The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

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Sen. Joni Ernst horrified constituents with a heartless comment about people who will lose Medicaid coverage under the GOP's budget bill, Elon Musk denied reports that he is a heavy user of ketamine and psychedelics, and President Trump reposted a wild conspiracy theory about his predecessor. Six-time Emmy winner and “Hacks” star Jean Smart has three famous faces in mind for cameos on the show's next season. Until then, catch her on Broadway starring in “Call Me Izzy” at Studio 54.  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

Basketball icon and head coach of the University of South Carolina women's basketball team shares what it felt like to see herself depicted in bronze when her adopted home state erected a statue to honor her remarkable career. Her book, "Uncommon Favor," 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

Meanwhile... Gwyneth Paltrow wants people to stop criticizing Goop's vagina-scented candle, Stephen learns about a new rule that helps you declutter your house, and YouTube star Mr. Beast is under fire for inappropriately staging a product release stunt at ancient Mayan ruins. Next, Stephen Colbert loves the sciences, and he wants to tell you all the latest science news in his long-running 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

Every night before taping the show, Stephen takes a handful of questions from the studio audience that we compile and serve to you, the podcast listeners! In this latest edition, Stephen answers questions about the staff bar at the back of the theater, what mundane thing he's an expert in, if he ever misses doing "The Colbert Report," and what the strangest thing he's experienced in NYC has been. 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 on the podcast again talking about his relationship to journaling, and one very special journal he keeps around at all times. All this and more for a very special introduction to his interview with friend of the show and bestselling author Suleika Jaouad! In this extended interview for The Late Show Pod Show, Suleika talks about the importance of connecting with one's creativity, and why she's flipping her doctor's advice on its head as she battles cancer for a third time. Her latest work, "The Book of Alchemy," is out now (originally aired May 5th, 2025). 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 and his podcast sidekick talk at length about the history and span of Broadway (the street) before launching into Stephen's interview with Broadway star and comedian Cole Escola! Cole reveals what they hope to do next after the incredible success of "Oh, Mary!" on Broadway and challenges Stephen to a straight-off during their Late Show debut. Go see Tony-nominated "Oh, Mary!" at the Lyceum Theatre, tickets are available at ohmaryplay.com (originally aired April 28th, 2025). 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 discusses his love for the popular sciences in this exclusive podcast introduction to the extended cut of his interview with physicist and television host Professor Brian Cox. Hear them talk about the probability of intelligent life on distant planets and put the uniqueness of our human existence into mathematical perspective. 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 back on the podcast this week with exclusive introductions to memorable Late Show moments, and he's kicking things off with comedy legend Don Novello, who recently reprised his iconic role as Father Guido Sarducci and took Colbert deep into the intrigue surrounding the Vatican conclave while the world's Catholics were waiting to learn who would be the next Pope (originally aired May 6th, 2025). 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

Accomplished actor Bradley Whitford shares a harrowing story of how he successfully navigated a nude scene in an off-Broadway play while battling an upset stomach. The final season of "The Handmaid's Tale" is streaming now on Hulu. 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... we're going to ignore a study that argues ice cream is dangerous for your gut health, "Mission: Impossible" star Tom Cruise wants to make movies into his 100s, people are signing up for a clothing-optional race in South Carolina, an airline passenger gave birth mid-flight, scientists believe they've figured out the origin of the echidna, and AI might soon be able to translate animal sounds into human language. 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 reviews are in and it sounds like actress Meghann Fahy's birthday party was a hell of a good time. Her latest project, "Sirens," premieres Thursday on Netflix. 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 planning to hit the road in record numbers this holiday weekend, President Trump is escalating his war on “woke” arts programming at The Kennedy Center, Vice President Vance discussed online dating with Pope Leo XIV for some reason, and the new interim U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro is already making awkward water cooler conversation. Emmy-winner Paul Giamatti stars in an episode of “Black Mirror” that centers around a technology that lets users enter and interact with their memories. 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's economy is headed down the golden toilet, Americans are horny for a good deal, DHS head Kristi Noem knows nothing about our constitutional rights, and Knicks fans need to be on high alert for fake playoffs tickets. Oscar-winner Natalie Portman moved to Paris but she's still far too American to measure things in meters and celsius. Watch "Fountain Of Youth” on AppleTV+ starting May 23rd. 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

Speaker Mike Johnson is ramming the GOP's cruel budget bill through the House despite disagreements over how deeply to cut Medicaid, President Trump initially wanted to lease Qatar's “palace in the sky” jumbo jet, and Stephen offers to help settle the president's lawsuit against CBS and Paramount. Author and former FBI Director James Comey explains why his former job comes with a ten year term and why he wishes Director Wray had stood up to President Trump instead of resigning early under pressure. Check out his crime novel, “FDR Drive,” 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

