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 to be an altruist with Abigail Marsh, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Georgetown University. Together, they break down how altruists view their own actions and how others can become more altruistic too.

Marsh offers insight into what scientists know about altruists and shares surprising findings from her own research. She also tells us how you can build the muscle of giving more in simple steps that fit your lifestyle.

Read more about Marsh’s work on altruism here. 

Also, read Washington Post Brain Matters columnist Richard Sima’s story on how doing good is good for you.

To hear more, check out “Try This” wherever you listen to podcasts.

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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 before a Sept. 2 attack, according to officials.  The commander of the mission later made the decision to strike two survivors of the attack who had been clinging to the wreckage. Today on the politics roundtable, we’ll discuss the fallout, and why both Republicans and Democrats are increasing their scrutiny of Hegseth’s leadership at the Department of Defense.

And, after brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October, President Trump hoped to do the same for Russia and Ukraine. But his efforts have fallen short.

Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with Matthew Choi, the co-anchor of our politics newsletter, The Early Brief, and White House reporter Michael Birnbaum. 

Today's episode was produced by Laura Benshoff, Josh Carroll, and Thomas Lu. It was mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Reena Flores. Thanks also to our politics editors. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here. Watch this episode on YouTube here.

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 these urban operations is Gregory Bovino, who has become the face of the aggressive crackdown.

Host Elahe Izadi speaks with immigration reporter Marianne LeVine about the deep reporting she and other Post reporters did in Chicago, what they uncovered about who is being arrested, and what Operation Midway Blitz can tell us about this new era of immigration enforcement.

Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Elana Gordon with help from Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. Thanks to national correspondent Arelis Hernández and immigration editor Christine Armario. 

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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 administration said it was halting all decisions related to asylum claims and paused visa issuances for Afghan nationals, including a special program for U.S. allies who fought alongside U.S. troops there. The move came after the president posted an anti-immigration screed, in which he vowed to “permanently pause” migration from nations he described as “Third World Countries.” 

Today on “Post Reports,” immigration reporter Arelis R. Hernández joins host Colby Itkowitz to run back what The Post has learned about the suspected shooter, the complicated world of asylum, and how this tragedy has upended an already fraught process.

Today’s show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy. It was edited by Elana Gordon and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to David Nakamura.

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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