The CARLOS Podcast

Carlos Watson

The CARLOS Podcast, hosted by Carlos Watson, is built for the conversations people avoid in public and replay in private. Presidents, rebels, icons, outcasts, critics, and original thinkers sit down for honest dialogue that does not flinch. Smart, soulful, sometimes spicy, always human. If you care about ideas that matter and conversations that go deeper than headlines, this is your seat at the table. New episode drops every Monday.

Episodes

  1. Malcolm Gladwell Gets Cheeky: Trump, AI, Epstein, Cadillac & Steph Curry

    3 DAYS AGO

    Malcolm Gladwell Gets Cheeky: Trump, AI, Epstein, Cadillac & Steph Curry

    Big thanks to our partner, Dose. Use the code CARLOS for 35% off your next purchase. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS What if the biggest conversations we're having right now… are missing the point? There is a reason I sat down with Malcolm Gladwell—author of Blink and The Tipping Point—for the seventh time. He is one of the most influential thinkers of our time and this conversation goes places most people aren't ready for. We talk about AI, but not the way you've heard it before. Malcolm argues the real revolution may not be happening in Silicon Valley at all—but in parts of the world most people overlook. If he's right, everything we think about the future of power, access, and opportunity could change. Then we go deeper. We unpack the political cycles that gave us Obama… and then Trump. We talk about whether America still works the way it used to—and who it actually works for now.  And Malcolm doesn't hold back on housing. A champion of new urbanism, he calls zoning something most people don't have the courage to say out loud—and explains why owning a home feels further out of reach than ever. But this isn't just about systems.  It's about what it means to make sense of a world that's shifting faster than we can process. This one will challenge how you see everything.  (Plus why Steph Curry belongs in the top five greatest basketball players of all time.)   ___________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building.  Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations.   Join the community: Shop Dose: https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS (code CARLOS for 35% off) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    28 min
  2. *NEW* Ex-CIA Spy John Kiriakou on Iran, JFK, Torture, and the CIA's Deep Secrets (CIA Whistleblower)

    5 DAYS AGO

    *NEW* Ex-CIA Spy John Kiriakou on Iran, JFK, Torture, and the CIA's Deep Secrets (CIA Whistleblower)

    *BRAND NEW EPISODE* Big thanks to our partner, Dose. Use the code CARLOS for 35% off your next purchase. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS What happens when a CIA officer refuses to participate in one of the most controversial and morally questionable programs in modern history? Let me tell you—this is the story of a man who put everything on the line, from his career to his freedom, just to stand by his moral compass. I sat down with a former CIA officer, John Kiriakou, who's lived through some of the most dangerous and high-stakes moments of modern history. He told me about working in Athens, right in the heart of terrorism threats, facing off with multiple terrorist groups. In just two years, he recruited five valuable assets, a feat that earned him major praise from his superiors. One of the most intense moments of his career came in 1990, just hours after Iraq invaded Kuwait. He was sent straight to the White House, where he briefed President George H.W. Bush himself. He identified Iraq's occupation governor as Dr. Ahmed Hathi, co-founder of the PFLP—this was huge. He walked me through some of the cover tactics they used and gave an insider's look at the CIA's mindset post-9/11, especially their turn toward "enhanced interrogation" methods. Here's where it gets even more intense: When the CIA started embracing torture, he was the only one out of 14 agents who refused to go through training. Why? Because he believed it was not only illegal but ineffective. He compared it to the FBI's much more effective approach: rapport-building, not brutality. It was a stand that would cost him. After he went public with ABC News, claiming the CIA had a torture program approved by the president, his world completely shifted. He was investigated, arrested, and pressured into a plea deal. He ended up in prison, facing the consequences of standing by his moral compass. That's not where the story ends though—he also faced PTSD, a divorce, and a career that came crashing down. But what he had to say about the CIA's leadership decisions, JFK documents, Epstein, and even Gaza really struck me. He gave some powerful advice: always trust your moral instincts, no matter the cost. This conversation isn't just about espionage—it's about integrity, the truth behind the headlines, and the human toll of doing the right thing.   ___________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building.  Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations. Join the community: Shop Dose: https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS (code CARLOS for 35% off) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    54 min
  3. Comedy Game-Changer: Is Daphnique Springs the Next Chappelle?

    23 APR

    Comedy Game-Changer: Is Daphnique Springs the Next Chappelle?

