The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

President Trump is doing everything he can to distract the world from his involvement with Jeffrey Epstein, including launching attacks on former president Barack Obama. “There’s nothing better than being yourself” says global music superstar Bad Bunny, telling Stephen Colbert that Benito and Bad Bunny are ultimately the same person and that having a perfect day is possible in Puerto Rico. Watch him in “Happy Gilmore 2” opening in theaters on July 25th. 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

For the next ten months Stephen Colbert can finally speak unvarnished truth to power, including in response to the president’s post celebrating The Late Show’s cancellation, and about the creepy birthday letter Donald Trump sent to his good pal Jeffrey Epstein. Emmy-winner Sandra Oh shares how thrilled she is to be working alongside the talented cast of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” as they prepare for opening night in Central Park. 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

Actress and playwright Liza Colón-Zayas, who recently took home an Emmy Award for her performance in the hit series “The Bear,” entertains Stephen with stories from behind the scenes of her award-winning night. Season four of “The Bear” 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… Japanese researchers downloaded all of Netflix in just one second, a man was caught smuggling spiders, African chimpanzees are sporting a new fashion trend this season, and Stephen reports on one of the most Florida-coded stories of all 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

Comedian and actor Meg Stalter gives a preview of what to expect from her new series, “Too Much,” which 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

Stephen Colbert tells his audience that the next season of “The Late Show” will be the last, and that the series will end in May 2026. A heat wave is baking most of the continental U.S., President Trump has a mysterious wound on his hand, and the MAGA world is not ready to forget about Jeffrey Epstein’s client list despite the president’s effort to distract them with a big announcement about Coca-Cola. California Senator Adam Schiff discusses his tumultuous relationship with President Trump and offers some choice words to describe how he feels about being the target of the president’s attacks. 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 lashed out at supporters who want him to release Jeffrey Epstein’s client list, Stephen digs deeper into the mystery surrounding Epstein’s death, and the president continues telling a weird lie about his uncle John Trump and Ted Kaczynski. If you don’t know his favorite smell, or whether he prefers cats or dogs, do you really know Owen Wilson? Listen to Owen Wilson’s thrilling Colbert Questionert and check out his performance in “Stick,” streaming now 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

Stephen Colbert is officially mustache-free, New York and New Jersey got inundated with rainfall on Monday night, the Department of Defense will soon begin using Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, and Atlanta police have no suspects in the theft of hard drives containing Beyoncé’s unreleased music. Acclaimed actor Joaquin Phoenix returns to the Ed Sullivan Theater for the first time since his notorious 2009 appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman” and looks back on the conversation with a mixture of amusement and regret. Watch his new film, “Eddington,” 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

Stephen returned from vacation to learn that Paramount settled President Trump’s nuisance lawsuit for $16 million, MAGA is in full revolt against the Trump administration over their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, and the president managed to make the FIFA Club World Cup trophy presentation all about himself. Already a huge star in the worlds of sports and media, Stephen A. Smith reveals why he’s giving serious thought to a run for political office in 2028. Stay tuned for two new shows from Stephen A. Smith premiering on SiriusXM on September 2nd. 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 Late Show, our host answers a handful of questions from the studio audience. In this podcast exclusive compilation, hear Stephen give advice to an aspiring SNL cast member, regale the crowd with stories from a recent trip to Ireland, and give an earnest answer as to what inspires him to do his show day after day. 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... Everyone's favorite Late Show segment is a hit in Finland. (Originally aired December 2024) 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

Beloved actor Michael C. Hall tells Stephen how his iconic character Dexter came back to life for a new series, even though everyone definitely saw him die in the finale of the original series. Watch "Dexter: Resurrection" on Paramount+ with Showtime beginning July 11th. 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 hopes his latest interview with New Zealand's biggest pop star makes up for his prankish antics he pulled the last time he was on her side of the globe. GRAMMY-winner Lorde tells Stephen about her new album, her upcoming "Ultrasound" world tour, and a special type of therapy that helped her conquer the stage fright that had plagued her since childhood in this podcast exclusive extended interview. Lorde's new album, "Virgin," 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

