The Karel Show

Karel

The Karel Show delivers bold commentary from Karel, an openly gay entertainer, author, and nationally syndicated talk show host known for saying what others won’t. With humor, heart, and zero patience for nonsense, Karel takes listeners on a fast-paced, no-filter journey through politics, culture, and modern American life—hilarious, incisive, and always honest. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support.

  1. 23h ago

    California Floods: A Tragedy—or a Warning We Ignored? | The Karel Cast

    California Floods: A Tragedy—or a Warning We Ignored? | The Karel Cast Long Beach suffers coastal destruction. Newport Beach’s Balboa Island floods. Las Vegas faces heavy rain it wasn’t built to handle. When communities are warned about climate risks and fail to prepare, how should we react when disaster strikes? Karel shares the response that drew backlash—and asks where sympathy, accountability and climate preparedness meet. Rebuilding matters. But are we rebuilding for the conditions ahead, or repeating the same mistakes? Plus, Below and The Swarm imagine Mother Nature fighting back. Is environmental fiction tapping into fears we’re struggling to confront? A new survey explores what Americans fear most. Where does death rank—and what do our fears reveal about us? And Kelly Clarkson has a “Pretty Woman” moment, opening a conversation about prejudice, belonging and how America treats people who are Black, gay or different. When a disaster was foreseeable, does that change how we should respond? Share your thoughts in the comments. Support independent media: https://patreon.com/reallykarel Subscribe to The Karel Cast: https://youtube.com/reallykarel Watch LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms. Follow Karel on TikTok and Instagram. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his service dog, Ember. #TheKarelCast, #Karel, #CaliforniaFlooding, #LongBeach, #BalboaIsland, #NewportBeach, #LasVegasFlooding, #ClimateChange, #ExtremeWeather, #ClimatePreparedness, #KellyClarkson, #Discrimination, #LGBTQ, #IndependentMedia, #CurrentEvents https://youtube.com/live/9PKwHfhag8k Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support. The Karel Show is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

    California Floods: A Tragedy—or a Warning We Ignored? | The Karel Cast
  2. 5d ago

    This Gay Week: LGBTQ Rights Under Pressure Worldwide

    This Gay Week: LGBTQ Rights Under Pressure Worldwide It’s This Gay Week, and Karel and Scott Jacobsen are taking a trip around the world to see where LGBTQ+ rights are advancing, where they’re retreating—and why the same political patterns keep appearing in very different countries. This week, there’s some genuinely welcome news: specialized 988 crisis services for LGBTQ+ young people have returned in the United States, while educators in Ireland are working to make schools safer and more welcoming for LGBTQ+ students and teachers. But elsewhere, the picture is far more troubling. Australia is being criticized for rejecting UN recommendations on LGBTQI+ human rights. Turkey has shut down an independent news outlet after prosecutors accused it of publishing “LGBT propaganda.” In Ghana, a Catholic bishop is pushing back against acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. And the International Criminal Court is pursuing senior Taliban leaders over alleged gender persecution involving women, girls and LGBTQI+ people in Afghanistan. Scott also brings us an important historical question: How much of the world's criminalization of homosexuality is actually a legacy of colonialism? Many countries that still criminalize same-sex relationships inherited those laws from colonial powers. And that leads to perhaps the biggest question of the week: Why have LGBTQ+ people—particularly transgender people—become such frequent political targets? A UN LGBTQ+ rights expert points to the rise of authoritarian populism and the political usefulness of turning vulnerable minorities into convenient targets. Plus, we remember Dr. Robert Coles and the profound difference a great teacher and mentor can make in someone's life. There’s a lot happening—but there’s also a lot worth fighting for, celebrating and talking about. Join Karel and Scott for This Gay Week. Tell us what you think in the comments, LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE the show. Support independent media on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. #ThisGayWeek, #LGBTQ, #LGBTQNews, #GayNews, #LGBTQRights, #HumanRights, #TransRights, #GayRights, #Pride, #988Lifeline, #WorldNews, #Equality, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast, #ScottJacobsen https://youtube.com/live/BFN1oK3RI2E Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support. The Karel Show is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

    This Gay Week: LGBTQ Rights Under Pressure Worldwide
  3. 5d ago

    THE NEXT PANDEMIC IS COMING: Are We Ready—or Making the Same Mistakes Again?

