Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America

Apr 11 2025 145 ep. 85 mins 20
Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America Podcast artwork

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  Health & Fitness  Education
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Ep 145: A Veteran’s Mental Health Crisis and the Woman Who Stood By Him

Apr 11 2025 75 mins  
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

Ep 144: Why Doctors Need to Understand Gun Owners with Dr. James Bigham

Mar 27 2025 81 mins  
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, an

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

Mar 20 2025 81 mins  
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 st

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

Mar 13 2025 78 mins  
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 f

Ep 141: Innovative Technological Solutions with William Sandoval

Mar 06 2025 90 mins  
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

Ep 140: Confidentiality Concerns in Military Mental Health with Christopher Jachimiec

Feb 28 2025 63 mins  
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 sa

Ep 139: How Gun Owners Can Change the Narrative on Firearms & Mental Health

Feb 20 2025 72 mins  
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

Ep 138: The Role of the Firearms Industry in Mental Health Solutions with Brandon Roper

Feb 13 2025 86 mins  
In this conversation, Michael Sodini and Brandon Roper, the President of Camfour, discuss the critical intersection of mental health and the firearms industry. Brandon also takes us through his journey in the firearms industry, from sales to his current role as President. Through this conversation, they emphasize the need for the industry to take responsibility for addressing menta

Ep 137: Kenny Barlow Recaps National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms

Feb 06 2025 78 mins  
In this episode of the Guns and Mental Health podcast, host Michael Sodini and Kenny Barlow discuss their experiences at the National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearms-Related Harms. They explore the diverse perspectives on firearm research, the importance of technology in gun safety, and the challenges faced in the field. The conversation emphasizes the need for e

Ep 136: Rob Pincus Recaps National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms

Feb 02 2025 58 mins  
In this conversation, Michael Sodini and Rob Pincus discuss their experiences at a recent gun violence prevention conference in Seattle. They reflect on the interactive nature of the event, the importance of engaging with researchers, and the challenges of addressing outdated data and misconceptions about gun ownership. The discussion highlights the need for more research focused o