In one of our favorite episodes of the year, a group of self-proclaimed “old ladies” dive for garbage — and unexpectedly find joy.

This is a story from The Optimist, The Washington Post’s section about the best of humanity. If you want more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter. If you love hearing these stories on “Post Reports,” please send us an email at podcasts@washpost.com. You can reach Maggie Penman directly at maggie.penman@washpost.com.

Today’s show was produced by Maggie Penman. It was edited and mixed by Ted Muldoon. Thank you to Allison Klein. 

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Fartlek is a Swedish term for “speed play.” This informal version of interval training is simple, effective and dare we say … enjoyable? And not just because fartlek is fun to say. 

Exercise columnist Gretchen Reynolds is here to vouch for this often-overlooked, decades-old practice. Reynolds, who helped popularize the 7-minute workout, has found that a growing body of research points to the benefits of this approach, even in small doses. According to exercise scientists, it can improve strength, endurance and longevity and may even lower the risk of dementia.

Today’s show was produced by Elana Gordon. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Thanks to Anjuman Ali.

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Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes from the past year: about the science of how dogs make us calmer, happier — and maybe even more trusting.

If you want more optimistic content on the weekends, let us know at podcasts@washpost.com and maggie.penman@washpost.com – and check out our newsletter.

Today’s show was produced and hosted by Maggie Penman and reported by Kyle Melnick. It was edited by Allison Klein and mixed by Ted Muldoon.

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The cafeteria at Ballard High School during lunch is a loud place. Students are talking and laughing, playing card games and going out to the courtyard for an informal recess. On Fridays, students have started playing bingo. It’s a big change from the past couple of years —...

Schools and community programs in Washington, D.C., are teaching students to play go-go music to help extend the legacy of the official music of the District.

Producer Sabby Robinson spoke with enterprise reporter Marissa Lang about the history that these students are keeping alive and the impact the programs are having. 

Today’s show was produced by Sabby Robinson. It was edited by Maggie Penman and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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Carolyn Hax has been an advice columnist for The Washington Post for over 25 years. So, she’s seen, heard and read it all. There’s no family drama and no question too bizarre for the seasoned columnist. That’s especially true during the holiday season, when some relationships get tested more than usual.

Today on the show, host Elahe Izadi brings Carolyn into the studio to answer some reader questions, putting her to the test on some tough holiday scenarios.

Today's episode was produced by Sabby Robinson and Josh Carroll. It was mixed by Sam Bair. It was edited by Reena Flores and Haben Kelati.

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In an executive order last week, President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies  to reclassify marijuana as a less-dangerous substance. The drug is currently considered Schedule I, which is the most tightly controlled tier of illegal substances. Trump’s order would direct the Justice Department to move marijuana into Schedule III, a less-restricted class of drugs. 

Host Martine Powers speaks with health reporter David Ovalle about what this move means for consumers, scientists and business owners. 

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Christopher Rowland.

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Donating money can induce anxiety if you’re not sure how to afford it or feel pressured into doing so by the people around you. 

“Try This” host Cristina Quinn talks to Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary about how to give back, whether it’s through money or time. Singletary reminds us that there’s always a way to give. She explains how to think through where you want to give, how to afford it and how to commit to giving year-round. 

Singletary also shares her personal experiences and passion for why she gives, how to make sure you’re giving to a legitimate charity, and what you will experience when you give back. 

For more of her work, sign up for her "Color of Money newsletter and follow her on Instagram. 

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The week started with a Truth Social post from President Donald Trump about the death of Hollywood director Rob Reiner that drew backlash from within his own party. Then, a high-profile Vanity Fair profile of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles revealed her disparaging as...

“Heated Rivalry,” a TV adaption of Rachel Reid’s gay romance novel, has taken social media feeds and group chats by storm. Thanks to a deal with HBO, this Canadian TV show has been steaming up living rooms across North America, and has become one of the streamer’s most-watch...

Investigative reporter Beth Reinhard first noticed it in January, when President Donald Trump’s second inauguration celebration got moved indoors because of freezing temperatures. Thousands of ticketed spectators were left to stand out in the cold, but at least 17 billionair...

Rob Reiner is the director of classics that include “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally” and “This is Spinal Tap.” His wife Michele Singer Reiner worked alongside him and was famous in her own right, including photographing what would become the cover of Donald Trump...

Historically, presidential libraries have been used as research hubs to house documents and artifacts from a president’s time in the White House. They’re also a living monument to a president’s legacy. 

Less than a year into President Donald Trump’s second term, planning for his presidential library is underway, with $50 million already raised from undisclosed donors.

Co-host Colby Itkowitz speaks with national political investigative reporter Michael Kranish about how presidential libraries and museums are usually created and why Trump’s private fundraising foundation could allow history to be misrepresented at his future library.

Today’s show was produced by Thomas Lu and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Dan Eggen.

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In the spring, Edward Brandon Becham was caring for his dying wife. He was also among hundreds of thousands of federal workers weighing whether to abandon public service. Donald Trump had taken office vowing to slash the federal bureaucracy, then entrusted the task to billio...

In the first year of his second term, President Donald Trump has focused his attention on foreign policy and made numerous trips abroad – with an eye toward the Nobel Peace Prize. But as he discusses peace deals with foreign leaders, his ratings domestically have fallen. Cri...

