Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America

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 America Should Embrace Common Sense Gun Law " and the powerful endorsements he has received. Yehuda emphasizes the importance of gun rights for all American citizens, regardless of their background. He also addresses the sensitivities and...

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 education in the firearms industry and how individual trainers and gun ranges have taken up the responsibility.  Devin also highlights the need to modernize youth...

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 social media. Hear from our hosts about their experiences, strategies for reducing digital dependency, and ways to encourage outdoor activities and genuin...

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 education. The conversation dissects the manipulation of gun violence data, the importance of educating children on firearm safety, and the role of secure storage. Derek shares insights from his exper...

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 the mental health and firearms communities. The session was met with enthusiasm and requests for Walk the Talk America resources, emphasizing the importa...

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 industry. Jacquelyn shares her personal journey into the industry. She highlights the importance of providing secure storage options at local gun ranges and shops to prevent access to firearms during times of c...

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 shares her frustration with the polarized gun debate and the negative impact it has on mental health. She emphasizes the need for civil discourse and finding...

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 differences between service dogs and emotional support animals, the training process, and the tasks these dogs perform.  Megan shares her personal journey...

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 education hub addressing responsible gun ownership, the Second Amendment, de-escalation, conflict resolution, and mental health. He shares stories of cond...

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 the misconceptions surrounding firearms and safety, the historical racism of gun control policies, and the importance of diverse voices in the Second Amendme...

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 pose in some people's eyes. David highlights the efforts of Walk the Talk America and explores founder Michael Sodini's background growing up. Yamane...

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 hand, involve behaviors like gambling, video games, and social media, which also release chemicals in the brain and can become addictive. This conversation...

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 encompassing experiences from military service to intelligence work, shedding light on how these roles have informed his approach to tackling one of today’s most pressing social issues: human trafficking....

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 the firearms community, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between gun owners and non-gun owners. He encourages smaller donations and challenges the fi...

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 enhance mental health resources accessible to the public. They invite the audience to consider the impact of positive messaging within the firearms community, adv...

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. Brandon also talks about his introduction to firearms and how it led him to Walk the Talk America (WTTA).  He explains his role in spreading awareness about...

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 importance of addressing trauma and mental health in inner-city communities and introducing firearms in a healthy manner. Perkins also highlights the need to combat misinf...

Michael Sodini and co-host Kenny Barlow talk with Gala True, a dedicated researcher and professor, and Caleb Morse, a 13-year Army veteran and gun shop owner. This episode explores the innovative The Armory Project (TAP) in Louisiana. Discover how this initiative is fostering community engagement, offering crucial support to individuals in crisis, and challenging the stigma around mental health in...

Jake and Mike take the hosts' seats to talk with Timmy Oh, co-founder of Vara Safety. Timmy discusses the development of their fast access safes using biometric technology. Timmy shares his motivation for entering the gun safe manufacturing business and his challenges in creating reliable biometric systems. He explains the different types of fingerprint technology and how Vara Safety's p...

This week, Kevin will take the host seat to interview WTTA Board Member Dr. DB Palmer! He discusses his background and the launch of 2A Mental Health. He shares his connection with Walk the Talk America and the importance of addressing mental health in the firearms community. Dr. Palmer highlights the stigma around mental health and the need to de-stigmatize conversations about it.  Dr. DB Palmer...

In this enlightening episode of our podcast, Jake Wiskerchen, a seasoned marriage and family therapist, takes us on a deep dive into the intricacies of the human psyche alongside a panel of esteemed experts. Join us as we unravel the layers of our inner selves, shedding light on the intersection of mental health and everyday life. This episode is not just an academic discourse; it's a practic...

In this episode, former Navy SEAL Will Chesney shares his experiences as a dog handler in the military. He discusses his background growing up in a trailer park and his decision to join the military. Will explains how he became a dog handler and the dogs' valuable role in combat. He also opens up about the mental and physical health challenges he faced during his time in the military and the...

Orrin Johnson is an attorney in Nevada who shares a colorful mix of childhood trauma, military service, free speech advocacy, and legal practice. His firm specializes in criminal law and prioritizes veterans and gun rights. In this interview, he offers an intelligent, encouraging, and well-articulated perspective on firearms and defensive use, mental health, politics, and recent military history a...

Austin is a master social worker, Marine Corps veteran, and 2A advocate. He has experienced homelessness and drug addiction and survived his own suicide attempt. He is now a proud father and happily married. This incredible and inspiring interview begins by discussing the social drivers of health and explores Austin's own experiences of having gone from face-down failure to redemption, faith,...

Janine De Mesa, doctoral student and psychedelic substance researcher, joins the show to discuss the benefits (and possible detriments) of substances such as psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, ayahuasca, and others. The clinicians share their varying views and opinions, along with plenty of live audience chat commentary on their applications, uses, misunderstandings, triumphs, and personal recovery stori...