The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

President Trump keeps undermining his administration's own talking points about the combat operations against Iran, Israel's foreign minister threatened “elimination” to anyone selected as Iran's next supreme leader, and the CEO of McDonald's is making food influencer videos.  “Rooster” star Steve Carell stops by to help Stephen Colbert raise some cash for World Central Kitchen by auctioning off one-of-a-kind pieces of television history ahead of the series finale of The Late Show. Learn more about what's up for grabs at colbertlateshow.com/ebay. Beloved comedian and actor Steve Carell recalls his Second City pal Chris Farley as “a force of nature” and says it was impossible to succeed as his understudy, especially in scenes like Farley's signature character Matt Foley who lived “in a van down by the river.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The State Department wants Americans to leave the Middle East but won't provide transportation, President Trump says the biggest bombs have yet to fall, and U.S. commanders are telling troops that Trump was appointed by Jesus to bring about Armageddon by starting a war in Iran. Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal reaches between the cushions of The Late Show's guest chair to find a note left for him by his big sister and lifelong director, Maggie Gyllenhaal. Their new film “The Bride!” is in theaters this Friday.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump still hasn't told the American people why he's bombing Iran, the U.S. and Israel have sent mixed messages about whether the goal is regime change, and Secretary Hegseth boasted that the military will disregard customary rules of engagement during this campaign. Brett McGurk, CNN national security analyst and former Middle East advisor to four presidents, warns in this EXTENDED conversation that President Trump has entered into a war without communicating clear objectives and a clear plan on how to achieve them. Tony-winner Daniel Radcliffe explains that while his new Broadway show “Every Brilliant Thing” is technically a one-man-show, the high level of audience participation ensures that he's not acting alone every night. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emmy-winner Bradley Whitford returns to The Late Show to indulge Stephen in some "The West Wing" nostalgia and to offer a sneak peek at his new film, which was written and directed by his wife, Amy Landecker. "For Worse" is in theaters this Friday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... Scientists examined the body of a man who may have had three penises, zoo employees observed an intense staring contest between a giraffe and an ostrich, singles in New York City are grappling on first dates, a surgeon is making balloon animals to pay off his med school debt, and a man accidentally gained control of 7,000 robot vacuums. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you don't know her favorite smell, or what she thinks happens when we die, do you really know Emma Thompson? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A camel beauty contest in Oman was marred by a cheating scandal, President Trump seems poised to attack Iran without first justifying it to the American people, and the president's pick for Surgeon General is a wellness influencer without an active license to practice medicine. Actors Kurt and Wyatt Russell sit down for a joint, EXTENDED interview with Stephen Colbert that starts with a chat about Stephen's favorite feel-good film, “The Thing,” which stars Kurt Russell and leaves viewers searching for answers about the mysterious ending. Watch Kurt & Wyatt in season two of “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” on AppleTV. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The only people who liked President Trump's State of the Union speech were the thirstiest MAGA buttkissers, it's unclear why the DOJ didn't search Jeffrey Epstein's storage units despite having a warrant, and Stephen takes a look at a big fight brewing between the Pentagon and an artificial intelligence company. GRAMMY- and Oscar-nominated singer and actress Teyana Taylor is basking in the well-deserved glow of praise she's receiving for her performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills in “One Battle After Another.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen Colbert is LIVE right after Trump's State Of The Union Address, with friend of the show John Dickerson to make sense of the night, post-midnight! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A tumultuous snowstorm pummeled the Northeast, the United States won big in hockey and figure skating at the Olympics, and the Supreme Court struck down President Trump's tariffs. Former Senator Jeff Flake is revealed as the winner of an extra special item that was up for grabs in The Late Show's charity auction. Check http://colbertlateshow.com/ebay now for your chance to bid on one-of-a-kind television memorabilia items from The Late Show. All proceeds go to support the mission of our friends at World Central Kitchen! Emmy-winner Ray Romano recalls his many appearances on David Letterman's “Late Show,” and shares the story of going numb from anxiety before his first time performing on “The Tonight Show." Catch him on Broadway now in “All Out” at the Nederlander Theater. