Therapy is more available and more culturally influential than ever. Yet anxiety, depression, loneliness, political fixation, and fractured relationships remain widespread.

In this episode, Dr. Ben Carson speaks with psychotherapist and Therapy Nation author Jonathan Alpert about the difference between feeling better in the moment and actually getting better.

They also examine what is commonly called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” or TDS. While Alpert emphasizes that TDS is not an official diagnosis found in the DSM, he discusses the political hyper-fixation, anxiety, restlessness, and damaged relationships that can develop when any political figure becomes the focus of an unhealthy obsession.

Alpert argues for therapy that is goal-oriented, accountable, and designed to build resilience. The conversation explores diagnostic language in everyday life, endless therapy, political polarization, victimhood, faith, personal responsibility, and how Americans can rediscover common ground.

This discussion reflects the participants’ views and is not medical advice.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Ben Carson once considered himself the worst student in his class. Then one unexpected moment changed the way he saw himself, and ultimately changed the course of his life.

In this special episode of Common Sense, Reagan Hannus turns the tables and interviews Dr. Carson about how our perception of ourselves is formed, why parents have such an important role in shaping their children's lives, and what decades of operating on the human brain taught him about human potential.

Dr. Carson also discusses the influence of social media on young people, the opportunities and dangers presented by artificial intelligence and virtual reality, how to make difficult decisions without being controlled by fear, and the advice he believes young adults need most today.

From books and education to faith, family, human connection, and the extraordinary capacity of the brain, this conversation is about refusing to allow your circumstances - or other people's expectations - to determine what you can become.

Subscribe to Common Sense with Dr. Ben Carson for conversations about faith, liberty, community, life, and the issues shaping America's future.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As America marks its 250th anniversary, an urgent question has emerged: Who is responsible for telling America’s story—and what happens when the nation’s most trusted historical institutions begin interpreting the past through the lens of contemporary political activism?

Dr. Ben Carson is joined by Vince Haley, director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, for a revealing discussion about the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of American History, and the administration’s review of how American history is being presented to the public.

Haley argues that the museum has moved away from presenting a coherent account of America’s founding, failures, achievements, sacrifices, and ideals—and toward using history as an instrument for activism and social advocacy.

Dr. Carson and Haley discuss:

● Why patriotism appears to be declining

● How historical knowledge shapes national identity

● What the administration found at the Smithsonian

● The difference between teaching difficult history and promoting national despair

● Slavery, abolition, the Civil War, and America’s struggle to fulfill its founding principles

● The forgotten contributions of Black Patriots during the American Revolution

● The influence of faith and the Great Awakening on America’s founding

● DEI, merit, race, and political division

● How museums and schools shape future generations

● What citizens, parents, and grandparents can do to preserve America’s story

History is more than a collection of artifacts and dates. It tells people who they are, where they came from, and what they have the potential to become.

Watch the full conversation and tell us in the comments:

Should a taxpayer-supported national museum promote contemporary political causes—or present the fullest possible account of America’s history?

Subscribe to Common Sense with Dr. Ben Carson for thoughtful conversations about faith, liberty, community, life, and the challenges facing America.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when the institutions entrusted with preserving American history begin advancing a political story of their own?

In this episode of Common Sense with Dr. Ben Carson, Dr. Carson sits down with U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas to discuss congressional oversight, the Smithsonian Institution, the use of taxpayer dollars, border enforcement, socialism, and the responsibility of young Americans to defend the nation’s founding principles.

Congressman Gill explains why he believes simple questions can expose ideological assumptions inside public institutions. He also discusses a recent SNAP hearing, the dramatic change he sees at the southern border, and why he believes Democratic Socialists are pulling their party, and the country, further left.

The conversation closes on a more personal note: how faith helps Gill withstand criticism, why politics cannot become an ultimate end, and what younger Americans can do to preserve opportunity for their children and grandchildren.

This is a conflict over truth, accountability, and inheritance: will citizens govern their institutions, or will institutions train citizens to distrust what common sense tells them?

In this episode:

● What Rep. Gill says the Smithsonian gets wrong about American history

● Why calling punctuality, civility, and linear thinking “white supremacy” creates backlash

● The common-sense question he asked about soda and SNAP benefits

● Why he views recent border enforcement as a change in political will, not law

● How Democratic Socialists are reshaping the Democratic Party

● Why young Americans must understand socialism’s historical record

● How faith and criticism shape Gill’s approach to public service

If this conversation made you think, share it with someone who wants public institutions to answer to the people they serve.

Subscribe for more conversations about faith, liberty, community, life, and the common-sense principles America needs now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Common Sense with Dr. Ben Carson, Dr. Carson sits down with Congressman Byron Donalds for a powerful conversation about faith, resilience, education, the American Dream, and the future of the country.

Congressman Donalds shares his personal story of growing up in Brooklyn, being raised by a single mother, making serious mistakes as a young man, and ultimately turning his life around through faith. He explains why he believes America remains the greatest country in the world for those willing to work hard, take responsibility, and persevere.

Dr. Carson and Congressman Donalds also discuss the crisis in American education, the danger of victimhood, the rise of socialist ideas, the importance of economic literacy, and why young people need to rediscover the principles that made America exceptional.

