Iran, Israel & the CIA: When “Conspiracy” Starts Sounding Plausible | The Karel Show

The word conspiracy gets thrown around easily — but sometimes the real-world facts are disturbing enough on their own.

As protests erupt in Iran, the political fallout gives Donald Trump fresh justification to escalate tensions. The question becomes: who benefits if conflict expands? Israel? The United States? Powerful interests that thrive on instability?

Karel examines why so many people are now willing to believe scenarios that once felt unthinkable — and what it says about the era we’re living in.

Meanwhile, the Senate makes a stunning move that effectively gives Trump wide latitude in Venezuela, raising serious questions about power, resources, and accountability — and why so few seem to be paying attention.

Also in this episode:

• Why the facts are often scarier than conspiracy theories

• Why Karel is skeptical of CBS News’ reporting on the alleged “internal bleeding” of an ICE officer

• Voting season for the SAG Awards and Dorian Awards — and why this year’s film slate feels oddly underwhelming

The Karel Show delivers thoughtful, unfiltered commentary on global politics, media narratives, and culture — without the shouting or fear-bait.

💙 Support the show: patreon.com/reallykarel

▶️ Watch, like & subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel

🎙️ Streaming on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Spreaker

📅 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PT

📱 Also on TikTok & Instagram

Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, broadcasting from Las Vegas — always with his service girl Ember by his side.

#TheKarelShow, #IranProtests, #MiddleEastPolitics, #ForeignPolicy, #GlobalNews, #PoliticalAnalysis, #MediaSkepticism, #PowerAndPolitics, #CurrentEvents, #USPolitics, #IsraelNews, #CIA, #Venezuela, #NewsPodcast, #ProgressiveVoices, #CultureAndPolitics, #MediaCriticism, #PodcastYouTube, #LasVegasMedia, #NoOutrageBait

https://youtube.com/live/3MYbxXnKI_Y


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

America Has Truly Lost the Plot | The Karel Show 26-03
It’s 2026 — and America feels completely upside down.
While the country faces real, urgent crises, the highest court in the land is debating whether fewer than 1,200 student athletes should be allowed to compete in sports because they are transgender — kids whose only “crime” was being born different and receiving medically supervised, professional care.
Nine justices, behind closed doors, may decide whether young people get to pursue their dreams — while homelessness grows, injustice spreads, a nation turns on itself in the streets, and a president continues to run amok.
Meanwhile, a beloved television actor is aggressively pursued over allegations he strongly denies, while documented abusers of underage girls hold real power on the world stage — a contradiction that exposes just how broken our moral compass has become.
Plus: a seemingly simple online question about manicures unexpectedly explodes into a heated debate about women, time, labor, and modern expectations — revealing more about society than anyone expected.
The Karel Show delivers unfiltered, thoughtful commentary on politics, culture, and everyday life — without the shouting.
💙 Support the show: patreon.com/reallykarel
▶️ Watch, like & subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel
🎙️ Streaming on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Spreaker
📅 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PT
📱 Also on TikTok & Instagram
Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, broadcasting from Las Vegas — always with his service girl Ember by his side.
#TheKarelShow, #AmericaInCrisis, #CurrentEvents, #CultureWars, #TransRights, #LGBTQVoices, #PoliticalCommentary, #MediaCriticism, #JusticeSystem, #HumanRights, #NewsPodcast, #ProgressiveVoices, #SocialIssues, #WomenInSociety, #CulturalDebate, #PodcastYouTube, #LasVegasMedia, #RealTalk, #ModernAmerica, #NoOutrageBait
https://youtube.com/live/cvUN3kf4C5U


