Welcome to After The Tones Drop!

PTSD Episodes

Jan. 8, 2025

Mountie Mentality: With Brad Savage

It’s not easy to admit you’re struggling, especially when you’re supposed to be the strong one. Brad Savage, a 15-year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, knows this better than most. From serving in Canada’s larges...

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Nov. 6, 2024

Burning From Within: With Guests Chris & Tara O'Barsky-A Story of Sur…

In this episode of After the Tones Drop , we share the powerful story of Chris, a deputy chief with over 30 years in the fire service, and his wife Tara, an educator with a 25-year career. Their journey has been marked by the...

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Oct. 2, 2024

Lucky Number Six: With Keith Hanks

In this episode of After the Tones Drop , Erin and Cinnamon sit down with Keith Hanks, a retired firefighter and EMT who’s seen more chaos and tragedy than most of us can even imagine. Keith doesn't hold back. We're talking c...

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July 31, 2024

High Velocity Healing: How Accelerated Resolution Therapy puts the Pe…

Welcome to the fast lane of trauma recovery, where we're not just talking about any old therapy—we're spotlighting Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and believe me, it's as revolutionary as it sounds. Picture a therapy th...

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May 29, 2024

ATTD Features Operation Yellow Tape Podcast with Kenny Mitchell Jr.

In this special episode, "After the Tones Drop" is delighted to feature Episode 008: Time to go Home from Operation Yellow Tape Podcast, hosted by the exceptionally articulate Kenny Mitchell. Kenny challenges first respond...

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Oct. 25, 2023

What the Eff Now: ACES Part 3

Over the course of these two episodes, we hope we've done a sufficient job in helping our listeners understand what Adverse Childhood Experiences are, how they impact our developing brain and how our childhood experiences aff...

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Oct. 18, 2023

The Nesting Doll Concept: ACES Part 2

Today we're diving deep into the twisted maze of our past, like we're untangling a bunch of Russian nesting dolls. You know, those dolls that hide one inside the other, like a secret within a secret. It's a metaphor that's so...

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Oct. 11, 2023

Show Me Your ACES: ACES Part 1

In this episode, we embark on a journey to unravel the intricate web of childhood trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Delving into the long-reaching effects on first responders' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors,...

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Oct. 4, 2023

Ultimate Surrender: With Monica Braun

"I don't want any other first responders to feel that they have to be stuck in that darkness and that there is hope that you can get out of that and get help." Grappled with a range of challenges, including addiction, mental ...

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Sept. 20, 2023

The Final Puzzle Piece: Duration, Functional Impairment & Chemical Hi…

Today, we embark on a journey to wrap up the vital criteria we've explored over the past five months. As we delve into the world of PTSD, we revisit Episode 3, where we confronted the stark reality of Direct Exposure to traum...

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Sept. 6, 2023

Unwavering Courage: With Michael Sugrue

In the realm of first responders, bravery is valuable, and fortitude is required. As we embark on the compelling journey of his victory over post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), one resounding message reverberates: the ghost ...

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Aug. 23, 2023

Hyperarousal & Reactivity: Navigating Irritability, Risky Behaviors, …

So, let's dive in, again, to this whole PTSD thing, specifically Criterion E. It may feel like you're on the rollercoaster in your mind, and suddenly, boom! You're hit with a wild loop-de-loop of symptoms. Your mind is like ...

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Aug. 2, 2023

Breaking the Stigma: With Tommy Bolin

Tommy Bolin, a 28 year veteran in the fire service in Columbus, Ohio. Tommy currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. Tommy joins ATTD to talk about his experience in turning his "mess into a message." Tommy's journey is like ...

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July 19, 2023

Internal Storms: Navigating Negative Alterations of Mood and Mind

Negative alterations in your mind and mood are par for the course when you're a human begin. A lot of us know that these experiences will pass as quickly as they came. Unless these alterations are a direct result of experienc...

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June 21, 2023

The Only Way Out is Through: Understanding the Consequences of Avoida…

You might think avoidance is your brain’s way of protecting you from the horrors of a traumatic experience. It's like your brain is saying, "Nope, not dealing with that nightmare again." But guess what? This so-called protect...

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June 14, 2023

At the Core of 44-Part 2 Building Stronger Families: With Tim Sears

Tim Sears, 44 year veteran of the fire service joins us again to discuss the tools he has been using to overcome PTSD and his work with Stronger Families. Tim Sears joined Stronger Families with 44 years in the fire service, ...

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June 7, 2023

At the Core of 44-Part 1: With Tim Sears

"Tall" Tim, a 44 year veteran in the fire service, started as a volunteer in Toppenish on the Yakima Indian Nation Reservation at the age of 16. 40 years from the start if his career in 2018, he began waking with horrible nig...

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May 24, 2023

Understanding Nightmares, Memories & Flashbacks

An all too common thing for a First Responder to experience are nightmares, intrusive memories and at times, flashbacks. These intrusive symptoms can be highly distressing, as they intrude upon the individual's daily life, di...

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