friend, Jack Antonoff, for assistance. Despite the high cost, Maron was able to secure the rights to use the track [2].

Marc Maron's journey reflects his resilience and ability to adapt to new challenges. His decision to end the podcast "WTF" and focus on new projects demonstrates his commitment to personal growth and maintaining high-quality content. As he moves forward, Maron's career continues to evolve, blending comedy with personal introspection and new creative ventures.

References:
[1] https://www.npr.org/2025/07/29/nx-s1-5482882/marc-maron-wtf-panicked
[2] https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/marc-maron-reveals-cost-taylor-232437947.html