    Big thanks to our partner, Dose. Use the code CARLOS for 35% off your next purchase. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS Before the sold-out shows, the viral moments, and the rise of a comedy star who knows exactly how to own a room, Daphnique Springs was hustling, grinding, and turning raw talent into becoming one of the biggest comedians in the game. From the second I sat down with actress, writer, and stand-up comedian Daphnique Springs, I knew it was going to be a hilarious ride. She is wildly funny, fearless, and completely herself—and I'd put her in a class with names like Chelsea Handler, Tiffany Haddish, and Dave Chappelle for mixing smart social commentary with sharp wit and unapologetic humor. In this conversation, Daphnique walks me through her journey from South Florida—where she learned to hustle early by selling fish with her dad—to saving $10,000 as a casino cocktail waitress to fund her move to Los Angeles and break into the comedy scene. We get into it all—from the best advice she got from Chappelle, touring with major comics like Martin Lawrence, the reality of social media for comedians, how she "out-Karens Karens," what she won't do for her boyfriend—and even her plastic surgery. HILARIOUS!! Go ahead—put your feet up for a few minutes and laugh with me and with Daphnique Springs. You won't regret it. Trust me—you're about to see her everywhere. ___________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building.  Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations. Join the community: Shop Dose: https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS (code CARLOS for 35% off) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast

    30 min
  4. She Always Wanted to Be Famous - And At 53, She Finally Is

    31 MAR

    She Always Wanted to Be Famous - And At 53, She Finally Is

    In this episode, sit down with the incredibly talented Taja Abitbol, who you might know from Netflix's Members Only. Taja shares the inspiring journey that led her to the screen, including years of persistence, pitching sizzle reels, and how a serendipitous casting connection finally made her dream come true. Taja opens up about her unique background, a North African father and a Brooklyn-born Eastern European Jewish mother who met on a kibbutz in Israel. She gives us a glimpse into her life in Palm Beach, where country club culture, small-town gossip, and relationship drama exist alongside a thriving philanthropic community. We also dive into her latest ventures, including the launch of her song "Everything is Better in the Palm Beach Weather," and her entrepreneurial journey across wellness, nightlife, and longevity with her Taja Drip and Taja Method brands. She shares her vision for building wellness-centered homes and her aspirations to create hotels that foster health and well-being. Taja opens up about her approach to biological age testing, raising her 14-year-old son, her openness to adoption, and her thoughts on cosmetic surgery. She even lets us in on her ambitious goal of becoming a billionaire. This is a conversation filled with insight, inspiration, and a whole lot of heart. You won't want to miss it. Watch or listen now!   _____________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building. Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations. Join the community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast  X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    26 min
  5. Ex-CIA, John Kiriakou Opens Up About the CIA's Deep State Ties and Political Influence

    2 MAR

    Ex-CIA, John Kiriakou Opens Up About the CIA's Deep State Ties and Political Influence

    In this episode, I sit down with former CIA officer John Kiriakou. John opens up about his upbringing near Pittsburgh, his career in the CIA, and the personal turmoil he faced while stationed in Athens in 2000. He shares a powerful story about a violent confrontation following a car accident, and how his use of diplomatic immunity played a role in the incident. We dive into CIA culture, where mental health breakdowns, strict rules, and financial pressures create vulnerabilities for officers, often leading to betrayals, as seen with Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen. John reflects on how, after 9/11, the agency became reckless with law and morality, and why he believes the intelligence community has done more harm than good. We also discuss his views on Venezuela's Maduro, Israel's actions in Gaza, and much more. Don't miss this raw conversation. For behind-the-scenes moments and more exclusive content, join us on Patreon.   _____________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building.   Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations.   Join the community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast  X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    35 min
  6. Jack Barsky | A KGB Spy's Secret Life in America

    16 FEB

    Jack Barsky | A KGB Spy's Secret Life in America

    In this episode Jack Barsky shares what it was really like living as a KGB "illegal" in America, and why his most dangerous move had nothing to do with guns, gadgets, or car chases. Jack breaks down how he communicated through secret writing, shortwave radio, and Morse code, why his role was more "intellectual spy" than assassin, and what the KGB actually valued about having operatives planted inside the U.S. We get into the stolen identity that became his real life, the moment someone almost sniffed him out, and the years-later encounter that finally brought the FBI to his door. Then the conversation takes a hard left into the part of his story that changes everything — falling in love, becoming a father, and defying Moscow when they ordered him home. The risk was real, and the cover story he used to disappear is one of the most shocking twists you'll hear. Some highlights we explore: How secret letters and shortwave Morse code worked Why "being there" mattered more than intel Spotting and profiling people for recruitment The moment a coworker sensed something was off His take on Mossad, CIA missteps, and Putin's myth Interracial relationships in the 70s and 80s The lie he used to vanish from the KGB Why he believes love beats fear every time   _____________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building. Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations.   Join the community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/  FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast  X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    43 min
  7. John Kiriakou | CIA Secrets, Surveillance, and the Real Price of Whistleblowing