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

What Do We Still Love? A Needed Reset in a Chaotic America | Karel Cast 26-02
Every day seems to begin with another headline designed to exhaust us.
As Donald Trump’s ongoing assault on American norms continues to dominate the news cycle, it’s easy to wake up angry, anxious, or defeated. But today’s episode asks a different — and necessary — question:
What do we still love?
What moments in your day bring warmth, comfort, or joy?
Is it your dog? Cooking a favorite meal? Sharing food? Small rituals that remind you who you are?
In this episode, Karel explores why remembering what we love is an act of resistance — and why grounding ourselves in simple joys may be essential for surviving this political moment.
Plus: What do Germany, Turkey, Italy, Brazil, and Mexico all have in common?
The answer may surprise you — and reveal something important about culture, food, and national identity.
The Karel Cast delivers smart, unfiltered conversation on current events, culture, and modern life — without the shouting.
💙 Support the show: patreon.com/reallykarel
▶️ Watch, like & subscribe: youtube.com/reallykarel
The Karel Cast streams on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Spreaker.
📅 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30 AM PT
📱 Also on TikTok & Instagram
Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, broadcasting from Las Vegas — always with his service girl Ember nearby.
#KarelCast, #CurrentEvents, #PoliticalCommentary, #TrumpAmerica, #FindingJoy, #MentalHealth, #EverydayJoy, #DogsOfYouTube, #VeganLife, #FoodCulture, #GlobalCulture, #NewsPodcast, #ProgressiveVoices, #LGBTQVoices, #MediaCommentary, #PodcastYouTube, #LasVegasMedia, #Resilience, #CultureTalk, #DailyPodcast
https://youtube.com/live/oXggQdlmK9g


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

2026: The Year to Reset — Taking Back Our Lives, Not Just Our Politics | The Karel Show
They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. For many Americans, the past several years have felt exactly like that.
Donald Trump has made daily life exhausting for anyone who isn’t MAGA. Every day brings a new outrage. Every day he takes up more space in our heads. Every day the dark cloud he creates seeps into our lives, our relationships, and our sense of self.
But here’s the truth: you can fly above those clouds. And above them, there is still sunlight.
I’ve lived under that cloud for nearly a decade — watching a country spin out of control — and I’ve become someone I no longer want to be. Angry. Reactive. Consumed. Like Peter Finch’s character in Network, mad as hell and not willing to take it anymore.
But rage alone doesn’t win. Purpose does.
It’s time to be more like Stephen Colbert or Jimmy Kimmel — fully aware of what’s happening, but refusing to let anger hollow us out. It’s time for America to hit the hard reset.
We can still take our country back — through elections, protests, Congress, and the courts. And if that fight fails, we face that reality when it comes. But we don’t live every day in fury while we wait.
Yes, the economy is hurting people. Food prices are soaring. Violence fills the headlines. None of that is imaginary. But if we let Trump take our joy, our compassion, our humanity — then he wins something far bigger than an election.
That ends now. For me. And maybe for you, too.
The Karel Show is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel
Please watch, like, subscribe, and share at youtube.com/reallykarel
The show streams on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and more — Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PT, and on TikTok and Instagram.
Broadcasting from Las Vegas with my service girl Ember — this is The Karel Show.
#2026, #ResetAmerica, #TheKarelShow, #USPolitics, #Trump, #MAGA, #PoliticalCommentary, #Democracy, #MentalHealth, #CultureShift, #CurrentEvents, #Election2026, #PoliticalReflection, #America, #MediaCriticism, #LiveYourBestLife, #PurposeOverRage, #NewsCommentary, #LasVegas, #Podcast
https://youtube.com/live/c1OtZlTskB8


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

Happy New Year! Cooking Healthy, LGBTQ Headlines, and Hope for 2026
Happy New Year! On the first show of the year, we’re starting exactly where so many of us want to be: healthier, grounded, and informed. I’ll show you how to make an easy, delicious lentil pasta dish that’s packed with protein, full of flavor, and simple enough for anyone to cook—perfect for easing into better habits without guilt or extremes.
Then Scott Jacobson joins me for This Gay Week, breaking down the LGBTQ stories that are already shaping the start of the new year—from politics to culture to what our community should be watching closely right now.
And of course, we’ll take a moment to reflect on what we hope this new year can bring: more health, more honesty, more joy, and more room to just breathe.
📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel
👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, Spreaker, and more.
📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.
Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember.
#HappyNewYear, #NewYearShow, #HealthyCooking, #LentilPasta, #PlantBasedEating, #EasyRecipes, #HealthyHabits, #LGBTQNews, #ThisGayWeek, #QueerVoices, #ProgressiveMedia, #NewsPodcast, #KarelCast, #PodcastClips, #LasVegas, #NewYearReflection, #WellnessJourney, #FoodAndTalk, #LGBTQCommunity, #EmberTheServiceDog
https://youtube.com/live/Q1JtTF6GUh4



