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PODCAST

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America

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.

society & culture mental health

All Episodes

102:23

Ep 158: Rob Pincus on Youth Stats, ERPOs, and What...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/09/25

Mike and Kevin sit down with Rob Pincus to unpack two hot buttons that get thrown around online but are rarely explored with nuance: the “firearms are the #1 cause of death in youth” stat, and ERPOs/red flag laws. Rob shares what he sees inside a Tufts University led group that puts gun-rights and gun-control advocates in the same room to hammer out policy ideas for red states. We dig into how stats are framed, why education belongs in schools, what meaningful “wins” for responsib...

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76:32

Ep 157: Bulletproof Clothing with CIVILIAN’s Kami Kay...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/09/18

Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry sit down with Kami Kay Kirschbaum, founder & CEO of CIVILIAN, a bulletproof clothing brand built to blend in. From growing up with active-shooter drills to a literal dream that sparked the idea, Kami walks us through turning a wild concept into light, breathable, and stylish bulletproof apparel. We talk Sweden vs. U.S. safety culture, why most armor looks tactical (and why hers doesn’t), the maze of financing and manufacturing, getting into SHOT Show as a ne...

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106:44

Ep 156: Skits, Stencils, and Building a Responsible...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/09/11

Mike and J. Hood welcome Ryan and Nate from The King of Camo, the North Georgia custom shop and YouTube duo known for turning real counter moments into laugh-out-loud shorts that still teach safety. They share how a near-fatal motorcycle crash, a hard reset on alcohol, and honest conversations reshaped their lives, their business, and their channel. The crew digs into what “welcoming gun culture” looks like in practice, why some sales get a respectful “not today,” and how humor can open the d...

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103:36

Ep 155: Biometric Slide Lock: How B.O.S. Lock is...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/08/24

Join hosts Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry as they welcome Keith Bombaugh of B.O.S. Lock to the show. What began as a family-driven need for safer firearm storage has grown into a groundbreaking product designed for speed, reliability, and peace of mind. From technical details and real-world testing to the bigger conversation about responsibility and mental health, this episode explores how innovation can transform safety in the firearms industry. Send us a text Walk the Talk America would li...

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115:07

Ep 154: The Intersection of Gun Rights and Domestic...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/08/05

In this episode of Guns and Mental Health, hosts Jake Wiskerchen and Michael Sodini welcome Kelly Sutliff, a licensed professional counselor and domestic violence survivor. Kelly shares her harrowing story of surviving an abusive relationship, the night she escaped her ex-husband, and the subsequent legal battles she faced regarding gun ownership. Kelly's journey highlights the need for better protection for victims and raises critical questions about the intersection of mental health, gun ...

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72:10

Ep 153: GOALS, Advocacy, and More with Gun Owners of...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/07/17

In this WTTA Guns and Mental Health podcast episode, hosts Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry engage with John Fahrner from Gun Owners of America (GOA). They discuss personal updates, John's journey in the firearms industry, the mission of GOA, and the importance of advocacy and community engagement. The conversation also covers legislative efforts, the 'Big Beautiful Bill' significance, collaboration among gun rights organizations, and the upcoming GOALS Show. Chapters 00:00 Introductio...

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97:31

Ep 152: Dwayne Edwards on Changing Veteran Mental Health

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/07/09

What happens after the mission ends? In this episode, we sit down with Marine Corps veteran and founder of VMHA, Dwayne Edwards, for an honest conversation about life after service, the identity crisis many veterans face, and why our system still fails to meet their mental health needs. Dwayne shares his journey from growing up in Jamaica and navigating Brooklyn as a kid, to leading Marines in Iraq and later reinventing himself at Yale. He talks about the cultural pressure veterans face when ...

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83:42

Ep 150: I Was Almost a School Shooter Part 2

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/06/10

In this unfiltered conversation, Aaron Stark returns to continue a story: how he went from the brink of committing a school shooting to becoming a national voice for prevention and mental health reform. Host Jake Wiskerchen digs into the raw truths that don’t get discussed enough, from the failings of our systems to the unrelenting weight of shame and what it means to truly reach a hurting kid. Aaron speaks candidly about what it’s like to test adults as a desperate teenager, how he challenge...

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51:45

Ep 150: I Was Almost a School Shooter Part 1

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/06/09

Jake Wiskerchen and Michael Sodini sit down with Aaron Stark, a man who once nearly became a school shooter, to explore the roots of despair, the systemic failures that allow trauma to fester, and the moments of compassion that can save a life. Aaron shares his deeply personal story of abuse, neglect, and hopelessness, and how two friends changed everything. From the dangerous effects of untreated shame to the failure of our systems to identify and intervene with at-risk youth, this con...

