The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

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! 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.