The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: Stephen Presents: Ben & Jerry
Date: December 26, 2025
Episode Overview
In this heartwarming and fun episode, Stephen Colbert celebrates the Feast of St. Stephen and reflects on the personal and communal joys of the holiday season. The episode features a candid conversation between Stephen, his wife Evie, and special guests Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield—the founders of Ben & Jerry’s. They reminisce about the origin of the Americone Dream flavor, share amusing behind-the-scenes stories, and highlight the significant charitable impact of their partnership. The episode is full of nostalgia, gratitude, and the unique humor that defines Colbert’s hosting style.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Feast of St. Stephen, Personal Memories, and Holiday Reflection
- Opening Banter with Evie (01:05–06:10)
- Stephen notes the significance of December 26, both as the Feast of St. Stephen (the first Christian martyr) and as the anniversary of his first date with Evie.
- The couple reminisces about their first date in Charleston, sharing playful details and fond memories.
- Evie brings up the tradition of recognizing obscure saints and the unique ways holidays overlay personal milestones.
Notable Quote:
“The day after Christmas is the feast of St. Stephen.”
— Stephen Colbert (01:12)
Memorable Moment:
“We kissed and everything. It was great. I don't want to, you know, get too... I don't want to sell the podcast too hard.”
— Stephen Colbert (03:49)
2. Americone Dream Ice Cream Fund & Staff Charity Tradition
- The Best Day of the Year (06:10–08:42)
- Colbert highlights the staff’s annual tradition of donating all proceeds from Americone Dream ice cream to charity, a fund supported by Ben & Jerry’s for 18 years.
- This year, $1.38 million was disbursed to 138 charities, with each chosen by a staff member. Over the lifetime of the fund, more than $7.4 million has been donated.
- Both Stephen and Evie reflect on the joy of empowering staff to give back, the surprising impact on new team members, and the deeply personal nature of the charities selected.
Notable Quote:
“The best day of the year is... the night that the staff gives away all of the money that the AmeriCone Dream Ice Cream Fund gathered that year. ... We gave away $1.38 million, 138 charities, and $10,000 to each charity. And we emptied the bank.”
— Stephen Colbert (06:21–07:02)
Memorable Moment:
“It’s just a really special day where, like, you hope that all the jokes we're working on all day are making people laugh and making a difference, but this... that's a big difference that's being made.”
— Evie Colbert (08:04)
3. Ben & Jerry Join the Show: Ice Cream Tales & the Origin of Americone Dream
- “Americone Dream” and Flavor Development (08:58–13:14)
- Stephen welcomes Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, recalling the birth of their partnership and the creation of the Americone Dream flavor.
- The process—described humorously as “channeling the collective flavor unconscious”—involved sending Stephen three unmarked pints to sample.
- The founders admit to their rare missteps (“lemon peppermint carob chip”) and joke about past failures.
Notable Quotes:
“I channeled the flavors out of the collective unconscious. The collective flavor unconscious.”
— Ben Cohen (11:29)
“Year after year in the top 10.”
— Jerry Greenfield, regarding Americone Dream’s success (12:05)
Memorable Moment:
“It was almost acceptable with Lemon peppermint. And just pushed the entire thing into a ditch.”
— Stephen Colbert, on a failed flavor (12:29–12:38)
4. Colbert Report Nostalgia & Celebrity Ice Cream Rivalries
- Flashbacks and Playful Competitiveness (13:14–15:20)
- The group reminisces about Colbert’s previous “beef” with Willie Nelson over who had the best celebrity ice cream flavor, even enlisting legendary diplomat Richard Holbrook to “negotiate” peace.
- Audio clips from this era add humor and context to their long-running relationship.
Notable Quote:
“To solve it, we brought in the negotiator of the Dayton Peace Accords, Richard Holbrook, to negotiate peace between me and Willie.”
— Stephen Colbert (13:32)
5. Celebrating the Partnership and Charitable Legacy
- Closing Reflections (15:20–16:44)
- Stephen expresses gratitude to Ben & Jerry for their eighteen-year partnership and emphasizes the collective effort that makes the Americone Dream charity fund so impactful.
- He shares that, even as the show may be ending, the Americone Dream fund will continue, ending with a paraphrase of Ted Kennedy’s immortal words.
Notable Quote:
“The staff of the Colbert Report and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert has donated $7.4 million to charity. Thank you so much. ... The dream continues.”
— Stephen Colbert & Jerry Greenfield (15:23–16:07)
“For all those who cares have been our own. The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives. And the Americone Dream shall never die.”
— Stephen Colbert, paraphrasing Ted Kennedy (16:07)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Feast of St. Stephen & Personal Stories: 01:05–06:10
- Americone Dream Ice Cream Fund & Staff Giving: 06:10–08:42
- Ben & Jerry Interview – Creation of Americone Dream: 08:58–13:14
- Ice Cream Rivalries and Old Show Highlights: 13:14–15:20
- Celebrating Charitable Impact & Emotional Farewell: 15:20–16:44
Tone and Takeaways
- The episode is warm, humorous, and deeply grateful, weaving together personal stories, workplace traditions, and the power of partnership for good causes.
- The tone remains conversational and playful, often self-deprecating, with flourishes of Colbert’s trademark wit.
Summary for Non-Listeners
Even if you haven’t listened, this episode offers a delightful window into Stephen Colbert’s personal life and the charitable culture at The Late Show. You’ll learn how a comedic partnership with an ice cream company turned into a multimillion-dollar avenue for good, get rare behind-the-scenes moments from Colbert, and enjoy the comic rapport between Stephen, Evie, Ben, and Jerry. The joy, gratitude, and legacy of Americone Dream leave you with a smile—and probably a craving for ice cream.