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

Goodbye 2025: The Year That Changed Everything
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s time to pause—and take one last, honest look at a year that often felt overwhelming. The first year of Trump’s return to power reshaped politics almost daily, while breakthroughs and breakdowns across science, health, entertainment, and pop culture competed for our attention nonstop.
Some stories inspired hope. Others shocked, exhausted, or divided us. And many lived somewhere in the uncomfortable middle. This episode of The Karel Cast puts 2025 into a time capsule—connecting the dots between the moments that defined the year and asking what they mean as we step into the future.
If you felt like 2025 was a lot… you weren’t wrong. Let’s talk about the year that was.
📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel
👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, Spreaker, and more.
📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.
Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember.
#Goodbye2025, #YearInReview, #2025Recap, #Politics2025, #TrumpEra, #PopCulture2025, #ScienceNews, #EntertainmentNews, #CurrentEvents, #MediaAnalysis, #ProgressiveMedia, #NewsPodcast, #KarelCast, #LGBTQVoices, #EndOfYearReflection, #LookingAhead, #LasVegas, #PodcastClips, #CulturalMoment, #EmberTheServiceDog
https://youtube.com/live/76i0vSN39JY


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

Erik Dane on ALS, Disability Visibility, and Refusing to Give Up
Erik Dane—forever remembered by many as “McSteamy” from Grey’s Anatomy—has lived much of his career in the spotlight. From blockbuster films to hit television shows, and more recently capturing a new generation on Euphoria, his career has continued to evolve. But in April 2025, at the height of renewed success, Dane was diagnosed with ALS—a devastating disease with no cure.
Now using a wheelchair, Erik Dane is still acting, still creating, and still showing up. He recently appeared on Brilliant Minds and participated in a powerful media panel discussing the role, disability visibility, and what it means to continue working in an industry that rarely makes space for visible illness. We bring you that panel—and the conversation it sparked.
As we look ahead to the new year, Erik Dane’s story is a profound reminder of two essential truths: nothing matters more than your health, and even when your body isn’t cooperating, your dreams don’t have to end.
📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel
👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, Spreaker, and more.
📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.
Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember.
#ErikDane, #ALS, #DisabilityVisibility, #GreysAnatomy, #McSteamy, #Euphoria, #HollywoodNews, #HealthAwareness, #ChronicIllness, #DisabilityRights, #Inspiration, #NeverGiveUp, #EntertainmentNews, #KarelCast, #LGBTQVoices, #PodcastClips, #LasVegas, #CurrentEvents, #MentalHealth, #EmberTheServiceDog
https://youtube.com/live/RNxrJZohY8E


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail, SF Takes on Junk Food, and This Gay Week
It’s New Year’s resolution season—but what if making resolutions is actually setting yourself up to fail? As millions promise dramatic life changes, we take a hard look at why New Year’s resolutions often backfire, fuel shame, and create unrealistic expectations instead of real growth.
Plus, San Francisco is taking an aggressive stand against junk food, filing lawsuits aimed at companies that profit from unhealthy products. Is this smart public health policy—or government overreach into what we eat?
And Scott Jacobson joins me for This Gay Week, breaking down the latest LGBTQ news, culture, and political developments you need to know as we head into the new year.
📌 The Karel Cast is supported by viewer donations at patreon.com/reallykarel
👍 Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel
🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartMedia, Spreaker, and more.
📺 Live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PT, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.
Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer, reporting from Las Vegas with his service dog Ember.
#NewYearsResolutions, #MentalHealth, #HealthyLiving, #NewYearMindset, #SelfImprovement, #WellnessCulture, #FoodPolitics, #JunkFood, #SanFrancisco, #PublicHealth, #LGBTQNews, #ThisGayWeek, #ProgressiveMedia, #KarelCast, #NewsPodcast, #EndOfYearReflection, #LasVegas, #CurrentEvents, #LGBTQVoices, #EmberTheServiceDog
https://youtube.com/live/UlwnHzE2WL8


