Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America
The Walk the Talk America Podcast is where firearm culture and mental health meet with curiosity, not confrontation.
Each episode brings together voices from the firearm community, mental health professionals, researchers, and everyday gun owners to have honest conversations about suicide prevention, culture, and practical solutions.
We focus on education over outrage, nuance over noise, and collaboration over division, because reducing negative outcomes requires diverse perspectives.
And because this work is personal, every episode closes with a simple but powerful question: How do you stay mentally healthy?
Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America
Ep 173: A Therapist’s Journey Into Firearm Culture
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What happens when a licensed therapist falls in love with shooting sports?
In this episode of the Guns & Mental Health Podcast, Stanford Spurlock shares his journey from working in the music industry to becoming a mental health counselor, competitive shooter, and advocate for reducing the stigma between firearm ownership and seeking therapy.
The conversation explores why many responsible gun owners hesitate to seek mental health care, how therapists can better understand firearm culture, and why nuance—not stereotypes—is essential for improving both mental health and responsible firearm ownership.
Whether you’re a firearm owner, clinician, veteran, or simply interested in improving conversations around mental health, this episode offers a thoughtful perspective on one of today’s most misunderstood topics.
In this episode:
- Why Stanford left the music industry for mental health
- Becoming a firearm owner in Montana
- The stigma surrounding gun owners seeking therapy
- Why many therapists don’t understand firearm culture
- How responsible firearm ownership and mental wellness can coexist
- The importance of secure firearm storage during times of crisis
- Why nuance matters more than labels
Subscribe for more conversations exploring the intersection of mental health and responsible firearm ownership.
