Post Reports – How a Former Politics Columnist Is Finding Awe
Date: November 28, 2025
Podcast: Post Reports, The Washington Post
Host: Maggie Penman
Guest: Dana Milbank, former Washington Post political columnist
Episode Overview
This episode explores the concept of "awe" – what it means, how it can improve our lives, and why it’s the new focus for longtime politics writer Dana Milbank. Host Maggie Penman and Milbank discuss his transition from covering the tumult of American politics to seeking out moments of wonder and connection, both for his own mental wellness and for a broader sense of cultural and civic healing. The conversation offers practical advice on how everyday awe can benefit mental health and foster greater community in an increasingly divided world.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Defining Awe (00:01–00:56)
- What is awe?
- Dana Milbank describes awe as anything that “takes you outside of yourself” and instills “a sense that the world and universe are much greater than you and your problems.”
- Awe is “transcendental,” “humbling,” and “relaxing,” with “an element of beauty” (00:09).
Notable Quote
“Awe is anything that takes you outside of yourself... It has an element of beauty to it... It’s transcendental. It takes you from the focus inward to a focus outward.”
— Dana Milbank, (00:09)
2. The Benefits of Awe & Everyday Opportunity (00:56–01:45)
- Awe isn't reserved for rare, grand events or encounters with nature's wonders like the Himalayas or the northern lights.
- Research shows regular experiences of awe can reduce loneliness and stress, benefiting the body and mind.
- There are many opportunities to find awe in daily life—if we look.
3. Dana's Career Change: From Politics to Awe (01:45–06:09)
- After 30 years covering politics, Milbank felt political reporting had become “soul crushing,” with diminishing impact and personal enjoyment.
- Buying a farm in rural Virginia provided an unexpected path to renewal and inspiration.
- Writing about the natural world and awe started as a personal experiment but resonated deeply with a passionate subset of readers.
- Milbank sees his new work as “rehumanizing”—helping readers reconnect with nature, community, and a sense of shared purpose.
Notable Quote
"It was sort of soul crushing... I felt like it wasn’t having the desired result anymore. I just felt that it was sort of screaming into the void and at best, sort of reinforcing the views of people who already agreed with me."
— Dana Milbank, (02:00)
“I feel like what I am doing now is more important… We’ve sort of lost the ability to talk to each other… we call this rehumanizing, how we get back in touch with nature, with each other, with our institutions.”
— Dana Milbank, (04:24)
4. Why Focus on Awe? (06:09–08:11)
- The first awe-focused column invited readers to slow down and observe small wonders—like blades of grass through a magnifying glass.
- The notion is to uncover awe in the ordinary, not just in life’s grand moments.
- Milbank wants to help readers get outside themselves, particularly in a society “grouchy for good reason,” facing political and technological stress.
5. Personal Impact: How the Pursuit of Awe Changed Dana (08:11–09:40)
- Despite the challenges of learning a new “beat,” Milbank finds the switch “ennobling and uplifting.”
- He’s now working harder, but finds the engagement and interaction with readers more satisfying.
- Covering awe, even as hard work, is worth it for the “payoff” of meaning and joy.
6. How We Can All Find More Awe (12:17–14:38)
- Advice from experts like Dacher Keltner: seek awe in daily life, whether in nature, art, or human connection.
- Simple actions: observe nature closely, admire the sky, attend a concert or gallery.
- Milbank shares personal examples from his childhood and from urban spaces, emphasizing awe is everywhere if we “slow down, put down the screens and look at it.”
Notable Quote
“The awe is there to behold. You just gotta slow down, put down the screens and look at it.”
— Dana Milbank, (14:08)
7. News Consumption and Boundaries (14:38–15:45)
- Milbank now limits his news intake to morning sessions to “stay informed,” avoiding excessive “doomscrolling.”
- He ignores social media except for work purposes and recommends compartmentalizing news engagement to prevent overwhelm.
- Engaged citizenship is still important, but need not consume every waking moment.
8. Screens & Social Media: Impact and Advice (16:28–18:29)
- Social media often breeds division and isolation—Milbank urges more face-to-face conversation instead.
- He cites experiences with politically diverse community gatherings in Virginia, where in-person interactions cut through online animosity.
Notable Quote
“I wouldn’t say it so much as changing... social media. That’s how it’s going to be. But I think you’d be surprised if you get out there and just strike up conversations with real people. They’re not going to say to your face the horrible things that they might be saying online. And that makes sense because nobody wants to be that person when you’re face to face.”
— Dana Milbank, (17:24)
9. Hope for the Future (18:29–20:21)
- Despite political despair, Milbank maintains “long-term hope” rooted in American history’s cycles of struggle and resilience.
- Direct contact with people of varied backgrounds reminds him of shared humanity, emphasizing the beauty in everyday life and ordinary interactions.
Notable Quote
“If you’re a student of history, it’s like we get it right after exhausting all other things, possibilities. And there have been much worse times in American history... we are going to get past it. Now it may not be in my lifetime, it may not even be in your lifetime, but we will get there.”
— Dana Milbank, (18:44)
Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps
- Defining Awe: “Awe is anything that takes you outside of yourself... It takes you from the focus inward to a focus outward.” (00:09)
- Reflecting on Politics: “It was sort of soul crushing... I just felt that it was sort of screaming into the void.” (02:00)
- Why Awe Matters: “We call this rehumanizing... how we get back in touch with nature, with each other, with our institutions.” (04:24)
- On Finding Awe: “The awe is there to behold. You just gotta slow down, put down the screens and look at it.” (14:08)
- On Real Interactions: “Strike up conversations with real people. They’re not going to say to your face the horrible things that they might be saying online.” (17:24)
- On Hope: “We are going to get past it. Now it may not be in my lifetime, it may not even be in your lifetime, but we will get there.” (18:44)
Important Segment Timestamps
- Defining awe: 00:01–00:56
- Career transition & motivations: 01:45–06:09
- Personal benefits of awe: 08:11–09:40
- Practical ways to seek awe: 12:17–14:38
- News and screen habits: 14:38–15:45 & 16:28–18:29
- Perspective on hope and humanity: 18:29–20:21
Tone & Takeaways
The conversation balances gentle humor, realism, and hope. Milbank’s candid reflections on the emotional toll of political journalism and his subsequent embrace of awe model a relatable journey from burnout to renewal. Both host and guest advocate attentive, screen-free engagement with daily life as a way to rediscover meaning, joy, and social cohesion. The episode fulfills its promise of leaving listeners more optimistic and empowered to seek awe in the ordinary.
For listeners seeking more optimism and practical inspiration, this episode offers both research-backed recommendations and moving personal testimony on why awe matters now more than ever.