Press
Montel Williams Launches New Cannabis Podcast with Righteous Media
Emmy-award winning TV host, advocate & Navy veteran joins independent podcast network led by Paul Rieckhoff to host hip-hop focused “Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2022
NEW YORK, NY: Righteous Media (the independent media company founded by activist Paul Rieckhoff, and behind Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff, The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, FDNY(Ret.), and Everybody & Their Mother Has a Podcast) today announced the launch of a fun, dynamic, and inspiring new podcast led by iconic and trailblazing media talent, Montel Williams: “Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed”
Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed will merge the power of a true trailblazer in media, with the energy of a next-generation independent media company, to focus on the hottest issue in America–with the hottest guests. The show will launch later this year as the newest and biggest addition to the expanding Righteous independent podcast network. Uncle Montel will feature in-depth interviews with rappers and other cultural icons and innovators. The show will be like Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee for weed, or Hot Ones for cannabis. Montel will smoke up and go deep with famous names about the first time they experienced weed, and take the audience on a real, inspiring and fun journey in every episode. Episodes may include future hang sessions on a couch, or blunt walks on the beach. The title comes from the respect he has–especially across the hip-hop community–highlighted in a conversation Montel had with legendary rapper, producer, DJ and actor, Redman, who said:
“It’s a respect thing…we respect our big brother….our Uncle…Montel Williams…for Uncle Montel. For his succes, for his accomplishments…everything he motivates people with. Snoop Dog can agree, Meth (Method Man) can agree, B-Real can agree, ’cause we’re like the forefathers in this marrijuanna game…as far as the rap industry. And we all agree. We all agree that you’re Uncle Monty. For putting this marijunna game on the front-line like we did. You always upheld your ground on that. So Uncle Monty fits perfectly.”
Every episode with Uncle Montel will bring that respect and experience, that connection to the hip-hop community, and the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact.
For decades, Americans of all backgrounds have come to know and love Montel Williams. He is a decorated former naval officer, inspirational speaker, author, entrepreneur and advocate for patients worldwide.
Montel hosted “The Montel Williams Show”, a nationally syndicated talk show distributed by CBS Paramount Television, for 17 years, taping over 3,500 shows and interviewing more than 30,000 guests focusing on key social issues involving ordinary people coping with extraordinary circumstances. He received a Daytime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host and his show was nominated for Outstanding Talk Show two years in a row.
Montel also enjoys acting, and recently guest starred on the hit Fox series “The Resident.” Over the years he appeared on programs including “All My Children.” “American Dreams” and “JAG.” Williams contributed to the long-running dramatic series “Guiding Light” playing “Clayton Boudreau”, landing him a nomination in 2009 for a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in Television Series. He also starred in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway play “The Exonerated”. Williams starred and executive produced a prime time network series for CBS, “The Education of Matt Waters”.
Montel began his professional career in the United States Marine Corp and was the first black Marine selected to the Naval Academy Prep School to then go on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy and be commissioned a naval officer. Williams earned a degree in engineering and a minor in international security affairs. He also earned a degree from the Defense Language Institute in Russian and Mandarin Chinese. While serving in the military Williams was the recipient of two Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals and various other military awards and citations.
Montel and Paul Rieckhoff, President of Righteous Media, have worked together on efforts for veterans for years, and Montel has appeared on Rieckhoff’s popular Independent Americans podcast. Now, the two are joining forces in a new way to educate, inform and inspire Americans.
“Montel is a legend. He’s an activist, a patriot, a truth-teller and a trailblazer. From his time serving our country in uniform, to his courageous fight with MS (multiple sclerosis) to his decades of telling the stories of working Americans, Montel has been a groundbreaking role model for people of all backgrounds. He is also highly respected as an early public advocate for marijuana and related policy reform. He has testified before Congress, launched cannabis-focused companies as a self-described “ganjapreneur”, and interviewed cultural icons like rapper Redman. He understands the past, and is front and center in the present and shaping the future. And as a military veteran, he puts his issues, community and country first. He’s a true independent. And few issues cross partisan lines like cannabis. And few talents can truly reach Americans of all backgrounds. We’re honored to add Montel to the Righteous family of independent voices.”
–Paul Rieckhoff, Righteous Founder and President.
“I am incredibly excited to join Paul Rieckhoff and the dynamic Righteous Media team in this important time in America. I’ve seen many evolutions of the media industry, and Righteous and Paul are doing the right things, in the right way, to change the future of media for the better. This is the time to elevate the issues I care about–especially cannabis. Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed is the perfect way to bring my extensive experience and diverse friends to new audiences in new ways. I’m also eager to talk about national security, leadership, family and all the other topics that are most urgent to independent Americans. Montel and Righteous are a powerful team. And we’re ready to make powerful impacts–and have some fun!”
Produced by Righteous Founder and President, and 9/11 First Responder, Paul Rieckhoff and Creative Director, Chris Rosenthal, you can hear the trailer of the Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed podcast for free now anywhere you get podcasts Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, or on the show website here.
Following the successful recent launch of The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed will explain and expand on one of the most fascinating issues in America. Season One will drop later this year and new episodes will post weekly with audio on all platforms and video on the Righteous YouTube page.
ABOUT RIGHTEOUS:
Righteous is the media company for independent and unaffiliated Americans and a rising force in new media content and community. Independent content for independent Americans. Focused on news, politics and culture, and founded by renowned veterans activist Paul Rieckhoff, Righteous powers innovative podcasts, video, television and film titles including Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff, Everybody & Their Mother Has a Podcast, The Dispatches, While the Rest of Us Die on VICE TV and more. Righteous is built around 5 core values—
“The Righteous 5 I’s”: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact.
What about the massive, underserved middle? What about the politically unaffiliated? What about the independent Americans? They don’t have a real home in the media. Until now.
Righteous is built around a simple principle: news and politics is important and interesting. And it should be independent. It doesn’t have to be the tool of one political party or the other. It can be patriotic without being extreme. It doesn’t have to answer to corporate masters or be interrupted by erectile dysfunction commercials. And it doesn’t have to suck. It delves into music, sports, and parenthood. It can be fun. Especially with the massive heaviness of the terrible news happening in America right now, we all need a dash of levity. Enter Righteous. See more and join the movement at www.Righteous.us.
Sponsorships and ad buys are still available for Season One of Uncle Montel – The OG of Weed. If you’re interested, contact sponsors@righteous.us
For press inquiries for Montel Williams, contact jon@montelmedia.com, and for Paul Rieckhoff, contact press@righteous.us.
For any other questions: info@Righteous.us
