Let's be Blunt with Montel

Montel Williams

Awarded #1 Cannabis Podcast to Listen to in 2024 Welcome to "Let's Be Blunt with Montel," the space where cannabis meets conversation, science, and stories. Hosted by the legendary Montel Williams – a trailblazer in cannabis advocacy since long before it became mainstream – this podcast dives deep into the world of cannabis normalization and its therapeutic potential. Montel, whose voice has been pivotal in pushing past the stigma, brings to the table a stimulating mix of episodes exploring the scientific aspects of cannabis, its various business facets, inspiring patient narratives, and the passionate work of advocates. Whether you're a seasoned cannabis enthusiast or merely canna-curious, "Let's Be Blunt with Montel" is your weekly dose of educational discussions, groundbreaking insights, and heartfelt stories, all shedding light on the multifaceted cannabis industry. ✨ New shows drop every Thursday Night https://www.youtube.com/letsbebluntwithmontel

  1. The Science of Cannabis: Genetics, Soil & the Future of Cultivation with Dr. Brad Fausett

    1d ago

    The Science of Cannabis: Genetics, Soil & the Future of Cultivation with Dr. Brad Fausett

    #MontelWilliams #PlantScience #CultivationScience What separates great cannabis from great marketing? This week on Let's Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with agricultural scientist, cultivation expert, and cannabis executive Dr. Brad Fausett for a fascinating conversation about the science behind the plant. With more than 25 years of cultivation experience spanning Amsterdam's underground grow scene to today's large-scale commercial operations, Brad has spent years studying what makes certain cultivars succeed while others fail. He shares insights from his long-running genetic evaluation programs, explains why many popular strains struggle when scaled commercially, and reveals what truly determines quality, consistency, and patient safety. Montel and Brad also explore groundbreaking research showing how industrial hemp can help remove toxic contaminants from polluted Superfund sites, raising important questions about soil health, environmental stewardship, and what consumers should know about the products they use. From genetics and cultivation technology to phytoremediation, regulatory policy, and preserving America's historic hemp varieties, this episode offers a rare look at the science shaping the future of cannabis. Whether you're a patient, cultivator, policymaker, or simply curious about the plant, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    39 min
  2. From Stigma to Success: Laganja Estranja's Cannabis Journey

    Jun 11

    From Stigma to Success: Laganja Estranja's Cannabis Journey

    #LetsBeBlunt #MontelWilliams #LaganjaEstranja    When Laganja Estranja first appeared on Let's Be Blunt with Montel, she was already a cultural force. But this return visit reveals a new chapter—one defined by authenticity, entrepreneurship, and ownership. In this candid conversation, Montel and Laganja explore her journey from RuPaul's Drag Race fan favorite to global performer, advocate, and business owner. They discuss identity, visibility, creativity, and the power of building something that reflects your values. Laganja shares the decade-long journey behind launching her own signature flower line in partnership with Illinois social equity operators, why representation in business matters, and how queer culture and plant culture have historically been intertwined through community, resilience, and self-expression. The conversation also dives into creativity, performance, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, and what it means to evolve in public while staying true to yourself. This episode is a powerful reminder that authenticity isn't just personal—it's revolutionary. Topics include: • Identity and self-discovery • Entrepreneurship and ownership • LGBTQ+ visibility and representation • Social equity and inclusion • Creativity and performance • Wellness and self-expression • Building community through culture Join Montel and Laganja for one of the most honest and inspiring conversations of the season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1 hr
  3. The Whole F’n Truth: Rob Van Dam on Pain, Recovery & Reinvention

    Jun 4

    The Whole F’n Truth: Rob Van Dam on Pain, Recovery & Reinvention

    #LetsBeBluntWithMontel #RobVanDam #montelwilliams  For decades, Rob Van Dam thrilled audiences around the world with a revolutionary in-ring style that changed professional wrestling forever. From his legendary run in ECW to becoming WWE Champion and one of the most recognizable athletes in sports entertainment, RVD built a career by pushing his body beyond limits most people can barely imagine.   But what happens when the lights go down and the physical toll remains? In this episode of Let's Be Blunt with Montel, Rob joins Montel Williams for an honest conversation about chronic pain, recovery, athlete wellness, and the importance of having a voice in your own healthcare decisions. Together they explore the realities of life inside professional wrestling, the culture of playing through pain, and how attitudes toward recovery have evolved over the years. Rob also discusses his journey as an entrepreneur, the launch of his new wellness brands, and why authenticity matters when building products designed to support recovery and everyday well-being. From unforgettable wrestling stories to meaningful insights on longevity, resilience, and personal responsibility, this is a conversation that goes far beyond the ring. Whether you're a wrestling fan, an athlete, or simply someone navigating your own wellness journey, this episode delivers inspiration, perspective, and plenty of surprises along the way. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 4m
  4. This Firefighter Says Plant Medicine Saved His Life: Paul Walton

