The Carlos Watson Podcast

Carlos Watson
  • 4.7 (13)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

The Carlos Watson Podcast is where big names meet better questions. Hosted by Carlos Watson, it's built for the conversations people avoid in public and replay in private. Presidents, rebels, icons, critics and original thinkers sit down for honest dialogue that doesn't flinch smart, soulful, sometimes spicy, always human. You know the names; here you get the stories. New episodes every Monday & Thursday.

  1. 5d ago

    There Was A Real Plot To Assassinate Nelson Mandela. He Helped Stop It

    🎙️ This Episode is Sponsored by Ethos — Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. 👉 Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/carlos ✅ Application times may vary. Rates may vary. What happens when a young man is recruited into the secret world of apartheid-era South Africa and ultimately risks his life to help stop an assassination plot against Nelson Mandela? Carlos sits down with former spy and intelligence operative Bradley Steyn for an extraordinary conversation about violence, transformation, espionage, and the fight for a new South Africa. Bradley recounts witnessing a shocking act of violence as a teenager, joining the military, and eventually being recruited into an apartheid-era security operation. But everything changes when Bradley is involved in capturing an ANC operative who challenges his beliefs and forces him to confront the difference between right and wrong. He eventually becomes a double agent, infiltrating far-right extremists at a moment when South Africa is on the brink of civil war. Bradley reveals how he and others helped uncover a plot to assassinate Nelson Mandela during his inauguration, including a custom-made sniper rifle and an elaborate plan to derail South Africa's transition to democracy. He also shares what happened after his cover was threatened and how he ultimately escaped the country. 👉 What would you have done if you were in Bradley's position? Tell us what you think in the comments. Timestamps [00:00] The Plot to Assassinate Nelson Mandela [00:46] Meet Bradley Steyn [01:23] From Ballet to Special Forces [01:41] The Shooting That Changed His Life [03:47] “Kind Eyes” Saves Him [04:08] When His White Skin Saved His Life [05:13] Living With the Trauma [05:48] The Man He Thought Had Died Survived [06:07] Anger, Violence & Joining the Navy [06:45] Entering the World of Intelligence [07:34] Protecting a Trans Woman From Attack [09:02] “We Need That Guy on Our Side” [09:17] The Secret Security Operation [10:00] The Dirty Tricks of Apartheid-Era Intelligence [11:15] The Mission to Capture an ANC Operative [12:18] The Midnight Raid [13:02] How Lethal Was Bradley? [13:45] The Secret Safe House [14:00] The Freedom Charter Changes Everything [15:05] Bradley's “Come to Jesus” Moment [15:38] Realizing He Was on the Wrong Side [16:53] Becoming a Double Agent [17:17] The Risk of Being Discovered [18:32] Was the Capture a Setup? [21:30] The Road to Mandela's Presidency [21:46] The Assassination of Chris Hani [22:20] Infiltrating the Far Right [22:57] South Africa on the Brink of Civil War [23:05] Nelson Mandela Appears on a Hit List [23:47] The Plot to Kill Mandela [24:25] The Hidden Sniper Rifle [25:00] The Plan to Kill Mandela at His Inauguration [25:35] Did Mandela Know About the Plot? [26:20] How the Assassination Was Prevented [26:27] When Bradley's Cover Was Blown [27:18] The Attempt on Bradley's Life [27:38] Escaping South Africa [28:14] Living With PTSD [28:42] Protecting the Rich & Famous [29:22] Working Security for Julia Roberts [29:48] Bradley's CIA Connection

    There Was A Real Plot To Assassinate Nelson Mandela. He Helped Stop It

  2. Sep 7

    He Was Homeless, Living Out Of A Van. Then Steve Harvey Called Him Up On Stage

    Big thanks to our partner, Dose. Try Dose today and get 35% off with code CARLOS. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS This episode is also sponsored by the Black Business School. Get 35% off their Prime Course and take control of your financial future. https://b1stockoptions.com/watsons What happens when trauma, survival, and faith shape the person you become? Carlos sits down with Sam Sparks for a deeply personal conversation about growing up without knowing his biological father, childhood trauma, becoming a father at a young age, homelessness, and the anger that shaped much of his early life. Sam opens up about how his past influenced his relationships and decisions, and how faith, appearance, and one unexpected encounter with Steve Harvey changed the direction of his life. He shares the story behind becoming Steve Harvey's stylist and mentee—and the dream he believes prepared him for it. Today, Sam is focused on creating opportunities for young people through The Brew in Chicago, using business, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and generational wealth to help reshape his community. 👉 What part of Sam's journey resonated with you most? Tell us in the comments.

