In this special episode, Kevin Berry sits down with Kerri Raissian, Senior Research Scientist at the Yale School of Public Health, Kenny Barlow from Regal Products, and WTTA founder Mike Sodini to recap a week that moved the conversation forward in meaningful ways. The National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms brought together researchers, public health leaders, industry partners, clinicians, and advocates who all share a common goal. Reduce negative outcomes and save lives.

For the first time, WTTA and the ROOTS initiative were represented on the exhibitor floor. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees were curious, supportive, and eager to learn how voluntary secure storage, mental health tools, and trusted community partnerships fit into the broader prevention landscape. Our team heard again and again how important it was to have firearm owners and industry voices present, willing to listen and willing to engage in good faith.

In this conversation, we break down key themes from the conference, share insights from panels and hallway conversations, and talk about what it means when different perspectives finally have a chance to connect. This episode highlights why cultural understanding matters, what ROOTS is building, and how collaborations across disciplines can create practical, real-world solutions that help families, communities, and firearm owners.

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In this episode of Walk the Talk America, Michael Sodini and Kevin Berry sit down with firearms instructor and Firearm Trainer Podcast host Rob Beckman to discuss his candidacy for the NRA Board of Directors and his vision for “NRA 2.0.”

Rob shares how the organization is changing under new leadership, how instructors can bridge the gap between gun ownership and mental health, and why collaboration—not division—will shape the future of the Second Amendment.

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Former infantry Marine and brand strategist Waco Hoover joins Michael to dig into the impact of lip service. We cover the American Legion’s “Be The One” suicide-prevention effort, Columbia Protocol training, and VA Veterans Health Venture Studio work building real tools for care. Then we preview MCON, a celebration of military culture with range day, First Shots, and a timed secure-storage retrieval competition that reframes safety as readiness. Bring your questions, bring your team.

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