The U.S. is in the midst of its biggest overhaul yet to childhood vaccinations, and it is already impacting how families are thinking about immunizing their children.  President Donald Trump recently directed a review of the longstanding childhood vaccine schedule. And ...

The historic movie and television company now known as Warner Bros. Discovery is in high demand. Last week, Netflix announced it would buy some of the company’s most valuable media portfolio for $83 billion. But Paramount Skydance then launched a hostile bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery mere days later.

Host Martine Powers speaks with media reporter Scott Nover about why these major media companies want Warner Bros., what a deal could mean for how we watch TV and movies, and how President Donald Trump could become involved in the negotiations.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to James Graff.

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To many Americans, the idea of banning a party that has support from a significant portion of voters might seem undemocratic. But Germany, guided by its determination to avoid a repeat of Nazism, included a provision in its post-World War II constitution to allow banning parties that aim to subvert the constitutional order.

Now, as Germany’s far-right party – Alternative for Germany (AfD) – surges in popularity, the country is in a heated debate over whether to ban it. “Post Reports” producer and reporter Emma Talkoff speaks with host Colby Itkowitz about how Germany is wrestling with the question of how to fight political extremism.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Aaron Weiner and David Herszenhorn.  

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The 2026 World Cup is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Before the tournament selection took place Friday in Washington D.C., FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented President Donald Trump with an inaugural Peace Prize from soccer’s global governing body....

What’s really going on inside the brain of an altruist? Why do altruists care so much more for a stranger who needs help? Why are they so willing to give away a kidney? In this episode from the Washington Post’s “Try This” podcast, host Cristina Quinn explores what it means ...

In September, the U.S. military began striking boats suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean. Since then, questions about the legality of these strikes have swirled. Last week, The Post reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a spoken order to kill everyone be...

The note-taking applications on our phones are often where we go to jot down a quick reminder, a draft of a text message or a packing list. These simple text editors are there, on our phones, ready to document our fleeting thoughts.

But what do these notes from yesterday, or last month, or three years ago say about ourselves? 

Post Reports co-host Elahe Izadi recently took on this question and asked strangers if she could look into their notes app. Host Colby Itkowitz chats with Elahe about what she learned from this little social experiment.  

Today’s show was produced by Thomas Lu. It was mixed by Sam Bair and edited by Ariel Plotnick. 

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Agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection usually police the frontier. But since the summer, the Trump administration has deployed these agents, along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, to Democratic-led cities, often with combustive results. Leading th...

Two days after the shooting of two National Guard members in the nation’s capital by a suspect who is an Afghan national, the Trump administration announced a flurry of policies aimed at making it harder for some foreigners to enter or stay in the country.  The administ...

When the U.S. first struck a suspected drug-smuggling boat off the Trinidad coast on Sept. 2, two survivors were left clinging to the wreckage. In order to comply with the commands he’d been given by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Special Operations commander ordered a second strike, according to two people familiar with the matter. It killed the two survivors.

Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with national security reporter Alex Horton about what this new information reveals about the Trump administration’s campaign against suspected drug smugglers.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy with help from Sabby Robinson and Reena Flores. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to Ben Pauker.

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From starting a tomato sauce company to launching matchmaking services, Zarna Garg’s entrepreneurial spirit has always been on display. But when daughter Zoya Garg dragged her to an open-mic event and introduced her mother to the world of stand-up comedy, the older Garg seemed skeptical.

Fast-forward six years later. Now, Zarna Garg has streaming comedy specials, a best-selling book and millions of followers on social media. 

Host Elahe Izadi spoke with Zarna and Zoya at The Washington Post’s Global Women’s Summit. Before a live audience, the three explore Zarna’s journey to finding comedy, the changing face of the industry on social media, and how it’s never too late to launch a second act in life. 

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Feeling a sense of awe can make us feel less stressed, less lonely and more connected to each other. It’s good for our bodies and our minds. So how do we feel more of it? 

Today’s show was produced by Joshua Carroll, Rennie Svirnovskiy and Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Allison Klein and Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sean Carter.

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Shane Harris first tasted “Vangie’s bacon” 11 years ago, and he hasn’t stopped thinking about it since. Today on the show, Shane goes on a quest to unlock the bacon mystery – and a time in Washington when Republicans, Democrats, spies, diplomats and journalists used to set their differences aside and gather around a dinner table.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Renita Jablonski. Special thanks to Ariel Plotnick and Ariella Markowitz. Tape of David K.E. Bruce courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

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Children are attached to their screens. But research has suggested that social media and excessive screen use can lead to physical and mental health problems. So what happens when parents start to limit screen time?

Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with reporter Caitlin Gibson about why some parents are limiting their children’s access to screens and devices. And Caitlin shares tips parents can use to help set boundaries when it comes to the technology their kids have access to.  

Today’s show was produced by Thomas Lu and Rennie Svirnovskiy, with help from Emma Talkoff and Lucas Trevor. It was mixed by Sam Bair, and edited by Peter Bresnan. 

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year and, if you’re not careful, it could be the most expensive. The day after Thanksgiving has historically been the official start of the holiday shopping season, but we’ve been seeing Black Friday deals advertised earlier each year. Mo...