Ep 173: A Therapist’s Journey Into Firearm Culture

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 healthBecoming a firearm owner in MontanaThe stigma surrounding gun owners seeking therapyWhy many therapists don’t understand firearm cultureHow responsible firearm ownership and mental wellness can coexistThe importance of secure firearm storage during times of crisisWhy nuance matters more than labelsSubscribe for more conversations exploring the intersection of mental health and responsible firearm ownership.Send us Fan MailWalk the Talk America would like to thank our partners who make these conversations possible and would like to highlight our top two partner tiers below! Platinum Tier: Ruger Armscor Bleeker Street Publications Gold Tier: NASGW Lipsey's Davidson's