Free Thinking with Montel

Montel Williams

Free Thinking with Emmy-Award winning talk show host Montel Williams, is a new social commentary podcast that will tackle issues from the headlines, feature interviews with newsmakers and shine light on stories and topics Montel is passionate about. New shows will publish every Tuesday and Friday beginning September 1, 2020..

  1. What Trauma Teaches Us About Reinventio| Paulena Gidda

    Jun 16

    What Trauma Teaches Us About Reinventio| Paulena Gidda

    After nearly three decades in law enforcement, Paulena Gidda had seen more trauma than most people could imagine. A serious on-duty injury, years investigating child abuse and sexual offenses, and the cumulative weight of witnessing humanity at its worst left her battling PTSD and questioning everything she thought she knew about herself. But in her darkest moments, healing arrived from an unexpected place. What began as a personal coping mechanism—making jewelry by hand—became a lifeline. Eventually, it evolved into Bullets n Beads, a company that transforms previously fired bullet casings into handcrafted symbols of resilience, strength, and hope. In this powerful conversation, Montel and Paulena explore the hidden toll of trauma on first responders, the loss of identity that can follow injury and PTSD, and the remarkable ability of human beings to reinvent themselves after life-altering adversity. They discuss the mental health challenges facing police officers, veterans, and frontline workers, the healing power of creativity, and why transforming pain into purpose may be one of the most profound acts of resilience. This episode is a testament to the idea that our deepest wounds do not have to define us—they can become the foundation for something extraordinary. Topics include: • PTSD and cumulative trauma • Mental health in law enforcement • First responder and veteran wellness • Identity loss and reinvention • Healing through creativity • Entrepreneurship with purpose • Resilience and post-traumatic growth Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    53 min
  2. The Last Wild Places: Tom Murphy on Yellowstone

    May 26

    The Last Wild Places: Tom Murphy on Yellowstone

    #FreeThinkingWithMontel #Yellowstone #Photography     For more than four decades, legendary wildlife photographer Tom Murphy has done what few humans ever will—live inside America’s wildest places, not as a visitor, but as a witness. In this unforgettable episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel sits down with the world-renowned Yellowstone photographer, conservationist, adventurer, and storyteller to explore the profound relationship between humans and the natural world. Raised on a 7,500-acre cattle ranch and later drawn into the untamed backcountry of Yellowstone, Tom has spent decades hiking, skiing, and documenting one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on Earth. His breathtaking images have appeared in National Geographic, Audubon, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine, and beyond—but his story goes far deeper than photography. Together, Montel and Tom discuss the soul of America’s national parks, the survival of the iconic American bison, the fragile balance between conservation and human expansion, and what wilderness teaches us about solitude, resilience, and perspective. They also explore Tom’s stunning new U.S. postage stamp featuring Yellowstone bison imagery, his upcoming book The Return of the Last Wild Herd, and why preserving wild places may be one of the most important legacies we leave future generations. This isn’t just a conversation about nature. Tom Murphy website: https://www.tmurphywild.com/   It’s a conversation about America, memory, stewardship—and what happens when the wild disappears. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  3. Why Anxiety is Exploding Among Young People | Dr Alfiee

    May 12

    Why Anxiety is Exploding Among Young People | Dr Alfiee

    #MentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth #FreeThinkingWithMontel What does it really mean to help young people thrive in a world filled with anxiety, pressure, isolation, and identity-based challenges? On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel sits down with pioneering psychologist, scientist, and mental health advocate Dr. Alfiee Breland-Noble to discuss the growing youth mental health crisis—and why traditional systems often fail the very young people who need support the most. Drawing from more than 30 years of research, clinical care, and community work, Dr. Alfiee shares insights from her powerful new book Rise and Thrive, a culturally grounded mental health toolkit designed to help young people move beyond survival and into healing, resilience, and self-empowerment. Together, Montel and Dr. Alfiee explore: Why anxiety and depression are rising among young people The unique mental health challenges facing youth of color, LGBTQAI+ youth, and other marginalized communities How identity and culture shape emotional wellbeing The impact of social media and digital overload Parenting in a new era of emotional complexity Black youth suicide prevention and systemic gaps in care Practical tools for building resilience, self-worth, and hope This is a deeply human conversation about healing, visibility, and creating a future where every young person feels seen, supported, and empowered to rise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    59 min
  4. The Supreme Court’s Biggest Mistakes with C. Evan Stewart

    Apr 28

    The Supreme Court’s Biggest Mistakes with C. Evan Stewart

    #FreeThinkingWithMontel, #MontelWilliams, #Podcast We’re taught to believe the Supreme Court is the final word on justice—but history tells a more complicated story. In this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel sits down with legal expert and author C. Evan Stewart to examine some of the most consequential—and controversial—decisions ever handed down by the U.S. Supreme Court. From Dred Scott v. Sandford to Plessy v. Ferguson to Korematsu v. United States, this conversation explores how the Court has, at times, upheld injustice, reinforced inequality, and allowed fear or politics to shape the law. But this isn’t just about the past. It’s about what these decisions reveal about the present—and the future. How does a system built on justice get it so wrong? And how do we recognize those moments in real time? This episode challenges the idea of legal infallibility and reminds us that the Court, like any institution, is shaped by the people—and the pressures—behind it. Because understanding history isn’t just about looking back. It’s about making better decisions moving forward.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    55 min
  5. Success Isn’t Freedom: A Neurosurgeon’s Truth

