Free Thinking with Montel

In this powerful episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we’re diving into a story of resilience, redemption, and reinvention. Montel sits down with John Beyer, author of the upcoming memoir LIVE A LITTLE BETTER: One Man’s Journey of Survival, Sobriety, and Success. John’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary—rising from a childhood marked by addiction and neglect to becoming a successful entrepreneur, musician, and advocate for...

In this powerful episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we’re diving into a conversation that’s not just timely—it’s transformative. Montel sits down with Sam Daley-Harris, a trailblazing advocate for citizen engagement and the author of the newly revised Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy.

Sam has spent over four decades empowering everyday people to reclaim their power and make a real diffe...

In this thought-provoking episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we’re diving headfirst into the future of healthcare with the brilliant Dr. Marschall Runge. As a distinguished physician-scientist, Dean of the University of Michigan Medical School, and CEO of Michigan Medicine, Dr. Runge has spent decades at the forefront of academic medicine and healthcare innovation. Now, he’s here to share insights from his groundbreaking book, T...

In this riveting episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we sit down with Otho Eskin—veteran, diplomat, and acclaimed thriller author—to explore the fascinating intersections of his life and work. 

From his distinguished career in the U.S. Army and Foreign Service to his transition into writing politically charged thrillers, Otho brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table. We’ll dive into his latest novel, Black Sun Rising...

In this eye-opening episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we sit down with Lisa Pratta, a former top pharmaceutical sales rep turned whistleblower, to discuss her explosive new book, False Claims: One Insider's Impossible Battle Against Big Pharma Corruption. Lisa’s story is one of courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to exposing the truth. 

For over three decades, Lisa thrived in the pharmaceutical industry, breaking b...

What do honeybees and hope have in common? Prepare to be inspired by Marilyn Murray Willison, a renowned journalist, author of What the Honeybees Taught Me, and someone who has fearlessly redefined living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Diagnosed in 1984, Marilyn chose an unconventional path to manage her condition: Bee Venom Therapy (BVT). In this episode, she opens up about her 5-year commitment to a therapy that involves 50 bee sti...

On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we take a deep look into the emotional and intricate world of female friendships. These bonds can be life-changing, but what happens when they take a toxic turn or ultimately fall apart?

Joining us is the brilliant Susan Shapiro Barash, a renowned author and gender studies expert who has spent decades exploring women’s roles and relationships. From the seven archetypes of unhealthy frien...

What is happiness, and how can we get closer to finding it? On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, Montel Williams sits down with renowned filmmaker and philanthropist Peter Samuelson to discuss his new book, Finding Happy: A User’s Guide to Your Life with Lessons from Mine. Packed with enthralling adventures, candid reflections, and actionable advice, Peter’s book is both a roadmap to happiness and a masterclass in navigati...

What does the future hold for ALS treatment and care? Join Montel as he sits down with Dr. James Berry, a leading expert in ALS research and co-director of the Massachusetts General Hospital multidisciplinary ALS clinic. Dr. Berry shares his incredible insights into the latest innovations in ALS care, including gene-targeted therapies, remote disease monitoring, and cutting-edge clinical trials like the HEALEY ALS Platform Trial.

Fr...

On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we welcome the extraordinary Ana Hebra Flaster, author of the moving new memoir Property of the Revolution. Ana’s deeply personal account takes us from her family’s life as pro-Castro revolutionaries in Havana to their difficult journey as Cuban refugees rebuilding in a snowy New Hampshire mill town.

Ana shares with Montel what it was like to flee Cuba at the age of five, the vital role ...

Join Montel Williams in this thought-provoking episode of Free Thinking as he talks with Tony Stewart, author of the upcoming memoir Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving. 

Through this deeply personal conversation, Tony shares the heart-wrenching yet hopeful story of his late wife Lynn’s battle with cancer and how their profound experiences shaped his perspective on love, loss, and res...

On this emotionally profound episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we explore the deep and complex grief of losing a child. Montel sits down with Sally McQuillen, a licensed clinical social worker, certified addiction counselor, and author of the memoir, Reaching for Beautiful.

Sally shares her deeply personal story of navigating grief, overcoming guilt, and discovering the enduring power of love. Combining her experiences as a grie...

Transforming pain into purpose. On this episode of Free Thinking with Montel, we sit down with Karen Olson, a true trailblazer in social advocacy and the founder of Family Promise, a national nonprofit dedicated to uplifting homeless and low-income families.

Karen shares her remarkable personal story—from the childhood loss of her mother to a chance encounter with a homeless woman that forever changed her life. Through compassion, r...

Join Montel Williams in this inspiring episode of Free Thinking, where we welcome Andres Schabelman, a trailblazing entrepreneur turned author, to discuss success, self-growth, and his captivating new book Captains Wanted. 

Drawing on his extraordinary life experiences—from being an early employee at Airbnb to ringing the NYSE bell with Fiverr, and even surviving life-altering events in Colombia—Andres shares how he redefined what s...

This episode is a powerful exploration of resilience, hope, and the courage to rebuild after unimaginable loss. Montel is joined by Kristen Moeller, MS—psychologist, three-time TEDx speaker, and author of Phoenix Rising.

Kristen’s personal story of loss in the 2012 Colorado wildfire shaped her unshakable advocacy for those navigating trauma and recovery. Together, Montel and Kristen unpack the raw reality of losing everything—from g...

How far would you go for love? On this gripping Book Club Edition of Free Thinking with Montel, we welcome Patricia Bonis, author of the memoir Jeddah Bride: A Life of Luxury, Love, and Sacrifice. Patricia shares her astonishing journey from Wellesley College to the opulent yet restrictive world of Saudi Arabia’s elite, where love, sacrifice, and unimaginable challenges shaped her life.

Join us as she reveals intimate details of her...

Leadership matters—whether in business, government, or personal life, the rise and fall of organizations, communities, and nations depend on it. On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel Williams sits down with retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Philippe Johnson, a decorated officer and author of the book What Hangs in the Balance.

Lt. Col. Johnson’s book offers a comprehensive breakdown of 40 core competencies vital ...

Food should nourish us, heal us, and empower us. But over the past 70 years, our relationship with food has been hijacked by sugar, ultra-processed ingredients, and industrial food systems designed for profit—not health. The result? A global health crisis fueled by chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

On this episode of Free Thinking, Montel sits down with Dr. Randall Hansen, Ph.D.—an author, educator, and adv...

Has Christmas turned into a gift-buying frenzy for you? 🎁 This week on Free Thinking with Montel, we sit down with Matt Paxton, decluttering expert, host of PBS's Legacy List, and author of the bestselling book Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff. Together, we take a deep look at Christmas consumerism, the emotional weight of “stuff,” and how to reclaim the true spirit of the season.

Discover practical tips on focusing less on materi...