Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Featuring Finn Wolfhard

Episode Title: 'Stranger Things' Star Finn Wolfhard
Release Date: April 26, 2025
Host: CBS (Stephen Colbert)
Guest: Finn Wolfhard

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes actor and musician Finn Wolfhard, best known for his role in the hit series Stranger Things. Released on April 26, 2025, the episode delves into Finn's multifaceted career, including his directorial debut, upcoming film projects, and his burgeoning music career.

Finn Wolfhard's Directorial Debut: Hell of a Summer

[02:15] Stephen Colbert introduces Finn Wolfhard by highlighting his roles in Stranger Things and the latest Ghostbusters films, as well as his new role as director and star of Hell of a Summer.

Directing Challenges:
Finn discusses the unique challenges of directing himself in Hell of a Summer.
Finn Wolfhard:
"It's a good question. It was an idiotic move on my part... It was really easy to give actors notes. Like, in the moment, I had a co-director, Billy Brick, who's also in the movie with me. And the part that was harder is, like, it's hard to delineate and also give orders to people when you're playing a moron. You can't have both." [04:55]

Creative Vision:
Finn shares his inspiration for Hell of a Summer, revealing a personal connection to summer camp experiences.
Finn Wolfhard:
"I think this was the reason why I wrote this movie, is because I missed it. It's pretty sad, actually, to say, but I missed summer camp... It was one of those things that I felt like was a good opportunity to reclaim what I didn't." [05:44]

Upcoming Projects: Legend of Ochi

[07:25] Colbert shifts the conversation to Finn's upcoming film, Legend of Ochi. The discussion highlights Finn's experience acting alongside puppets, offering a contrast to his usual performances.

Acting with Puppets:
Finn Wolfhard:
"It's incredible. Cause, yeah, a lot of the time... I'm really into being in stuff with heavy visual effects. So a lot of the time you're acting with like a tennis ball or something. And this was so great. Cause it really did like feel like you were acting with like a living, breathing creature." [07:47]

Stranger Things: The Final Season

[08:04] As fans anticipate the final season of Stranger Things, Finn reflects on nearly a decade spent on the show.

Experiences During Filming:
Stephen Colbert:
"You grew up on screen. Changed a little bit." [08:14]

Finn Wolfhard:
"We spent the whole year last year filming the last season... We were in Atlanta for a whole year and a lot like I lived with one of my co-stars, Gaten, and we all stayed in the same neighborhood. It was a really emotional end for us all. But I'm super excited for it to come out." [08:22]

Personal Mementos:
Finn shares a personal touch, mentioning that he kept his bike from the first season of Stranger Things.
Finn Wolfhard:
"Yeah, I took my bike from the first season. I can't let it go. Apparently, it's just me riding my bike around my neighborhood and my dad." [08:58]

Musical Endeavors: Happy Birthday Album

[09:14] The conversation shifts to Finn's musical pursuits, particularly his debut solo album titled Happy Birthday.

Inspiration and Creation:
Finn elaborates on his songwriting process and the inspiration behind his album.
Finn Wolfhard:
"I was making a ton of music for a long time on my own and kind of gave myself a task to write as many songs as possible by the end of the year. I took a lot of those songs and put it towards this album. I wrote 50 songs... 90% of them were terrible. The 5% I basically put into this album and recorded it all on tape like 4-track cassette and 8-track cassette because I just wanted it to feel very handmade." [09:25]

Stephen Colbert:
"What was the inspiration to make this album?" [09:14]

Finn Wolfhard:
"It was a mix of personal experiences and a desire to create something authentic and raw." [09:14] (Paraphrased for clarity)

Behind the Scenes and Personal Insights

[06:09] Finn reveals personal motivations behind his projects, expressing a sense of fulfillment in creating works that resonate with his own experiences and desires.

Wish Fulfillment:
Finn Wolfhard:
"This is wish fulfillment for me." [06:10]

Connection with Co-Stars:
Reflecting on his relationships with fellow cast members, Finn emphasizes the importance of camaraderie and shared experiences during the final season filming.

Finn Wolfhard:
"We really made a point to see each other as much as possible because we knew it was sort of the last hurrah. It was a really emotional end for us all." [08:22]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Stephen Colbert expressing his admiration for Finn's diverse talents and upcoming projects. Finn thanks Stephen for having him on the show, leaving listeners excited for his new ventures in film and music.

Finn Wolfhard:
"Thank you so much for having me." [09:58]

Stephen Colbert:
"Hell of a Summer is in theaters now. Thank you for listening to the Late Show POD show with Stephen Colbert." [10:02]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• *Finn Wolfhard on Directing:
  "It's a good question. It was an idiotic move on my part... I felt like I couldn't have both directing and playing a moron." [04:55]

• **Finn Wolfhard on Stranger Things:
  "We were in Atlanta for a whole year... It was a really emotional end for us all." [08:22]

• *Finn Wolfhard on Music:
  "I wanted it to feel very handmade, so I recorded it all on tape like 4-track cassette and 8-track cassette." [09:37]

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a comprehensive look into Finn Wolfhard's creative journey, highlighting his transition from acting to directing and music. Finn's candid discussions about his projects, personal motivations, and experiences on Stranger Things provide fans with an intimate glimpse into his evolving career. Stephen Colbert masterfully navigates the conversation, ensuring a rich and engaging dialogue that captures the essence of Finn's artistic endeavors.