WalMart is passing the cost of President Trump's tariffs along to consumers, the president lashed out at celebrities for not supporting him, and “Sesame Street” will now be produced by Netflix. Oscar-winner Angela Bassett raves about some of the fresh new faces in the cast of “Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning,” including her new bestie Hannah Waddingham. The film opens 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

The star of CBS's "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage," Emily Osment, is an adventure seeker who once pack-rafted for hundreds of miles with legendary actress Demi Moore as a way to raise awareness for river conservation. 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

Comedic icon Paula Poundstone, host of the "Nobody Listens To Paula Poundstone" podcast, performs stand-up for the lucky crowd at the Ed Sullivan Theater. You can see Paula on tour now, tickets and more tour dates are available at paulapoundstone.com. 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

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, the sophomore Democratic Congresswoman from Texas, reacts to the Trump administration's threat to arrest congresspeople and indicates she and her colleagues are up for the fight. 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

We're learning details about the ridiculous birthday parade President Trump is throwing for himself, the “big beautiful” Republican budget aims to strip healthcare and food assistance from America's neediest children, and a candidate for state office in Virginia came out as ethically nonmonogamous. Senator Bernie Sanders calls out the greed of America's billionaire class and expresses his disgust with Republicans who plan to cut life-saving assistance for the needy in order to fund tax cuts for those billionaires. 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 feels inadequate when he sees an airplane bigger than Air Force One, U.S. taxpayers will spend more than one billion dollars to retrofit the free plane he's accepting as a gift from Qatar, and people are scared to fly out of Newark Airport after a slew of dangerous air traffic control mishaps. Emmy-nominated actor, comedian, writer and producer Nick Kroll says he's sad that his hit show “Big Mouth” is ending, but proud that it became the longest-running scripted series on Netflix. Watch the final season of “Big Mouth” when it premieres next Friday on Netflix. 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

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman pulled out all the stops to welcome President Trump, some Republicans have expressed concern about Trump accepting a $400 million luxury airplane from Qatar, and fans of the New York Knicks are speculating that Pope Leo XIV supports their team. Bestselling author and longtime chaplain of Colbert Nation, Father James Martin, has met Pope Leo XIV and predicts that he will be an outspoken pontiff. Father Martin's latest book, “Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle,” is out now. Emmy-winner Alexander Skarsgård tells Stephen that his father Stellan loved to embarrass his teenage son by dancing naked at their house when he brought friends home. Watch the premiere of “Murderbot” 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

President Trump is set to accept a gift from Qatar worth $400 million, the administration reached a temporary deal with China to lower tariffs, and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro is the new acting U.S. Attorney for D.C.  Beloved actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds celebrates the fans, players and management of Wrexham A.F.C. who are experiencing the unique joy that comes with a championship season. Watch season four of “Welcome to Wrexham” when it premieres this Thursday on FX or watch the next day on Hulu. 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

Internationally-renowned actor Stellan Skarsgård has been a celebrity heartthrob since he was a teenager, long before his famous actor sons came along. Watch Stellan Skarsgård in the new season of "Andor," streaming now on Disney+. 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 musical about the life of Luigi Mangione is headed to the stage, the release of video game "Grand Theft Auto 6" has been delayed by a year, an escaped tortoise was found one year later, a Roman artifact shaped like a penis was unearthed in England, YouTube star Mr. Beast is collaborating on a novel with writer James Patterson, and it's best not to eat cheese made from dog's milk. 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

Mother's Day expert Evie McGee Colbert joins Stephen in this extended edit of their exchange to review greeting card options for this year's celebration of Mom. 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 new Pope is an American from Chicago, and Melania Trump is M.I.A. so her husband has taken on tasks traditionally managed by the First Lady. For decades, businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates has leveraged his wealth to combat diseases and bring down the world's child mortality rate, telling Stephen that he plans to spend the next 20 years doing what he can to finish the job as critical funding gets slashed by Elon Musk's DOGE. Check out his memoir, “Source Code,” 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

All eyes are on Vatican City as the world's Catholics wait for news from the papal conclave, Stephen imagines a world where the Cardinal of Newark is elected Pope, President Trump selected Rudy Giuliani's son Andrew to manage the 2026 World Cup, and the rollout of America's new ID cards is going anything but smoothly.  When Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Christine Baranski found herself with some rare free time at home, she began digging through her archives for relics like a photo of her with Bruce Springsteen backstage at the Kennedy Center Honors. Watch “Nine Perfect Strangers” starting May 21st on Hulu. 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

America's air traffic control system is in disarray thanks to aging technology and recent DOGE staff cuts, President Trump decided to reopen an abandoned prison after watching the Clint Eastwood film, “Escape From Alcatraz,” and Stephen breaks down what to expect as the College of Cardinals seal themselves inside the Vatican to elect the next Pope. Emmy-winner and bestselling author Rachel Maddow joins Stephen to talk about the first 100 days of President Trump's second term and the demonstrations against his actions that are popping up in all 50 states on a daily basis. Grab her number-one bestselling book, “Prequel,” available now in paperback. 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

