The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert Stephen Presents: Patti Smith (Extended)
Nov 25, 2025
Patti Smith, the 'godmother of punk,' renowned for her influential music and powerful memoirs like 'Just Kids,' joins Stephen for a heartfelt discussion. She reveals that her new memoir, 'Bread of Angels,' was inspired by gratitude for lost loved ones. Patti shares sage advice for young artists, emphasizing self-care and stepping away from social media negativity. She reflects on her iconic cover photo taken by Robert Mapplethorpe and how her childhood illness ignited her creativity, linking it all back to the lasting legacy of her groundbreaking album, 'Horses.'
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Prioritize Health And Practical Self-Care
- Take good care of your body and routine maintenance like dental health so illness doesn't derail your work.
- Save money and build personal resilience rather than relying on external approval.
Rely On Inner Critique Over External Approval
- Look to yourself as your primary critic and measure of worth instead of external opinions or social media.
- Develop inner armor to avoid being demoralized by others' views.
Dream Prompted The New Memoir
- Patti Smith says she dreamed the finished book arrived in the mail, fully written and wrapped with a white ribbon.
- The dream convinced her the memoir should be written to express gratitude to lost loved ones.