    May 28

    This Firefighter Says Plant Medicine Saved His Life: Paul Walton

    When we talk about first responders, we celebrate their bravery—but rarely discuss the invisible toll the job takes. #LetsBeBluntWithMontel #MontelWilliams #FirstResponders  Firefighters and emergency personnel are routinely exposed to trauma, chronic stress, sleep disruption, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Too often, the culture around first response demands toughness over healing—and silence over support. In this powerful episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with Paul Walton, an 18-year firefighter, Deputy Fire Marshal, peer support advocate, and founder of Firefighters for Plant Medicine, to discuss his deeply personal journey through trauma, recovery, and advocacy. After a work-related injury forced Paul to confront both physical pain and long-standing mental health challenges, he discovered an alternative wellness path that he says changed—and ultimately saved—his life. That experience sparked a mission far bigger than himself. Paul helped lead a groundbreaking policy change in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, allowing firefighters access to plant-based wellness options during off-duty hours—an unprecedented shift in first responder culture. Together, Montel and Paul explore: 🔥 PTSD, trauma, and burnout in first responder culture 🔥 Why alcohol has long been the default coping mechanism 🔥 Alternative wellness approaches for stress, sleep, and emotional recovery 🔥 How peer advocacy is changing the conversation from the inside 🔥 The emerging conversation around psychedelic-assisted trauma care 🔥 Why healthier first responders create healthier communities This is a conversation about healing, courage, and challenging outdated systems—because the people who run toward danger deserve real options for recovery. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    38 min
  5. Cannabis Has A Consistency Problem - Here’s The Fix | Daniel Cook

    May 21

    Cannabis Has A Consistency Problem - Here’s The Fix | Daniel Cook

    #Terpenes #CannabisScience #LetsBeBluntWithMontel #MontelWilliams  What if the cannabis experience you think you’re buying… isn’t actually what ends up in the product? As the cannabis industry matures, one of its biggest challenges isn’t potency—it’s consistency. On this episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with Daniel Cook, CEO of True Terpenes, for a fascinating conversation about the science behind aroma, flavor, and why so much of what makes cannabis unique can be lost during processing. Daniel’s path to cannabis is anything but ordinary—from Harvard Business School to the wineries of Chile, where he developed a deep appreciation for aroma science, sensory experience, and product consistency. Now, as CEO of True Terpenes, he’s helping shape the future of cannabis product innovation. The conversation dives into Headstash, True Terpenes’ newly launched platform designed to restore the aroma and flavor compounds often stripped away during manufacturing—giving brands the ability to deliver a more reliable, full-spectrum sensory experience at scale. Montel and Daniel unpack: Why cannabis products often fail to deliver consistent experiences What terpenes really do—and what the public gets wrong The parallels between cannabis, wine, and consumer packaged goods How brands are using sensory science to build trust and loyalty The evolution of True Terpenes over the past 10 years Where cannabis product innovation is headed next If cannabis is going to be taken seriously as a mature industry, quality, predictability, and consumer trust have to lead the way. This episode explores the science making that possible. Subscribe to Let’s Be Blunt with Montel for smart conversations at the intersection of cannabis, wellness, science, and culture. 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. Cannabis Legalization Failed These Patients | Ted Smith on the Fight for Medical Access

    May 17

    Cannabis Legalization Failed These Patients | Ted Smith on the Fight for Medical Access

    #LetsBeBluntWithMontel #MontelWilliams #Medical AccessFor decades, cannabis advocates fought for legalization under the promise that patients would finally be protected. So why is one of Canada’s oldest medical cannabis compassion clubs now fighting for survival? On this powerful episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with legendary cannabis activist Ted Smith, founder of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, to unpack a legal and political battle that could redefine medical cannabis access across North America. After serving more than 9,000 patients over 30 years, the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club is facing aggressive enforcement from the Province of British Columbia—including raids, $3.2 million in fines, civil forfeiture proceedings targeting the club’s landlord, and ongoing efforts to shut its doors for operating outside Canada’s legal cannabis framework. But Ted argues the issue is bigger than compliance. He says Canada’s legal system fails medical patients—limiting access through arbitrary THC caps, restricting product availability, and forcing vulnerable people to choose between inadequate legal options and going without care. Montel and Ted dive into the uncomfortable questions: Has legalization actually failed medical cannabis patients? Why are compassion clubs still being treated like criminals? Who gets hurt when safe cannabis access disappears? How does this intersect with chronic pain, cancer care, and opioid harm reduction? Is this patient protection—or government overreach? This is a conversation about policy, compassion, patient rights, and the unfinished fight for access. Because legalization was supposed to solve this. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    47 min
  7. Is Washington About to Criminalize Cannabis Seeds? | Laura Campanella