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Best-selling author Michael Pollan returns to The Late Show to chat with Stephen about the difference between awareness and consciousness, and what the latest science says about life forms like bacteria, insects and plants. Grab a copy of his latest book, “A World Appears: A Journey Into Consciousness,” available everywhere next Tuesday. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... Stephen reveals the reason people eat at places like Applebee's, Logan Paul made millions flipping a rare Pokémon card, couples are flocking to a secret "kissing room" in Grand Central Station, and a rare ice formation has emerged in upstate New York. And because Stephen Colbert loves science, he wants to tell you all the latest science in his science segment, The Sound Of Science. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Best-selling author Walter Isaacson describes the Declaration of Independence as "America's mission statement" and argues that the ideals of equality set forth in the opening line of the document reflected the hopes of the country"s founders, not the reality of existing civil rights at the time. "The Greatest Sentence Ever Written" is available now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A major figure in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal is finally facing consequences, President Trump held the first meeting of his Board of Peace, and the fallout from President Obama's comment about alien life forms continues. Emmy-winner Melissa McCarthy stops by to show some love to Stephen and to share a truly surreal story about getting a call from Barbra Streisand and finding herself headed to the music legend's home to record a duet. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pope turned down Trump's invitation to join the made-up Board of Peace, the president's approval numbers have never been lower, RFK Jr. and Kid Rock posted a cringe workout video from Kid's home gym, and Stephen has heartwarming news about a young monkey named Punch. “The Epstein Class” is a phrase coined by Senator Jon Ossoff to refer to the ultra-wealthy and political elites who are operating as if the rules don't apply to them. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Several major holidays including Lunar New Year, Ramadan and Mardi Gras converged today, Americans are less hopeful than ever, several business leaders and European politicians have been ousted over their ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and Stephen reads some titillating poetry written by California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell. Next up, Stephen Colbert goes on the record about his interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico, the FCC's “equal time” rule, and today's statement from CBS. And Kaitlan Collins talks about the conversations she's had with women who survived sexual abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and others in his circle, and what motivates those women to continue to press for their abusers to be brought to justice. Watch “The Source with Kaitlan Collins” weeknights on CNN. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Pod Show exclusive BONUS episode, Stephen Colbert explains to his broadcast audience that a new directive from Brendan Carr's FCC makes it next to impossible for CBS to air his interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico on CBS. Then hear what couldn't go on TV last night, and get the online-exclusive interview that touches on the issues raised in Talarico's campaign for the Democratic nomination for Senate including the separation of church and state, the dangers of consolidated corporate-owned media, and the fabricated culture wars pushed by Republicans in states like Texas. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The alleged affair between DHS Sec. Kristi Noem and her advisor Corey Lewandowski is reportedly making life hell for their staffers, President Obama backpedaled after telling a podcaster that aliens are real, and you should think twice before taking nutrition advice from the chatbot on the new HHS website. Beloved actress Jennifer Garner knows how to live life to the fullest, whether it's taking her mom to Canada to see the Northern Lights, or enjoying the unique pleasures of a snow day in New York City. Watch the Season Two premiere of “The Last Thing He Told Me” this Friday on AppleTV.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oscar-nominated writer and director Ryan Coogler talks about what it takes to stay on top of his game as a director, and bonds with Stephen over their shared love of the film, "The Thing." Coogler's Golden Globe-winning film "Sinners" has returned to theaters for a limited time. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you don't know his favorite action movie, or which five words he would use to describe the rest of his life, do you really know legendary musician "Weird" Al Yankovic? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this exclusive Pod Show introduction, Stephen tells the Late Show listeners why Yo-Yo Ma loves coming on the show, and why the show loves having him! Then hear the national treasure and virtuoso's EXTENDED conversation about music, energy, and how humans relate to the rest of the natural world. Go to YouTube.com/ColbertLateShow for a performance by Yo-Yo Ma and listen to the "Our Common Nature" podcast, available now. Yo-Yo Ma originally aired January 13th, 2026. