Common Sense with Dan Carlin

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. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Common Sense with Dan Carlin podcast seeks to avoid extreme political rhetoric. Instead, as per the title, the show focuses on common-sense solutions. Listeners can experience political commentary based on a logical, independent approach. He is neither left nor right. Instead, Carlin calls himself a "Martian" for his way of looking at the world. While the focus is on America, the concepts are transferable. If it affects the USA or the world at large, host Dan Carlin will talk about it.

Carlin has been doing political analysis and commentary for decades. He established himself on TV in the 1980s and 1990s. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he switched to radio broadcasting. In 2005, he started the Common Sense with Dan Carlin podcast. He brought his signature skeptical demeanor to the podcast medium. In other words, questioning political movements and motivations is Carlin's livelihood. As a result, listeners can expect shows with detailed investigations and practical solutions. Along the way, listeners can enjoy Carlin's fast-paced, humorous hosting approach.

New episodes of Common Sense with Dan Carlin pop up every few months. The show also has hundreds of episodes in the archives. Each edition of the show explores one relevant topic in detail. Listeners are sure to leave more informed. The show is quick-hitting and contains valuable knowledge and memorable commentaries. Due to the nature of the episodes, they tend to range from 40 minutes to 90 minutes long.

Carlin also does the Hardcore History podcast. On that program, he's known for his ability to point out historical parallels. He brings that background to the Common Sense with Dan Carlin podcast.

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Show 323 - Gas Up the Cold War
Mar 1 2022
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.

Episodes

Show 323 - Gas Up the Cold War
Mar 1 2022
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.
Show 322 - Betting on Long Shots
Sep 1 2021
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?
Show 321 - Garbage In, Garbage Out
Jan 14 2021
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.
Show 320 - Steering Into the Iceberg
Sep 20 2020
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.
Show 319 - A Recipe for Caesar
Apr 1 2020
Show 319 - A Recipe for Caesar
Does a global pandemic help break the spell of our bitter partisan conflict, or does it just raise the stakes? In the first CS show in years Dan wrestles with the Zeitgeist.
Show 318 - For Whom the Bell Trolls
May 26 2018
Show 318 - For Whom the Bell Trolls
You never know when you might get a little common sense unexpectedly out of nowhere.This is one of those times.
Show 317 - Shades of Grey
Oct 28 2017
Show 317 - Shades of Grey
Dan is finding is hard to operate in a Black and White, Good and Evil cultural environment where everyone is outraged all the time about everything and where Americans hate each other. Where's the Common Sense?
Show 316 - The Day of the Dove
Jun 19 2017
Show 316 - The Day of the Dove
Politically-related violence in the U.S. heats up as talk of "Civil War" goes mainstream. What would a "Civil War" in the U.S. even look like? Dan has some thoughts on this and ways to potentially avoid such a fate.
Show 315 - War on a Whim?
May 1 2017
Show 315 - War on a Whim?
There's a lot in this show subject-wise, but it's really supposed to be about War Powers in the USA and how events in Syria and North Korea play into the issue.
Show 314 - Unhealthy Numbers
Mar 16 2017
Show 314 - Unhealthy Numbers
As the GOP attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Dan ponders the dichotomy between what Americans spend on health care versus what they get in return.
Show 313 - Get Me A Glass of Water
Feb 14 2017
Show 313 - Get Me A Glass of Water
Dan is in an introspective mental place in this show...but he may just drag you in there with him.
Show 312 - Re-Connections with James Burke
Dec 7 2016
Show 312 - Re-Connections with James Burke
Dan has another visit with the always fascinating science historian and TV host James Burke. He also catches up a bit on early Trump cabinet picks and the Dakota pipeline protests.
Show 311 - Trumped
Nov 11 2016
Show 311 - Trumped
Post-2016 election analysis and discussion from a Martian political perspective.
Show 310 - Or Else
Oct 13 2016
Show 310 - Or Else
What happens if our nation's problems become too large to realistically imagine our politicians solving? What if voting doesn't help? Dan reminds us that he's not a moderate, and that you probably aren't either.
Show 309 - A Bodyguard of Lies
Sep 9 2016
Show 309 - A Bodyguard of Lies
Secrecy, hacking, information leaks, whistle-blowers, foreign-operative propaganda pushers, disinformation, election tampering and the search for any truth in cyberspace occupy Dan's thoughts in this show.
Show 308 - Return of the Podcaster
Aug 14 2016
Show 308 - Return of the Podcaster
After a brief hiatus to finish his other podcast, Dan has a huge backlog of material to cover. The presidential race, foreign affairs and racial and cultural questions take center stage.
Show 307 - Revenge of the Gangrenous Finger
Jun 27 2016
Show 307 - Revenge of the Gangrenous Finger
This show has a "chickens coming home to roost" feel to it, but maybe in a positive way. It was supposed to be about the recent British vote to leave the EU, but evolved into something larger. Surprise, surprise.
Show 306 - Disengaging the Lizard Brain
Jun 5 2016
Show 306 - Disengaging the Lizard Brain
Hate is a very strong word, but increasing numbers of Americans hate their countrymen. Is this a danger to the stability of the country? If it were deemed such, what can be done about it?
Show 305 - A Catalyst for the Inconceivable
May 7 2016
Show 305 - A Catalyst for the Inconceivable
Dan finds the idea of a Donald Trump presidency to be inconceivable. He also thinks a fundamental change in U.S. Foreign Policy is also inconceivable. Could one inconceivable outcome lead to another?
Show 304 - Speed Dating For Delegates
Apr 17 2016
Show 304 - Speed Dating For Delegates
As the U.S. Presidential campaign veers into unprecedented territory Dan sees opportunity in the unusual circumstances. "Anger is an Energy" he says. And he says it AGAIN and AGAIN.