Free Thinking with Montel

On this episode of Let's Be Blunt, Montel sits down with Nathaniel Janowitz. As a journalist for VICE magazine, Nathaniel shares his first-hand experience with "Brick Weed" from Paraguay. Referred to as the "world's worst weed", this chemical-ridden canna can leave you feeling nauseous. Despite this, this canna is sold all around South America at cheap prices. Montel and Nathaniel discuss the current situation in Paraguay and what the future of the canna market could look like if nothing changes. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel talks with Karen Duffy, formerly known as The Duff from her years as an iconic MTV VJ. She is a producer, actress, model and best-selling author. In her new book, WISE UP: Irreverent Enlightenment from a Mother Who’s Been Through It, she shares funny and enlightening lessons on life and parenthood. Karen also shares with Montel her strategies for staying positive while living with chronic pain, and how she has not let her illness stand in the way of leading a full and productive life. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Experiencing a traumatic event can have a tremendous impact on a person's life. The symptoms of PTSD can make a person feel constantly afraid and isolated. In addition, depression is common following a traumatic event and among people with PTSD, which often leads to substance abuse and in some cases suicide. According to the NIH, Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the US. It is important to realize that even though it may feel as though there is no hope, recovery and healing is possible. Montel talks with Dr Ted Bender on this episode of Free Thinking about, PTSD, its connections to addiction and suicide, and hope for healing. Dr Bender earned his doctorate in psychology at Florida State University, went on to complete his residency at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University and earned his MBA degree from Texas A&M. He has served in the addiction field as a clinician and in leadership roles since 2011. He places emphasis on improving access to behavioral health services, community outreach and integrating resources in order to provide the best outcome for each and every individual. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Montel talks with Dr Colleen Dell on this episode of Free Thinking about her research into the positive impact that dog-human interaction can have on our well-being. Dr Dell was appointed to the Centennial Enhancement Chair in One Health and Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan, with a focus on addiction and mental health. She is a Professor in the Department of Sociology, with an Associate appointment in the School of Public Health. She is also a Senior Research Associate with the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Carleton University and a past Research Associate with the Indigenous Peoples’ Health Research Centre. She is a 2013 graduate of the Canine Behaviour Psychology Academy, Extreme K-9 Professional Dog Training school, in Illinois, USA and completed a certificate course in animal assisted therapy and activities at Harcum College in 2014. In 2020 she completed the Nonhuman Nature Research Methods course at the Kerulos Centre for Nonviolence. She has thousands of hours of practice providing community-based animal assisted intervention. She is here today to discuss studies on how animals impact our lives in so many positive ways. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel talks with identical twin sisters, Tamara Kahn and Terry Hord, who were both diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis after years of symptoms. They are sharing their story through their MS Blog, “Twins Coast to Coast” in hope of helping others who are coping with chronic illness. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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When you become a mother, there’s something so natural, so innate, so instinctual about protecting your child. All those phrases—mama bear, dragon mother—hold some truth. Mothers have an animal-like instinct to protect their children. But what happens when they can’t protect them from the grips of a disease, disability, or disorder? What then? Montel talks with Nikki McIntosh on this episode of Free Thinking. Nikki is a writer, speaker and advocate, and a rare disease mama. Her son Miles was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare, neuromuscular disease at the age of eighteen months old. She is the founder and creator of Rare Mamas, a resource and community to support rare disease mothers, and the host of the Rare Mamas Rising podcast, a platform for rare moms to share their stories and learn from one another. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel catches up with his friend Matt Paxton. Matt is one of the top cleaning, downsizing, decluttering, and hoarding experts in the country. He is the host of the Emmy-nominated PBS show Legacy List, now in its third season, and was a featured cleaning expert on A&E’s Hoarders for 12 years. He has identified the psychological roadblocks that most organizational experts routinely miss that prevent so many of us from lightening our material load. He is here today to talk about his new book, Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff: Declutter, Downsize and Move Forward with Your Life. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel chats with wellness explorer Naomi Whittel. Naomi shares her insight on the latest in supplement innovations and ways to improve your health. She is a certified nutritional consultant, an entrepreneur and a New York Times best-selling author. She is a leader and innovator in the health and wellness industry with two decades of experience in developing and managing sustainable wellness companies. Named by Prevention Magazine as the nations leading health innovator in the natural products industry, she is a global advocate of clean and safe nutrition. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel talks with his friend Joe Van Fonda about his military service, his combat injuries, and why he choose to continue working with veterans once he entered civilian life. Joe served in the United States Marine Corps for more than 27 years. He retired out of Quantico, VA. in 2014 as the Regimental Sergeant’s Major for the Wounded Warrior Regiment, where he oversaw the coordination of non-medical care to combat and non-combat wounded, ill, and injured Marines. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy, and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and many more. He is now the Executive Director of the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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Montel talks with Julie Squires on this episode of Free Thinking and shares the devastating loss of he and his wife’s dog, Mr. Max. Julie is a Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist through the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology, a Health and Wellness Coach, Corporate Wellness Specialist, and a Certified Life Coach. She is a graduate of the State University of New York, Oswego, and has over twenty-five years of experience within leading organizations including Nestle Purina, Bayer Animal Health and IDEXX Laboratories. She is the founder of Rekindle, LLC and the host of the weekly “Rekindling” podcast. She develops and executes training, conducts workshops, and offers one-on-one coaching with professionals in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, biotech, and biomedical research, animal law enforcement, zoo and aquarium, wildlife rehabilitation, animal rights, and animal conservation. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

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