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

It’s Christmas — Let’s Dance! 🎄💃 | Karel Cast
No politics. No heavy headlines. No big debates.
It’s Christmas Day — a day for joy, memories, music, and movement. And today on The Karel Cast, we’re doing exactly that: dancing through decades of stories, songs, and survival.
I’ve been making music professionally since the late 1980s, and on this special Christmas episode, I’m sharing the stories behind the songs — and playing some of the music videos I’ve created over the years, including:
🎶 “Everybody Get On Up” — big hair, fake music, real dancing, and one unforgettable outfit straight from the hood.
🎶 My first “big” record with Jellybean Benitez — how we met, where it was recorded, and why we ended up in the desert… in a trailer… with 200 pieces of fried chicken.
🎶 “Don’t Stop” — my first Sylvester cover, featuring Thea Austin and Jeanie Tracy (who sang on the original), plus incredible studio stories.
🎶 “Stronger Together” — written after Michelle Obama’s “when they go low…” moment, and how Daniel, Thea, Morgan, and I came together in my TuffStudio.
🎶 “Married Men” — why that song had to be written.
🎶 “We’re Not Going Back” — an anthem that hit Top 4 in the UK.
🎶 “Do You Wanna Funk” — another Sylvester classic with a very unique backstory.
This episode is about music as memory, movement as survival, and dancing because we’re still here.
It’s Christmas.
Let’s dance. 🕺✨
The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel.
Please watch, like, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel.
The Karel Cast is heard on all major platforms from Apple Music to iHeart, Spotify to Spreaker.
Live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PST, and also streaming on TikTok and Instagram.
Karel is a history-making broadcaster, songwriter, and entertainer, currently in Las Vegas with his little service girl, Ember.
#ItsChristmasLetsDance, #ChristmasDayPodcast, #DanceMusicHistory, #KarelCast, #HolidayMusicSpecial, #ClassicDanceMusic, #SylvesterTribute, #LGBTQMusicHistory, #ChristmasVibes, #MusicStorytelling, #HouseMusicRoots, #QueerJoy, #HolidayJoy, #DanceBecause, #MusicMemories, #LasVegasCreator, #ChristmasPodcast, #EmberTheServiceDog, #UKDanceCharts, #MusicAsSurvival
https://youtube.com/live/o2KdTIQHTlU


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.

The True Meaning of Christmas (It’s Not What You Think) | Karel Cast
Every year we decorate the tree, exchange gifts, sing the songs, and gather with loved ones — but do we ever stop to ask why we do any of it? On this Christmas Eve episode of The Karel Cast, we take a deeper look at the true meaning of Christmas: where the traditions came from, what they were meant to symbolize, and how the holiday has evolved into what it is today.
We’ll also talk honestly about why Christmas can feel magical for some — and painfully lonely or depressing for others. From nostalgia and loss to hope and connection, this is a reflective, thoughtful conversation about what this night really represents in our modern world.
Whether Christmas fills you with joy, sadness, or a mix of both, this episode is for you.
The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel.
Please watch, like, comment, and subscribe at youtube.com/reallykarel.
The Karel Cast is heard on all major streaming platforms — from Apple Music to iHeartRadio, Spotify to Spreaker.
Live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM PST, and streaming on TikTok and Instagram.
Karel is a history-making broadcaster and entertainer broadcasting from Las Vegas with his little service girl, Ember.
#ChristmasEve, #TrueMeaningOfChristmas, #HolidayReflection, #ChristmasTraditions, #HolidayMentalHealth, #ChristmasSadness, #HolidayJoy, #ChristmasThoughts, #KarelCast, #HolidayDepression, #ChristmasSpirit, #HolidayEmotions, #SeasonOfHope, #ModernChristmas, #LGBTQVoices, #HolidayPodcast, #ChristmasPodcast, #EndOfYearReflection, #LasVegas, #EmberTheServiceDog
https://youtube.com/live/x8-698BCM9I


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-karel-cast--1368295/support.

The Karel Cast is supported by your donations at patreon.com/reallykarel and streams live Monday–Thursday at 10:30am PST. Available on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Apple Music, Spotify, iHeart Media, Spreaker, and all major platforms.