Free Thinking with Montel

Montel speaks with Dr Lalith Wijedoru on this episode of Free Thinking. Dr Wijedoru enjoyed a varied career in healthcare as a pediatrician specializing in emergency medicine for nearly twenty years, before ultimately hanging up his stethoscope to pursue a new career as an independent wellbeing consultant. He is the founder of Behind Your Mask, which focuses on emotional wellbeing in the workplace utilizing the power of storytelling. 

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Montel chats with Brooke Bentley on this episode of Free Thinking about the challenges women face as journalists covering professional sports. Brooke is a former television anchor and award-winning sports reporter. After graduating with a master's in journalism from the University of Southern California, she spent two years working for the Houston Texans as a media personality and over a decade working in sports journalism. Her debut novel Sideline Confidential was released in August of 2023. Through Sideline Confidential,she gives us a glimpse into the challenges women professionals face in the male-dominated world of pro sports.

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Montel speaks with Dr. Jenny Woo on tis episode of Free Thinking. Dr Woo is the Founder and CEO of Mind Brain Emotion and teaches Emotional Intelligence at the University of California, Irvine. She is the creator of award-winning card games and mental health tools to help children and adults build the essential skills to be compassionate and purposeful humans. Her bestselling games, 52 Essential Relationship Skills and 52 Essential Coping Skills for families, schools, and workplaces, have been featured by Harvard University, Business Insider, and Forbes, and are used in 50+ countries. She is passionate about helping people realize their potential from the classroom to the boardroom. She has worked as a School Director, Cognitive Science Researcher, Fitness Trainer, MBA Career Coach, Management Consultant, and HR professional in Talent & Leadership Development.

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On this episode of Free Thinking Montel talks with Murray Hidary who shares his tips for managing stress and the importance of utilizing music in meditation and other stress-reducing activities. Murray is an innovative creator whose impressive career has seen him compose chart-topping hits in the music industry, as well as launch early-stage venture capital firms that have funded an array of projects worldwide. He innovates in the world of augmented reality and virtual reality technologies, exploring the possibilities of mind travel. His works have been featured at various international events and multimedia festivals.

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel talks with writer, director and actor Sam Medina about his new film, 22: The Unforgotten Soldier. The film tells the story of two Marines from different generations, after coming home from war, who bond over time to try and survive the statistic of 22 suicides per day. You have probably seen Sam in a blockbuster film or two such as Venom, Alita Battle Angel or Mile 22. He has worked with legendary directors over the years such as Oliver Stone, Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron to name just a few. Born in Ho Chi Minh City from a Vietnamese mother and a Honduran-Polynesian Father. Sam wrote and directed this film in honor of all who have served.

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel talks with the author of War’s Over, Come Home, Patrick Smithwick. War’s Over, Come Home chronicles his families two-year quest through cities across the country looking for his son, Andrew, a two-tour Marine veteran of the Iraq War, who is running away from war memories, nightmares, hallucinations, and those that love him. His relentless focus on the life of his homeless son is a microcosm of the national nightmare 50,000 homeless veterans and their families are living every day. Yet, he imbues every chapter with hope: hope for his son, hope for his marriage, hope for his country. The book is a memoir of love, perseverance and hope.

War’s Over, Come Home Book link: patricksmithwick.com

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Montel talks with author and Wall Street executive, Ed Hajim on this episode of Free Thinking. Ed was catapulted from foster homes, orphanages, and meager beginnings to becoming a mega- successful Wall Street executive. In 2015 he received the Horatio Alger Award, given to Americans who exemplify the values of initiative, leadership, and commitment to excellence and who have succeeded despite personal adversities. He is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, On The Road Less Traveled, and his new book, THE ISLAND OF THE FOUR Ps; A Modern Fable About Preparing for Your Future.

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel talks with Brady Busby, a 2024 independent congressional candidate for Arizona. Brady served fourteen years in the US Army, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 2. He spent nine of those years on combat-related deployments in Korea, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. His return home from service came with new battles… multiple surgeries, overmedication and PTSD. He was eventually weaned off of 37 medications and went on to rebuild his life and assist other veterans in doing the same.

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel reconnects with Dave Pelzer to reflect on Dave’s life and talk about his new book, Return to the River.  Dave has walked the red carpet with celebrities and stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers in Iraq; he’s flown top-secret missions for the U.S. Air Force, and battled wildfires in California as a volunteer fire captain. And now—on the eve of the 50-year anniversary of this rescue from a horrific childhood of abuse and into the safety of the foster care system—he reflects on the battles he’s fighting in his own heart. From a lifetime spent serving and saving others, can he learn how to serve and save himself? For anyone who has been hurt, victimized, abandoned or feels alone, there is hope and there is always a way to rewrite your own story. Pelzer’s soulful and inspiring story will remind you to keep your faith, live with gratitude, and find that well of resilience deep within you.

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On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel welcomes back his friend Dov Baron to discuss the causes, symptoms and treatment for PTSD. Dov is the bestselling author of One Red Thread and Fiercely Loyal: How High Performing Companies Develop and Retain Top Talent. His Focus on human behavior and neuroscience has made him the leadership authority on emotional source code and the anatomy of meaning. He is the founder & host of the top-rated podcast, Leadership and Loyalty. PTSD can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of weakness. If you were directly exposed to the trauma or injured, you are more likely to develop PTSD. About 6 of every 10 men (or 60%) and 5 of every 10 women (or 50%) experience at least one trauma in their lives. The good news is, there is a non-drug therapy that has been developed that results in complete remittance of PTSD in 90% of the patients who have been treated, with 10 hours of therapy or less.

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