Stephen loves 'Andor' and keeping his famous friends listed as secret nicknames on his phone, and Peabody-winning writer and director Tony Gilroy says his show is accessible to everyone, whether or not they are a "Star Wars" fan. "Andor" is 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

Colbert jumps on the podcast to play another round of "Celebrity Boss" and reveals what life is really like in the limelight. And verified celebrity and Academy Award winner Julia Roberts returns to The Late Show to tell Stephen about playing Martha Mitchell in the Starz series, “Gaslit,” which takes place in the Watergate era. Julia Roberts' interview originally aired April 18th, 2022. 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 talks about traveling across the pond to sit down with Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden, Jonathan Pryce and Kristin Scott Thomas to discuss their critically-acclaimed series, "Slow Horses." Season five of "Slow Horses" premieres September 24th 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

Acclaimed actor Damson Idris tells Stephen about working opposite Brad Pitt and what happened when he had to yell angrily into the Oscar-winner's face. "F1: The Movie" opens in theaters on Friday, June 27th. 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 the show, our host takes a few questions from the audience. In this podcast-exclusive round up, Stephen talks candidly about his writing process, favorite NYC pizza, and tells the story of when he realized he had reached the perfect level of fame. This compilation of Audience Questions previously ran in December 2023. 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 honor of the fourth season of "The Bear," enjoy these interviews with Emmy-winning stars Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach! Actor and comedian Ayo Edebiri described the wild ride she’s been on since “The Bear” became a massive hit, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach told Stephen about the careful consideration that went into his portrayal of Cousin Richie on “The Bear.” Ayo originally aired on January 4th, 2023; Ebon originally aired January 9th, 2024. 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

Various interpretations of what qualifies as 'sandwich' are accepted in The Questionert, but not all answers are scored equally by our host. Hear what Stephen had to say about Ryan Gosling's round in the hot seat in this exclusive podcast introduction to a family favorite: The Colbert Questionert. (Gosling originally aired May 9th, 2024). 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 gets to talk to the most powerful people in the country as host of The Late Show, among other Meat Lover's perks. Then, the 39th President of the United States and 'Faith' author Jimmy Carter told Stephen he prays for Donald Trump. Whether those prayers are being answered is another question (Original Air Date: March 30th, 2018). 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 covers the origin of The Late Show Sea Captains softball team and tells the story of The Late Show's first trial episode in Monroe, Michigan in this podcast exclusive introduction to John Cena's Community Calendar! 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

GRAMMY, Emmy and Tony-winning superstar Cyndi Lauper gifted Stephen a pink wig and invites the world to come see the combination of art and music that is going to make her farewell tour the best show she's ever put on. Grab tickets for the final leg of the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Farewell Tour on her website! 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 actress Kerry Condon gives Stephen a peek behind the scenes of the production for her new film, "F1," where she shares a romantic moment with her co-star Brad Pitt. "F1" 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

American television host Stephen Colbert checks in on the world in his long-running international news segment, "What's Going On Over There?" Originally aired June 17th, 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

Acclaimed actor Idris Elba is passionate about his side gig as a world-famous DJ who played Coachella this year. His latest film, "Heads of State," is available on Prime Video starting July 2nd. 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

Late Show Book Club chats with Samantha Harvey, author of the Booker Prize-winning novel, "Orbital," our June book club pick. Find out which book Harvey would take into space with her, the significance of the International Space Station being deorbited in 2030, and her advice for aspiring writers. 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

