The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

President Trump brought men like Elon Musk and Brett Ratner along on his trip to China, the Pentagon wants to restart the clock on the costly Iran war by changing the name, and the president’s poll numbers have never been lower as many Americans feel the country is spiraling out of control. Then President Barack Obama takes The Colbert Questionert! And Tom Hanks joins Stephen Colbert for a wide-ranging chat about dairy alternatives, SCUBA diving during the making of "Splash," and his father's experiences in World War II. Watch "World War II with Tom Hanks" starting May 25th on The History Channel. 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 trip to China kicked off as Americans are suffering from high prices at home, the president went on an epic late night social media blitz, and RFK Jr. says the public need not worry about the Hantavirus outbreak. Stephen Colbert’s extended interview with Julia Louis-Dreyfus has it all: a casual kiss between two friends, useful advice for a guy who is prepping for his series finale, and a personalized late night tribute cooked up by the writers of “Veep.” Enjoy the moments that didn’t make it to air, then catch Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the new film, “The Sheep Detectives,” in theaters now. And acclaimed actor Pedro Pascal gets chummy with Stephen Colbert and offers hints about what to expect from his character in the new film, “The Mandalorian & Grogu,” where he stars opposite one of his childhood idols, Sigourney Weaver. 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 says his plan to defeat Iran is very simple, the president seemingly failed to wish the First Lady a happy Mother’s Day, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has returned to his reality television roots, and the government released files related to UFO sightings. Stephen Colbert reunites with his Strike Force Five podcast co-hosts for a rowdy group interview that went far too long for one broadcast episode. Catch the entire segment here then keep an eye out for a special emergency episode of the Strike Force Five podcast dropping soon wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and John Oliver!  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 wrapping up The Late Show Pod Show with the best of "Late Show Vocab," a game where Stephen reveals the origin stories of slang terms and shorthand only his staff knows! In the first round, Stephen sheds light on "Brap It On The Poof," "Dollar Signs," and "sack, sack, sack, sack, saaack!" Then enjoy this lovely EXTENDED conversation with poet, bestselling author, and McArthur Genius Grant recipient Ocean Vuong. This podcast was originally released on August 14th, 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

With The Late Show wrapping up this month, The Pod Show is looking back at some of our favorite moments from Stephen's many exclusive podcast visits from the 'Stephen Presents' series. We wanted to bring back our host's charming tale of a special journal from this introduction to an extended interview with the journaling queen herself, Suleika Jaouad, who 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. This podcast and extended interview originally aired in May 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

With The Late Show coming to an end, The Late Show Pod Show is running back some of our favorite segments from the 'Stephen Presents' series: where Colbert sits down to tell exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and sometimes exchange recipes with podcast producer Becca. In tonight's Top of The Tops, they talk office baked goods and whose cookies from staff made it into the Colbert's family cookbook: 'Does This Taste Funny?' Then enjoy another Late Show Pod Show specialty: Audience Questions! Stephen's introduction was previously recorded for a podcast released on April 24th, 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

