Walk the Talk America Names Top Four Guns & Mental Health Podcast Episodes of 2026
Industry leaders, researchers, survivors, and clinicians drive dialogue on mental health and responsible firearm ownership
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Walk the Talk America (WTTA) today announced the four most-downloaded episodes of its Guns & Mental Health podcast from the first half of 2026, reflecting growing interest in conversations that bridge the firearm and mental health communities.
Hosted by WTTA founder Michael Sodini and Chief Strategy Officer Kevin Berry, the podcast brings together voices from the firearm industry, academia, public health, and lived experience to tackle suicide prevention, mental health, and responsible firearm ownership.
1. Charles Anderson: Success Doesn't Immunize You from Mental Health Struggles
Charles Anderson, CEO of Bleeker Street Publications and Athlon Outdoors, offers a candid look at navigating success while privately struggling. He traces his path from growing up in New York to the brokerage world later depicted in The Wolf of Wall Street, then venture capital, and finally leading one of the firearm industry's largest media organizations.
Anderson discusses imposter syndrome, depression, and the framework that carried him through his darkest moments. Sodini and Berry tie his experience to WTTA's "Cause a Pause" initiative and the industry's growing willingness to talk about suicide prevention.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1269383/episodes/18624707
2. Yale Researcher Kerri Raissian on Finding Common Ground Through Data
In the podcast's first conversation with a firearm injury prevention researcher, Kerri Raissian of Yale School of Public Health traces her move from criminal justice and domestic violence services into research aimed at reducing injury and trauma.
The discussion covers secure storage, firearm theft, extreme risk protection orders, and building trust between researchers and firearm owners. Rather than debating positions, it focuses on understanding concerns and finding solutions that can earn broad support.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1269383/episodes/18656592
3. Nelba Márquez-Greene Shares a Story of Loss, Healing, and Humanity
In one of the podcast's most emotional episodes, Nelba Márquez-Greene, mother of Ana Grace Márquez-Greene, who was killed at Sandy Hook, joins Sodini for a deeply personal conversation about grief, faith, resilience, and community.
The episode sets political debate aside in favor of listening across differences, reflecting WTTA's belief that progress begins when people choose compassion over division.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1269383/episodes/19146016
4. Dr. Chris Knoepke Explores the Reality Behind Colorado's ERPO Process
Dr. Chris Knoepke of the University of Colorado School of Medicine joins Sodini and Berry to examine how Colorado's Extreme Risk Protection Order process actually works, including due process protections, who may petition, law enforcement and clinician perspectives, and what the research shows.
The conversation also looks at strengthening voluntary interventions, improving clinician training, and connecting people in crisis with support before legal intervention becomes necessary.
Building Better Conversations
Together, these episodes reflect WTTA's mission of reducing stigma, encouraging help-seeking, and improving collaboration among firearm owners, mental health professionals, researchers, and industry leaders.
"These episodes represent exactly what Walk the Talk America strives to accomplish," said Michael Sodini, founder of Walk the Talk America. "Progress happens when people with different backgrounds are willing to sit down, listen carefully, and search for practical solutions together. We're grateful to every guest who trusted us with their story."
New episodes of Guns & Mental Health are released regularly on major podcast platforms and YouTube.
About Walk the Talk America: Walk the Talk America (WTTA) is a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the gap between mental health and responsible firearm ownership through education, cultural competency, suicide prevention initiatives, and collaborative partnerships. WTTA works with clinicians, firearm retailers, instructors, researchers, manufacturers, and community organizations to reduce stigma and improve access to mental health resources.