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani won a stunning victory in New York City’s mayoral primary, beating disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo. Elsewhere, corporations are shamefully backing away from their supposed commitments to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. CNN’S Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward joins Stephen remotely from Amman, Jordan to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East including what civilians in Iran and Israel are doing to pick up the pieces after the war between the two countries. 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 expressed frustration over continued fighting between Israel and Iran after he announced a ceasefire deal, new intelligence suggests that America’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities did not achieve its objective, and FEMA is paying to build a new ICE detention facility in the middle of the Florida Everglades. The rumors are true! Actor and 17-time WWE champion John Cena confirms that he will compete in his final wrestling events this year. Watch “Heads of State” on Prime Video beginning July 2nd. 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 president announced America’s bunker-busting attack on Iran in a strange late night speech, after approving the strike based on “a feeling” over actual intelligence, and regime change in Iran appears to be on the table. And hear Stephen Colbert’s extended, uncut interview with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, two of the leading mayoral candidates in the New York City Democratic primary. 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

Democratic Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth argues that the money spent on President Trump's birthday parade could have been put to better use, funding scholarships for military children. 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 cute baby raccoon was rescued from bad weather in Massachusetts, the hottest new food flavor is dill pickle, and a restaurant on Long Island pardoned a lobster named Lorenzo and set him free. 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

Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost tells Stephen why Governor Ron DeSantis is acting more extreme than ever, and why unlawful ICE detentions are tearing apart families in his state. 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 president tried to halt observances of the Juneteenth holiday but Americans celebrated anyway, the FDA is scrapping guidelines on daily alcohol limits, we’re in for a very hot weekend across the country, and a special nuke-proof plane was spotted landing in Washington, D.C. as Trump contemplates bombing Iran. Legendary singer and songwriter Paul Simon sits for an extended, wide-ranging interview with Stephen Colbert that touches on the meaning behind the lyrics on his latest album, ‘Seven Psalms,’ and stories from his over 50-year career in music. Head to The Late Show's YouTube channel to watch Paul's performance! 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 focused on redecorating the White House while the world waits to know if he will bomb Iran, Israel’s prime minister freaked out the president with a blood-soaked gift, and the MAGA world is being torn in half by a fight between war hawks like Ted Cruz and isolationists like Tucker Carlson. Should Americans have to put up with gangs of unaccountable ICE thugs roaming our streets doing whatever they want? And should Defense Secretary Hegseth be forced to answer whether he’s given the military orders to fire on American civilians? And “M3GAN 2.0” star Allison Williams treats Stephen to a peek inside her bizarre thought process as a young woman staring out her bedroom window at night. “M3GAN 2.0” hits theaters on June 27th. 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 appears ready to officially enter the Israel-Iran war, you can tell the Pentagon is on a war footing because of all the pizza they ordered, Stephen shares a decade-old photo of his writers room on the day Donald Trump came down the golden escalator, and fans of the president’s merch have a raft of new collectables to spend their cash on. Acclaimed stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze has been tapped to host the Emmy Awards this year, Sunday, Sept. 14 on CBS, so he now faces a challenge that Stephen Colbert knows all too well: making an awards show fun to watch. “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories From A Simpler Mind” 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’s birthday parade featured low turnout and squeaky tanks, the champagne was flowing over at Fox News, and over five million Americans hit the streets to protest against the president’s despotic behavior. Emmy-winner Mariska Hargitay took advantage of her downtime during the pandemic and emerged with a film that is a thrilling portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, one of the most acclaimed actors and sex symbols of her time. “My Mom Jayne” comes out June 27th on HBO and 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

Writer and director Eva Victor nerds out with Stephen Colbert over their Chicago improv comedy roots, then tells our host how they came to write, direct and star in the critically-acclaimed film, "Sorry, Baby." Watch the film in select theaters June 27th and opening everywhere July 25th. 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... America's sweetheart Kristin Chenoweth gave new meaning to the term "fur baby," a hungry elephant gently broke into a grocery store for a snack, and Stephen marvels at the discovery of a 200-year-old condom. And science-lover Stephen Colbert brings you the latest science news in his long-running science-focused segment. 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 and Evie Colbert go searching for the perfect Father's Day card. 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 birthday parade may be scuttled by bad weather, fans of democracy are planning “No Kings” marches for this Saturday, a group of drag queens made their presence felt at the Kennedy Center’s opening night, and a new tell-all book makes the 1970s-era NPR newsroom sound like quite a party. ohn C. Reilly tells Stephen about the decades-long process of finding love songs and stashing them away for a project that would eventually become his new album, “What’s Not to Love?” Watch him perform those love songs live on stage in his new show, “Mr. Romantic,” tickets 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

