Dan Carlin
Born 1965 · Age 60
American podcaster, political commentator and former radio/TV reporter. Host of Hardcore History, Hardcore History: Addendum, and Common Sense. Author of The End Is Always Near (2019).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Los Angeles County, California
Daniel L. Carlin born to Lynn Carlin (actress) and Ed Carlin (film producer).
Completed B.A. in History, University of Colorado Boulder (approx.)
Carlin obtained a B.A. degree in history from University of Colorado Boulder (year not stated; estimated mid-to-late 1980s).
Broke into Los Angeles television news
Began working in the television news business in Los Angeles in the late 1980s.
Moved to Eugene, Oregon to work for KVAL-TV
Came to Eugene for a television reporter job and later served as a reporter for KVAL-TV.
Covered the 1992 Los Angeles riots
Worked as a TV news reporter covering the LA riots (April–May 1992).
Hosted local radio programs (1994–2004 era)
Carlin hosted several radio programs between roughly 1994 and 2004 that presaged his podcast Common Sense.
Early internet-radio idea meeting (1995)
Met an early technologist who suggested putting his radio show on the internet; early seed of his later podcasting work.
Launched Hardcore History (first episode)
Hardcore History launched in 2005 with a short (reported 16-minute) debut episode comparing Alexander the Great to Hitler.
Launched Common Sense podcast
Common Sense began in 2005—politics/current-events podcast continuing the style of his earlier radio shows.
First hour-plus Hardcore History episode and audience response
By 2008 Carlin released hour-plus Hardcore History episodes; he apologized in-show for length; listeners responded they could 'pause' — an early sign audience accepted long-form episodes.
Hardcore History nominated for Stitcher Award
Hardcore History was nominated in 2012 for a Stitcher Award in Best Educational & Learning Podcast.
Common Sense nominated for Podcast Awards (Politics/News)
Common Sense nominated in the Podcast Awards Politics/News category (2012).
Common Sense nominated for Podcast Awards (Politics/News)
Common Sense received a second nomination in the Podcast Awards Politics/News category (2013).
Guest on Sam Harris 'Waking Up' / 'Making Sense' (archive 2015)
Crosscast appearance on Sam Harris' Waking Up (now Making Sense); archive references show activity in 2015 as well.
Slate ranks 'Ghosts of the Ostfront' #5 best podcast episode
Slate placed Dan Carlin's 2009 'Ghosts of the Ostfront' (Hardcore History) at #5 in 'The 25 Best Podcast Episodes Ever' (2014 list).
iTunes Best Classic Podcast — Hardcore History
Hardcore History received iTunes 'Best Classic Podcast' in iTunes' Best of 2014 awards.
Built and improved home recording studio in Eugene
Carlin records Hardcore History in his home studio in Eugene, Oregon; has improved it over the years (reported in 2014 interview).
Blueprint for Armageddon V in production / 5th installment due
Eugene Weekly interview in Dec 2014 referenced the 5th installment of the World War I 'Blueprint for Armageddon' series due out before end of Dec 2014.
Hardcore History cumulative downloads ~70 million (reported)
Eugene Weekly reported Hardcore History had been downloaded almost 70 million times (as of 2014 interview).
Reported 'Hardcore History' achieves cult following of dedicated listeners
Reports and interviews (Eugene Weekly, Last.fm) characterize Hardcore History as having a devoted, cult-like fanbase; long-format success established by 2014.
Guest on 'CBS This Morning' World War I centenary coverage (June 28, 2014)
Appeared to discuss World War I's centenary and historical context on CBS This Morning (archival listing: June 28, 2014).
Featured panelist on CBS This Morning (World War I centenary coverage)
Served as a panelist on CBS This Morning discussing WWI centenary (June 28, 2014 broadcast reference; active in media commentary in 2015).
Hardcore History wins Podcast Awards — Best Educational Podcast (2015)
Carlin received Best Educational Podcast of 2015 from the Podcast Awards for Hardcore History.
Spoke at TEDx Mt. Hood
Delivered a TEDxMtHood talk ('The New Media's Coming of Age' / New Golden Age of Oral Historical Storytelling) on May 2, 2015.