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64:56

Ep 149: Why We’re Getting Suicide Prevention Wrong,...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/06/06

Rob Bogue of Robust Futures and SuicideMyths.org joins Jake and Mike to challenge some of the most deeply ingrained beliefs in suicide prevention. From questioning the predictive power of warning signs and screening tools to highlighting the harmful consequences of forced hospitalization and red flag laws, this conversation peels back the layers of a flawed system. Rob shares the personal story that drove him to launch Suicide Myths—a growing library of evidence-backed debunkings—and discusse...

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89:44

Ep 148: Meet the Pressers: A Journey Through Firearms...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/05/29

In this episode of the Walk the Talk America podcast, hosts Jake Wiskerchen and Michael Sodini are joined by Klint Macro and Matt Mallory from Meet the Pressers. They discuss their journey in the firearms industry, the importance of mental health in relation to gun ownership, and the responsibilities that come with being a gun owner. The conversation delves into training for critical incidents, the role of visualization in preparation, and the impact of red flag laws on mental health an...

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73:23

Ep 147: Grant Magers and the Rise of Smart Ammunition...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/05/22

Grant Magers, founder and CEO of American Rounds—an innovative company bringing ammunition vending machines (yes, really) to retailers nationwide. In this refreshingly light-hearted but deeply insightful episode, Grant breaks down the origin story of American Rounds and how the technology works, from ID verification to facial matching. We also discuss some controversy, including fears about surveillance, facial recognition, and pushback from both sides of the gun debate. Grant shares ho...

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27:19

Ep 146: Mike and Kenny Barlow Recap NRA

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/05/05

Michael Sodini recaps the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits live from the Regal Products booth with Kenny Barlow. Send us a text Walk the Talk America would like to thank our partners who make these conversations possible and want to highlight our top two partner tiers below! Platinum Tier: Ruger Armscor Gold Tier: NASGW Lipsey's Davidson's

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75:23

Ep 145: A Veteran’s Mental Health Crisis and the...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/04/11

Jake Wiskerchen and Michael Sodini sit down with Tom Cruz — not that Tom Cruz — to talk about the moment that changed everything. A 26-year Army veteran, Tom shares his harrowing story of a seven-hour mental health crisis in which he took his fiancée hostage — an event he doesn’t fully remember, but one that would define the next chapter of his life. What followed wasn’t a prison sentence — it was a redemption arc powered by compassion, self-awareness, and one woman’s extraordinary stre...

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81:11

Ep: 144 Why Doctors Need to Understand Gun Owners...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/03/27

In this episode of the Walk the Talk America podcast, host Michael Sodini talks with Dr. James Bigham, a family physician who emphasizes the importance of understanding firearm ownership within the context of mental health. The conversation explores the fears that gun owners face when discussing firearms with medical professionals, the need for cultural competence in healthcare, and the significance of responsible firearm ownership. Dr. Bigham shares his journey in bridging the gap between ...

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81:10

Ep: 143 Inside the Mind of a School Shooter with Jon...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/03/20

In this episode of the Guns and Mental Health podcast, host WTTA Founder Michael Sodini and Patrick Bertagna, CEO of GunAlert, engage in a profound conversation with Jon Romano, who shares his journey from a troubled youth to a pivotal moment in his life when he brought a firearm to school with the intention of suicide by cop. Jon discusses the trauma he faced, the mental health struggles that led to his actions, and the importance of open communication and connection in preventing similar tr...

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78:40

Ep 142: The Mind-Body Connection Explained with Dr....

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/03/13

Dr. Bob Smith discusses his extensive experience in primary care mental health and the importance of patient-centered interviewing skills. He highlights the crisis in mental health care, particularly the lack of training for primary care doctors to recognize and treat mental health issues. We also explore the historical context of the mind-body split in medicine, its implications for mental health care, and the need for better integration of mental health services within the healthcare ...

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90:26

Ep 141: Empowering Gun Owners with Innovative...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/03/06

Jake Wiskerchen and Michael Sodini talk with William Sandoval about the innovative technology developed by Ocufii to enhance firearm safety. William shares his journey from a technology background to creating a proactive safety device that alerts users to movement around their firearms. The discussion also addresses concerns about data privacy, the importance of educating both the firearms community and behavioral health professionals about available safety options, and the future of firearm ...

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63:51

Ep 140: Confidentiality Concerns in Military Mental...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/02/28

Christopher Jachimiec joins us to talk about a recent Rand report that sheds light on a critical issue in the military-trust and confidentiality in mental health care. It found that over half of service members worry that seeking treatment could harm their careers, impact their security clearances, or affect deployment opportunities. Even more striking, nearly 90% of respondents said they would hold back on what they share with military mental health providers due to privacy concerns. The...

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72:05

Ep 139: How Gun Owners Can Change the Narrative on...

Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America ·

2025/02/20

In this episode, Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry explore the misconceptions surrounding firearms and the gun community. They address common arguments against gun ownership, the effectiveness of gun laws, and the importance of communication in bridging the gap between differing perspectives. Walk the Talk America would like to thank our partners who make these conversations possible and want to highlight our top two partner tiers below! Platinum Tier: Ruger Armscor Gold Tier: NASGW Li...

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158 results

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