    Apr 14

    Success Isn’t Freedom: A Neurosurgeon’s Truth

    #FreeThinkingWithMontel #MontelWilliams #CostOfSuccess What does it really cost to be successful? In this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel Williams sits down with Dr. Craig Yorke—neurosurgeon and author of Steep: A Black Neurosurgeon’s Journey—to unpack the hidden cost of excellence. From growing up in segregated Boston to becoming a leading neurosurgeon, Yorke shares the pressure of being raised to be “beyond criticism,” the reality of navigating race and identity in America, and the emotional toll of a life built on discipline and survival. This conversation explores: The psychological cost of high achievement Race, identity, and the idea of being “unrejectable” Life-and-death decisions in neurosurgery The difference between success and freedom How to reconnect with yourself after a lifetime of pressure If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectations—or questioned what success really means—this episode is for you. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations that challenge how you think. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    40 min
  6. Redefining Limits with MS: Colin Goodman & Matthew Knaggs

    Mar 10

    Redefining Limits with MS: Colin Goodman & Matthew Knaggs

    On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel sits down with endurance runners Colin Goodman and Matthew Knaggs—two men living with Multiple Sclerosis who refuse to let diagnosis define their future. After being diagnosed with MS, both Colin and Matt chose movement over fear. Their latest challenge is extraordinary: a 350-mile run across Ireland from Mizen Head to Malin Head, raising funds and awareness for MS while sparking honest conversations about resilience, identity, and what it means to live fully with chronic illness. This episode isn’t about elite athleticism—it’s about mindset. Colin and Matt speak candidly about the realities of MS: fatigue, uncertainty, mental battles, and the daily work of adapting to a body that doesn’t always cooperate. They also share how humor, friendship, and community can transform struggle into purpose. It’s a conversation about redefining limits, finding strength in vulnerability, and proving that life after diagnosis can still be bold, ambitious, and deeply meaningful. Whether you live with MS, care for someone who does, or simply need a reminder of human resilience, this episode will stay with you long after the finish line. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1 hr
  7. Healing on the Water: Veterans, PTSD, and the Power of Purpose

    Mar 4

    Healing on the Water: Veterans, PTSD, and the Power of Purpose

    For many veterans and first responders, the hardest battles don’t end when the uniform comes off. Trauma, PTSD, and moral injury can follow them home—quietly shaping relationships, identity, and everyday life. On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel sits down with Lew and Nicole Duckwall, co-founders of Patriot Anglers, to talk about what healing actually looks like after service. Lew is a military veteran who struggled with severe PTSD after leaving the military. When traditional paths didn’t bring relief, he found an unexpected lifeline in fly fishing. What started as time alone in nature became a deeply therapeutic practice—one that helped him regulate his mind, reconnect with purpose, and rebuild his life. That personal breakthrough became the foundation for Patriot Anglers, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and first responders cope with trauma through guided fly fishing experiences. Nicole brings the essential perspective of a military spouse and caregiver. She shares what it means to love someone living with PTSD, the emotional weight carried by families, and the resilience required to heal together. Their story is not just about recovery—it’s about partnership, patience, and turning pain into service for others. This conversation explores the lived reality of PTSD, the power of non-traditional healing pathways, and the importance of community in recovery. It’s an honest, grounded look at trauma, resilience, and the many ways people can find their way back to themselves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    43 min
  8. A Life Built on Choice: Roy Hughes

    Feb 25

    A Life Built on Choice: Roy Hughes

    What does it take to break a cycle you were born into? This week on Free Thinking with Montel, I sit down with Roy Hughes — author, veteran, and foster care survivor — to talk about resilience, responsibility, and redefining what family really means. Roy’s new memoir, Empty Hands: How One Foster Child Sacrificed Everything He Knew for Life, Liberty, and Happiness, is a raw and unfiltered look at growing up inside the foster system, surviving abuse, and fighting for a future he was never promised. But this isn’t just a story about hardship — it’s a story about choice. After aging out of care, Roy enlisted in the military, where discipline and service helped him rebuild his identity. Then he made a decision that would change his life forever: he adopted his younger sibling to keep his family from being torn apart. That act of love forced him to grow up overnight — and ultimately helped him heal. This conversation explores trauma, forgiveness, masculinity, mental health, and the power of stepping up when no one else will. Roy’s story is tough, honest, and deeply human — the kind of perspective that reminds us how much strength can come from the most unlikely places. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to rewrite your story… this episode is proof that it is. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    50 min
See All (149)

About

Free Thinking with Emmy-Award winning talk show host Montel Williams, is a new social commentary podcast that will tackle issues from the headlines, feature interviews with newsmakers and shine light on stories and topics Montel is passionate about. New shows will publish every Tuesday and Friday beginning September 1, 2020..

Information

  • Creator
    Montel Williams
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Free Thinking with Montel
  • Show Website
    Free Thinking with Montel

More From reVolver

You Might Also Like