Free Thinking with Montel

What happens when silence becomes a survival skill—and then follows you into adulthood?

On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel Williams sits down with author Rich Dunning for a deeply personal conversation about his new memoir, Silence Was My First Language.

Rich opens up about growing up amid abuse, poverty, addiction, fear and instability—and how those childhood experiences continued to shape his relationships, identity and life long after he escaped them.

Together, Montel and Rich explore the lasting impact of childhood trauma, the complicated nature of healing, breaking generational cycles, forgiveness, addiction and recovery, and what it means to finally find your voice after spending years learning to stay silent.

Rich also shares why he decided to tell his story now, what writing the memoir taught him about his own past, and how he hopes his experiences can help others recognize that they are not alone.

The conversation also explores Rich's commitment to helping vulnerable children through The First Language Initiative and his decision to use his work as an author to support organizations addressing child abuse, homelessness, hunger and exploitation.

Silence Was My First Language is ultimately more than a story of what Rich survived. It's a conversation about what comes next—healing, purpose, connection and the courage to speak.

Subscribe to Free Thinking with Montel for more candid conversations with authors, thought leaders, advocates and people whose experiences challenge us to think differently.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What happens when helping one veteran becomes a mission to help thousands?

On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel Williams sits down with Marcie Polier Swartz, founder of Village for Vets, and her brother, Brad Zalben, a U.S. Navy veteran whose personal journey inspired the organization.

Brad served in the Navy from 1992–1999 as a Seabee, trained in welding and construction. After his honorable discharge, he faced challenges that eventually required treatment and support. Marcie stood beside him as he navigated the VA healthcare system—sometimes literally walking into appointments holding hands because of the fear and mistrust they both felt.

What they ultimately discovered changed both of their lives.

Marcie wanted to use what she had learned to help other veterans. In 2016, the successful entrepreneur and entertainment-industry pioneer founded Village for Vets, working alongside the Greater Los Angeles VA and other partners to help vulnerable veterans move from homelessness toward stability and permanent housing.

Since its founding, Village for Vets has helped house more than 1,000 veterans, and in 2026 the organization has been operating at a pace of approximately one veteran housed every day.

Montel, Marcie and Brad discuss the realities of transitioning from military to civilian life, why some veterans are afraid to seek help, the strengths and shortcomings of the VA system, the gaps that can prevent veterans from getting housed, and why simply putting a roof over someone's head isn't the end of the journey.

Marcie also explains the importance of Village for Vets' Emergency Fund, which allows the organization to step in when traditional grants and government programs can't cover the final needs standing between a veteran and permanent housing.

This is a conversation about veteran homelessness—but it's also about family, trust, persistence and the difference one person can make by refusing to let someone fall through the cracks.

Learn more and support Village for Vets:
villageforvets.org

Subscribe to Free Thinking with Montel for more conversations about health, veterans, leadership, innovation and the issues that impact our lives.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if one of the most consequential wars in American history might have taken a different course?

On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel sits down with distinguished attorney, historian, professor, and author C. Evan Stewart to revisit the turbulent months leading up to the American Civil War—and the largely overlooked role of William Henry Seward.

Best remembered today as Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State and the man behind the purchase of Alaska, Seward was also one of the most influential political figures navigating the secession crisis of 1860–61. In his book, William Henry Seward Saves the Union During the Secession Winter, Stewart challenges conventional interpretations of this pivotal moment in American history and argues that Seward’s behind-the-scenes strategy may have done far more to preserve the Union than history has credited him for.

Montel and Stewart explore just how fragile the country was as Southern states began to secede, why Seward believed time, diplomacy, and compromise could prevent further division, and whether a different approach might have altered the path toward war.

They also tackle the harder questions: Was the Civil War truly inevitable? When does compromise represent pragmatic leadership—and when does it become morally unacceptable? How do leaders make decisions when every available option carries enormous consequences? And how much of what we believe about history is shaped by the narratives that survive?

It’s a fascinating conversation about a man often relegated to the margins of the Lincoln story, a nation on the brink, and what the choices made during moments of extraordinary political division can teach us today.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#MontelWilliams #MultipleSclerosis #LivingWithMS 

In this special solo episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel Williams gets personal about his decades-long journey with multiple sclerosis—what the disease has taken from him, what it has taught him, and how his approach to living well has evolved since his diagnosis in 1999.

Drawing from his own experiences with pain, fatigue, cognitive changes, stress, and the unpredictable nature of an invisible illness, Montel shares the lessons that have helped him build a life around wellness rather than waiting for perfect health. He explores the importance of movement, nutrition, sleep, stress management, mindset, relationships, and learning when to rest and adapt.