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this extra long, extra exclusive Pod Show introduction, Stephen Colbert and his producer Becca talk about carousels, The Knack, reading from a prompter, what it's like being interviewed by Terry Gross, and more behind-the-scenes thoughts and feelings that you won't hear Stephen talk about anywhere else! Then enjoy this beautiful, extended interview with radio icon Terry Gross, featuring stories from early in her life and career that we didn't have time to air on TV. Terry Gross originally aired January 8th, 2026. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen's on the podcast telling the origin story of The Late Show's resident First Lady: Broadway star and friend-of-the-show Laura Benanti! Hear her latest performance as Melania, followed by a conversation with Stephen as her lovely self from 2017 when she explains how she first prepared for her iconic impression. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen Colbert jumps on the podcast to rave about the hospital drama everybody's talking about before a podcast-exclusive extended interview with everyone's favorite TV nurse, Emmy-winner Katherine LaNasa! New episodes of "The Pitt" premiere Thursdays on HBO Max. Tune in all week long for more behind-the-scenes Stephen on The Late Show Pod Show! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stephen returns to the podcast booth for a week of exclusive behind-the-scenes stories you won't hear anywhere else! Tonight, he slides down memory lane and recalls his bobsled run at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games before launching into an extended interview with friend of the show, Tim Meadows. The actor, comedian and "kitty daddy" reunites with his old friend Stephen Colbert for a hilarious discussion about music, pet parenthood, his new life in Detroit, and his new CBS comedy, "DMV." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you don't know the first concert he attended, or which animal he fears most, do you really know legendary director James Cameron? Watch his latest film, “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” in theaters now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Evie McGee Colbert stops by to help her sweetie Stephen pick out the perfect cards for Valentine's Day, but before they get started, Stephen has a surprise for his lovely wife.  The Late Show Pod Show has the EXCLUSIVE extended segment with the Colberts that you won't hear anywhere else! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer, podcaster and the official chaplain of Colbert Nation, Father James Martin, tells Stephen in this podcast-exclusive EXTENDED interview about the life lessons he learned at jobs as varied as dishwasher and corporate executive, and how each functioned as a step on his path towards the priesthood. His book, "Work in Progress," is out now. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump complained about the bad publicity he got after his immigration forces murdered two people in Minneapolis, the United States military has a weapon nicknamed “The Discombobulator,” and there are a surprising number of references to a bran muffin recipe in the Epstein files. Six-time GRAMMY-winner and future Broadway producer James Taylor sits down for a fascinating EXCLUSIVE chat with Stephen Colbert, who asks the Songwriting Hall of Famer to identify which five of his songs are his favorites - only on The Late Show Pod Show! Then check out his live performance in The Ed Sullivan Theater on our YouTube page: www.YouTube.com/ColbertLateShow To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump made misogynistic comments to CNN's Kaitlan Collins, Speaker Mike Johnson claims to know more about The Bible than the Pope, and journalists are outraged at Jeff Bezos over mass layoffs in the newsroom at The Washington Post. Stage and screen legend Ian McKellen sits down for an extended conversation with Stephen Colbert about his long career as a performer, reprising his roles as Gandalf and Magneto in upcoming films, the unique joys of live theater, and the Shakespeare role he originated in the 1960s which resonates just as loudly today. Grab tickets to see Ian McKellen in “An Ark,” playing now in New York City at The Shed: https://www.theshed.org/program/484-an-ark.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kid Rock is set to headline an unofficial Super Bowl halftime show for conservatives who don't like Bad Bunny, the mascots for the 2026 Winter Olympics have been revealed, and Chicago residents can visit http://Chicagoshovels.org to vote to name their new snow plow after Stephen Colbert. President Trump is publicly campaigning for Republicans to take control of elections away from the states, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said “the American people need to understand that it isn't a crime to party with Mr. Epstein.” Acclaimed actor Mark Ruffalo traces his rebellious nature from his early days clowning around in Kenosha, Wisconsin, all the way through to his acting career where he's not afraid to fib about his skills in an audition. Then Mark Ruffalo offers a sneak peek at the action in his new film where he plays a jewelry thief alongside co-stars Halle Berry and Chris Hemsworth. “Crime 101” is in theaters next Friday.