Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America

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 the mental health and firearms communities. The session was met with enthusiasm and requests for Walk the Talk America resources, emphasizing the importance of bridging conversations between gun ownership and suicide prevention. They highlight Michael's...

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 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 crisis.  Jacquelyn emphasizes the need for a welcoming and inclusive environment in gun shops and ra...

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 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 common ground to save lives.  Ashley Hlebinsky is a firearms historian specializing in material...

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 differences between service dogs and emotional support animals, the training process, and the tasks these dogs perform.  Megan shares her personal journey with her service dog, who helps manage her migraines, hypoglycemia, and anxiety. Additionally, they...

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 education hub addressing responsible gun ownership, the Second Amendment, de-escalation, conflict resolution, and mental health. He shares stories of conducting events nationwide and how these experiences created a centralized space to teach skills like y...

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 the misconceptions surrounding firearms and safety, the historical racism of gun control policies, and the importance of diverse voices in the Second Amendment dialogue. He shares his dedication to making firearms training accessible and stresses the ne...

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 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's book speaks to gun enthusiasts, skeptics, and the curious alike. He encourages readers to embrace dif...

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 hand, involve behaviors like gambling, video games, and social media, which also release chemicals in the brain and can become addictive. This conversation highlights the importance of recognizing and addressing all types of addictions, as well as the ...

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 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. Nic also addresses the essence of brain health in maintaining mental fitness, addressing misdi...

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 the firearms community, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between gun owners and non-gun owners. He encourages smaller donations and challenges the firearms industry to contribute.  Send us a Text Message.

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 enhance mental health resources accessible to the public. They invite the audience to consider the impact of positive messaging within the firearms community, advocating for proactive solutions that support responsible gun ownership.  Send us a Text Message.

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. 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 mental health in gun shops and ranges. Brandon shares his passion for trauma therapy, particul...

Ep105: 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 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 misinformation and optics used by anti-gun groups and the importance of speaking to the middle ground...

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 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 misinformation and optics used by anti-gun groups and the importance of speaking to the middle ground...

Ep. 104: Building Bridges: Guns, Mental Health, and Public Policy

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 the firearm community. Through personal stories and expert insights, the episode illuminates ...

Ep. 103: Unlocking Safety with Timmy Oh, Co-Founder of Vara Safety

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 products have improved upon existing solutions. Timmy also discusses the importance of battery life and cha...

Ep. 102: An Interview with WTTA Board Member Dr. DB Palmer

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 also talks about his journey into the mental health profession and the differences between wild...

Ep. 101: An Interview with WTTA Board Member Dr. DB Palmer

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 also talks about his journey into the mental health profession and the differences between wild...

Ep. 101: Navigating the Ego: From Inner Conflicts to Authenticity

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 practical guide to understanding ourselves and others. Through personal anecdotes, theoretical discussions,...

Episode 100: Beyond the Battlefield: A SEAL's Journey Rebuilding Identity After the Uniform

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 importance of seeking help and support. In this part of the conversation, Will Chesney discusses his ...

Episode 99: A Lawyer's Perspective: The Intersection of Law, Liberty, and Justice with Orrin Johnson

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 affecting today's veteran experiences.  Send us a Text Message.

Episode 98: From Social Wreckage to Social Worker with Austin Pollard

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, vulnerability, and strength by centering on personal accountability and ownership. Send us a Text M...

Episode 97: An Exploration of Psychedelics with Janine De Mesa

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 stories. Book: How to Change Your Mind  Send us a Text Message.

Episode 96: The 5 Stages of Grief

In this episode, Brandon teaches about the stages of grief that many of us experience when dealing with the pain of loss. While we don't necessarily experience all of them (and certainly not necessarily in order), understanding that it's normal to feel this stuff can be quite liberating for those are.  Book: Elizabeth Kubler-Ross - On Death and Dying Send us a Text Message.

Episode 95: Eric Jones

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Jones, the Director of Man Therapy Partnerships, to explore the intricacies of mental health. Man Therapy stands out for its innovative, comprehensive approach, designed to engage men effectively by meeting them right where they are in their mental health journey. Eric sheds light on the organization's mission and unique strategies for promoting mental wellness among men. Additionally, Eric opens up about his own mental health experiences, offering a pe...

Episode 95: MAN Therapy with Eric Jones

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Jones, the Director of Man Therapy Partnerships, to explore the intricacies of mental health. Man Therapy stands out for its innovative, comprehensive approach, designed to engage men effectively by meeting them right where they are in their mental health journey. Eric sheds light on the organization's mission and unique strategies for promoting mental wellness among men. Additionally, Eric opens up about his own mental health experiences, offering a pe...

Episode 94: John Diedrich

John is a reporter for the Milwuakee Journal-Sentinel who covered gun deaths, specifically focusing on gun suicides.  discusses the need to use language carefully and avoid catchphrases that may be misunderstood or divisive. The conversation also touches on the reception and backlash to the coverage, highlighting the importance of understanding different perspectives. John emphasizes the complexity of the issue and the need for nuanced solutions rather than relying on quick and easy legisl...

