Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America Walk the Talk America

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, particularly Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and how it has helped his clients.

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 and presenting well-spoken ideas.

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 the collaborative efforts to promote safety, support, and understanding, highlighting the positive impact of community-driven solutions in suicide prevention and mental health awareness within the firearms industry.

Gala True, Ph.D., is a Professor of Medicine at LSU School of Medicine and a Research Investigator with the Department of Veterans Affairs. She is a founder and the director of The Armory Project, a VA-funded partnership with firearm retailers to promote secure firearm storage and prevent suicide. She also directs VA-funded research to support caregivers of Veterans in secure firearm storage to prevent suicide.

Caleb Morse is an Army combat veteran who has deployed multiple times supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. A Louisiana native, Caleb owns and operates the Rustic Renegade, a firearms retail shop in Lafayette that also offers coffee, gifts, and a gathering place for veterans and firearms enthusiasts. Caleb is a founding partner of The Armory Project, offering out-of-home storage options in his gun shop and consulting on the evaluation and spread of TAP to additional states.

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 charging options for their safes. He emphasizes the balance between affordability and reliability in the market and shares insights into future product development. 

He also highlights the personal connection between mental health and firearms and the importance of maintaining mental wellness as an entrepreneur. Overall, this conversation sheds light on the intersection of technology, mental health, and gun storage.

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 wilderness therapy and telehealth. Finally, he discusses the impact of political restraints on mental health practices. He also explores the relationship between mental health and the firearms community, the role of religion in treatment, and the importance of personal responsibility. 

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, and interactive dialogue, the panel examines the significance of the unconscious, the role of the ego, and the transformative power of self-reflection.