America's president doesn't know if he's required to uphold the Constitution, he blames all bad economic results on his predecessor, he wants to reopen the country's most famous prison, and “Star Wars” fans think he is one of the bad guys. Comedian Jim Gaffigan put his five children to work when it was time to create a cover for his latest comedy album. Gaffigan's Fathertime Bourbon is available now and his album, “The Skinny,” is available for pre-order starting today at https://jimgaffigan.com.  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

Comedian and bestselling author Amber Ruffin stops by to tell Stephen how it felt to be uninvited to her hosting gig at the 2025 White House Correspondents Dinner. Watch her new show, “Have I Got News For You,” streaming on Max.  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… Filmmaker George Lucas filled in a big gap in Yoda's origin story, we think we know why Shaquille O'Neal ran off the set of a live broadcast, “The White Lotus” star Walton Goggins wants nothing left to the imagination when it comes to his physique, Glen Powell puts the weirdest stuff on his waffles, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry revealed the inspiration behind their nicknames for each other, and scientists say drinking champagne might be good for your heart.   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

Columbia University linguistics professor and bestselling author John McWhorter discusses some of the quirks of the English language and explains why one of Stephen's favorite Southern words will always be considered slang. McWhorter's book “Pronoun Trouble” 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

President Trump ousted National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and gave the job to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, officials are hoarding supplies ahead of an expected spike in prices, someone needs to check Attorney General Pam Bondi's math, and Stephen weighs in on a question that is burning up the internet. You've probably seen the steamy photos of superstar actor Walton Goggins in a tiny yellow bathing suit, but did you know he almost got himself arrested that day? The series finale of “The Righteous Gemstones” airs this Sunday on HBO and streaming on Max.  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

 Amid alarming signals that the economy is headed into recession, President Trump is trying to pass the buck to his predecessor and refusing to admit his mistake in deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador. MSNBC host and former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki points out several ways in which President Trump's actions over his first 100 days are far worse than his first term in the White House. Stick around for more with Jen Psaki and watch her new show, “The Briefing,” when it premieres Tuesday on MSNBC. 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

More Americans would flunk President Trump than give him a passing grade on the first 100 days of his second term, voters in Canada chose a liberal for their next prime minister, more than half of the Philadelphia Eagles chose not to attend a White House ceremony with the president, and many former Pentagon officials are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign after a series of blunders. And if you don't know his favorite action movie or what he thinks happens when we die, do you really know Will Ferrell? 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 has the lowest approval rating in the history of polling as he exaggerates his dealmaking prowess and Elon Musk's DOGE fails to deliver meaningful cost savings. Elsewhere, Catholics around the world celebrated the life of Pope Francis and are looking ahead to the selection of a new pope. Emmy-winning comedian Wanda Sykes weighs in on the “embarrassing, incompetent, corrupt” Trump administration and offers tips for folks who want to hit the streets and protest the president's policies. Tickets for Wanda's “Please & Thank You” comedy tour are 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

Acclaimed actor Joe Manganiello returns to The Late Show to tell Stephen about the delicious true story that inspired his latest film, "Nonnas," and how he works with a NASA scientist to hack his diet and exercise regime in a way that keeps him in outstanding shape at age 48. “Nonnas” premieres May 9th on Netflix. 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

Erin Maguire, comedian and host of "The Dear Pod" podcast, makes her late night television debut with a stand-up set at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Check out Erin's special, "Baseline Presentable," available now at erinmaguire.com. Next up, The Late Show's own Paul Mecurio takes the stage to perform a stand-up comedy set for the crowd at the Ed Sullivan Theater, asking crucial questions like, "what would you talk about at The Last Supper?" For more comedy, go to paulmecurio.com and follow Paul's socials. 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

Actor, director and musician Finn Wolfhard tells Stephen what it was like directing himself in the new film, “Hell of a Summer,” and the emotional and exciting year he spent wrapping up the series that made him a household name, “Stranger Things.” “Hell of a Summer” is 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

Becca and Stephen play a new game, 'Celebrity Boss,' so that Becca can find out more about what life is like for the rich and famous. Find out if stars really are like us, what they shop for on eBay, how it works when a restaurant has a framed photo of a celebrity on the wall, and more. Then enjoy Stephen's interview from this past December with Oscar-winner Adrien Brody! 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

When Stephen Colbert isn't hosting the Late Show, he's got a hunk of meat smoking in his Big Green Egg, and he's excited to tell you all about it. Plus, some history on the design of The Late Show set, since comedian Michelle Buteau decided to run upstairs during her most recent visit. Season 2 of the show she created and stars in, "Survival of the Thickest," is streaming now on Netflix. 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