I'm sure this has been touched on, but I just listened to the live episode
Although I knew they wouldn't, part of me was quietly hoping they would see the reaction and feel the energy of the live crowd and decide to continue the show with a few tweeks. But listening to it, it felt like a perfect ending, the hosts celebrating the culmination of nearly a decade worth of work with the community they cultivated. They made it very clear this was the end, and it brought a certain sense of closure and acceptance that this was the right call. I've been really trying to keep my own parasocial reactions in check, as I have seen one or two unhinged takes since the announcement, but I feel at peace now. For some context, I'm a truck driver and listen to so so many podcasts at work, and when such a prolific part of my routine gets disrupted- especially when Dan's relentless research meets a niche interest of mine- it really does shock the system. Hopefully some of you out their felt a similar sense of closure from the live show.