Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Gov.-Elect Abigail Spanberger
Date: January 17, 2026
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger (Virginia)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode features a candid, insightful conversation between Stephen Colbert and Virginia’s Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger, focusing on her historic election, governing philosophy, approach to bipartisanship, and personal anecdotes. The discussion covers Spanberger’s expectations as the incoming governor, her thoughts on current federal versus state tensions, her previous law enforcement and intelligence experience, and her history of working across the aisle. Lighthearted moments about family and friendships balance deeper policy topics, creating an engaging mix of political insight and personality.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Historic Election Win & Campaign Lessons

[01:32–02:21]

• Spanberger won by a remarkable 15-point margin, surprising even in a favorable race.

• On what Democrats should learn:

  “People want someone who's focused on the issues that keep them up at night. That is, can they afford to live their life, keep their house, pay for their medicine, are their kids getting a good education to set them up and are they safe in their communities?” — Abigail Spanberger [01:56]

• Emphasized the need for practical, issue-driven leadership.

2. Personal and Family Moments

[02:27–03:27]

• A memorable clip from Spanberger’s acceptance speech highlights her realness as a mom:

  “To my daughters, Claire, Charlotte, and Katherine. You inspire me and motivate me every single day. I am lucky to be your mother. And, Catherine, you did not clean your room today, as you promised me. I'm working on.” — Abigail Spanberger [02:42]

• Colbert and Spanberger laugh over the public’s involvement in holding her child accountable:

  “She’s come home from school or Girl Scouts or all her activities with a little bit of an attitude, because people in public are asking her, have you cleaned your room? It takes a village.” — Spanberger [03:13]

3. First Female Governor and "Her Excellency"

[03:27–04:44]

• Spanberger reflects on being the first woman elected governor in Virginia and family reactions to the formal title:

  “People … are so excited it is that for the first time in Virginia, people will say, her Excellency … you could hear a woman in the back say, I’m not doing that. It was my … middle sister making her opinion known.” — Spanberger [03:41]

4. State vs. Federal Authority and Enforcement Tactics

[04:48–08:25]

• Colbert questions her views on the use of federal forces (ex: National Guard, ICE) in states without consent.
• Spanberger draws on her background as a former federal agent and CIA officer, emphasizing trust in law enforcement:

  “What I learned … is your ability to do your job is built on trust. … When people are going in wearing masks, terrifying communities, they’re breaking down that trust, and it is actually impeding the ability to keep our community safe.” — Spanberger [05:32]

• Promises to assert Virginia’s autonomy and resist fear-driven federal interventions, unless legally warranted.

5. Governance Philosophy and Bipartisanship

[08:25–11:00]

• Colbert highlights Spanberger’s reputation as a highly bipartisan legislator.
• Spanberger explains the necessity of cross-party support for effective lawmaking:

  “If you want to get things done, if you want a Republican president to sign your bill, you got to have support for it. … Sometimes I would tell my team that even a broken clock is right twice a day.” — Spanberger [09:09]

• Shares anecdotes about working with Chip Roy (R-TX) on banning Congressional stock trading:

  “We agree on just about nothing, but … we both agreed that members of Congress should not be able to trade stocks when they’re serving in Congress.” — Spanberger [09:09–10:23] “That bill has very broad bipartisan support now in the House. … There’s support, frankly importantly, among the American people who want to know that … they’re not trying to influence the stock market so they can make a few bucks.” — Spanberger [10:23]

6. Personal Anecdotes: Roommates in Congress

[11:00–12:18]

• Spanberger and recent Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill (NJ) were roommates in Congress.
• Lighthearted discussion on Sherrill's kitchen habits and their humble culinary beginnings:

  “She would leave dishes in the sink for an extended period of time. She would frequently burn things too when she would cook and then leave it to soak.” — Spanberger [11:35] “We were getting our frozen meals from CVS. We really upgraded at one point during our time in Congress to frozen meals from Trader Joe’s. So it felt like we’d arrived.” — Spanberger [11:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On governing priorities:
  “It's really pretty straightforward. And in Virginia on Saturday, we're going to get to work.” — Spanberger [02:17]
• On practical leadership:
  “I believe in accountability.” — Spanberger [03:09]
• On state autonomy and law enforcement:
  “We have an incredible guard in Virginia, and it is up to the governor to bring forth the Virginia Guard to help our citizens … We do not need outside support unless the governor is the one who makes that request.” — Spanberger [06:59]
• Colbert’s humor about state formalities:
  “So in Virginia, as in New York, they call the governor your Excellency … Are you going to get your family to do that?” — Stephen Colbert [03:27]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:32] — Start of interview: Election win reaction
• [02:42] — Clip of acceptance speech with the “clean your room” moment
• [04:48] — Conversation shifts to federal pressure on states
• [08:25] — Discussion on bipartisanship and working with Chip Roy
• [11:15] — Roommate stories with Mikie Sherrill
• [12:18] — Episode wrap and goodbye

Tone and Language

Throughout the podcast, the tone is warm, direct, and sometimes playful, reflecting Colbert’s wit and Spanberger’s down-to-earth candor. The candid stories—whether about parenting, lawmaking, or burnt dinners—humanize the guest and reinforce larger themes of accountability, public service, and refusing to be distracted by political theater.

Summary

If you missed the episode, you’d come away understanding Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger’s core priorities as a leader: practical, people-focused politics, bipartisanship out of necessity (not just aspiration), and a grounded personal approach to both family and new responsibilities. The conversation offers a blend of humor and substance, giving listeners an inside look at what Virginia’s first female governor values as she prepares to take office.