Your Episodes

Alright folks, buckle up because today Erin and Cinnamon are calling out that sneaky, progress-blocking beast: self-sabotage. We all do it. We all have that little voice that says, "Why even try?" or "You're just gonna fail anyway." Well, guess what? That voice is full of crap. In this episode, we break down why we sabotage ourselves, how fear plays the biggest role in keeping us stuck, and most importantly, how one tiny word— yet— can shut that nonsense down. That’s right. The difference betwe...

Taking things personally can strain relationships, yet so many of us struggle to step back and give others the space they need. In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Cinnamon and Erin dive into why we internalize others' emotions and reactions—and how to break that habit. Drawing from The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz, they explore why resisting the urge to “fix” someone’s feelings can actually strengthen relationships and prevent unnecessary confli...

In this powerful episode of After the Tones Drop, we sit down with Captain Ed Monroe, a 16-year veteran of the LA County Fire Department, whose life and leadership were forever changed by a tragic critical incident within his department in 2021. Ed opens up about the unimaginable day when a colleague took the life of one of their brothers, shot another and permanently wounded him, then took his life—and the lasting ripple effects on the entire agency. From navigating grief and leadership unde...

Grief is one of those things that hits everyone differently, and let’s be honest—most of us suck at knowing what to say when someone we care about is going through it. Whether it's at a funeral, in a sympathy card, or just a well-meaning text, people often default to the same old clichés that do more harm than good. Today, Erin and Cinnamon dive deep into what NOT to say when supporting someone who’s grieving—because while words can’t fix grief, they sure as hell can make it worse. From the cla...

Ever heard of the fight-or-flight response? Of course you have. But what about the other F words—freeze, fawn, and faint? No, we’re not kidding. In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Erin and Cinnamon take a hilarious yet insightful dive into the often-overlooked stress responses that make up our brain’s survival playbook. This conversation will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about how we handle stress and high-pressure moments. From breaking down what each response look...

Let’s talk about the impossible balancing act of being a firefighter, running a business, and still managing to take care of yourself. That’s exactly what today’s guest, Jon Vought, is doing. Jon is a 15-year veteran firefighter and the founder of Rescue One CBD, a company dedicated to helping first responders improve their sleep, manage stress, and reduce inflammation—all without risking their careers. After struggling with his own recovery from surgery and dealing with the ripple effects of po...

This episode, we're unpacking a concept that's been a game changer for us and many others: the idea that relationships don't need to be 50/50 all the time but should rather aim for 100% collectively, however that splits. Inspired by Brene Brown's insights on vulnerability and support, we're talking about how sometimes, you might only have 20% to give, and that's perfectly okay—as long as the people in your life are ready to step up and fill in the rest. We're also sharing our harrowing week bat...

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 largest cities to its most remote communities, Brad has seen and endured more than many can imagine. But his story isn’t just about the job; it’s about the unspoken struggles and silent battles so many first responders face—and the courage it takes to confront them. In this epi...

In today's New Year episode, Erin and Cinnamon warmly welcome listeners back after their holiday break, refreshed and ready to jump into the new year. They initiate a thoughtful dialogue on why setting intentions surpasses making resolutions, advocating for thoughtful, daily choices that significantly influence our personal journeys. Throughout the episode, they reflect deeply on the outcomes and learnings from 2024, emphasizing the importance of being intentional and holding oneself accountable...

Warning: This Episode discusses suicide, so please listen with caution. We were supposed to be on a podcast release break, but this one couldn’t wait. Sometimes, life throws you those days where grief and loss show up uninvited, and the weight of it all just feels too big to hold alone. So, we hit record. Raw, unfiltered, and straight from the heart, this episode is all about what we’ve been feeling—and what you might be feeling too. We dive into the Anniversary Effect—how our bodies seem to re...

Erin and Cinnamon are taking a beat to catch their breath after a wild ride through 2024. Five weeks of non-stop travel, trainings, and conferences? Yeah, they’re officially ready to park their suitcases, hang out with their families, and enjoy the holidays without living out of a suitcase. But don’t panic—they’re not disappearing completely! While there won’t be new episodes until the first Wednesday of 2025, they’ll still be working behind the scenes, recording fresh content, and connecting w...

In this episode of After the Tones Drop, we talk to Ryan Mink—former Army infantryman, law enforcement officer, and now a financial planner who actually gets it. This guy has seen it all, from the chaos of the battlefield to the mayhem of the streets, and now he’s using that hard-earned wisdom to help first responders stop screwing up their finances. Ryan’s no stranger to stress, and he’s using his unique background to show Ohio’s public servants how to plan for the future without losing their m...