    He Was Homeless, Living Out Of A Van. Then Steve Harvey Called Him Up On Stage

  3. Aug 31

    Dating Younger Men, Polyamory & Finally Living Life on Her Own Terms

    Big thanks to our partner, Dose. Try Dose today and get 35% off with code CARLOS. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS This episode is also sponsored by the Black Business School. Get 35% off their Prime Course and take control of your financial future. https://b1stockoptions.com/watsons --- What if you stopped waiting for permission to live your life? Carlos sits down with actress and wellness entrepreneur AJ Johnson for a candid conversation about travel, purpose, relationships, spirituality, aging, and living life on her own terms. AJ talks about how Ghana became her introduction to Africa, why she stopped waiting for Hollywood to take her around the world, and how her New Year, New You retreats helped her create a life built around exploration and transformation. She also gets personal about relationships, polyamory, dating younger men, and why she refuses to put her life on hold waiting for the "right" person. From mortality and friendship to the powerful name she received in West Africa, AJ shares what it means to embrace reinvention, fearlessness, and purpose at every stage of life. 👉 What are you still waiting for permission to do? Tell us in the comments. Timestamps 00:00 Intro: AJ Johnson 00:44 Where Is AJ's Happy Place? 00:50 Why Ghana Changed Everything 01:26 Stop Waiting for Work to Take You Around the World 02:07 New Year, New You Retreat 02:45 Is There More to Life? 03:00 Living Without Permission 04:00 Relationships & Finding Love 06:30 AJ on Polyamory 07:52 Stop Waiting for Someone Else 08:18 Dating Younger Men 09:41 The Life She Almost Lived 10:43 Loss, Aging & Mortality 12:05 AJ's Dream Superhero Role 12:38 The Name That Changed Her Perspective 13:16 Becoming a Fearless Pioneer 13:46 Final Reflections

    Dating Younger Men, Polyamory & Finally Living Life on Her Own Terms

  4. Aug 24

    Why We Need a Testosterone BEAST for President

    🎙️ This Episode is Sponsored by Ethos — Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. 👉 Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/carlos ✅ Application times may vary. Rates may vary. “I don’t think the president of the United States should be a woman.” Ann Coulter is back with Carlos Watson for another conversation that goes places you probably won't expect. They talk about Donald Trump, the Epstein files, the 2028 election, gender and presidential leadership, immigration, and the political forces shaping America. Coulter reflects on getting Trump's 2016 victory right, why she believes his prosecutions helped fuel his comeback, and why she thinks his handling of the Epstein controversy raises questions. She also tells Carlos the bizarre story of meeting Jeffrey Epstein long before the scandal became public—including the time he picked her up in a limousine and invited her into his home. The conversation gets even more provocative as Coulter explains why she doesn't support a woman as president, who she thinks could shape the next election, and what she believes America needs most right now. It's funny, uncomfortable, controversial, and completely unfiltered. 👉 Do you agree with Ann Coulter's prediction for America's political future—or do you see things differently? Tell us in the comments. Timestamps 00:00 Ann Coulter's Controversial Opening 00:37 Carlos Meets Ann Coulter 01:01 Trump & Getting the 2016 Election Right 01:28 The Poll That Got It Wrong 02:19 Why Coulter Thinks Trump Won 02:48 Trump's Policies vs. His Personality 03:10 Trump & the Epstein Files 04:11 Why Trump Doesn't Like Criticism 04:47 Who Could Be Behind Epstein? 05:44 Coulter's Prediction for 2026 06:26 Ann Coulter's Epstein Story 06:45 The Day She Met Jeffrey Epstein 07:38 Inside Epstein's House 08:51 Coulter's 2028 Presidential Pick 09:08 Why She Doesn't Want a Woman President 09:30 Gender, Power & Leadership 26:34 Quick-Fire Questions 27:43 Coulter's Favorite Political Speeches 28:27 Final Thoughts The political and Epstein-related claims discussed in this episode reflect the speakers' views and recollections and should not be taken as independently established facts

