

Post Reports
The Washington Post
Post Reports is the daily podcast from The Washington Post. Unparalleled reporting. Expert insight. Clear analysis. Everything you’ve come to expect from the newsroom of The Post, for your ears. Martine Powers and Elahe Izadi are your hosts, asking the questions you didn’t know you wanted answered. Published weekdays around 5 p.m. Eastern time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

6 snips
Dec 29, 2023 • 10min
Can’t sleep? ‘Try This.’
A new series called Try This offers pithy solutions to improve daily life, starting with better sleep. The host introduces the course and her excitement to learn from a sleep expert. Psychologist Lisa Strauss advises against trying to sleep and suggests remaining calm. Letting go of control and pressure is crucial for improving sleep quality. The podcast explores strategies for reducing performance anxiety and offers a mindfulness exercise. Upcoming classes and additional sleep resources are mentioned.

4 snips
Dec 28, 2023 • 57min
‘Throughline’: There Will Be Bananas
Explore the history and significance of bananas in American culture, from colonialism to labor movements. Learn about the captivating story of Minor Keith and the birth of the Banana Empire. Discover the taboo and marketing strategies of bananas in the US. Dive into the rise of the banana business model and the brutal massacre of trapped workers. Uncover the actions and influence of the United Fruit Company and the ongoing problems in the banana industry.

Dec 27, 2023 • 28min
Applying for college after the end of affirmative action
Explore the consequences of the Supreme Court ending affirmative action, as two high school seniors navigate the college application process. They discuss the impact on deserving students, strategies for maintaining diversity, and changes in admissions practices.

Dec 26, 2023 • 22min
Ava DuVernay on making a film her way
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay pursued an unusual funding model to get her new film 'Origin' made. The podcast explores her motivation for independent filmmaking, challenges faced, and the unique funding model she used with contributions from organizations like the Ford Foundation. The discussion also highlights the artistic freedom this model offers and how DuVernay's approach to filmmaking inspires hope for the future.

Dec 22, 2023 • 38min
A murdered peace activist and a war in her name
Vivian Silver, a Canadian Israeli peace activist, was murdered during an attack, raising the question of whether peace is still worth fighting for. Vivian's sons grappled with their mother's death and their desire for justice. The podcast explores their journey as they navigate the aftermath of her murder and the ongoing war. Topics discussed include Vivian's dedication to peace, her sons' search for answers, and the impact of the attack on their beliefs.

Dec 21, 2023 • 25min
What you don’t know about assisted living in America
The podcast discusses neglect in America's assisted-living industry, specifically focusing on the alarming number of elopements resulting in fatalities. It explores the challenges of finding and regulating assisted living facilities, as well as the hidden dangers and guilt experienced by families who choose this option.

Dec 20, 2023 • 17min
Colorado kicked Trump off the ballot. What’s next for 2024?
Discussion of Colorado Supreme Court ruling disqualifying Trump from presidency. Analyzing January 6th insurrection, evidence footage, and Trump's defense against incitement claims. Implications of ruling on upcoming elections, other states, and ongoing criminal cases against Trump. Debate on keeping Trump off the ballot or defeating him at the ballot box. Legal scholars divided on 14th Amendment applicability and speculation on Supreme Court ruling.

Dec 19, 2023 • 26min
Is Israel running out of goodwill?
US support for Israel's war in Gaza, concerns over civilian death toll, shift in US rhetoric, hardships faced by people in Gaza, controversies over reported death toll, types of weaponry used, US exerting pressure on Israel, examining disproportionality in the war, public opinion and impact of circulating photos, catastrophic consequences of the Gaza conflict

13 snips
Dec 18, 2023 • 26min
Harvard, big-tech money, and the whistleblower
The podcast discusses the influence of big-tech funding at universities, focusing on the recent controversy at Harvard. It raises concerns about the power dynamic created by tech companies' funding of research, particularly in critical areas like disinformation. The episode explores the conflict of interest between tech funding and independent research, drawing parallels to the tobacco industry. It also delves into the potential consequences of the whistleblower's case, including increased scrutiny on the tech industry and the implementation of codes of conduct in academia.

Dec 16, 2023 • 19min
Deep Reads: Their sons’ lives ended in gunfire. In grief, they found a second act.
Mothers who lost their sons to gun violence come together to share their stories and raise awareness through a powerful play. They find strength and empowerment in collective grief. The group offers support and encouragement, finding solace and unity as they honor their sons' memories and advocate for change.