Episode 94: How Proper Journalism Covers Firearms with John Diedrich

John is a reporter for the Milwuakee Journal-Sentinel who covered gun deaths, specifically focusing on gun suicides.  discusses the need to use language carefully and avoid catchphrases that may be misunderstood or divisive. The conversation also touches on the reception and backlash to the coverage, highlighting the importance of understanding different perspectives. John emphasizes the complexity of the issue and the need for nuanced solutions rather than relying on quick and easy legisl...

Episode 93: Liberty, Competitve Shooting, and Mental Acuity with Gabby Franco

Olympic shooter, freedom champion, 2A advocate, mom, and military wife Gabby Franco joins the show to share her thoughts, opinions, and insights on a variety of topics. A native Venezuelan, Gabby understands very well the need to protect rights in the face of those who would rather oppress and control. This conversation also spends a great deal of time on a different mental angle, that of performance and competition. Having been a competitive shooter since childhood, Gabby's insights can h...

Episode 93: Gabby Franco

Olympic shooter, freedom champion, 2A advocate, mom, and military wife Gabby Franco joins the show to share her thoughts, opinions, and insights on a variety of topics. A native Venezuelan, Gabby understands very well the need to protect rights in the face of those who would rather oppress and control. This conversation also spends a great deal of time on a different mental angle, that of performance and competition. Having been a competitive shooter since childhood, Gabby's insights can h...

Episode 92: Mental Health in the (Gun) Workplace

Holly Schneider and Andrew Nett join us to talk about their work within and around Delta Defense, the parent company of USCCA. Leadership at both organizations has prioritized mental health in the workplace, employing Holly and Andrew full-time and making them available for therapy during office hours for all 600+ employees.  The clinical team talks about this process, how it began, how it was integrated, and how it has been received (spoiler alert: it's gone smashingly!), as well as the...

Episode 91: An Interview with a Suicide Attempt Survivor

In an incredibly redemptive interview, Jake and Mike sit down with Emon Alexander Mahban, who survived a suicide attempt with a firearm. With the bullet still lodged in his skull, this discussion explores where Emon was mentally during that time, the series of events that led up to the suicide attempt, the events of that night, and where he is in life now.   Emon's story serves both as inspiration and a cautionary tale. Suicide is often so impulsive that no one sees it coming, and yet, the ...

Episode 90: Red Flag Laws and Liberal Politics with Attorney Lara Smith

 As the national spokesperson for The Liberal Gun Club, Lara Smith bridges a unique gap between the political left and firearms ownership, highlighting the growing demographic of left-leaning gun owners. She shares the challenges of addressing root causes of violence and the need for practical solutions while also touching on the impact of tribalism and the lack of accountability in politics and sharing her personal journey from being anti-gun to becoming a pro-2A gun owner. As an attorney,...

Episode 89: WTTA Mental Health Survey Results

Join hosts Jake Wiskerchen, Michael Sodini, and Kevin Berry in this episode as they delve into the revealing insights uncovered by Walk the Talk America's latest mental health survey conducted in September. Gain an in-depth understanding of the survey methodology, explore anticipated outcomes, and discover the surprising revelations that emerged. This engaging discussion goes beyond the numbers, offering valuable perspectives on mental health awareness and the importance of open dialogue in ...

Episode 88: Overcoming Adversity with Dustin Hayes

Jake Wiskerchen and Michael Sodini interview Dustin Hayes, a Navy veteran and CEO of Red, White, and Badass Brew, a coffee company that offers badass flavors like Whiskey Business and Vanilla Warfare. In this conversation, Dustin talks about facing a lot of challenging times during his life, which sets the stage for discussions in the back half of this episode about mental health and suicide.  As a veteran who faced challenging times post-medical retirement, Dustin has gone from constructio...

Episode 87: Non-Woke Therapy with Dr. Andrew Hartz

Dr. Andrew Hartz is the founder of Open Therapy Institute, which is working to re-establish the fundamental tenets of professional psychotherapy. In the face of an increasingly polarized (and politicized) culture, Dr. Hartz and OTI aim to restore reason, balance, and an appropriately welcoming environment to all those who need help, including centrists, moderates, conservatives, libertarians, and liberals. He is a professor of clinical psychology at Long Island University in Brooklyn. Draw...

Episode 87: Restoring Reason and Balance to Therapy with Dr. Andrew Hartz

Dr. Andrew Hartz is the founder of Open Therapy Institute, which is working to re-establish the fundamental tenets of professional psychotherapy. In the face of an increasingly polarized (and politicized) culture, Dr. Hartz and OTI aim to restore reason, balance, and an appropriately welcoming environment to all those who need help, including centrists, moderates, conservatives, libertarians, and liberals. He is a professor of clinical psychology at Long Island University in Brooklyn. Draw...

