Post Reports

Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes from this past year, about super agers: people who continue to thrive into their 80s and 90s. One of them lives just down my block.

Ednajane Truax, who is known to friends and neighbors as “E.J.,” can often be found on her hands and knees in the dirt, working in the garden at the Sherwood Recreation Center in Northeast Washington. She also has an impressive garden of her own and helps out with other neighbors’ gardens. She works out several times a week, sometimes while wearing a shirt that says, “You don’t stop lifting when you get old — you get old when you stop lifting.” She can bench press 55 pounds and leg press 250.

Truax has never married — “just lucky, I guess,” she jokes when I ask her about that — but she has remained social her entire life. She volunteers, goes to the gym, throws parties, knows her neighbors and their children by name. Truax says her secret to thriving as she ages is simple: Be active.

It turns out that research backs her up.

If you’re looking for more surprising, delightful stories about the best of humanity, check out The Optimist from The Washington Post. We also have a newsletter: Subscribe to get stories from The Optimist in your inbox every Sunday morning.

Today’s show was produced by Maggie Penman with help from Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. The Optimist’s editor is Allison Klein. 

If you liked hearing this story on “Post Reports,” send us an email at [email protected]. You can email Maggie directly at [email protected].

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Once a month for 15 years, David Weiner has hosted a jazz party, inviting everyone he knows and many people he’s never met over to his D.C. rowhouse. Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes of the year and go inside the wildly welcoming ritual to understand how he’s built this community — and kept it going.

You can read more about Wiener’s jazz party here.

If you’re looking for more surprising, delightful stories about the best of humanity, check out The Optimist from The Washington Post. We also have a newsletter: Subscribe to get stories from The Optimist in your inbox every Sunday morning.

Today’s show was reported and produced by Maggie Penman and Ted Muldoon, who also mixed the show. The Optimist’s editor is Allison Klein. 

If you liked hearing this story on “Post Reports,” send us an email at [email protected]. You can email Maggie directly at [email protected].

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 [email protected]. You can reach Maggie Penman directly at [email protected].

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

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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 [email protected] and [email protected] – 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 — and it’s not the only one. In the first month of school this year, students took out 67 percent more books from the school library than the same month last year.

Today on the show, we interview psychologist Jean Twenge, author of the new book “10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World.” 

Listen to our episode about the young people giving up their smartphones.

Today’s show was produced by Maggie Penman and Rennie Svirnovskiy, who also mixed the show. It was edited by Allison Klein.

Subscribe to The Optimist here. And if you want more optimistic stories in your podcast feed, write to us at [email protected]. 

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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.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

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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