Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert

Episode: Nonviolence Scholar Maria J. Stephan
Date: January 24, 2026
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Dr. Maria J. Stephan

Overview

This episode features Dr. Maria J. Stephan, an internationally recognized scholar and practitioner of nonviolent resistance. Together, she and Stephen Colbert discuss the resurgence and importance of nonviolent strategies in resisting authoritarian overreach, especially in the context of current U.S. politics. The conversation navigates practical tactics, historical comparisons, the role of faith, humor in protest, and the deep philosophy behind nonviolence.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Nonviolent Resistance?

• Nonviolence as Both Tactic and Philosophy:
  Dr. Stephan underscores the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance in confronting injustice—both as a way to build power collectively and as an ethical framework.
  • “Nonviolent resistance is a powerful form of collective action. It's where ordinary people coordinate a range of different tactics—protests, boycotts, strikes, walkouts, mutual aid—to build power, to disrupt injustices, and to liberate themselves from oppression. So it's a way of fighting back without the threat or use of violence.”
    — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [03:25]

2. Practical Tools for Nonviolent Resistance

• Grassroots Organization & Mutual Support:
  Dr. Stephan discusses the role of local organization and shares a small yet symbolic example:

  • “I've got in my pocket here, Stephen, a whistle. So what people are doing is they are organizing neighborhood groups... learning how to intervene... blowing a whistle to let their neighbors know that ICE is there and that they are there to stand with them and to defend them.”
    — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [03:58]

• Upcoming Day of Action:

  • On January 23rd, Minnesota activists are holding an "ICE out of Minnesota Day of Action"—a form of an economic shutdown to show solidarity and protest injustice.
    [04:49]

3. The Dilemma of State Violence and Legitimization

• Mischaracterization of Nonviolent Actions:
  Stephan addresses how authorities often label nonviolent protesters as violent to justify repression.

  • "Declaring peaceful protesters violent or domestic terrorists or outside agitators is what autocrats all around the world do. That is their playbook..."
    — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [05:52]

• Backfire Effect:
  She invokes historical precedent, particularly the Civil Rights Movement, citing the powerful impact of disciplined nonviolent protest in revealing state cruelty.

  • “They prepared, they trained, they role-played, they organized, all to make that political violence backfire. Think of Selma... when peaceful, disciplined protesters confronted... the dogs, the hoses, the response, it revealed the cruelty...”
    — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [05:52]

• Memorable Quote:

  • "They show up with guns, we show up with whistles.”
    — Rebecca Goode, as recounted by Dr. Maria J. Stephan [07:09]

4. Role of Faith Communities

• Moral Authority and Activism:
  Dr. Stephan highlights the unique position of faith leaders to rally communities and speak against abuses of power.

  • “Faith communities play a powerful role and they're showing up in powerful ways across this country… They can use their pulpits, their positions, their moral authority to speak out against the abuses of power that are happening. They can remind us that the greatest commandment is love.”
    — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [08:11]

• Responding to Christian Nationalism:
  Faith can challenge oppressive ideologies, especially when used to justify state action.

• Message to Those Within the System:

  • “Remind them of the greatest commandment to love thy neighbor… and I would remind them that they have agency in this moment, and they can walk away.”
    — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [09:05]
  • Colbert adds: “They're not in the army. They're allowed to quit.”
    [09:31]

5. The Power of Joy and Humor in Resistance

• Inventive Protest:
  Colbert brings up whimsical protest examples—“frog costumes in Portland, dinosaur costumes happen in Chicago”—as means to reduce perceived threat and inject joy.
  Dr. Stephan responds enthusiastically:

  • “Joy is resistance, Stephen. And there is such a powerful role for humor in this moment. Humor breaks through the fear. It inspires courage.”
    — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [09:52]

  • Colbert jokes, “They've got guns. I've got a little fan on my butt.”
    [10:32]

6. Nonviolence as a Way of Life

• Beyond Strategy—A Worldview:
  In closing, Stephan describes nonviolence as a fundamentally different approach to living and relating:
  • “It is love in action. It's about being human in the face of inhumanity. It's about resisting injustices in courageous, powerful ways, but without harming people. And it's about building something new. Dr. King referred to it as the beloved community...”
    — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [11:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They show up with guns, we show up with whistles.”
  — Rebecca Goode, via Dr. Maria J. Stephan [07:09]

• “Joy is resistance, Stephen. And there is such a powerful role for humor in this moment. Humor breaks through the fear. It inspires courage.”
  — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [09:52]

• “It is love in action. It's about being human in the face of inhumanity.”
  — Dr. Maria J. Stephan [11:06]

Important Timestamps

• [01:49] - Stephen Colbert introduces Dr. Maria J. Stephan
• [02:47] - Discussing the need for nonviolent resistance
• [03:25] - Defining nonviolent resistance
• [03:58] - Practical grassroots tools (the whistle)
• [04:49] - General strike/ICE out of Minnesota Day of Action
• [05:52] - How authorities attempt to delegitimize nonviolent protest
• [07:09] - "They show up with guns, we show up with whistles"
• [08:11] - Faith communities’ role in resistance
• [09:05] - Faith’s message to those justifying their actions in the system
• [09:52] - The role of joy, humor, and costumes in protest
• [11:06] - Nonviolence as a worldview and way of being

Conclusion

Dr. Maria J. Stephan provides not only actionable advice for those wanting to participate in nonviolent resistance but also a heartfelt philosophical framing, rooted in love, joy, and collective humanity. The conversation with Stephen Colbert serves as both a practical guide in turbulent times and an inspiration toward building what Dr. King called “the beloved community.”

For more information or to get involved, visit nonviolence.info