Ep. 115: From Survival Mode to Building a Legacy | Monte Duncan

Monte Duncan returns to the Street Tales Podcast — and this time, the conversation isn't simply about what happened to him. It's about what those experiences taught him and how they shaped the man, father, and entrepreneur he's working to become. Joined by BJ, Tyler reconnects with one of his closest friends and former Tennessee State University teammates for an honest, funny, and at times deeply personal conversation about survival, choices, fatherhood, money, policing, education, friendship, and breaking generational cycles. Monte takes us back to growing up in Atlanta's Bluff, where survival wasn't an abstract concept, it was everyday life. Sports gave him an outlet, but the neighborhood taught lessons of its own. Monte reflects on learning to defend himself at an early age, developing a reputation, navigating the streets, and eventually recognizing the difference between doing what was necessary to survive and making choices that could change the direction of his life. The episode doesn't avoid Monte's mistakes either. After college and the end of his football aspirations, Monte found himself trying to provide for his children and eventually returned to the streets to make money. Looking back, he talks openly about the decisions he made, the risks he took, and the difference between having money and actually knowing what to do with it. Today, Monte is focused on something different: building. He's working toward owning his own business, creating opportunities for himself and his family, becoming the first entrepreneur in his family, and making sure his children don't have to learn every lesson the hard way. Most importantly, Monte has a message for anyone who looks at their environment and believes there isn't another path: Have hope. Change your surroundings. Learn something new. Build your credit. Learn a trade. Start a business. Find another way forward. Your environment may help explain where you started — but it doesn't have to determine where you finish. This is Street Tales at its core: real stories, real mistakes, real growth, and honest conversations about what it takes to become something more than where you came from. Monte's original story is also featured in Street Tales Volume One, and his journey is part of the continuing work behind the Street Tales Docuseries. GET THE BOOKS The Weight of Responsibility | Leadership Lessons from a Marine Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Dave Devaney, USMC (Ret.) — curated by Tyler Martin Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hTpRK6J Street Tales Volume One — From Street Tales Interviews By Tyler Martin Amazon: https://a.co/d/0bfWmEZA CONNECT WITH STREET TALES NETWORK To contact us, get your copy of Street Tales Volume One, shop Street Tales Network Apparel — with all proceeds supporting Blue Cancer Connect — and gain access to every show across the Street Tales Network, visit: https://www.StreetTalesNetwork.com/ #podcast #StreetTales #Marines #ScoutSniper #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranStories #Leadership #Nonprofit #WarMemorial #MarineCorps #History #Purpose #Resilience #books #livingblue #bluecancerconnect #booktok #youtubeshorts #shorts #entrepreneurship #blackoutcoffee #NAVFRW #VeteranWellness #FirstResponderWellness #MentalHealth #LawEnforcement