Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert featuring Roxane Gay

Episode Title: Roxane Gay | 'The Portable Feminist Reader'
Release Date: March 29, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: Roxane Gay, Award-Winning Writer

Introduction to Roxane Gay and Her Work

In this enlightening episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes acclaimed writer Roxane Gay, known for her best-selling books such as Bad Feminist, Difficult Women, and Hunger. The conversation delves deep into Gay's perspectives on feminism, her latest anthology, and her upcoming literary projects.

Defining the "Bad Feminist"

Timestamp [02:16]:
Roxane Gay discusses the concept of being a "bad feminist," a central theme in her critically acclaimed collection Bad Feminist. She explains that being a bad feminist doesn't imply abandoning feminist principles but rather acknowledging personal inconsistencies and flaws within one's feminist ideology.

Roxane Gay: "I'm a feminist but I can be inconsistent in some of my ideologies... I listen to hip hop and salt shaker is just like poetry when you really listen to those lyrics. Magic. And so how do you create space for yourself in feminism while acknowledging that some of your ideas may be flawed." ([02:24])

Stephen Colbert aptly summarizes this notion by likening it to preferring "bad pizza" over no pizza at all, to which Gay agrees, emphasizing that embracing imperfection is better than forgoing feminist engagement altogether.

Evolution of Feminism Over the Decade

Timestamp [03:12]:
The conversation shifts to the changes in the perception and reality of feminism over the past ten years since the release of Bad Feminist. Gay expresses concern over the regression in women's rights, highlighting significant setbacks such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Roxane Gay: "We have lost a lot of ground when it comes to thinking women are people and women should have rights and live in unlegislated bodies... it's just really challenging to have to continue to explain what feminism is at the same time that people are trying to take away women's rights." ([03:23])

She underscores the difficulty of advocating for feminism in a climate where foundational rights are under threat, making the mission of defining and defending feminism more crucial than ever.

Introducing 'The Portable Feminist Reader'

Timestamp [04:02]:
Stephen Colbert introduces Roxane Gay's latest work, The Portable Feminist Reader, an anthology that was set to release shortly after the podcast.

Selection Process and Content:

Gay explains her meticulous approach to curating the anthology, which spans from the 15th century to contemporary times. Her goal was to showcase the evolution of feminist thought and include voices that are often overlooked in the traditional feminist canon.

Roxane Gay: "I wanted to look at the history of feminist thought and also what contemporary feminists are talking about and what they're thinking and how they're applying it to their lives... I was trying to put in the reader people who would not normally be considered part of the feminist canon, but who absolutely belong there." ([04:19])

This comprehensive collection aims to provide readers with a deep understanding of feminism's historical roots and its modern manifestations, highlighting both foundational ideas and innovative contemporary perspectives.

Feminism in the 1500s: Historical Perspectives

Timestamp [05:04]:
Colbert probes further into the anthology by inquiring about the inclusion of a 1500s writer discussing women's rights—a period when the concept of human rights was virtually nonexistent.

Roxane Gay: "Back then, it was very sort of feminism 101. Like, women have interesting ideas. Sometimes they can do more than have children, which. Who knew? And it's amazing that we found this out. And so at the time, that was really groundbreaking." ([05:17])

Gay highlights that early feminist thought was nascent but revolutionary, setting the stage for centuries of advocacy and change. She reflects on the harsh reception of feminist ideas in the 1500s, drawing parallels to modern struggles.

Roxane Gay: "They were, like, pretty bad. Burn the witch. It didn't go over too well." ([05:44])

This historical lens serves to illustrate the long and ongoing battle for gender equality, emphasizing the progress made and the challenges that remain.

Roxane Gay's Outlook: Hope Amidst Challenges

Timestamp [06:01]:
Stephen Colbert poses a poignant question about Roxane Gay's sense of hope or pessimism regarding the future of feminism and societal progress. Gay candidly shares her feelings, balancing recognition of grim realities with optimism inspired by younger generations.

Roxane Gay: "I have two nieces who are incredible, 14 and 13. Every time I talk to them... they don't believe in the word no, and they don't believe in the word can't. So, of course, I have to be optimistic that young kids are going to rise up into a world where they have rights and freedoms." ([06:08])

This segment underscores the importance of intergenerational support and the hope that the resilience and energy of youth will drive continued progress in feminist movements.

Upcoming Project: A Romance Novel with Channing Tatum

Timestamp [07:06]:
In a delightful turn, Colbert asks about Roxane Gay's collaboration with actor Channing Tatum on a new project. Gay reveals they are co-writing a romance novel, blending her feminist insights with Tatum's storytelling prowess.

Roxane Gay: "We're writing a romance novel together. I can't even say it with a straight face." ([07:11])

The novel promises to be a "bad feminist romance," infusing traditional romance elements with feminist themes. Gay humorously compares the plot to popular romantic films, hinting at a grounded narrative filled with authentic relationships and emotional depth.

Roxane Gay: "It's an adult romance novel... no, it's a bad feminist romance novel." ([07:33])

This collaboration marks an exciting expansion of Gay's literary repertoire, blending genres to explore new dimensions of storytelling.

Defining Modern Feminism

Timestamp [08:53]:
As the conversation wraps up, Colbert seeks Roxane Gay's succinct definition of modern feminism, amidst its varied and sometimes contentious uses in public discourse.

Roxane Gay: "Feminism is just a movement to ensure that people of all genders are treated equally, have equal access to health care, are paid equally for the labor they do, and are allowed to live lives free of violence." ([09:16])

This clear and inclusive definition encapsulates the essence of feminism as a pursuit of equality and justice across all facets of society.

Conclusion

Stephen Colbert extends his gratitude to Roxane Gay for her insightful contributions and promotes her new anthology, The Portable Feminist Reader. He encourages listeners to stay engaged with the ongoing conversations around feminism and gender equality.

Stephen Colbert: "The Portable Feminist Readers available now. Thank you for listening to the Late Show POD show with Stephen Colbert." ([09:30])

The episode serves as a comprehensive exploration of feminist thought, both historical and contemporary, through the lens of one of today's most influential feminist writers.

Note: For those interested in exploring Roxane Gay's work and updates on her projects, including the upcoming romance novel with Channing Tatum, be sure to follow The Late Show YouTube channel and visit Roxane Gay's official publications.