The Last Wild Places: Tom Murphy on Yellowstone

About this episode

Montel Williams interviews wildlife photographer Tom Murphy about his experiences in Yellowstone and the importance of conservation.

#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…

People in this episode

Host: Montel Williams

Guest: Tom Murphy

Topics covered

• wildlife photography
• conservation
• national parks
• human-nature relationship
• bison preservation
• storytelling

Keywords

• Yellowstone
• Tom Murphy
• wildlife photography
• conservation
• American bison
• national parks
• nature
• solitude
• resilience

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Geographic, Audubon, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine

Products: U.S. postage stamp

Books & works: The Return of the Last Wild Herd

Places: Yellowstone

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