California Governor Gavin Newsom warned that President Trump plans to send troops to any state he perceives as an enemy, ICE raided a major meatpacking plant in Nebraska, and the president announced he’s reversing Congress’s decision to remove Confederate names from military forts. Emmy-winner Colman Domingo stops by to catch up about his many projects, including a Nat King Cole biopic, the final season of “Euphoria,” and a new Netflix series called “The Four Seasons” which stars Domingo and counts him as one of the directors. “The Four Seasons” is available 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

President Trump claims he’s not throwing himself a birthday parade, he sent Marines to Los Angeles in a major escalation of his attack on the city’s residents, and taxpayers are already on the hook for $134 million to cover the military deployment. MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace joins Stephen to discuss President Trump’s dangerous second term agenda including the administration’s current attack on the people of California. New episodes of Nicolle’s podcast, “The Best People,” are released every Monday. 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

Los Angeles residents pushed back against President Trump’s authoritarian immigration raids this past weekend after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller pushed ICE officials to increase the pace of their deportations. Expect exploration of the spiritual, geographical and medical realms in the new stage show from William Shatner and Neil deGrasse Tyson. Find tickets to their “Rocking” tour here: https://rockingwithbillandneil.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

Accomplished actor Cristin Milioti bonds with Stephen over their shared love of Joni Mitchell and "Jesus Christ Superstar," and she shares the joy she felt while wearing outrageous costumes for her role in HBO's "The Penguin," a new series that takes place in the "Batman" universe. "The Penguin" is available now 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... A nun is going viral for her dope beatboxing skills, the Colorado Rockies are making history for the wrong reasons, and a study claims that kissing can spread depression and anxiety. Next, Stephen Colbert dives deep into the manosphere to take a look at some of the man-fluencers who are teaching a new generation of Americans how to be “real” men. 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

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein shares an update on his state’s recovery from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, and warns that President Trump’s plans to downsize or eliminate FEMA will leave states unable to properly recover after natural disasters. 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 full-scale flame war has broken out between the world’s most famous besties causing their former buddy Kanye West to wade into the fray, and an intern is running Homeland Security’s terrorism prevention unit. The race to elect New York’s next mayor is in full swing and two of the leading candidates are as weird as it gets. GRAMMY, Emmy and Tony-winning actor and singer Cynthia Erivo won’t say who she’s rooting for this weekend when she hosts The Tony Awards on CBS, but she confirms that she has seen all the nominated shows. Stick around for more with Cynthia Erivo and tune in to The Tony Awards this Sunday on CBS. 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

After he was booted from the White House, Elon Musk called President Trump’s budget bill a “disgusting abomination,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene admitted she didn’t read the bill before voting for it, and the Trump administration is marking Pride month by curtailing federal protections for LGBTQ+ folks and removing gay icon Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship. Mark Hamill offers a blow-by-blow account of what happened when his pants fell all the way down while presenting an award on stage at the BAFTAs. “The Life of Chuck” is in select 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

America's intelligence chiefs are seeking a more engaging way to brief the president, the head of FEMA is cracking jokes about hurricane season, FBI Director Kash Patel probably looks bigger in person, and Tinder has a new minimum height setting. New Zealand's former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern argues that a good leader can wear their heart on their sleeve and connect to constituents on an emotional level. Stick around for more with the former prime minister and check out her memoir, "A Different Kind of Power," 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