In Episode 34 of Downright Mindful, Paul interviews Matt about the many ”weapons” he's carried — and not all of them come from a duty belt.

Drawing from Matt’s real-world experience as a sheriff’s deputy, this episode explores the use (and misuse) of firearms, tasers, pepper spray… and yes, even a lamp. But this isn’t just a conversation about force — it’s about choices.

Paul then shifts the conversation toward the deeper meaning behind the title, referencing Gordon Parks, a legendary photographer, filmmaker, and author of A Choice of Weapons. Parks once embedded with a Harlem gang leader — not to arrest him, but to understand him. He chose his camera as a weapon against injustice.

This opens the door to a raw conversation about gangs, not just in the streets but inside jails — and eventually leads Matt to share a sobering story about mental illness, incarceration, and human dignity.

🛠️ Sometimes a weapon is a tool. Sometimes it’s a word. Sometimes, it’s a lens.

✍️ Who was Gordon Parks?Gordon Parks (1912–2006) was a groundbreaking Black American photojournalist, filmmaker (Shaft, The Learning Tree), and civil rights advocate. In his 1966 autobiography, A Choice of Weapons, Parks described how he chose art and truth over violence — using his camera to confront racism, poverty, and injustice. 📖 Read more about Parks here

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