
Common Sense with Dan Carlin
Loud, fast-talking and deceptively funny, this politically-independent "forward-thinking pragmatist" looks at the events shaping our world through a uniquely American lens. It's smarter than you think, and faster than you expect.
Latest episodes

304 snips
Mar 23, 2025 • 1h 31min
Show 324 - What's Good for the Goose
Delve into the pitfalls of partisanship and its toll on families and communities. Explore the bias in media and the need for independent perspectives. Unpack the role of character traits, like narcissism, in political leadership, while questioning the balance of executive power. Discuss the erosion of personal liberties and the alarming trends toward autocracy. Historical comparisons highlight the importance of checks and balances in governance. The conversation sheds light on the challenges faced by independent voters in today's polarized landscape.

6 snips
Mar 1, 2022 • 40min
Show 323 - Gas Up the Cold War
Vladimir Putin has instantaneously reignited the Cold War by savagely attacking Ukraine this week. In response to requests, Dan shares a few thoughts.

Sep 1, 2021 • 55min
Show 322 - Betting on Long Shots
After 20 years in Afghanistan the U.S. exits the country thus ending the longest war in American history. Are there any lessons to be learned?

6 snips
Jan 14, 2021 • 47min
Show 321 - Garbage In, Garbage Out
In a show recorded before the recent House impeachment vote, Dan examines the damage caused by the iceberg we recently hit when Americans stormed the U.S. Capitol and tries to suggest how we might avoid hitting another one.

8 snips
Sep 20, 2020 • 1h 13min
Show 320 - Steering Into the Iceberg
To paraphrase John Lennon, So you say you want a civil war? With the U.S. facing one of the most consequential elections in its history, Dan has some thoughts about us all, our choices and the times in which we live.

11 snips
Apr 1, 2020 • 1h 26min
Show 319 - A Recipe for Caesar
The podcast discusses the impact of a global pandemic on partisan conflict and explores societal cycles of violence and retribution. It examines the role of amplified voices, the consequences of perpetual political warfare, and the evolution of confrontational social media. The unique characteristics of the 21st century president, the political nature of impeachment, and the information revolution's impact on society are also examined, along with the threats and challenges faced in this era.
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