Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America
An honest and comprehensive discussion about guns and mental health. Two highly stigmatized cultures that have long stood across from each other, refusing to collaborate whenever tragedy strikes. That trend ends now. For firearms owners, clinicians, and the curious public.
Episodes
129 episodes
Ep 129: Why We Should Address Mental Health Over Gun Control
Jake Wiskerchen, Michael Sodini, and Kevin Berry discuss the recent US News article that attributes high firearm deaths in the U.S. to gun prevalence rather than mental health issues. They critique the research methodology, explore the complexi...
•
1:33:45
Ep 128: Addressing Misconceptions in Gun Culture and Mental Health
In this conversation, Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry discuss the misconceptions surrounding guns and mental health. They touch on topics such as the prevalence of guns, the misconceptions about AR rifles, and the need for education and understa...
•
1:28:22
Ep 127: The Role of Technology in Responsible Gun Ownership with Patrick Bertagna
The conversation discusses the potential Gun Alert, a technology that can notify gun owners if their firearm has been moved or removed from its usual environment. The technology aims to address issues such ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 61
•
1:33:53
Ep 126: Harnessing Anxiety: Dr. Chloe Carmichael on Free Speech, Groupthink, and Mental Health
In this episode, Jake and Mike sit down with Dr. Chloe Carmichael, clinical psychologist and author of Nervous Energy: Ha...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 60
•
1:37:14
Ep 125: Exploring Gun Laws and Ranges in All 50 States with Heather Allen
Heather Allen, a 2A advocate and author, joins the podcast to discuss her book, '50 States in My Sights,' where she traveled to all 50 states to shoot and learn about each state's gun laws and ranges. She also talks about her background and exp...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 59
•
47:13
Ep 124: Recapping GOALS with Mike and Kenny
In this conversation, Michael Sodini, Kevin Berry, and Kenny Barlow discuss Mike and Kenny's experiences at the inaugural Goals conference held by Gun Owners of America (GOA). They talk about the importance of organizations like GOA stepping up...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 58
•
1:12:30
Ep 123: Joe Bartozzi, President and CEO of NSSF
Joe Bartozzi, the president and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), joins Mike and Jake to discuss his history working in the firearm industry, suicide prevention, and the NSSF's role and activities in advocating the gun indu...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 57
•
1:21:59
Ep 122: Paul Santilli
Paul Santilli, a clinical social worker, discusses his paper on the utilization of gun principles and gun handling in psychotherapy. He explains how he integrated gun principles into everyday life and how they can be applied in mental health co...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 56
•
52:31
Ep 121: Yehuda Remer AKA The Pew Pew Jew
Yehuda Remer, known as The Pew Pew Jew, discusses his journey as a gun rights activist and author. He talks about his book "Bullet Points: Reasons Why Amer...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 55
•
1:50:05
Ep 120: From Kids to Kings with Devin Perkins - Youth Firearms and Mental Health Education in Urban Communities
This episode discusses the importance of educating and empowering youth in underprivileged and underserved areas about firearms. Devin Perkins, the program Director of Kids to Kings, discusses why there has been a lack of focus on youth educati...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 54
•
1:07:32
Ep 119: The Hidden Toll of Constant Connectivity on Kids
We're tackling the growing issue of excessive screen time among kids and its effects on mental health. We discuss the latest recommendations from health officials, the challenges parents face in setting boundaries, and the hidden dangers of soc...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 53
•
1:30:24
Ep 118: The Critical Need for Youth Gun Safety Education with Derek LeBlanc
In this episode, Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry of Walk the Talk America (WTTA) are joined by Derek LeBlanc, founder of Kids S.A.F.E. Foundation, to discuss youth's critical need for gun safety educ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 52
•
1:30:22
Ep 117: Shattering Stigmas - Michael Sodini Recaps Co-Presenting with Mental Health America
Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry recap Michael's experience co-presenting with Mental Health America at the Stop the Stigma Together conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The topic for their presentation was addressing the shared stigma faced by th...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 51
•
1:35:15
Ep 116: Promoting Community and Mental Health from Behind the Counter with Jacquelyn Clark
In this episode, we sit down with Jacquelyn Clark, co-owner of Bristlecone Shooting, Training & Retail Center, to discuss the crucial role of community and mental health in the firearms industr...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 50
•
1:20:06
Ep 115: Navigating Controversy: Mental Health and Firearms Advocacy with Ashley Hlebinsky
Ashley Hlebinsky discusses her work as a firearms historian and her experience in the court system as an expert witness. She highlights the importance of public education and providing unbiased information about firearms history. Ashley also sh...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 49
•
1:22:37
Ep 114: Megan Braganza and Ashley Hlebinsky on Service Dogs and Their Impact
Megan Braganza and WTTA Board Member Ashley Hlebinsky join the podcast to discuss all things service dogs. Megan is a skilled dog trainer specializing in service dogs and one of the trainers who trained Ashley's service dog. We touch on the dif...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 48
•
1:24:31
Ep 113: Maj Toure Part 2
Maj is back and out of the salon chair to resume the conversation with Jake Wiskerchen and Michael Sodini! Maj Toure is the founder of Black Guns Matter and the Solutionary Center. Maj discusses the Solutionary Center's mission, a community edu...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 47
•
2:08:36
Ep 112: Maj Toure Part 1
In this episode, Maj Toure, founder of Black Guns Matter and Solutionary University, emphasizes the critical role of firearms education and responsible gun ownership. Despite a scheduling mix-up, Maj speaks candidly from his salon chair about t...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 47
•
1:31:18
Ep 111: Gun Curious with David Yamane
In this episode, we explore the world of gun culture with author David Yamane, who aims to bridge the divide between gun owners and skeptics. His book covers why guns resonate with their owners while addressing concerns about the risks they pos...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 46
•
1:37:46
Ep 110: Chemical vs Process Addictions
Jake and the clinical podcast team talk about chemical and process addictions. Chemical addictions involve substances that latch onto parts of the brain and release an excess of dopamine, creating a dependency. Process addictions, on the other ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 46
•
1:26:07
Ep 109: Ex-CIA Nic McKinley on Brain Health and Countering Human Trafficking
Nic McKinley, a former CIA operative, talks about his inspiring transition to founding Deliver Fund - an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking.Nic shares his multifaceted journey en...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 45
•
1:38:33
Ep 108: WTTA's $100K Fundraiser by Top Shot Chris Cheng
In this special short podcast episode, Top Shot winner Chris Cheng announces a $100,000 fundraising challenge for Walk the Talk America during Mental Health Awareness Month. Chris explains his passion for mental health and suicide prevention in...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 44
•
11:24
Ep 107: Positive Legislation for Firearms
Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry discuss the crucial role of constructive firearm legislation and its intersection with mental health. They explore the need for laws that promote responsible storage and comprehensive firearms education and enhanc...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 43
•
1:31:33
Ep 106: Guns, Guitars, and Growth with Brandon Covey
Brandon Covey, a licensed professional counselor (LPC), shares his journey of becoming a mental health professional and his interest in firearms. He took us through the different paths that led him to the mental health field and become an LPC. ...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 42
•
1:09:56
Ep 105: Combatting Gun Legislation in Colorado and Kids to Kings
Devin Perkins discusses recent legislation in Colorado and his organization, Kids to Kings, a Walk the Talk America program that aims to help young people avoid the struggles and issues he faced growing up. Devin emphasizes the imp...
•
Season 4
•
Episode 41
•
1:25:28