    THE NEXT PANDEMIC IS COMING: Are We Ready—or Making the Same Mistakes Again? Plague. Measles. Ebola. COVID taught us what a global outbreak can do—but did we actually learn anything from it? In this episode of The Karel Cast, Karel looks at alarming infectious-disease headlines around the world, including reports involving plague, the resurgence of measles in the United States, and Ebola outbreaks in Africa. The bigger question isn't whether humanity will face another dangerous outbreak. It's whether our governments, public-health systems and communities will be prepared when it happens. And in the United States, politics has become inseparable from public health. Karel examines the Trump administration's approach to health policy and asks whether America is strengthening its ability to confront the next crisis—or weakening it. Then, there's another kind of contagion: cruelty. A new television adaptation of Stephen King's Carrie puts bullying back in the spotlight at a moment when cruelty—particularly online—can seem increasingly normalized. From social media pile-ons to public humiliation and political rhetoric, have we created a culture that rewards people for being cruel? Are we becoming a nation of bullies? And if so, can we reverse it? Join the conversation in the comments. LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE this episode with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #Pandemic, #Measles, #Ebola, #Plague, #PublicHealth, #HealthNews, #Trump, #Politics, #BreakingNews, #StephenKing, #Carrie, #Bullying, #SocialMedia, #TheKarelCast, #KarelCast https://youtube.com/live/T5vcKuqx81I Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support. The Karel Show is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

    THE NEXT PANDEMIC IS COMING: Are We Ready—or Making the Same Mistakes Again?
  4. 6d ago

    Occam's Razor Is a Truth We Don't Want

    Occam's razor Is A Truth We Don't Want The Supreme Court is weighing lawsuits from states that claim oil companies are responsible for climate change, and as such, must pay other help mitigate it. But it doesn't take any great thought...of course they caused it, of course they knew it was going to happen, and of course they profited for years off of it. That's a no-brainer. So why is it even a question? Because that's too easy. Who is more to blame? The Drug pusher, for supplying the drugs, or the addicts who consume them, knowing they are bad?  In fact most of the world's problems today are easy to solve, the answers are usually quite simple, as Occam's razor suggests. All things being equal, the simplest solution is often the right one. The problem? Solving them means admitting we caused them, allowed the happen, did nothing to stop them.  Solving them means each of us taking the blame...and no one wants to do that. Poverty? Easy. Homelessness? Easy. Income inequality? Easy. None of these issues are hard to solve at all. But they'd require something we're not willing to do: accept the responsibility and make sacrifices for the solutions. #TheKarelCast, #TheKarelShow, #LGBTQ, #Vegan, #OccamsRazor, #ClimateChange, #SupremeCourt, #BigOil, #ClimateCrisis, #CorporateAccountability, #IncomeInequality, #Homelessness, #Poverty, #PoliticalCommentary, #IndependentMedia https://youtube.com/live/xYMZUvGj04A Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support. The Karel Show is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

    Occam's Razor Is a Truth We Don't Want
  5. Oct 5

    The US Is Setting Records, And It's Not Good

    The US Is Setting Records, And It's Not GoodYesterdayAmerica Is Breaking Records — And Not the Good KindRecord heat. Record gas prices. A potential $2 trillion AI IPO. A Hollywood superstar hitting a career low. And Donald Trump taking aim at… “vaygans”?America is setting records—but these aren't necessarily records worth celebrating.On today’s The Karel Cast, Karel takes on a weekend of extraordinary headlines and asks what they say about where we're headed.September brought extraordinary heat across the United States, and October isn't offering much relief. Millions of people across the West are facing extreme temperatures as climate records continue to fall.Meanwhile, Americans are feeling another kind of heat at the pump as gasoline prices climb. In Silicon Valley, Anthropic is reportedly contemplating what could become an enormous public offering as the AI boom continues reshaping the economy.Hollywood has its own surprises. Tom Cruise faces a major box-office disappointment—and what does that tell us about the changing economics of movie stardom?Then there's Donald Trump taking aim at vegans while apparently struggling to pronounce the word. Yes, “vaygans.” Karel has some thoughts.And finally, after days of frustration, Karel has selected the latest recipient of his unofficial Worst Customer Service award. What happened—and which company earned the dubious honor?Climate. Gas prices. AI billions. Hollywood. Trump. Vegans. And customer service from hell.What a weekend. What a month.Tell me in the comments: Which of these stories has YOU talking?LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion.Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarelWatch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarelThe Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific.Karel is a broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his service dog, Ember.#TheKarelCast, #TheKarelShow, #LGBTQ, #Vegan, #DonaldTrump, #ExtremeHeat, #ClimateChange, #GasPrices, #Anthropic, #ArtificialIntelligence, #TomCruise, #Hollywood, #VeganNews, #CurrentEvents, #IndependentMediahttps://youtube.com/live/CSPC7zk--4E Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support. The Karel Show is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

