In lieu of an actual cross-country book tour, I am spending a lot of time talking about Gun Curious: A Liberal Professor’s Surprising Journey Inside America’s Gun Culture on various podcasts.
Of course, there is some overlap in the content of these discussions. But each is also shaped by the particular interest of the interviewers and their channels. Below is the continually updated collection of these podcast appearances with some brief notes regarding the uniqueness of each.
April 10: Imagine a World Without: Guns
Listen Now. This podcast was not about my book, per se, but I don’t think there is a single podcast that better encompasses my views than this one. If you only ever listen to one podcast with me, this is the one. “Without” is an award-winning podcast hosted by international bestselling author Omar El Akkad. Show description: “Is having a gun an expression of some sort of freedom? The ubiquity of guns in the United States certainly suggests so. Today, Omar talks with David Yamane about his changing relationship to firearms, and if a world without them is conceivable.”
June 7: Outdoor Crusade
This was a fun conversation because the host, Jody Blackwelder, is a lifelong gun owner and outdoor enthusiast, so our contrasting experiences really come out. I especially enjoyed the discussion of hunting toward the end. With my Gun Culture 2.0 defensive gun ownership focus, hunting gets short-shrift in my work, but also in my experience. Jody and I talk about why and how we might overcome that deficit.
May 24: The Best Part of the Book with Mark Perzel
This podcast was produced by McFarland & Co. Publishers, whose Exposit Books imprint is publishing Gun Curious. Highlights of this podcast in my view are Mark Perzel’s excellent radio voice, the production quality, the fact that he read the book in advance of our interview, and my having the opportunity to talk about Sandy at the end.
May 30: Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network
This conversation with Gila Hayes was great in large part because she had read and seriously thought about Gun Curious before we spoke. She respectfully highlighted points on which we disagreed and used those as opportunities to advance the conversation.
May 28: Bearing Arms’ Cam & Co.
I’ve been traveling in many of the same circles as Cam Edwards for years now but this is the first time we’ve had a chance to talk. We covered a lot of ground, but focused especially on the diversity of gun owners and gun culture, especially my perspective as a liberal. I am interested in seeing how Cam’s mostly conservative audience receives the conversation.
May 24: Gun Freedom Radio
The fifth of five lessons I discuss in the conclusion to Gun Curious is the need to reclaim civil conversations with our fellow citizens about guns. In this recently dropped episode of Gun Freedom Radio, I talk about this lesson and also try to model it in a productive conversation with Cheryl and Danny Todd. Although we disagree on a number of political issues (they being self-professed conservatives and me being a liberal professor), we also agree on many issues pertaining to guns and gun culture. Cheryl and Danny are terrific interviewers and walked me through some important topics like what “curious” means in Gun Curious, the importance of taking my Sociology of Guns students on a field trip to the range, the meaning of “gun safety,” and how to approach conversations with people have different views of guns.
May 10: A Better Way 2A
Listen now. I’ve been following “A Better Way 2A” for some time because I support their vision of a diverse and inclusive gun culture, so I enjoyed meeting and speaking with Jordan and Andrew for the first time. From their show notes: “In this truly insightful episode with Professor David Yamane of Wake Forest University, we dive into the concept of Gun Culture 2.0 and the transformation of America’s gun culture. The conversation explores the shift from hunting and collecting firearms to self-defense, gun ownership as a hobby, and the tactical world of gun ownership. David emphasizes the importance of civil conversations and the challenges of emotional arguments, as well as the need for open and nuanced conversations that focus on shared values and common ground. We discuss David’s upcoming book, Gun Curious, and Jordan talks about how he actually read it. (we’re all shocked) It’s rare to get someone as eloquent and knowledgeable on the topics from the “other side”, and David’s perspectives are invaluable to the conversation about gun rights, gun control, and more.”
May 26: Bourbon and Barrels Podcast
Listen Now. Host and friend-who-I’ve-never-met-F2F, Kirk Wachenheimer, read my book in advance and asked some very good questions, especially about my experience in the civilian gun training cottage industry. But for me, the best part of this podcast was talking about bourbon, and especially my experience doing a barrel tasting and pick at Buffalo Trace Distillery a couple of years ago.
May 17: Guns & Mental Health by Walk the Talk America
Listen Now. Walk the Talk America is one of my favorite organizations in the gun space, and Michael Sodini is one of my favorite people. Episode description: “In this episode, we explore the world of gun culture with author David Yamane, who aims to bridge the divide between gun owners and skeptics. His book covers why guns resonate with their owners while addressing concerns about the risks they pose in some people’s eyes. David highlights the efforts of Walk the Talk America and explores founder Michael Sodini’s background growing up.” Fast forward 32 minutes to hear the most interesting part of this interview, in which I discuss why I included Sodini’s story in chapter 7 of my book.