The Long Answer with Josiah Wonnell

Eric Smith knows the system from the inside. He's lived it, survived it, and spent years working to change it. The final episode of Minds on Trial returns to Eric's story — this time looking forward. Smith argues that the mental health and criminal justice conversation has been too cautious for too long, and that the evidence for what works is too strong to keep presenting politely. The re...

Eric Smith was living out of his car, certain he was a federal asset standing between the world and a World War III assassination plot. That was a decade ago. Today, he's an international consultant and a mental health commissioner. Episode four of Minds on Trial — the most personal of the five — tells Eric's story from the inside out: through Eric's own words, through his parents, and...

Twenty-five years ago, Judge Steve Leifman wasn't trying to start a massive reform. He was just trying to solve what was right in front of him. What followed became one of the most studied criminal justice experiments in America: arrests cut by more than half, police shootings down over 85 percent, an entire jail closed. Episode three of Minds on Trial travels to Miami-Dade County to find out...

What if a judge, a psychiatrist, a social worker, and an attorney all showed up for one person in crisis - before things got worse? That's Assisted Outpatient Treatment, and in Texas, it's now the law. Episode two of Minds on Trial goes inside the courtrooms of Bexar and Tarrant Counties to hear from the judges using it. It also sits down with the architect of the Texas legislation that made it po...

For sixty years, America made a choice: when someone with serious mental illness fell into crisis, the response was a patrol car, not an ambulance. The first episode of Minds on Trial traces how the nation's jails became its de facto psychiatric wards, and what that decision has cost in dollars, in lives, and in human dignity. Researchers from Texas Tech, Miami-Dade County, and the Meadows Men...

Neck pain, headaches, tight shoulders, and “tech neck” have become normal for a generation constantly looking down at phones and laptops. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jacob Stutz, the team chiropractor for FC Dallas, about the biggest posture mistakes college students make, what good posture actually looks like, and the daily habits that can improve the way you feel. We also dive into what pr...

What is technology really doing to our generation? In this episode, we sit down with Emily Cherkin to talk about social media, screen time, focus, anxiety, and the hidden ways technology is shaping college students. From “tech addiction” to why it feels impossible to focus, this conversation breaks down what’s actually happening—and what students can do to build a healthier relationship with their...

What’s it like to cover the Olympics AND dominate NFL Sundays? 🏈🏅 In this episode, Scott Hanson—the iconic host of NFL RedZone and NBC’s Gold Zone—joins Josiah Wonnell for an in-depth conversation you won’t want to miss. Scott breaks down his experience at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, shares behind-the-scenes insights from hosting one of the most intense shows in sports broadcastin...

the beauty of God's creation is evident all around you every single dayin today's conversation, Josiah Wonnell and Isabelle Betzold sit down to talk about how they have experienced this and their encouragement of how everyone can have the same experience

Cole Neufeld is a content creator and emerging social media strategist who’s building a name for himself by helping creators and small brands make clearer, more effective content. Focused on storytelling, trends, and practical strategy, Cole has been learning the industry hands-on — refining his style, experimenting across platforms, and figuring out what actually works in real time. In this episo...

Nathan Blumberg is the founder of Creative Juice Agency, a sports-focused media company helping athletes and organizations grow their brands through storytelling. A videographer and creative strategist, Nathan has worked with some of the most recognizable names in sports, turning raw moments of competition into compelling narratives that connect on and off the field. In this episode, Nathan talks...

Bray Falls is an astrophotographer whose work turns the night sky into something tangible. Known for his extreme night-sky photography featured by BBC Earth, Bray pushes the limits of what’s possible — hiking through remote terrain, braving freezing temperatures, and waiting hours for the perfect exposure. His work blends technical mastery with curiosity, revealing what happens when art meets scie...

Jerome Flood II is a drummer, rapper, and creative powerhouse who’s redefined what it means to be a modern, multi-hyphenate artist. After rising through competitions like the Guitar Center Drum-Off, he’s shared stages or contributed to projects with artists that are shaping culture today. Beyond drumming, Jerome leads his own project, Flood Geight, fusing tight rhythms and raw lyricism to build a...

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