    The US Is Setting Records, And It's Not Good
  6. Oct 1

    Is America Losing Its Cool? Why the World Is Moving On

    Is America Losing Its Cool? Why the World Is Moving On Is America still the country the rest of the world wants to imitate—or is something changing? A recent New York Times discussion about America’s declining “cool factor” raises a bigger question: what happened to the country that once seemed to define global culture? For decades, American influence was everywhere—Hollywood, blue jeans, jazz, rock, hip-hop, television, technology and celebrity culture. American movies and music still reach enormous audiences around the world, but cultural popularity, political influence and admiration for American values aren't necessarily the same thing. On today’s The Karel Cast, Karel asks whether America’s global image is changing—and whether Americans have been so focused inward that we haven’t noticed how much the rest of the world has changed around us. Can a country remain culturally dominant while losing political influence? Are younger generations around the world still fascinated by America? And what happens when American entertainment remains popular even when attitudes toward the United States itself become more complicated? Plus, This Gay Week looks beyond the United States at major global LGBTQ stories, as Scott takes the week off while heading toward the front lines. America may still export the movies, the music and the celebrities. But does the world still want what America represents? That’s the conversation. Tell me in the comments: Do you think America is still “cool”? If not, when did that change? LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his service dog, Ember. #TheKarelCast, #TheKarelShow, #LGBTQ, #AmericanCulture, #America, #GlobalPolitics, #GlobalCulture, #AmericanInfluence, #UnitedStates, #LGBTQNews, #WorldNews, #PoliticalCommentary, #Culture, #CurrentEvents, #IndependentMedia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrrFh6KgyH8 Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support. The Karel Show is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

    Is America Losing Its Cool? Why the World Is Moving On
  7. Sep 30

    The Bigger Threat Than AI Is Already Here

    The Bigger Threat Than AI Is Already Here Social Media has side effects, we know them. Here's just a list: Depression and anxiety; Lower well-being and life satisfaction; Low self-esteem, envy, and feelings of inadequacy; Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating; sleep disruption; compulsive or problematic use; fear of missing out and pressure to remain available; distraction and interference with school or work; displacement of exercise and offline activities; loneliness and social disconnection; cyberbullying; hate, threats stalking; self harm, suicide; sexual grooming; normalization of risky behavior; health misinformation; financial scams, fraud; privacy loss; reputational damage; political hostility and distorted beliefs. We are trying to legislate it. We are trying to control it. But it's as dangerous as AI and is destroying us just as quickly. So why are we just sitting by watching, participating? And better yet, why am I? Join the conversation in the comments, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media at Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a history-making broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his little service dog, Ember. #thekarelcast, #thekarelshow, #lgbtq, #vegan, #DonaldTrump, #TrumpAdministration, #LGBTQRights, #AmericanPolitics, #PoliticalCommentary, #CurrentEvents, #NewsCommentary, #CultureWars, #NewsFatigue, #IndependentMedia, #ProgressiveMedia https://youtube.com/live/MMDqwDCuXwI Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support. The Karel Show is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

    The Bigger Threat Than AI Is Already Here
  8. Sep 29

    Trump’s America Is Exhausting Us — And That May Be the Point

    Trump’s America Is Exhausting Us — And That May Be the Point It feels like America barely has time to process one crisis before the next one arrives. On today’s The Karel Cast, Karel takes on the relentless political and cultural news cycle—from the Trump administration’s latest moves affecting LGBTQ rights and Title IX, to rising prices, continuing war, climate threats and a country increasingly numb to stories that once would have stopped us in our tracks. But this episode goes beyond Washington. What happens to a society when outrage becomes routine? When allegations of horrific violence become another internet argument? When women and older performers such as Madonna are judged by standards their younger counterparts rarely face? And when celebrity culture can convince us that doing almost nothing is somehow revolutionary? Then there’s something called a Kelvin wave. It sounds harmless enough—but changes in the Pacific can have serious consequences for ocean conditions and coastal communities. What does it mean, and why should California be paying attention? Politics. LGBTQ rights. War. Prices. Climate. Celebrity. Social media. One story after another. One outrage after another. And eventually, people become exhausted. That may be one of the most important things happening in America right now. Join the conversation: Are you experiencing news and outrage fatigue? Have you started tuning things out simply because there’s too much to process? LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Karel Cast, and SHARE it with someone who has an opinion. Support independent media on Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel The Karel Cast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker and other major podcast platforms, plus TikTok and Instagram. LIVE Monday–Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific. Karel is a broadcaster, entertainer and commentator based in Las Vegas, joined by his service dog, Ember. #TheKarelCast, #DonaldTrump, #TrumpAdministration, #LGBTQRights, #TitleIX, #AmericanPolitics, #BreakingNews, #NewsCommentary, #Politics, #CostOfLiving, #ClimateChange, #California, #NewsFatigue, #CultureWars, #IndependentMedia https://youtube.com/live/5iEMsz4DkrU Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support. The Karel Show is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

    Trump’s America Is Exhausting Us — And That May Be the Point
4.4
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

The Karel Show delivers bold commentary from Karel, an openly gay entertainer, author, and nationally syndicated talk show host known for saying what others won’t. With humor, heart, and zero patience for nonsense, Karel takes listeners on a fast-paced, no-filter journey through politics, culture, and modern American life—hilarious, incisive, and always honest. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-show--1368295/support.

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