Farewell John? Say it ain't so

OK, I'm on a semester break (and being lazy).  I Haven't been around much on the boards lately, and probably won't be back on a semi-regular basis until late Feb, but stumbled across this shocking piece of information:

http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2014/01/07/zaijian-chinesepod

Have I missed something? I couldn't find any posts about it on the CPod discussion boards. Is John really leaving Chinesepod? Say it ain't so? I feel so sad...I am absolutely amazed at his knowledge and mastery of the Chinese language. I take my hat off to anyone who can do a master's degree - in China - in Chinese - as a non-native speaker. It just blows my mind. In fact, it is very hard for me to imagine that he was once even a 'newbie', but I guess that gives me hope...

I always feel a little sad when people leave ChinesePod - Ken, Amber and now John...It feels as if I 'know' them in sort of an impersonal way (It took me a long time to get over the departure of Dear Amber).

John, you have done a fantastic job at ChinesePod and you are an inspiration to many of us Chinese language learners, with your knowledge, insight, modesty and meticulous teaching pedagogy. Thanks for the past 8 years at ChinesePod and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours with AllSet Learning. You have helped untold thousands demystify the Chinese language and no doubt will help many thousands more in the future.

I feel privliedged to have studied under your tutelage and can't help but feel they'll be a big hole in my studies in the future because of your absence.

谢谢 and 再见