Marc Maron Is Signing Off: WTF Podcast Ends After an Iconic 16-Year Run
Wait... What?! After an epic 16-year journey that redefined podcasting as we know it, Marc Maron just dropped a bombshell — WTF with Marc Maron is coming to an end. Yes, you read that right. One of the most raw, real, and revolutionary shows in the podcast world is about to sign off for good. And guess what? It’s going out exactly the way it came in — on its own terms.
Maron made the announcement in classic Maron fashion during Monday’s episode, and it hit longtime listeners right in the feels. "It’s time," he said. “WTF is coming to an end, and it’s our decision.” The news might sting for fans, but if you’ve been riding this emotional, hilarious, and sometimes gut-punching rollercoaster since the beginning, you probably understand where he's coming from.
16 Years of Candid Conversations and Groundbreaking Moments
This wasn’t just a podcast — WTF was a movement. Launched back on September 1, 2009, when the term “podcast” itself still needed explaining, it began in the most humble way possible — in a dusty garage filled with junk. There were no big sponsors, no blueprint, no cash flow. Just Maron and his longtime producing partner Brendan McDonald, figuring it out week by week.
“We didn’t know how to make money. We didn’t know how to build an audience,” Maron recalled. “We just knew we’d show up every Monday and Thursday and do it.” And they did. For almost 16 straight years — never missing a beat. That’s a serious hustle.
Nearly 2,000 Episodes. Over 55 Million Listens a Year.
From interviewing A-list celebrities to rock legends to a sitting President, WTF always delivered the unexpected. Barack Obama in the garage? Check. Robin Williams opening up about mental health? Done. Nicole Kidman, Keith Richards, John Mulaney — the guest list reads like a who’s who of modern pop culture.
With nearly 2,000 episodes under their belts and more than 55 million listens annually, it's not an overstatement to say WTF helped shape the modern podcasting landscape. And Maron did it while staying true to his gritty, no-filter style. This wasn’t just a show — it was therapy, confession, and stand-up all rolled into one.
“We’re Burnt Out… and That’s Okay.”
In his farewell announcement, Maron didn’t sugarcoat the decision. “We’re tired,” he said bluntly. “We’ve put up a new show every Monday and Thursday for almost 16 years. We’re burnt out. And we are utterly satisfied with the work we’ve done.”
He emphasized that this decision wasn’t sparked by drama or falling numbers — it was just the right time. Both he and Brendan McDonald realized it simultaneously. “There was no convincing or pushback or arguing. We were done. And it’s OK. It’s OK for things to end.”
That honesty is part of what always made WTF hit different. Maron never pretended things were better than they were. From sharing his struggles with sobriety and heartbreak to dealing with grief — especially after the tragic death of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton in 2020 — he invited listeners into his world with raw vulnerability.
A New Chapter Is Already in Motion
So, what’s next for the 62-year-old comedian, actor, and now former podcast host? Don’t worry — Marc Maron isn’t going into hiding.
Here’s what’s on the horizon:
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His new Apple TV+ show with Owen Wilson, titled Stick, drops Wednesday.
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A brand-new documentary titled Are We Good? (directed by Steven Feinartz) follows Maron as he navigates loss and his place in a rapidly changing comedy world.
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And yep — he’s got an HBO comedy special in the works, recently filmed in New York City. No official release date yet, but it’s coming this year.
Maron made it clear that while WTF is wrapping up, he’s not done talking or creating. “This doesn’t mean I’ll never be on a podcast again,” he said. “I just need to do something else now. Start another chapter.”
"It Started When There Were No Podcasts. Now, It’s Nothing But Podcasts."
Talk about full circle. When WTF debuted, podcasting was basically the Wild West. There were no playbooks. No podcasting networks. Definitely no Spotify deals. It was just Maron, a mic, and a broken heart from a brutal divorce.
“I was trying to figure out how to keep living my life,” he said. “Things weren’t looking good.” That uncertainty gave the show a rawness and authenticity that made people listen — and keep listening. Over the years, WTF wasn’t just background noise during a commute. It was the kind of show you felt.
Maron helped birth the golden age of podcasting. And as he put it, “Now, there is nothing but podcasts.” The market’s oversaturated, and honestly, he and Brendan were ahead of their time. Now they’re stepping back before it becomes just another show in the mix. That takes guts.
The Final Countdown
The WTF team hasn’t given a hard date for the final episode, but Maron said it’ll land sometime in the fall of 2025. Until then, fans can expect a final stretch of interviews packed with as many guests as possible. No doubt they’ll try to pull off a few big ones before the curtain officially drops.
“I think we had a great run,” he said. “And now… it’s time, folks.”
A Huge Thanks to the Fans
Maron wrapped his announcement by doing what he’s always done best — keeping it real and showing gratitude. He thanked the listeners who stuck around for all these years, the ones who laughed, cried, and grew with him through every episode.
From a lonely garage to global influence, WTF has been more than just a podcast. It was proof that being vulnerable, messy, and honest could change the game. And for a whole generation of podcasters, comedians, and fans — it absolutely did.
TL;DR (but seriously, read the whole thing):
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WTF with Marc Maron ends after 16 years
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Nearly 2,000 episodes, 55M+ listens per year
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Started in 2009 in a junk-filled garage
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Final episode coming fall 2025
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Maron to focus on new projects: Apple TV+ series, HBO special, and documentary
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Still planning to stay in the creative game — just on a new path
So yeah, it's the end of an era — but also, the start of something new. ✌️🎙️
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