350,000 Hardcore History downloads in 24 hours
Hardcore History received over 350,000 downloads in a single 24-hour period (May 6, 2015).
Talks at Google: 'The New Golden Age of Oral Historical Storytelling'
Appeared for Talks at Google (recorded/published June 2015) speaking about oral historical storytelling and podcasting.
Guest appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience (multiple)
Made multiple guest appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience (archive references include episodes in 2013 and 2016).
Common Sense downloads ~700,000 per episode (reported)
By 2016 Common Sense generated approximately 700,000 downloads per episode (reported figure).
Harvard event: 'A Hardcore Conversation' (Sound Education 2018 mention)
Carlin participated in a Harvard 'Hardcore Conversation' event tied to Sound Education (event citation on Dan's site referencing 2018/2017 campus events).
Spoke at Stanford (Media Innovators series)
Presented as part of the 2017-2018 Media Innovators Speakers series at Stanford University (recorded Oct 11, 2017).
IHeartRadio Podcast Awards — Best History Podcast (2018)
Hardcore History received Best History Podcast of 2018 from the iHeartRadio Podcast Awards.
Common Sense hiatus begins
Common Sense entered an almost two-year hiatus beginning in May 2018.
Hardcore History: Addendum launched / active (archive 2018)
Launched/ran the ancillary Hardcore History: Addendum feed featuring interviews and shorter content (libsyn archives by 2018).
Voice cameo as podcast host in The Twilight Zone episode
Carlin's voice was featured as a podcast host in a 2019 episode of The Twilight Zone titled 'Nightmare at 30,000 Feet.'
War Remains shown at National WWI Museum & Memorial
The War Remains exhibit was placed on display at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City (displayed by 2021; created in 2019).
Contributed a chapter/advice to Tim Ferriss' 'Tools of Titans' (claimed)
Wikimedia notes Carlin has a chapter giving advice in Tim Ferriss' Tools of Titans (citation flagged on Wikipedia; unsourced in article).
Developed 'War Remains' virtual reality experience
Developed a VR 'Immersive Memory' trench-warfare experience with MWM Immersive and Skywalker Sound focused on the Western Front (2019 development).
War Remains premiered at Tribeca Film Festival
The War Remains immersive VR experience premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and later toured venues.
Published debut book 'The End Is Always Near'
HarperCollins released Carlin's debut book, The End Is Always Near: Apocalyptic Moments, on October 29, 2019.
Delivered CU Boulder virtual commencement address
Carlin was CU Boulder commencement speaker for the 2020 virtual ceremony (recorded remotely).
Common Sense returns from hiatus (Episode 319)
Common Sense returned from an almost two-year hiatus on April 1, 2020 with episode 319: 'A Recipe for Caesar.'
Real Time with Bill Maher appearance (panelist) — promotion of book
Appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher as part of a panel promoting The End Is Always Near (Wikipedia lists Oct 25, 2019; some sources reference a June 2021 airing).
War Remains listed/displayed at the National WWI Museum (archival listing)
Museum archival entry and listing for War Remains confirmed online; exhibit continues to be shown in venues (archive snapshot 2022/2021).
US live-show tour for fans (early 2024)
Carlin executed a live-show tour across the United States in early 2024, performing for fans of Hardcore History.
Hardcore History continues to achieve multi-million downloads per episode
As of mid-2020s, Hardcore History episodes continue to register millions of downloads per episode (sustained audience).
Guest interviews with high-profile figures on Addendum (Elon Musk, Tom Hanks, Malcolm Gladwell, Max Brooks)
Hardcore History: Addendum has featured interviews with high-profile guests, including Elon Musk, Tom Hanks, Malcolm Gladwell and Max Brooks (various episodes).
Variety profile & 'Know Their Lines' feature
Variety profiled Dan Carlin (July 2, 2024 piece) and filmed him for 'Know Their Lines', reflecting his 20-year Hardcore History run.
Released 'Mania for Subjugation' — Alexander the Great series episode
Carlin released the first episode of the new multi-part Alexander the Great series ('Mania for Subjugation') on June 7, 2024.
Listed speaking fee range on All American Speakers Bureau profile
All American Speakers lists Dan Carlin's live event fee range at $50,000–$100,000 (profile listing).
Key Achievement Ages
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