    Why We Need a Testosterone BEAST for President

  5. Aug 11

    The Dark Reality of Intelligence Operations REVEALED

    🎙️ This Episode is Sponsored by Ethos — Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. 👉 Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/carlos ✅ Application times may vary. Rates may vary. And a big thanks to our partner, Dose. Try Dose today and get 35% off with code CARLOS. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS — In this episode, I sit down with former CIA intelligence officer Keith Mahoney, whose decades in intelligence, private security, and global risk management have given him a unique perspective on espionage, leadership, geopolitics, and the hidden forces shaping world events. This conversation goes far beyond spy movies. Keith shares what it was really like working in intelligence, why he believes leadership is learned—not born—and the lessons his father taught him about resilience, failure, and pushing forward even when life knocks you down. He also explains how intelligence agencies think, why disinformation is one of the most powerful tools in modern warfare, and what separates the world's top intelligence services. We also explore some of today's biggest geopolitical questions, including U.S.-China relations, Russia, Israel, cyber espionage, economic warfare, artificial intelligence, and the future of global conflict. Keith offers his personal views on topics ranging from Jeffrey Epstein and international intelligence operations to why he believes tomorrow's wars will be fought as much through economics and technology as with traditional weapons. Whether you agree or disagree with his conclusions, this conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers a fascinating look into a world that most people never get to see. At its core, The CARLOS WATSON Podcast is about resilience, fearlessness, and the conversations we're often told not to have. If an episode makes you think, challenges your perspective, or encourages meaningful discussion, we'd love for you to be part of the community. Here's how you can support the show: 👉 Join our membership community for early access, bonus episodes, and exclusive content. 👉 Check out our shop and represent the community wherever you go. 👉 If you're already a member, thank you! Sharing this episode with one friend is one of the best ways to help us grow. Join the community: Patreon: https://patreon.com/thecarlospodcast Shop: https://thecarlospodcast.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecarlospodcast Facebook: https://facebook.com/thecarlospodcast TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thecarlospodcast LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/thecarlospodcast X: https://x.com/carlospodcast Follow Keith Mahoney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-mahoney-5178bb

    The Dark Reality of Intelligence Operations REVEALED

  6. Jul 22

    Hollywood Told Jason Stewart He Was "Too Gay" to Ever Play Straight

    Big thanks to our partner, Dose. Try Dose today and get 35% off with code CARLOS. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS ______ "They told me to my face: you can't play straight people." And then he played a heterosexual plantation owner in one of the most talked-about films of the decade. In this episode I sit down with actor and comedian Jason Stuart, who grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by the business, knew he was an actor before he was anything else, and spent years being told to stay in his lane. We get into his Jewish identity and what it meant to him to watch Barbra Streisand refuse to hide who she was, the weight he carries as the son of a Holocaust survivor like the man in "The Pianist," and how comedy became his way through it all, from a kid doing Lucille Ball impressions in a play to the Star Search stage. Jason opens up about the decision that changed everything: coming out as gay publicly in 1993 on Geraldo, in an episode called "Unconventional Comedians," what it cost him in an industry that wasn't ready, and the relentless work ethic his father taught him that kept him going when the doors stayed shut. We talk about the role that rewrote his career, playing a white heterosexual plantation owner in Nate Parker's "The Birth of a Nation," the meeting in a Savannah parking lot that he'll never forget, and how that experience moved him so deeply it inspired his own film, "Redlining," a story about generational wealth, segregation, and the communities America walled off from one another. This one is funny, it's raw, and it goes places I genuinely didn't expect. Thanks for being here, I think you're going to love him as much as I did. 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 00:00 The Wild Cold Open 00:54 Jason on Ann Coulter & Rage-Baiting 02:16 "I'm an Actor First": Streisand & Identity 03:06 Son of a Holocaust Survivor 04:06 Comedy Origins: Lucille Ball & a Parks Play 04:51 The Best Actors of All Time 05:35 Sponsor Break: Health Supplement 06:29 Growing Up in Hollywood's Fairfax District 07:33 Star Search & "You Can't Play Straight People" 08:11 Coming Out on Geraldo in 1993 09:50 The "Birth of a Nation" Breakthrough 13:27 Becoming a Plantation Owner On Screen 14:18 "Redlining": Generational Wealth & Segregation 16:49 Closing Reflections & Redlining's Festival Run

    Hollywood Told Jason Stewart He Was "Too Gay" to Ever Play Straight

  7. Jul 15

    Is She The Next Dave Chappelle? Buckwild, Beautiful and Ready for Primetime?

