Welcome to After The Tones Drop!

Your Episodes

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. 30, 2023

Hotline Caller: The Forgotten First Responder

In a world where first responders are often celebrated for their bravery and sacrifice, there is a group of heroes who often go unnoticed and unappreciated – dispatchers. These unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes,...

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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. 16, 2023

Balanced Decisions: A Tool to Help Make Informed and Thought Out Deci…

Imagine you're in a high-pressure situation, making split-second decisions. Wouldn't it be nice to hone a tool that encourages you to recognize any negative thoughts that might be clouding your judgment? These could be though...

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Aug. 9, 2023

Fortitude & Excellence: With Molly Jones

Guest Molly Jones joins your ATTD hosts to share her insights, expertise and experience as the clinical outreach coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems and the Center of Excellence. Molly is the IAFF 9th District Peer Supp...

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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 26, 2023

Simple Ways to Get Present: Tips and Tricks to get Grounded and Slow …

On this episode of ATTD your host, Erin, delivers various tools and emphasizes the importance of practicing being present. We all know that first responders have incredibly demanding jobs. You face high-stress situations day ...

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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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July 12, 2023

The Firefighters Daughter: With Kerrie Murphy

Kerrie understands the culture of first responders from her upbringing as a daughter of a firefighter, and growing up with first responders. Kerrie’s brother was also a firefighter for 11 years before his death in 2012. Kerri...

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July 5, 2023

Wellness Warrior: With Sean Woods

Guest, Sean Woods has dabbled in various opportunities in the law enforcement world. He joins our show to share in the steps and successes of creating a wellness program within his department. This program has helped many of...

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June 28, 2023

Hotline Caller: Conflicted Identity

You start out as an eager rookie, ready to save lives and make a difference. You got the shiny badge, the uniform that fits just right, and you feel like a damn hero. People look up to you, trust you with their lives, and it'...

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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 31, 2023

Hotline Caller: Workplace Survivors Guilt

When you know your mental health is taking a hit because of your work environment it can be a hard choice to leave without some residual aftermath taking place. In the competitive and ever-changing landscape of the first resp...

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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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May 17, 2023

Conferences Uncovered: Advantages of the Conference Circuit

Cinnamon and Erin are coming off the heels of attending 1st Responder Conferences in South Bend, Indiana. Fired up and motivated, your hosts share why conferences are so important and what's available by attending. Attending ...

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May 10, 2023

Honest, Open & Willing: With Brian Gillespie

Sometimes, asking for help can be one of the hardest things a person will do. It requires a certain level of vulnerability, surrender and trust. However, that’s just what Marine Corps veteran and retired law enforcement offic...

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May 3, 2023

Hotline Caller: Red Flags of Suicide

Suicide is a deeply distressing and complex issue that demands our utmost attention and empathy. Understanding and recognizing the red flags associated with suicide can be crucial in identifying those who may be at risk and o...

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May 3, 2023

Direct Exposure: Understanding the Events That Can't be Unseen

Join us as we shed light on this crucial aspect of PTSD. The direct exposure a traumatic event may have on a person and why it happens. The ATTD hosts will meticulously unpack the details of what Criterion A entails, its impo...

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May 3, 2023

Mythbusters-Therapy Edition: Debunking the Myths that Keep Folks Stuck

Mental health challenges affect millions of first responders around the world. Unfortunately, misconceptions about therapy often discourage people from seeking help. They also contribute to the stigma surrounding mental healt...

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May 3, 2023

Strength In Numbers: With Jason Callihan

It's hard to pretend you're ok, when your world is "burning down" around you. After a tragic line of duty death in his department, our first guest quite literally pulled himself up by his bootstraps. His journey and what he h...

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