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. 4d ago

    David & Tamela Mann On 38 Years Of Marriage: 'It's Not Just Tolerating Each Other

    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 ______ "I'm yelling because I'm a soprano." That's how my guest fights with her husband of nearly 40 years. And honestly, it tells you everything about why this couple has lasted in an industry that eats marriages for breakfast. In this episode, I sit down with David and Tamela Mann, the award-winning gospel singers, actors, and comedians you've loved from "Meet the Browns" (150 episodes deep) and Tamela's anthem "You Deserve My Praise." We get into how they found their gifts. Tamela singing as a kid in church choirs, writing in her senior yearbook that her hope was "to travel and sing." David discovered in fourth grade that he could make a furious teacher laugh in spite of herself, and being bitten by the bug ever since. They open up about how they met as teenage singers in the same scene that produced Kirk Franklin and Daryl Blair, how their friendship turned into something neither of them quite saw coming, and the lessons they've actually learned over nearly four decades of marriage. The hard ones, like learning not to say "piercing" things you can't take back, and the funny ones, like the night an argument turned into a debate about her vocal range. We talk about why they're hitting the road with their Love and Relationship Tour to celebrate Black love in an industry known for divorce, and David's two mottos that have carried them through: "Don't panic, pivot," and "Nothing's the end of the world but the end of the world." We also get into the smartest money move they ever made, what discipline and parenting actually looked like in their house, and the quiet moment Tamela built David back up when she could have torn him down, and how that single choice shaped everything that came after. This one is funny, it's wise, and it's full of the kind of marriage advice you actually want to write down. Thanks for being here. I think you're going to love them 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 Welcome & Meet David and Tamela Mann 00:32 Their Favorite Roles: "Meet the Browns" & "You Deserve My Praise" 01:17 How They Found Their Gifts as Kids 02:32 Comedy, Singing & Why They Prefer Different Lanes 03:44 How They Met as Teenage Singers (and Married) 05:13 The Love & Relationship Tour: Celebrating Black Love 06:02 Marriage Lessons They Learned the Hard Way 07:06 New Love vs Old Love: David's Hilarious Take 07:37 Fighting Fair, Piercing Words & Forgiveness 08:45 Why Grace Beats Anger Every Time 11:00 What If They'd Never Met? 11:24 David's Wild Hair Salon Stories 12:10 Sponsor Break: Dose Supplement 14:17 Planning, Money & Investing in Yourself 15:04 Faith Foundations & Honest Doubts 16:30 Parenting, Boundaries & Discipline 17:13 The Moment She Built Him Up Instead 18:10 Closing Thanks

    David & Tamela Mann On 38 Years Of Marriage: 'It's Not Just Tolerating Each Other

  2. Sep 14

    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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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?
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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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