Dreaming Out Loud with Karamo
Season two of the hit syndicated chat show “Karamo” debuted on September 18th, 2023. If you aren’t familiar with or have had the opportunity to watch the show, let me give you a brief overview of why it is one of the most rapidly growing syndicated series on television. This isn’t your typical daytime television show where we hear about people’s various troubles. Karamo takes deliberate steps to ensure that healing and resolution are achieved wherever possible. “For years, you’ve seen them display their real emotions on TV, but there was never any resolution,” Brown explained on what makes his show unique. The show covers a wide range of themes that many of us can relate to personally or via the experiences of individuals we care about.
Karamo spoke with me about the show, why he wanted to take a different approach to daytime, and his experience getting it greenlit in honor of its second season.
“There’s an authenticity where people know who I am.” And they are my community,” Brown added.
Karamo understands what it takes for someone to attain peace or understanding inside themselves or with people around them because he himself came from a point of disadvantage and misunderstanding. That is why he is determined to go deeper with each and every person who sits in front of him. Karamo went on to say, “Some people have the privilege of not having to dig deeper to find resolve.” And, as a man of color and member of the LGBTQ community, he understands the need and necessity of diving deeper when it comes to comprehending and healing from past and present traumas. Anyone sitting next to him is considered family to him. He addresses them and treats them as if they were close family or long-term friends.
“The first step was claiming it and speaking my dream into the open,” he said.
It was part of Karamo’s plan for the show to manifest out loud, exactly like how he lives his life. “Moving in silence is not for everyone.” “You won’t find the assistance you require to get the push or guidance you require,” Brown added. Before deciding to perform a show, he made a promise to himself that whatever he did in the future, he would be vocal about it and inform everyone he knew. He stated that discussing it with others assisted him in locating those who could point him in the proper way. Karamo went on to say that by communicating exactly what he desired, he was able to identify others who were “aligned” with his purpose and aspirations.
Karamo encourages everyone with a dream to be brave, not only in their pursuit but also in their public declaration of it. When it came to the show’s dream, he explained, “I had to make sure my voice was clear and concise.”
“I feel like I know what I’m doing this time around,” Brown said.
He stated that he is more conformable and confident in his abilities on the show this season. According to Karamo, “I know my audience, and my audience knows me.” This helps him to travel deeper and into more emotional, spiritual, and mental areas with them in season two. And it’s all for the goal of healing and giving others the strength that comes with healing through vulnerability and transparency.
“It’s mind-blowing because next year will be my 20th anniversary since I made my debut on television,” he said.
As our talk came to an end, Karamo told me about his next historic year in 2024. “When I think about my entertainment journey back then, there was no clear path,” Brown said. He only knew he wanted to utilize his voice and experiences to help people understand themselves better. And having a show where he can have conversations with people about the intersections of identities is in line with that goal. This moment was characterized by Karamo as “a wide range of emotions.” He went on to say, “It’s an honor to be the first openly gay black man to have a daytime talk show.”
“I hope to leave people better than how I found them,” Brown said when asked what he hoped would be his legacy in entertainment.
Visit KaramoShow.com for more information.