The Carlos Watson Podcast

Carlos Watson

The Carlos Watson 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.

  1. 1d ago

    Fame Is A 200-Pound Saint Bernard. Eriq La Salle On Training It Before It Runs You Over

    This episode is sponsored by Dose.   🥤 Dose: Give your daily wellness routine a boost and enjoy an exclusive 35% off! Visit https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS and use code CARLOS at checkout.   Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission. #ad   ❄️ Plunge: Ready to take the plunge? Upgrade your recovery routine with a Plunge Chill cold plunge. Explore your options at https://thecarlospodcast.com/plunge.   ✈️ JetBlue: Planning your next getaway? Explore JetBlue and make your next trip happen. Visit https://thecarlospodcast.com/jetblue.   🌐 NordVPN: Protect your online privacy and browse with greater peace of mind. Get started at https://thecarlospodcast.com/nordvpn.     What does it take to keep believing in yourself when the world keeps telling you no? Carlos sits down with actor, director, and bestselling author Eric La Salle for an inspiring conversation about ambition, rejection, faith, and the power of perseverance. Eric takes us back to his childhood in Hartford, Connecticut, growing up with a hardworking single mother, finding his way to Juilliard, and building a career that eventually led to Coming to America and ER. He also shares how a mentor changed his life, why he never let rejection define him, and how writing became his creative salvation. From working on a novel for three and a half years to reflecting on fame, love, patience, and his friendship with George Clooney and Noah Wyle, Eric opens up about the lessons that shaped his journey—and why sometimes the journey matters more than the destination.   👉 Have you ever been rejected from something that eventually led you to something better? Share your story in the comments! Timestamps [00:00] Eric La Salle: Rejection, Faith & Finding His Way [01:11] Growing Up in Hartford, Connecticut [01:28] Lessons From a Hardworking Single Mother [02:01] The Work Ethic That Shaped His Career [02:28] Learning to Bounce Back From Rejection [03:01] From Hartford to Juilliard [03:41] Why He Wasn't Afraid to Dream Big [04:39] The Power of Having a Mentor [05:05] Why He Chose a Different Path [05:43] How Kobe Bryant Inspired Him [06:20] Kobe's Obsession With Excellence [06:38] Treating Every Opportunity Like a Championship [06:47] NordVPN Sponsor Message [06:38] Why Mentorship Requires Commitment [07:45] Talent Isn't Enough: The Power of Hard Work [08:23] Landing His Breakthrough Role in Coming to America [09:31] The Director Who Changed His Perspective [10:02] The Emotional Rollercoaster of Auditions [10:21] Dose Sponsor Message [11:15] How Writing Became His Creative Salvation [12:21] The Vulnerability of Sharing Your Art [12:57] Rejected Again and Again: His Journey as a Novelist [13:26] Finally Landing a Publishing Deal [14:05] The Stories Behind His Book Series [14:43] Eric's Early-Morning Writing Routine [14:55] Carlos Takes on the Cold: Plunge Sponsor Message [15:33] The One Sentence He's Perfected for 3.5 Years [16:17] What It Means to Be a Black Man in America in 2026 [17:16] Rapid Fire: Food, Authors & Favorite Athletes [17:55] His Fondest Memories From ER [18:20] The Spain Trip With George Clooney & Noah Wyle [19:07] JetBlue Sponsor Message [19:33] The Most Important Lesson He's Learned About Love [20:20] The Surprising Reality of Fame [20:45] His Biggest Mistake: Letting Ego & Impatience Lead [21:48] Knowing When to Take the Local Train [22:29] Why the Journey Matters More Than the Destination

    Fame Is A 200-Pound Saint Bernard. Eriq La Salle On Training It Before It Runs You Over