    In this episode, I sit down with comedian **Daphnique Springs**, one of the sharpest and funniest voices in stand-up today. Known for her fearless comedy, entrepreneurial mindset, and viral sketches, Daphnique opens up about the hustle, heartbreak, and relentless drive that built her career long before millions of people knew her name. This conversation is as hilarious as it is inspiring. Daphnique shares how selling fish with her father, running her grandmother's hot dog stand, and finding creative ways to make money as a teenager shaped her belief that some people are simply born with an entrepreneurial spirit. She explains why she left college to chase comedy in Los Angeles, the career-changing advice she received from Dave Chappelle, and how years of performing in New York helped sharpen her craft. We also dive into the realities of today's entertainment industry, including social media algorithms, why viral success doesn't always translate into higher income, and how creators have had to adapt as platforms continue to evolve. Daphnique also opens up about relationships, gratitude, ambition, finding happiness in the present, and what she's learned about unconditional love after reconnecting with her longtime boyfriend. Of course, it wouldn't be a Daphnique Springs interview without plenty of outrageous stories and unforgettable laughs. From childhood hustles and comedy clubs to dating, family, and the jokes that got people talking, this episode is packed with the humor and honesty that have made her one of today's fastest-rising comedians. At its core, *The CARLOS WATSON Podcast* is about resilience, fearlessness, and the conversations we're often told not to have. If an episode makes you laugh, challenges your perspective, or inspires you to chase your own dreams, we'd love for you to be part of the community. 🎙️ This Episode is Sponsored by Ethos — Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. 👉 Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/carlos ✅ Application times may vary. Rates may vary. *00:00* Cold Open *01:03* Meet Daphnique Springs *01:35* Growing Up in Florida & Learning Comedy from Her Dad *02:15* Selling Fish Door-to-Door as a Kid *03:02* "I Was Born to Make Money" *04:03* Teenage Hustles & Moving to Los Angeles *05:53* Family, Fighting & Finding Confidence *06:33* Sponsor Break: Dose for Cholesterol *07:27* Dating, Relationships & Brutal Honesty *07:45* Why She Left College for Comedy *09:49* Dave Chappelle's Career Advice *11:07* Touring with Martin Lawrence & Kevin Hart's Influence *12:53* How Social Media Changed Everything *14:03* Going Viral vs. Making Money *16:15* Life with 169 Million Monthly Views *17:08* Sponsor Break: Ethos *19:35* Success, Gratitude & Staying Hungry *22:05* Spirituality, Faith & Raising Future Children *23:21* Lessons on Love & Relationships *28:34* Her Most Controversial Joke

    Is She The Next Dave Chappelle? Buckwild, Beautiful and Ready for Primetime?

  8. Jul 1

    From a Disfigured Kid to Leading America's Most Diverse Church | Pastor Hurmon Hamilton

    "I need some opportunity so that when I graduate, I want to be on the stage with the honor students." That prayer, whispered alone in a boys' bathroom after getting jumped by a football player, ended up changing the entire course of his life. In this episode I sit down with Pastor Hurmon Hamilton of New Beginnings Community Church (NBCC), a congregation so radically diverse across race, class, and politics that people call it a miracle just to witness. We start there Silicon Valley millionaires worshipping next to people coming out of halfway houses before going back to where it all began. Pastor Hamilton opens up about a childhood medical accident that left him permanently disfigured, the years of psychological weight that came with it, and the white special-needs teacher who saw something in him that the system didn't. We talk about the fight, the prayer, and the two teachers on the same day who set his entire future in motion one who kicked him out of her class, and one who threatened to kill him if he acted up, then became the reason he made honor roll. We get into his years organizing across faith lines in Boston, the "miracle" partnership between a small Black church and a white congregation that helped it grow from 200 to over 2,000 members, and the ideas behind his book, "America's Last Best Hope." He's brutally honest about nearly sabotaging his own marriage for a decade out of a belief he didn't deserve to be loved, and what his wife said to him that finally broke it open. And he tells me the truth about what surprises people most about being a pastor: the pain nobody sees. This one is honest, it's moving, and it'll make you think differently about the relationships you've let go of. Thanks for being here, I think you're going to love him as much as I did. 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. — 🔥 THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DOSE 🔥 Get 35% OFF your first order with code CARLOS 👉 https://dosedaily.co/carlos Dose makes daily cholesterol & liver support simple. Use code CARLOS at checkout for 35% off: https://dosedaily.co/carlos 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 Pastor Hurmon Hamilton Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastorhurmon/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/PastorHurmon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorhurmon | https://www.facebook.com/PastorHurmon1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hurmon-hamilton-31536031/ New Beginnings Community Church (NBCC) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NBCCmessages Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbccbayarea/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/NBCCBayArea Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbccba TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nbccbayarea LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-beginnings-community-church/ Timestamps 00:00 Cold Open 01:20 Three Prayers That Can Change Your Life 02:09 Healing Fractured Family Relationships 03:04 NBCC's Radical Diversity, Explained 04:12 Born in San Francisco: A Childhood Accident 05:43 The Teacher Who Saw Him First 06:25 The Fight, the Bathroom, the Prayer 09:40 Boston & Interfaith Organizing 10:11 Finding Abundant Life in California 11:24 The Book: "America's Last Best Hope" 14:44 Almost Sabotaging His Own Marriage 17:52 Life Without the Pulpit 18:09 Sponsor Break: Health Supplement 19:13 What Pastors Never Tell You About Their Pain

    From a Disfigured Kid to Leading America's Most Diverse Church | Pastor Hurmon Hamilton
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4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Carlos Watson Podcast is where big names meet better questions. Hosted by Carlos Watson, it's built for the conversations people avoid in public and replay in private. Presidents, rebels, icons, critics and original thinkers sit down for honest dialogue that doesn't flinch smart, soulful, sometimes spicy, always human. You know the names; here you get the stories. New episodes every Monday & Thursday.

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