    May 15

    Is Washington About to Criminalize Cannabis Seeds? | Laura Campanella

    #LetsBeBluntWithMontel What happens when lawmakers trying to regulate intoxicating THC products accidentally target the very foundation of American agricultural innovation? On this episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with Laura Campanella, CEO and co-owner of Brothers Grimm Seeds, to unpack a little-known but potentially industry-shifting issue buried in proposed federal legislation: Section 781. As the leader of one of the most respected names in cannabis genetics, Laura brings a uniquely informed perspective at the intersection of cultivation, innovation, policy, and business. At the center of this debate is a surprisingly simple—but critically important—question: Should cannabis seeds be treated like controlled substances? Seeds contain no intoxicating value, yet proposed language could unintentionally criminalize the breeding, research, and development of hemp and cannabis genetics in the United States—putting farmers, breeders, scientists, universities, and small businesses at risk while potentially handing a multi-billion-dollar agricultural innovation market to foreign competitors. Montel and Laura break down the science, the policy confusion, and the very real consequences of regulating a plant’s genetic blueprint instead of the finished products intended for consumption. This conversation goes far beyond cannabis. It’s about American innovation, agricultural sovereignty, intellectual property, smart regulation, and whether policymakers truly understand the difference between potential and product. In this episode: 🌱 Why cannabis seeds contain zero intoxicating value 🧬 Why genetics are the backbone of agricultural innovation 🏛️ What Section 781 could mean for U.S. breeders, farmers, and researchers 🌍 How unintended policy could push American cannabis IP and businesses overseas ⚖️ Practical policy solutions that protect public safety without harming agriculture 🇺🇸 Why this is a bipartisan farming and economic issue—not just a cannabis issue As Montel asks the hard questions, Laura makes the case for a simple but urgent policy principle: Regulate the product. Protect the seed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    26 min
  8. The Untold Story Behind Legal Cannabis in America | Kip Andersen

    May 7

    The Untold Story Behind Legal Cannabis in America | Kip Andersen

    #MedicalCannabis #CannabisHistory #JoinTheClub   In this powerful episode of Let’s Be Blunt with Montel, Montel sits down with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Kip Andersen to discuss his groundbreaking new film Join the Club — the untold story of activist Dennis Peron, the AIDS crisis, and the fight that changed cannabis laws in America forever. Long before dispensaries became mainstream, Peron and a community of activists in San Francisco risked arrest, raids, and prison to help suffering patients gain access to medical cannabis during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Their work ultimately helped lead to California’s historic Proposition 215, the first medical cannabis law in the United States. Montel and Kip explore: The origins of the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers’ Club The overlooked LGBTQ+ roots of the cannabis movement How compassion became civil disobedience Government crackdowns and the fight for patient rights The media narratives surrounding cannabis then vs. now Why this history still matters today Kip Andersen—director of Cowspiracy, What the Health, Seaspiracy, and Christspiracy—shares why he felt compelled to tell this story and what modern audiences can learn from the activists who helped spark a global movement. This is more than a cannabis story. It’s a story about humanity, courage, healthcare, and the people who changed history from the ground up. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    42 min
4.9
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

Awarded #1 Cannabis Podcast to Listen to in 2024 Welcome to "Let's Be Blunt with Montel," the space where cannabis meets conversation, science, and stories. Hosted by the legendary Montel Williams – a trailblazer in cannabis advocacy since long before it became mainstream – this podcast dives deep into the world of cannabis normalization and its therapeutic potential. Montel, whose voice has been pivotal in pushing past the stigma, brings to the table a stimulating mix of episodes exploring the scientific aspects of cannabis, its various business facets, inspiring patient narratives, and the passionate work of advocates. Whether you're a seasoned cannabis enthusiast or merely canna-curious, "Let's Be Blunt with Montel" is your weekly dose of educational discussions, groundbreaking insights, and heartfelt stories, all shedding light on the multifaceted cannabis industry. ✨ New shows drop every Thursday Night https://www.youtube.com/letsbebluntwithmontel

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