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. Why Anxiety is Exploding Among Young People | Dr Alfiee

    3D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Say It Now: The Life-Changing Power of Gratitude: Walter Green

    FEB 11

    Say It Now: The Life-Changing Power of Gratitude: Walter Green

    This week on Free Thinking with Montel, Montel sits down with Walter Green — visionary leader, bestselling author, and founder of the global Say It Now movement — to explore one of the simplest yet most powerful forces in human life: gratitude. Walter has built the world’s largest living-tribute initiative around a single idea: don’t wait to say thank you. Through National Say It Now Day (December 17th), his bestselling book This Is The Moment!, a viral documentary with over half a million views in weeks, and his upcoming fable The Gratitude Express, Walter is inspiring people across classrooms, workplaces, and families to express appreciation while there’s still time. In this heartfelt conversation, Montel and Walter unpack: • Why living tributes matter more than posthumous praise • How expressed gratitude reduces anxiety, regret, and emotional isolation • The ripple effect gratitude creates in schools and communities • Stories from the Say It Now movement that have transformed lives • Practical ways listeners can overcome awkwardness and say thank you today • The connection between gratitude, legacy, and emotional well-being This episode is more than a conversation — it’s a call to action. An invitation to reconnect, to honor the people who shaped you, and to strengthen the relationships that define your life. If you’ve ever thought about someone who changed your path… this episode is your reminder: say it now. 🎙 Join Montel for a moving discussion about appreciation, courage, and the power of speaking gratitude out loud — while we still can. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    39 min
  8. Jamaica After the Storm: Cheryl McCourtie

    JAN 28

    Jamaica After the Storm: Cheryl McCourtie

    In this powerful and deeply human episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel Williams sits down with writer, cultural advocate, and founder of the Baldhead Empress platform, Cheryl McCourtie, to unpack the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and what recovery really looks like for Jamaica. On October 28, 2025, the strongest hurricane in Jamaica’s recorded history tore through the island—claiming lives, displacing more than 12,000 people, crippling agriculture, and wiping out an estimated 41% of the nation’s GDP. But beyond the headlines and statistics lies a deeper story: one of community resilience, cultural strength, and the urgent need for healing—both physical and psychological. Cheryl brings a personal and unfiltered perspective as she reflects on watching her homeland endure unimaginable loss while confronting cascading crises in public health, food security, tourism, and mental well-being. Drawing from her work as the Baldhead Empress, she shares how affirmation, storytelling, and community connection become lifelines in moments of collective trauma. Together, Montel and Cheryl explore: The real human cost behind disaster numbers How culture, art, and storytelling help communities heal The critical role of the Jamaican diaspora and global allies Why mental health must be central to disaster recovery What Jamaica’s future can look like with sustained support and solidarity This is not just a conversation about a hurricane—it’s a conversation about dignity, leadership, resilience, and how we show up for one another when it matters most. 🎧 Listen in, share widely, and join us in supporting Jamaica’s path forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    33 min
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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
    147
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Free Thinking with Montel
  • Show Website
    Free Thinking with Montel

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