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.

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

    3d ago ·  Video

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

    div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> 🔥 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 | Code: CARLOS | 35% OFF  — "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. 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 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

    20 min
  2. Hollywood Laughed in His Face and Told Him to Stay in His Lane

    May 28

    Hollywood Laughed in His Face and Told Him to Stay in His Lane

    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

    19 min
  3. Jack Barsky, KGB Spy Who Lived Undetected In The US For 20 Years

    May 11

    Jack Barsky, KGB Spy Who Lived Undetected In The US For 20 Years

    Big thanks to our partner, Dose. Give Dose a try today and get 35% off when you use code CARLOS. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS What does it take to disappear into another country so completely that even your closest friends have no idea who you really are? In this episode, I sit down with former undercover KGB agent Jack Barsky, a man who spent nearly 20 years living in the United States under a false identity. Jack tells me how he taught himself to "be American," not through a manual, but by watching, listening, adapting, and learning the rhythms of everyday life. He talks about the early fear of being discovered, the social situations he avoided, and the moments when luck may have been the only thing standing between him and capture, including one unforgettable passport scare. We also get into the darker side of Cold War espionage, from KGB capture instructions to prisoner exchanges, kompromat tactics, and the brutal logic of "dirty intelligence," where morality often gets pushed out of the room. Jack breaks down why he believes the KGB was unmatched in reach and power, and how some of its biggest Cold War wins came not from glamorous spycraft, but from insiders like Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen. He explains the classic MICE framework, money, ideology, coercion, and ego, while adding one more powerful motivator: love. Then there's the moment everything changed. Jack walks me through how smuggled archive notes helped identify him, how the FBI began watching him, and why he ultimately chose to cooperate, a decision that changed the course of his life and led him toward legal status in America. We also talk about sleeper agents, undercover operatives, why American culture had such a powerful pull, how AI could reshape intelligence work through artificial personas, and why Jack's favourite spy movie is still Spies Like Us. This is a conversation about identity, survival, loyalty, reinvention, and what happens when the life you built on a lie becomes the life you cannot easily walk away from. __________ 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   00:00 Former KGB Spy Lived Undetected in America for 20 Years 01:39 How Jack Barsky Learned to Pass as American 03:34 The Passport Office Mistake That Nearly Exposed Him 06:01 What Would Happen If the FBI Caught a KGB Agent 07:29 How Cold War Prisoner Swaps Really Worked 08:59 Dirty Intelligence, Kompromat, and Spy Tactics Explained 10:20 Why Jack Barsky Says the KGB Was So Powerful 11:04 Sponsor Break - Dose 11:58 Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanssen, and the MICE Spy Motives 14:40 Why Love Made Jack Barsky Walk Away From the KGB 16:20 How the Mitrokhin Archive Helped Expose KGB Agents 18:57 Jack Barsky's FBI Approach, Cooperation, and Debrief 22:02 Sponsor Skit Break - Dose 24:08 From Communist Spy to American Tech Executive 26:49 Are Chinese Sleeper Agents Operating Today? 29:25 How AI Could Change Espionage and Spycraft 32:08 Jack Barsky's Favourite Spy Movies and Final Thoughts

    33 min
  4. Eriq La Salle: From Coming to America and ER to Novelist and Master Storyteller

    May 9

    Eriq La Salle: From Coming to America and ER to Novelist and Master Storyteller

    Big thanks to our partner, Dose. Give Dose a try today and get 35% off when you use code CARLOS. https://dosedaily.co/CARLOS Ever wonder what it takes to go from growing up in a tough neighborhood to starring in one of Hollywood's most iconic films? Eriq La Salle's story is one of grit, perseverance, and overcoming rejection—again and again. In this interview, he takes us through his journey, from a childhood in Hartford, raised by a single mother, to auditioning for Juilliard with no roadmap. Eriq reveals how he fought through constant setbacks in Hollywood, why he believes "writing is fighting," and how his persistence led him to become a published author after countless rejections. Now publishing under Sourcebooks alongside bestselling author Freida McFadden, he's gearing up for the release of the fourth installment in his Martyr Maker series, Laws of Solomon, on September 8th — with a fifth set to close it all out. In this candid conversation, Eriq also shares unforgettable moments from Coming to America and ER, including a funny memory from filming ER in Spain. He opens up about the challenges of fame, comparing it to a "200-pound St. Bernard" that has to be trained, and reflects on the deeper meaning of love, success, and the mistakes he's learned from along the way. This episode is packed with wisdom, motivation, and the resilience to keep fighting for your dreams—no matter the obstacles in your path. __________   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   00:00 Overcoming Rejection: Eriq La Salle's Writing Journey 01:08 Growing Up in Hartford: The Importance of Hard Work and Discipline 03:08 Mentor Guidance: Eriq's Path to Juilliard 05:31 From Talent to Discipline: The Secret to Eriq's Success 07:17 Coming to America Breakthrough: Landing the Iconic Role 09:15 Sponsor: Dose, The Health Supplement for Better Living 10:09 Eriq La Salle's Journey to Becoming a Novelist 12:59 Book Series and Influences: How Eriq La Salle Found His Voice 13:36 The Craft of Writing: One Sentence at a Time 14:40 Being a Black Man in 2026: Eriq La Salle's Perspective 15:38 Rapid Fire Favorites: Eriq's Quick Responses 16:18 Behind the Scenes of ER in Spain: A Memorable Experience 17:27 Love, Fame, and Patience: Eriq La Salle's Life Lessons 19:48 Journey Over Destination: The Power of Perseverance

    21 min
  5. Malcolm Gladwell Gets Cheeky: Trump, AI, Epstein, Cadillac & Steph Curry

    Apr 29

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

    Apr 27

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

    Apr 23

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

    Mar 31

    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
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

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
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The CARLOS Podcast

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