    2 FEB

    John Kiriakou | CIA Secrets, Surveillance, and the Real Price of Whistleblowing

    In this episode, I sit down to interview former CIA officer John Kiriakou. John discloses startling details about the CIA's operations, including the agency's high divorce rates, its involvement in torture practices, and the moral conflicts that arise from such duties. He recounts his personal journey from aspiring to be a spy, his experiences in Middle Eastern studies, and his rapid rise within the CIA ranks. John also shares his key roles in significant historical events, like briefing President George H. W. Bush about Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The conversation delivers in-depth commentary on torture's ineffectiveness, the ethical dilemmas faced by intelligence officers, and John's three-year investigation and imprisonment for exposing the CIA's torture program. Lastly, John discusses controversial topics such as the mysterious death of Jeffrey Epstein and the JFK assassination. This episode promises to be one of the most important and eye-opening conversations about government and intelligence. _____________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building. Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations.   Join the community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    37 min
  8. Chef Babette | 75-Year-Old Vegan Chef Who Can Do 100 Pushups Shares Her Secret to Staying Strong

    19 JAN

    Chef Babette | 75-Year-Old Vegan Chef Who Can Do 100 Pushups Shares Her Secret to Staying Strong

    Chef Babette Davis doesn't whisper truth – she shouts it! In this unforgettable episode of CARLOS, the two-time Emmy-award winner sits down with the legendary chef, fitness icon, and truth-teller for a conversation about survival, addiction, food, ego, faith, and the discipline to chose life every single day. From childhood trauma and crack addiction to radical self-mastery, nutrition, love, and political rage, Chef Babette speaks with a clarity and conviction earned through pain and practice. This isn't a wellness conversation. It's a reckoning – with what we consume, what we tolerate, and how we stay present in a world that constantly tries to pull us away from ourselves. _____________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building. Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations.   Join the community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    28 min
  9. Ann Coulter | Epstein, Trump, and Why Women Shouldn't Be President

    19 JAN

    Ann Coulter | Epstein, Trump, and Why Women Shouldn't Be President

    Known as "The Kingmaker", Ann Coulter calls it like she sees it – and in this episode of CARLOS, she doesn't hold back. In an unfiltered conversation, Coulter weighs in on Trump's transformation, being picked up by Epstein, why she believes women shouldn't be president, and so much more. Carlos Watson presses her on power, prejudice, loyalty, and contradiction – challenging her views while letting them breathe. The result is a rare and deeply human conversation with one of America's most polarizing voices, revealing not just what Ann Coulter believes, but why she believes it. _____________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building. Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations.   Join the community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    26 min
  10. Alan Dershowitz | Epstein's Defense Lawyer Breaks Silence, Shares Allegations and Regrets

    19 JAN

    Alan Dershowitz | Epstein's Defense Lawyer Breaks Silence, Shares Allegations and Regrets

    Alan Dershowitz has spent a lifetime defending the indefensible – and paying the price for it. In this episode of CARLOS, one of America's most famous legal minds reflects on Israel, a Trump 3rd term, and the case that changed everything: Jeffrey Epstein. In a raw and wide-ranging conversation, Dershowitz confronts accusations, conspiracy theories, and a justice system he believes is fundamentally broken. Carlos Watson challenges him on guilt, loyalty, and moral limits – revealing a portrait of a man who insists that defending the rule of law matters most when it's hardest to do. You may disagree with him. You may be unsettled by him. But you won't forget this conversation. _____________ At its core, The CARLOS Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and real truths we're not supposed to say out loud. If we've made you pause, rethink, or feel a little more connected, become part of what we're building. Here's what you can do: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and extra moments. 👉 Grab something from the online shop to represent the community wherever you are. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you, share this post with one person who loves real conversations.   Join the community: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheCarlosPodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com/collections/the-carlos-podcast-merch IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlospodcast/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/thecarlospodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast X: https://x.com/carlospodcast

    21 min

  11. 16 JAN ·  VIDEO

    Official Trailer – The Carlos Podcast

    The Carlos Podcast is a ROSE Media original hosted by Carlos Watson After building a billion-dollar media company – and surviving a wrongful prosecution – Carlos returns wiser and unfiltered. Presidents, rebels, icons, outcasts, critics, and thinkers sit for the conversations they won't have anywhere else. This trailer introduces ROSE Media and the network's mission to create bold, colorful, and impactful storytelling, including The Carlos Podcast. New episodes coming soon.

    1 min

Trailer

About

The CARLOS Podcast, hosted by Carlos Watson, is built for the conversations people avoid in public and replay in private. Presidents, rebels, icons, outcasts, critics, and original thinkers sit down for honest dialogue that does not flinch. Smart, soulful, sometimes spicy, always human. If you care about ideas that matter and conversations that go deeper than headlines, this is your seat at the table. New episode drops every Monday.

Information

  • Creator
    Carlos Watson
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The CARLOS Podcast

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