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is referenced thousands of times and accused of hideous crimes in the latest release of documents from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the Department of Justice failed to redact the identities and personal information of many of Epstein's victims, and the DOJ announced that there will be no investigation into any of the prominent men implicated in the files. “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver stops by to help Stephen Colbert raise some cash for World Central Kitchen by auctioning off one-of-a-kind pieces of television history ahead of the series finale of The Late Show. Learn more about what's up for grabs and help raise money for a great cause at http://colbertlateshow.com/ebay.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you don't know the story of her first concert, or her earliest memory, do you really know Hollywood icon Jodie Foster? See her new film, "A Private Life," in theaters now! To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... Junk from space is falling from the sky, DNA science is helping us learn more about ancient STDs, a Chinese mushroom makes you see tiny people, gym-goers need to go wash their hands right now, Sydney Sweeney has been accused of an undergarment misdemeanor, a bus driver in Delaware did the unthinkable, and scientists announced a big leap forward in robotic speech. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jacob Soboroff, author and Senior Political and National Correspondent for MS NOW, has been on the ground covering Trump's violent immigration policy as put into practice by the likes of Greg Bovino and Tom Homan. His new book, "Firestorm," is both personal, as it chronicles his experience watching his childhood neighborhood burn down in last year's Los Angeles fires, and universal as it serves to warn the public that the fires of the future are here today. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Boss dropped a fiery anti-ICE protest song, the people of Milan don't want Trump's DHS thugs to provide security at the Winter Olympics, the president's latest MAGA fundraising email is bizarrely threatening, and no one wants to see the First Lady's movie. Stephen surprises Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner Alexander Skarsgård with a special Late Show gift before deep-diving into the sexy world of Skarsgård's latest film. “Pillion” is in select theaters February 6th and opens nationwide on February 20th.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Americans are expressing their anger about ICE in some unlikely corners of the internet, Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller are pointing fingers at each other as the administration does damage control over Alex Pretti's murder, Rep. Ilhan Omar bravely fended off a bizarre attack at a speech in Minneapolis, and 40 million gallons of poo are washing into the Potomac River every day.  If you don't know his earliest memory, or which five words he'd use to describe the rest of his life, do you really know Super Bowl Halftime show star Bad Bunny? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump tried to clean up the mess he made in Minnesota by moving Greg “Little Napoleon” Bovino out and lambasting Homeland Security head Kristi Noem, the president's body and mind are in pretty rough shape, and the First Lady's self-titled film is a box office stinker. It's so cold in Georgia that ice-covered trees are exploding, America's premiere weather-predicting mammal could lose his job to a hologram, and the world's hottest viral toy is a stuffed horse from China. Stephen Colbert's extended interview with Oscar-winner Sam Rockwell goes delightfully off the rails as the two talk about Rockwell's early jobs in New York City, acting gigs on cop shows, and why time travel movies usually don't work. Watch Sam Rockwell in the new film, “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die,” in theaters February 13th. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump Administration is lying about the killing of Alex Pretti, Pretti's family wants everyone to know the truth about who he was and what happened to him, and America's founding document outlines what should be done if the government turns on its citizens. Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania pledges to protect the people of Pennsylvania in the event that President Trump chooses to target his state next. Grab a copy of his new memoir, “Where We Keep The Light,” available tomorrow.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Acclaimed actress Jessica Williams says that her friendship with Harrison Ford is as fun off-screen as it is between their characters in the hit show, "Shrinking." Tune in for this exclusive extended interview with Stephen and Jessica as they discuss DIY upholstery, their dogs' astrological signs, and more - only on The Late Show Pod Show! The third season of "Shrinking" premieres next Wednesday on AppleTV. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Meanwhile... A man set a world record for fastest-moving trash can, a food delivery robot was hit by a train, 1909's hottest sandwich recipe was popcorn on bread, and Stephen learns a new term from Gen Z. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nonviolent resistance scholar Maria J. Stephan talks about things regular citizens can do to push back against government aggression without the threat or use of violence. Check out her book, “Why Civil Resistance Works.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices