The Dave Carter Show

What happens when words are no longer enough to explain a life? Composer and jazz artist Ray Seol joins Dave Carter for a deeply personal conversation about immigration, language, music, memory, and the unlikely journey that led him to search for meaning through sound.

At the heart of the conversation is Professor Seol’s extraordinary relationship with music and colour, and his project The Prison of Language, which explores the limits words place upon our ability to understand and communicate human experience. That exploration ultimately leads to the most personal part of his story: his mother, an illiterate woman whose life and death left questions that Ray would only begin to confront after she was gone. Rather than treating that history simply as tragedy, Seol has transformed memory, grief and unanswered questions into artistic inquiry.

The result is a conversation that reaches well beyond jazz. Carter and Seol explore what it means to begin again in another country, how music can communicate where conventional language fails, and whether art can help us understand the lives of others — and perhaps our own — in ways words cannot. It is a conversation about the boundaries of language, the persistence of memory, and one artist’s attempt to give sound to things that could never quite be said.

What exactly does a military historian do? If your answer involves dusty archives, fading photographs, and stories of battles long concluded, Mr. Brady Kiel is about to pleasantly disrupt that image. In this conversation, Brady explains that military historians perform a role strikingly similar to intelligence analysts: gathering information from reliable sources, evaluating it carefully, and preserving the lessons of today's operations for the commanders of tomorrow. History, in that sense, becomes the military's institutional memory—ensuring that hard-earned lessons are never paid for twice.

Our discussion also explores a side of military history that few people ever see. Brady recounts the remarkable story of a dying Vietnam veteran whose long-delayed benefits depended upon proving where he had served and the hazardous chemicals to which he had been exposed. Thanks to the meticulous work of a unit historian half a century earlier, historians at the Air Force Historical Research Agency were able to reconstruct the operation, identify the veteran by name, and provide the documentation that finally brought justice and peace of mind to him and his family. It is a powerful reminder that history does not merely preserve the past—it can still change lives in the present.

Along the way we compare notes from two generations of Air Force historians, discuss how artificial intelligence is changing historical research, share a few laughs at the profession's expense, and reflect on why the human story remains the center of every historical record. Technology may transform the tools, but one truth endures: history is ultimately about people. And as long as there are people willing to serve, sacrifice, and lead, there will always be someone whose responsibility it is to remember.

What does America look like through the eyes of someone who chose to become an American? Charles C. W. Cooke joins The Dave Carter Show for a conversation about his lifelong fascination with the United States—from childhood visits to Disney World and the American Southwest to the journey that culminated in his taking the oath of citizenship in 2018. Along the way, Charles reflects on what James Madison might make of the republic in 2026 and why the survival of both the country and its Constitution might surprise him more than some of today's political controversies.

The conversation turns to America's perpetual outrage cycle and the gulf between the controversies consuming political and media obsessives and the concerns of ordinary Americans. Charles argues for stepping away from the 24-hour torrent long enough to regain perspective, touching on everything from current arguments over men competing in women's sports to the remarkable expansion of federal power. And when offered an afternoon with any figure in history, his choice is Winston Churchill.

But the conversation ultimately becomes something more personal, centering on what Americans have inherited and what they owe those who will inherit it next. Asked what he would tell a room full of 18-year-old Americans, Charles describes them as beneficiaries of generations of Americans whose sacrifice and work have given them an extraordinary moment in which they have, “won the lottery of life.” Asked what he would tell his own grandchildren about what America was supposed to be, he points them back to the Declaration of Independence and the principles it proclaimed. This more than an interview. It's a conversation about citizenship, gratitude, inheritance—and the enduring question Ronald Reagan posed generations ago: if freedom fails here, where else do we go?

Every so often, a conversation develops a life of its own. This was one of those occasions.

My guest is Jenna Stocker—writer, wife, mother, Marine Corps veteran, and a thoughtful observer of American life whose work has appeared in the Daily Wire, National Review, The Federalist, and elsewhere. We begin with her recent Daily Wire essay on iconic Americana and ask whether the independent, adventurous spirit that once defined this country can still be recovered. Along the way, we explore memory, gratitude, optimism, and what it means to preserve the best of a civilization without merely living in nostalgia.

From there, the conversation turns to the craft of writing itself. Why do writers continue answering the call of the page despite rejection, obscurity, and the suspicion that their words may vanish into the wind? And then, after the interview was supposedly over, two writers simply kept talking. We compared influences, shared the books and ideas that have shaped us, and reflected on the curious vocation of putting thoughts into words. The microphones, as it turned out, were still recording. I think you'll be glad they were.

In this special Father’s Day edition of The Dave Carter Program, Dave Carter shares a heartfelt tribute to fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers, reflecting on the legacy of the men who shaped his life. Through warm memories, vivid storytelling, and a deep sense of gratitude, Dave honors the wisdom, humor, and resilience passed down through generations.

This episode is a moving Father’s Day reflection on family, memory, and the lasting influence of the men who lead by example. At the center of the episode is Dave’s beloved paternal grandfather, D.P. “Darn Precious” Carter, whose quick wit, easygoing spirit, and unforgettable personality left a lasting impression on everyone around him. Dave recalls childhood stories, family jokes, and the kind of mischief that only a truly memorable grandfather could inspire, while also honoring the hard truths of a life shaped by poverty, military service, and perseverance. From the Pacific theater of World War II to a lifetime of providing for his family, Grandpa Carter’s story is one of strength, humor, and enduring love.

This Father’s Day episode captures the spirit of remembrance and celebration, reminding listeners to cherish the lessons, laughter, and sacrifices of the fathers and grandfathers who came before us. With thoughtful narration and deeply personal reflections, Dave Carter invites listeners to slow down and appreciate the gift of family, the power of perspective, and the beauty of everyday life. All of the music in this episode is part of a growing collection of compositions by Dave Carter.

In his powerful second appearance on The Dave Carter Show, Panama City native and leading Republican candidate Keith Gross joins Dave for a no-holds-barred conversation about his bid to represent Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. A self-made businessman, attorney, and U.S. Army National Guard veteran, Keith is funding his own campaign and has boldly pledged to donate his entire congressional salary to local private charities if elected. This move severs the financial puppet strings that control so many in Washington and at home, ensuring he answers only to the people of the Florida Panhandle—not special interests in D.C. or the local good ol’ boys network. 

Keith shares his common-sense America First vision on the issues that matter most: securing the border and enforcing immigration laws, restoring American energy independence, fighting inflation and skyrocketing costs, reducing crime, and putting working families first. As a proven job creator who rose from a single-parent home through grit and entrepreneurship, he stands with the 80% of voters who are tired of politics as usual. With the August 18, 2026 primary approaching and strong polling numbers against a crowded field, this episode dives deep into why Keith represents a genuine threat to the old order. 

Plus, don’t miss the hilarious comedy commercial for The American Suppress Card — the ultimate tool for silencing common sense! Whether you’re in Florida’s Panhandle or anywhere fed up with career politicians, this episode delivers straight talk, laughs, and real solutions from a candidate who has lived the American Dream and is ready to fight for yours.

In this powerful episode of the Dave Carter Show, Dave sits down with Bay County Commissioner candidate Brian Rust to hear his common-sense vision for the county’s future. He details practical strategies for job creation and workforce development that put Bay County families first, while exposing the bureaucratic red tape that has slowed infrastructure projects to a glacial pace. Brian makes a compelling case for aggressive government reform designed to cut delays, reduce costs, and deliver results for taxpayers instead of special interests. 

As a candidate who refuses to be bought, Brian is facing an all-too-familiar reality in local politics: monied elites, entrenched special interests, and county kingmakers are working behind the scenes to starve his campaign of resources. Unable to defeat his ideas in open debate, they’ve chosen financial suppression instead. Brian explains why this fight matters far beyond Bay County — because voters everywhere deserve to hear what genuine independence sounds like in today’s highly charged political environment.

Whether you live in Bay County or simply want to see what principled, voter-first leadership looks like, this episode delivers a refreshing dose of straight talk and actionable solutions. Tune in to hear why Brian Rust believes common sense still has a place in government — and why the establishment is so determined to silence it.

In this heartfelt episode of The Dave Carter Show, host Dave Carter sits down with Lawrence Perelman—a gifted musicia and author of a the new book, "American Impresario, William F. Buckley and the Elements of American Character.  Mr. Perelman is the Founder and CEO of Semantix Creative Group, and a passionate advocate for classical music and Western cultural heritage.

As a young man, Perelman formed a remarkable friendship with the legendary William F. Buckley Jr., who became both mentor and close friend after a simple thank-you letter sparked an enduring bond. Perelman shares intimate stories of Buckley’s deep love for classical music and his commitment to the enduring values of Western civilization. Listeners will be moved by Perelman’s account of their final remarkable conversation—the very evening before Buckley’s passing—and how that friendship continues to shape his life’s work today. 

Through his leadership at Semantix Creative Group and other initiatives, Perelman carries forward Buckley’s vision by ensuring classical music reaches and inspires new generations.Join us for a rich, reflective conversation that celebrates mentorship, cultural preservation, and the timeless power of music and friendship. This is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Please feel free to visit us as DaveCarterShow.com, leave a review or even a voice message and tell us what you think!

In this hard-hitting episode of The Dave Carter Show, I sit down with Panama City native and successful businessman Keith Gross, who is running for Congress in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. Keith grew up in a single-parent home in the Panhandle, put himself through school through sheer grit, and built a multiple highly successful businesses as an entrepreneur who creates real jobs right here at home.

What sets Keith apart from the typical Washington crowd is simple and refreshing: he’s self-funding his campaign and has pledged to donate his entire congressional salary to charity. With the financial puppet strings cut, he cannot be bought by special interests or the donor class. As I told him on the show—it’s about bloody time someone in office actually puts the interests of the voters over the whims of monied elites.

Keith’s platform is straightforward and desperately needed: Cut wasteful spending, fight inflation head-on, restore affordability for working families, and ensure government sticks to its essential role—protecting the lives, liberty, and freedoms of American citizens instead of subjecting them to the arbitrary rule of micromanaging bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. This is a conversation with a true outsider who understands the American Dream because he has lived it, and who refuses to sell out the people of the Florida Panhandle or this country.

Catch the full no-holds-barred interview now on davecartershow.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. If you’re tired of politicians who talk a big game but answer to donors instead of voters, this episode is for you.

This episode of The Dave Carter Show features an in-depth, no-holds-barred conversation with my good friend and fellow talk radio veteran Brian Rust, the longtime host of The Brian Rust Show who's now stepping boldly into the political arena as a candidate for Bay County Commissioner, District 4. Brian isn't your typical politician—he's a reluctant candidate who decided to run not for personal gain or power, but because he believes he can actually make a real difference for the people of Bay County. As he puts it so bluntly (in true Brian fashion), it's time to say "Knock it off!" to the endless cycle of business as usual, donor-driven decisions, and government that moves at a snail's pace while life races ahead. This episode dives straight into why a successful conservative broadcaster with over three decades on the air is putting his money where his mouth is and running for office—to serve the folks who've had enough of excuses and delays.

We cover Brian's practical, common-sense platform head-on: building a top-tier workforce through targeted training programs that attract quality companies to Bay County and create good-paying jobs right here at home; overhauling infrastructure so projects finally get done on time and on budget—no more triple-the-deadline disasters wasting taxpayer dollars; championing small businesses so they can thrive and grow without drowning in red tape; and revitalizing tourism with a firm commitment to making Spring Break safe again for families, visitors, and locals alike.

Brian's vision is clear: government must keep pace with real life in Bay County, from the beaches to the northern borders, making it the best place in America to call home. If you're tired of polished promises and ready for flat-footed truth from someone who's spent years calling out nonsense on the radio, this episode is a must-listen.Catch the full interview now on davecartershow.com, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Search for "Brian Rust Bay County Commissioner" or "Dave Carter Brian Rust interview" to find it fast. Drop your thoughts—what part of Brian's plan resonates most with you? Hit me on X@DBCarter1962, visit the shows website at Davecartershow.com or leave a comment below. Let's keep pushing for real change in public office!