Montel also looks at the evolving science of MS, the importance of recognizing progression, partnering with your medical team, asking questions, tracking symptoms, and becoming your own strongest health advocate.

This is more than an episode about managing a disease. It's a candid conversation about resilience, perspective, gratitude, and refusing to let a diagnosis define the boundaries of your life. As Montel reflects, MS has taken things from him—but it has also taught him patience, empathy, gratitude, and the value of every single day.

What I've Learned Living with MSis an episode for anyone living with MS, caring for someone who is, or navigating a life that hasn't gone exactly according to plan.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#FreeThinkingWithMontel #MontelWilliams #ForgedValor

What happens when military service ends—but the mission doesn't?

In this inspiring episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel Williams talks with Colonel John Mayer, USMC (Ret.) and Mo Smith, co-founders of Forged Valor, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans, first responders, spouses, and young adults rediscover purpose through horsemanship, ranch work, craftsmanship, and leadership.

John shares his extraordinary journey from leading Marines in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom and commanding the Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment to helping fellow veterans rebuild their lives after service. Mo brings decades of experience as a rancher, horse trainer, builder, and entrepreneur, offering a perspective grounded in hard work, resilience, and the enduring value of traditional skills.

Together, they explain why healing isn't always found in a therapist's office—it can also be found in the quiet trust between horse and rider, the discipline of blacksmithing, the satisfaction of building something with your hands, and the community formed through shared purpose.

This conversation explores:

Why purpose is essential after military service

How horses teach leadership, confidence, and emotional awareness

The surprising connection between craftsmanship and mental resilience

Why Forged Valor includes spouses and young adults alongside veterans and first responders

Real stories of lives transformed through meaningful work and authentic connection

How traditional skills remain relevant in an AI-driven world

Whether you're a veteran, first responder, parent, leader, or simply someone searching for greater purpose, this conversation offers powerful lessons on resilience, service, and what it truly means to lead.

Learn more or support Forged Valor at forgedvalor.org.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#FreeThinkingWithMontel #MontelWilliams #MultipleSclerosis 

What happens when one life-changing diagnosis becomes the catalyst for helping thousands of others?

In this inspiring episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel Williams sits down with Victoria Reese Brathwaite, Founder and President of We Are ILL, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Black women living with multiple sclerosis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases.

Diagnosed with MS at just 25 years old, Victoria found herself searching for something that didn't seem to exist—a community of women who looked like her, understood her experience, and could remind her she wasn't alone. Instead of waiting for that community to appear, she created it.

As two people who have spent years navigating life with multiple sclerosis, Montel and Victoria share an honest conversation about the realities of living with an invisible illness, overcoming isolation, advocating for better healthcare, and transforming adversity into purpose. They also explore why representation matters, how community can become a powerful form of healing, and why joy remains essential—even in the face of chronic illness.

Whether you're living with a chronic condition, caring for someone who is, or simply looking for an inspiring story about resilience and leadership, this episode is a reminder that our greatest challenges can become our greatest calling.

Victoria's personal MS diagnosis and journey

The inspiration behind founding We Are ILL

The importance of representation in healthcare

Living with an invisible illness

Building community through advocacy

Finding joy, purpose, and resilience despite chronic disease

Advice for anyone newly diagnosed with MS or another autoimmune condition

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#FreeThinkingWithMontel #MontelWilliams #Podcast 

What if climate change, rising inequality, declining public health, political polarization, food insecurity, and our growing loss of trust aren't separate crises—but symptoms of the same underlying problem?

On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel talks with investigative journalist, entrepreneur, and author Fons Burger to explore the powerful ideas behind his new book, The Only Possible Solution: How to Shape the Future for our Next Generations. Together, they examine why traditional approaches often fail to create lasting change and why solving complex challenges requires a systems-based way of thinking.

From healthcare and technology to economics, democracy, and the search for meaning in modern life, this conversation challenges conventional wisdom and offers a hopeful vision for building a more resilient future. Rather than focusing on isolated problems, Burger argues that the solutions we need may already exist—we simply need to connect them.

If you've ever wondered why progress can feel so elusive, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it will take to create meaningful change for the next generation.

In this episode:

Why today's biggest crises are deeply interconnected

The hidden costs of short-term thinking

How technology, economics, and governance influence one another

Rebuilding trust in institutions and communities

Why hope depends on changing how we think—not just what we do

Practical ideas for creating a healthier, more sustainable future

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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:

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

#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.

#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.