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 challenges of a demanding career, mental health struggles, and the strength needed to maintain their marriage and family. Chris’s mental health struggles peaked in 2021 when he found himself on the brink of suicide. An unexpected comment from Tara and an intervention by thei...

In this episode, Cinnamon takes us through a concept that’s as frustrating as it is relatable: foreboding joy. Ever had a moment of real happiness, only to be hit with a gut-punch of worry about when it’s all going to come crashing down? Yeah, that’s what we’re talking about. Dr. Brené Brown coined the term, and Cinnamon’s here to break it down for all the first responders out there who know the dance all too well. For first responders, foreboding joy is almost second nature. You finally get a q...

Welcome back to another episode of After the Tones Drop! Today, we’re revisiting and re-releasing our second ever episode because, unfortunately, even after two years, the myths surrounding therapy are still holding on strong. Erin and Cinnamon dive deep into these misconceptions, especially within the first responder community. If you still think therapy is all about lying on a couch while a therapist silently nods, it’s time to bust that myth wide open. In this episode, we’re getting real abou...

This episode isn’t your average fitness chat. Erin and Cinnamon sit down with Monica Crawford, the brains (and brawn) behind Five-O, Fierce, and Fit, an online fitness and nutrition coaching biz that’s all about getting female first responders strong, healthy, and thriving. Monica’s been through the ringer herself—working in a toxic police department that was tanking her mental and physical health—so she knows a thing or two about what it takes to pull yourself out of the gutter and level up. ...

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 childhood trauma, losing his first wife, 21 years on the frontlines as a firefighter and EMT, and getting slammed with a diagnosis of complex PTSD. The guy’s been through hell, and he’s still standing, fighting to break the stigma around mental health, addiction, and suicide i...

In this solo episode of After the Tones Drop, Cinnamon takes the mic to talk about a topic that might seem simple on the surface but is a huge issue for first responders—sleep. We all know sleep is important, but as Cinnamon explains, for those in the service, the lack of quality sleep goes far beyond just feeling tired. Sleep affects everything from mental health to decision-making and even physical recovery after those long, grueling shifts. Cinnamon dives deep into the mental health effects ...

In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Erin and Cinnamon take on a question from a hotline caller who is a newly minted 21-year-old firefighter who's asking something we don't hear often enough: “Should I even start drinking when I see what it does to everyone around me?” We know how it goes in the first responder world—drinking is practically a rite of passage. But what if it doesn’t have to be? What if you could dodge the hangovers, the regret, and the potential slide down a very slippery s...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Marian Cosgrove, a law enforcement officer whose story is nothing short of extraordinary. From a childhood filled with both joy and profound trauma to navigating the complexities of failed marriages and a challenging military career, Marian faced a critical choice: succumb to self-destruction or fight with every ounce of strength she had. Marian opens up about her struggle with alcoholism, a crutch that became both her comfort and her curse. She shares...

This one’s gonna hit close to home, so if you’re easily offended, you might want to sit this one out. Thanks to a brave listener who reached out via email sharing her personal experience as a corrections officer, we’re taking a hard look at something that’s been festering in the world for too long—ageism and gender bias. Yeah, it’s not a comfortable topic, but that’s exactly why we’re diving into it. Let’s face it: at times, our young recruits and female first responders are getting treated lik...

Today’s episode is a masterclass in mental toughness and leadership straight from the mouth of a firefighter-turned-Marine-turned-firefighter who’s making waves in the world of first responder wellness. Meet Chief Jason Corthell—a guy who’s not just walking the walk, but kicking down doors to get the mental health conversation started where it matters most: in the firehouse, on the battlefield, and inside the hearts and minds of those who serve. Chief Corthell isn’t your run-of-the-mill fire ch...

Get ready for a powerful new episode of After the Tones Drop. This week, we’re diving into the raw, unfiltered reality of what it means to be a first responder on the edge. We’re bringing you a call from the other side of the world—from a fourth-generation first responder who’s staring down the barrel of uncertainty, fear, and the haunting question: “Who am I without this job?” This isn’t just another story from the past; this is someone in the thick of it, fighting to find a way through. You’l...

Ever felt like life’s a never-ending grindhouse flick? Well, buckle up, because this week we’ve got Chris Perry, a retired law enforcement officer who took the ultimate journey from the darkness of PTSD to the liberating high of motorcycle racing. Yeah, you heard me right. Chris talks about hitting rock bottom, where his emotions were as numb as a statue and fear was just a word in the dictionary. Imagine facing the crapstorm of law enforcement for nearly three decades and coming out the other ...