This is a conversation about second chances, faith, courage, family, and why the American Dream is still worth defending.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Many of America’s veterans carry wounds the rest of us cannot see.

In this episode of Common Sense with Dr. Ben Carson, Dr. Carson sits down with Lieutenant Colonel Curt Kolvet to discuss the invisible battles many service members continue to face long after deployment ends — including PTSD, depression, isolation, family strain, and the heartbreaking reality of veteran suicide.

Lt. Col. Kolvet reflects on 23 years of military service, the pressure of leading men and women in combat, the burden placed on military families, and the moments that forced him to reconnect with his humanity and his faith. He also shares how his Christian faith sustained him through deployment, leadership, trauma, and the transition out of military life.

This conversation is a reminder that service does not end when the uniform comes off — and that veterans and their families deserve gratitude, support, community, and hope.

In this episode:

● What civilians often misunderstand about military service

● Why many veterans suffer silently

● The pressure military families carry

● How faith sustained Lt. Col. Kolvet in combat and leadership

● Why he wrote a devotional specifically for veterans

● What struggling veterans need to hear right now

● Dr. Carson’s reminder that America must recover faith, courage, and common sense

If you know a veteran, thank them. If you know someone who is struggling, reach out. And if this conversation encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Subscribe for more conversations about faith, liberty, community, life, and the common sense principles America needs now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Delano Squires joins Dr. Ben Carson to discuss his new book, The Vanishing Black Family, and the hard truths behind America’s family crisis.

In this conversation, Dr. Carson and Delano examine why family breakdown cannot be explained by economics alone, how fatherlessness affects children, why marriage and fatherhood matter, and what churches, communities, schools, and cultural leaders can do to rebuild strong families.

This episode explores:

• Why family formation is central to a healthy society

• The impact of fatherlessness on children

• Why Delano Squires believes the crisis is spiritual and cultural, not merely economic

• How welfare policy, feminism, and popular culture reshaped views on marriage and family

• Why the Black family crisis should concern all Americans

• The role of churches, HBCUs, mentors, fathers, and community leaders in restoring marriage

• What future generations need from us now

Strong families build strong communities. Strong communities build a strong nation.

Subscribe to Common Sense with Dr. Ben Carson for conversations rooted in faith, liberty, community, and life.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this rebroadcast episode of Dr. Ben Carson's appearance on "Lt. Dan," Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick explores the influence of Carson's mother, the power of reading, the complexity of the human brain, his experiences on the presidential campaign trail, his friendship with President Donald Trump, and the work of the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty. It's an inspiring conversation about perseverance, faith, personal responsibility, and the values that continue to define the American Dream.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Lt. Dan introduces Dr. Ben Carson & Religious Liberty Commission

02:43 – From inner-city Detroit to “Gifted Hands”: Ben Carson’s origin story

05:12 – Books, art, Mozart & Motown: how curiosity changed his life

07:09 – Classical music in the OR: pioneering pediatric brain surgery

08:17 – Mind-blowing brain demo: what it takes just to raise your hand

10:21 – Running for president & Trump’s debate-stage act of kindness

14:10 – Inside the Presidential Commission on Religious Liberty

16:41 – Shay, Navy SEALs & Christians punished for their faith

22:54 – At HUD: empowering faith-based groups & the “mustard seed” model

26:16 – America’s God-given rights, the American Dream & a call to stand up

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

America is preparing to celebrate 250 years of freedom, but are we losing the values that made that freedom possible?

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Ben Carson sits down with Dr. Robert George, founder of Fidelity Month, to discuss why faith, family, community, and country remain essential to preserving the American experiment.

Together they explore:

• Why Americans are losing confidence in religion, family, and country

• What the Founding Fathers risked to create the United States

• Why freedom depends on virtue

• The dangers of political polarization

• Why strong families are the foundation of self-government

• How parents can raise children who love truth and responsibility

• What every American can do to strengthen the nation

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this conversation offers a timely reminder that freedom is never guaranteed—and every generation must choose whether to preserve it.

Subscribe for more conversations on faith, freedom, family, and the future of America.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when a country forgets its own history?

In this powerful episode of Common Sense with Dr. Ben Carson, Dr. Carson sits down with actor and entertainer John Schneider to discuss why America’s founding story matters now more than ever — and why so many young people are growing up disconnected from the sacrifices that built this nation.

The conversation centers around Star Spangled Adventures: The Movie, a new animated film designed to teach children the courage, faith, sacrifice, and responsibility behind American freedom.

Dr. Carson and Schneider discuss:

Why America’s history is disappearing from classrooms

The danger of raising a generation disconnected from sacrifice

Why storytelling shapes culture

How patriotism became controversial

The spiritual foundations of America

The importance of family-friendly entertainment

Why freedom can disappear faster than people realize

The power of curiosity and historical understanding

How division weakens a nation from within

This episode is about more than a movie. It’s about whether the next generation will understand what it means to be free.

Subscribe to American Cornerstone Institute and Common Sense with Dr. Ben Carson for conversations about faith, freedom, family, and America’s future.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.