Episode 86: Christian Counseling with Johnny Sanders, LPC

Johnny Sanders is a LPC in Oklahoma and Texas. He started an online Christian Counseling practice to align with his conservative Christian values. Johnny provides online individual and group counseling for adults in Oklahoma and Texas. He specializes in homeschooling mothers struggling with anxiety, firearm owners (including police officers/military), and pastors dealing with burnout in the ministry. In this episode, the clinical team explores why and how counseling and Christianity are not...

Episode 85: Mental Health Misconceptions

The WTTA clinical team addresses common misconceptions about the mental health field. In many instances, non-clinical people have widely divergent (and inaccurate) opinions on practices, treatment plans, diagnoses, insurance coverage, and confidentiality.  If you have questions or feedback, we welcome your input through our social media channels or website contact.  Send us a Text Message.

Episode 84: Understanding Your Emotions

In this episode, Jake dissects and explains the 10 core emotions inherent in every human being's brain. Understanding one's emotional functioning is critical not only to navigating life itself and all the stimuli we encounter as we move through the day, but it can also improve communication, intimacy, leadership, parenting, work ethic, patience, and so much more. To learn more about this, please click here to watch Jake's emotional functioning video series.  Send us a Text Message.

Emotional Functioning

Episode 83: An Interview with Eddie Davenport

Guest host Kevin Berry interviews Eddie Davenport in this episode, which lets the audience get to know a member of our clinical podcast team better. Eddie gets vulnerable in this conversation, telling us about his journey from a gun owner to a gun-owning therapist.  Send us a Text Message.

Episode 82: Finding Meaning and Freedom in Life...and Death...

The WTTA clinical team, led this episode by Dr. DB Palmer, explores the concepts and foundations of one of counseling's oldest (but least understood) orientations: existential psychotherapy. In this exploration, Dr. Palmer and the team discuss how to handle all sorts of life matters - including death - as viewed through the existential therapy lens. To learn more about this, we recommend reading books by Irvin Yalom, such as Love's Executioner, Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, or ...

Episode 81: Yield Theory with Dr. Christian Conte

Dr. Christian Conte, creator of Yield Theory and one of the world's foremost anger management experts, joins the WTTA clinical team to discuss improving communication, avoiding conflict, and de-escalating potential problems. Dr. Conte has written multiple books and workbooks, including Walking Through Anger, Advanced Techniques for Counseling and Psychotherapy, and 21 Days To Change Your Life. His YouTube channel is full of free insights and skills, and his 60-second podcast provides pith...

Episode 80: Exploring Veteran Suicide and VA Care

Mike and Jake have a frank discussion with Russell Lemle and Aimee Johnson about their multiple decades of experience working with the veteran community and dispelling myths about veteran care within the VA system and how best to help someone who is in need. Russell B. Lemle, PhD is a Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute Policy Director. He’s authored numerous scientific publications and media commentaries, and testified to Congress, on veterans’ health care and the prevention of firearm s...

Episode 79: Getting Defensive - How the Mind Handles Psychological Conflict

When presented with new information, sometimes we don't handle it in the best manner, which means sometimes we get defensive.  But what are we defending? We all try to maintain our worldview in a way that makes sense to us so when we get information that conflicts with the way we see things, our minds will deploy certain mechanisms.  In this episode, Jake teaches about psychological defenses that often present in our lives, and how some of them can be helpful to us, while others can be ha...

Episode 78: Isaac Richey (Part II)

A year after first appearing on the show to tell us about being victimized by the New York SAFE Act, US Army Veteran Isaac Richey returns to give an update on the injunctive releif lawsuit he has filed against the State of New York. The ins and outs of the story are enough to make any reasonable person's blood boil, but hope exists for all those who cherish freedom and respect the rule of law, as Isaac shares his optimistic take on his story. If successful, his legal action could send a mess...

Episode 77: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: What is it?

CBT has been around for more than six decades and although it is well known in the clinical counseling community, very few people outside the profession truly understand how it works - and more importantly - that they can use these skills without even coming into the therapy office.  In this episode the clinical team explores the foundational concepts of this modality and shares why it works so well and underpins so many of the counseling techniques used in modern psychotherapy. Send us a ...

Episode 76: Get the Scoop on Trauma Treatment

Brandon Covey leads this episode, teaching us about EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Brandon is certified in EMDR and gives us a basic understanding of EMDR. Then he answers the group questions about this method that is commonly used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Send us a Text Message.

Episode 75: Jerah Hutchins

Returning to our traditional format in this episode, Mike and Jake interview Jerah Hutchins to discuss her work helping get women out of abusive relationships, being a 2nd Amendment actionist, and more.  Jerah is a firearms trainer, 2nd Amendment actionist, and entrepreneur.  She began shooting when she was 11 years old, taught by her grandfather (a Sicilian immigrant who loved the 2nd amendment). She was a competition 3 gunner in her youth and began teaching firearms in 2008. Jerah consult...