Americans are feeling economic pain as a result of Trump’s war against Iran, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Marco Rubio to the Vatican with a song, and Stephen consults an expert in online age verification.  Stephen challenges his good friend John Krasinski to a leg wrestling match, possibly related to the shots of bourbon the duo downed during their interview. “Jack Ryan: Ghost War” premieres May 20th on Prime Video.  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 most confusing war might be coming to an end, crews are painting the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, President Trump pressured the FDA to approve fruity vape flavors, and there’s a new scandal surrounding the suppression of government-funded vaccine studies. Stephen’s fabulous wife Evie McGee joins him to help The Late Show audience select the perfect Mother’s Day card for 2026. Oscar-winner Sally Field tells Stephen Colbert that she resisted months of efforts by Robin Williams to make her laugh on set, but one fart noise from Pierce Brosnan made her totally fall apart. Watch “Remarkably Bright Creatures” on Netflix 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 hosted children at the White House to mark the return of the Presidential Fitness Test, Pete Hegseth explained the military’s plan to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the war against Iran is hurting American businesses of all sizes, and Stephen reacts to the red carpet looks at this year’s Met Gala. And Colbert travels to Chicago to interview former President Barack Obama at the newly-completed Obama Presidential Center, where they discuss the president’s love for Chicago, his long-term hopes for his legacy, and which presidential powers are ripe for abuse. Grab tickets to the Museum at the Obama Presidential Center starting May 6th at www.obama.org/visit/museum-tickets. 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 new “Star Wars” film is on the way and the merchandising has begun, President Trump rejected Iran’s latest offer to end the war, and beloved brands Ask Jeeves and Spirit Airlines are no more. Oscar-winning producer, writer and director Christopher Nolan sits for an EXTENDED conversation with Stephen Colbert about the upcoming film, “The Odyssey,” starring Matt Damon alongside Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson. And 19-time GRAMMY-winning Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dave Grohl tells Stephen that all he wanted to do was disappear after Nirvana ended, but the universe sent him a sign that he should keep making music. Over three decades later, Grohl’s daughter is releasing her debut album and Foo Fighters are releasing their 12th. 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

May the 4th be with you as you get to know Hollywood legend Mark Hamill on a deeper level in this special edition of The Colbert Questionert! 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- and GRAMMY-winning comedian Patton Oswalt reveals why his name is mentioned by Jeffrey Epstein in an email that is part of the latest batch of files released by the Department of Justice. "Tea & Scotch" premieres on YouTube on June 9th. 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 and director Andy Serkis recalls reading the novel "Animal Farm" as a young adult and immediately being inspired to adapt it into a motion picture. A few decades later, his dream is a reality and "Animal Farm" the film 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

Stephen and Becca spend their final Pod Show moments together talking about the whole Late Show staff & crew and what has made working with everyone so magical over the years. It's all leading up to an instant staff favorite: Rescue Staff Rescue! Stephen reveals some of the insane, humiliating and wonderful things his employees have done in service of late night television. If you've already seen this segment, please do enjoy these jokes a second time. We find that comedy gets so much fresher when you know what's coming! And from everyone here at The Late Show Pod Show: thanks for listening! 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

As The Late Show comes to an end, Stephen's getting by with a little help from his rock star friends. 12-time GRAMMY winner Jack White sits down for an extended interview that touches on Jack’s early days playing music in school, memories of goofing around with his mom, and how music may change in the age of artificial intelligence. On the next extended interview, award-winning creative types Nick Offerman and Jeff Tweedy share tales from their very real friendship, and evaluate whether to admit Stephen Colbert into their clique. 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

There's still a few weeks left for Stephen to take The Colbert Questionert like he's promised, but until then, he's agreed to answer the four *retired* questions from early in the segment's run EXCLUSIVELY on the podcast! Because if you don't know what the most used app on his phone is or whether he prefers flat or sparkling, do you really know Stephen Colbert? Then enjoy friend-of-the-show's Jon Stewart's iconic Questionert from 2021! 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

To kick off the last batch of 'Stephen Presents' podcasts, Colbert and his producer Becca go all the way back to Episode 1 of The Late Show to talk about Stephen's first interview on the Ed Sullivan Theater stage and how the show almost didn't air that night! Stay tuned all week for more exclusive stories straight from our host, only 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

Award-winning actor, writer and standup comedian Ramy Youssef returns to The Late Show, where he made his first televised standup comedy appearance, and catches up with Stephen about their incredible trip to the Vatican. “Ramy Youssef: In Love” is now streaming on HBO 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... Eating more plants is linked to a lower risk of dementia, Stephen has nothing in common with people who like to run on vacation, and New York City says it's now safe to eat fish caught in the Hudson 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

If you don't know who performed at his first concert, or which animal he fears most, do you really know music legend Paul Simon? 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