  2. Oct 27

    He Lost Millions Speaking Out On Palestine. He'd Do It Again

    Need more online privacy? NordVPN has you covered. Grab up to 78% off + 3 extra months and browse with greater peace of mind: https://thecarlospodcast.com/nordvpn   Ready to take the plunge? Upgrade your recovery routine with Plunge Chill cold plunges and save up to 50%: https://thecarlospodcast.com/plunge   Dreaming of your next getaway? Stock up on Marriott Bonvoy points and get up to a 55% bonus toward your next travel adventure: https://thecarlospodcast.com/marriott   Your next trip could be closer than you think! Buy JetBlue TrueBlue points and score up to a 120% bonus for your travel plans: https://thecarlospodcast.com/jetblue   What happens when speaking your truth costs you millions, your career, and your place in mainstream media—but you refuse to back down?   Carlos sits down with New York Times bestselling author, professor, and political commentator Mark Lamont Hill for a powerful conversation about ambition, resilience, and the price of speaking truth to power.   Mark takes us back to his childhood in working-class Philadelphia, his unexpected journey from dropping out of Morehouse and experiencing homelessness to earning a PhD, and the lessons he learned from watching Kobe Bryant's relentless commitment to excellence.   He also opens up about losing his CNN job, the financial and emotional toll of his outspoken views on Palestine and other controversial issues, and the depression and shame he experienced after his very public fall. Mark explains why he believes his calling is to challenge the powerful, spotlight suffering, and keep fighting for justice—even when it comes at a personal cost.   👉 Would you risk your career to stand up for what you believe is right? Tell us in the comments.   Timestamps   [00:00] Mark Lamont Hill: His Moment Is Now [00:44] Growing Up in Working-Class Philadelphia [01:11] The Reader, Writer & Wrestling Fan [01:36] Why He Dropped Out of Morehouse [02:05] Spending His Tuition Refund on a Car [02:42] From Homelessness to Finding His Way [03:03] The Sacrifices Behind His Comeback [03:23] Working His Way Through College [04:36] Finding His Calling at Penn [05:20] Why He Finished His PhD Too Quickly [05:39] Playing Basketball With Kobe Bryant [06:20] Kobe's Obsession With Excellence [06:56] Mark Lamont Hill Was Ahead of the Palestine Debate [07:38] The Price He Paid for Speaking Out [08:03] From CNN to Losing Millions in Opportunities [08:33] Why His Job Is to Speak Truth to Power [09:11] Following the Legacy of MLK & Malcolm X [09:33] Why He Expected to Be Fired [10:07] The Shame of a Public Fall [10:40] "I Was on the Right Side of History" [11:04] Depression, Therapy & Finding a Way Forward [11:21] Will Mark Lamont Hill Ever Run for Office? [11:33] Why He Supports Zohran Mamdani's Work [11:41] Finding His Vocation

    He Lost Millions Speaking Out On Palestine. He'd Do It Again

  3. Oct 13

    A Bull Elephant Was Given 300,000 Micrograms Of LSD. The CIA Did It

    This episode is sponsored by Ethos. Get your free life insurance quote at https://ethos.com/carlos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. What does the CIA really know about global conflicts, presidential decisions, and the secrets that never make the headlines? Carlos sits down with David McCloskey, a former CIA analyst who helped write the President's Daily Brief for George W. Bush and Barack Obama. David shares what surprised him most about working inside the intelligence community, from high-level surveillance operations to counterterrorism missions in Iraq. They also dive into Trump's foreign policy, Russia's influence operations, the war in Ukraine, and whether the CIA has become too political. David offers his perspective on the Kennedy assassination, the agency's controversial history—including MKUltra—and the intelligence failures surrounding 9/11. Plus, why are so many senior CIA leaders Black women, and could a Black woman one day lead the agency? 👉 Which revelation surprised you most? Share your thoughts in the comments. Timestamps [00:00] David McCloskey on the CIA, Israel & Zelensky [00:31] Meet Emmy-Winning Journalist Carlos Watson [00:44] David's Childhood & Early Influences [01:13] How David Got Into the CIA [02:28] Was the CIA Like Jason Bourne or James Bond? [03:45] Inside a Top-Secret Surveillance Program [04:35] Tracking Terrorist Networks in Iraq [05:33] Writing the President's Daily Brief [06:14] David's Take on the Last Five Presidents [07:21] Trump's Foreign Policy Record [07:59] Is Trump Compromised by Russia? [08:34] Is the CIA Politically Biased? [09:32] Russia's Strategy of "Active Measures" [10:40] Did the U.S. Use Its Own Disinformation Tactics? [11:34] CIA Covert Operations That Backfired [13:07] Would Trump Have Won Without Russian Help? [13:40] Ethos Sponsor Message [15:04] Did the CIA Know More About JFK's Assassination? [16:06] Inside the CIA's MKUltra Experiments [17:11] The Intelligence Failures Behind 9/11 [18:02] Accountability & Oversight of Intelligence Agencies [18:19] Why Are So Many CIA Leaders Black Women? [18:38] Could a Black Woman Become CIA Director? [18:56] Three Surprising Things About the CIA [19:28] David McCloskey on His Forthcoming Book

    A Bull Elephant Was Given 300,000 Micrograms Of LSD. The CIA Did It

  4. Oct 5

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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About

The Carlos Watson 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.

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