Podcast Summary: "Goodbye from Post Reports"
Post Reports – The Washington Post
Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Martine Powers (with contributions from the entire audio team)
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt final episode of Post Reports, host Martine Powers and the Washington Post audio team bid farewell to their listeners after over seven years of daily news podcasting. The episode is a reflective send-off—celebrating the show’s journey, impact, and core mission: bringing top-tier reporting and stories from The Washington Post newsroom directly to listeners’ ears. Team members share personal reflections, gratitude for their audience, and insights into what it has meant to make the show.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Journey and Mission of Post Reports
- Martine Powers opens by reminiscing about the show's inception and purpose—demystifying newsroom work and making sense of world events for listeners.
- Coverage highlights include elections, wars, the COVID-19 pandemic, technological revolutions, pop culture, and scientific discoveries.
“For me, every day has been an adventure and an honor to share what's going on in the world with people who want to understand. It is a privilege to know that I got to spend time in your ears as part of your day.”
— Martine Powers [01:24]
2. Tributes and Reflections from the Team
The episode features a series of personal messages from producers, hosts, and team members reflecting on their favorite aspects of the show and expressing gratitude to listeners.
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Colby Ekowicz reflects on the privilege of elevating the work of Post journalists:
"Bringing the Post journalism and its journalists to you...it was the highlight of my 12 years at the Washington Post. And in honor of a lifetime, I am forever grateful to you, our listeners."
— Colby Ekowicz [02:23] -
Arielle Platnick shares the thrill of taking listeners behind the scenes:
"It was so special to bring our brilliant reporters into the studio and have them unpack... how they did their reporting out in the field. I think they really brought journalism and the act of holding power to account really alive."
— Arielle Platnick [02:54] -
Christina Quinn thanks the audience and her colleagues for a fulfilling experience:
"It's been a real honor and pleasure working with this wildly talented and committed team... Thank you so much for listening to the show. It's meant a lot to us."
— Christina Quinn [03:27/06:16] -
Emma Talkoff addresses the audience's role:
"I'm really grateful for our audience, for everyone who wrote us or they liked an episode... And I'm just sad we won't get to make the show for you anymore."
— Emma Talkoff [03:49] -
Sabi Robinson underlines the joy and collaboration with listeners:
"So many story ideas have come from you. And I just really appreciate everyone who has spent part of their day listening to the work that we've done."
— Sabi Robinson [04:22] -
Elahe Izadi reflects on the deep connection with the audience:
"Even though it was me on the mic and my colleagues in the studio, I always envisioned you, the audience in the room with us too, listening in, wanting to ask these questions, wanting to understand. We did this all for you and with you."
— Elahe Izadi [04:54] -
Rennie Swarnofsky celebrates the camaraderie of the production teams:
“They were always thinking about how to serve you, our listeners, better, how to tell you an interesting story, how to hold your hand through something hard, whether this or that might make you laugh.”
— Rennie Swarnofsky [05:46] -
Sean Car signs off with warmth and a nod to listeners’ engagement:
“It has been an immense pleasure and honor mixing, scoring, recording and working on these episodes for your ears out there listeners... keep rocking in the free world. Much love.”
— Sean Car [06:40]
3. The End, but Not the End of Reporting
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Martine Powers closes with gratitude and reassurance that while the podcast ends, the journalistic mission continues at The Washington Post:
“Hardworking and brilliant journalists at the Washington Post will keep reporting and investigating and holding powerful people to account. And we bid them the best of luck in that mission.”
— Martine Powers [06:59] -
The entire audio team is acknowledged by name as a show of appreciation for their behind-the-scenes work.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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“I feel like doing this job and making this work in many ways has been a total dream come true. I've gotten to spend the day making sense of life through storytelling.”
— Sabi Robinson [04:22] -
“[Listeners], you mean so much to us. If you've found value...please know that behind the scenes we have been having such a blast making this show.”
— Christina Quinn [06:16] -
“Thank you for the last four and a half years...keep rocking in the free world. Much love.”
— Sean Car [06:40]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:36 – Martine Powers’ opening remarks and show history
- 02:23–02:54 – Team tributes: Colby Ekowicz and Arielle Platnick
- 03:27–04:54 – Reflections: Christina Quinn, Emma Talkoff, Sabi Robinson
- 04:54 – Elahe Izadi’s co-host message to listeners
- 05:46 – Rennie Swarnofsky on teamwork and audience connection
- 06:16–06:40 – Final thanks: Christina Quinn, Sean Car
- 06:59 – Martine Powers’ closing statement and team roll call
Tone and Takeaway
The episode is nostalgic, heartfelt, and full of gratitude. The Post Reports team emphasizes their deep appreciation for listeners, pride in journalistic integrity, and the camaraderie among the staff. Listeners are reminded that the stories and connection built over the years remain valuable, and while the podcast ends, the commitment to quality journalism endures.