Your Episodes

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 that's the Tesla of mental health: sleek, speedy, and effective, cutting through the noise without dragging you through the mud of your past again and again. ART is changing the game, and your hosts Erin and Cinnamon are ready to break it all down for you. Today's episode isn...

Welcome back to the show where we dive deep into the unseen world of 911 dispatchers with none other than Ricardo Martinez II, the storyteller and force behind 'Within the Trenches' and the #IAM911 movement. Today, Ricardo joins us to shed light on his 13 years on the front lines as a dispatcher and supervisor, his ongoing efforts to highlight the critical role of dispatchers through his podcast, and the global impact of the #IAM911 movement. Ricardo passionately discusses the necessity of recl...

This episode is for anyone who’s faced the darkness and found the courage to seek the light. It’s for the warriors, the wounded, and anyone who believes in the power of second chances. Today’s guest is the ultimate comeback kid, Rocco Besednjak—a retired cop and Navy vet who stared down the barrel of despair and came out the other side swinging. Rocco’s story isn’t just a tale of survival; it’s a saga of transformation. After being medically retired due to severe injuries, Rocco faced the gut-w...

Ever been in a situation where you expected someone to react a certain way, and when they didn’t, you found yourself ready to go into fight mode? Yeah, that’s biological rudeness for you. It’s your autonomic nervous system flipping the switch to defense mode when your expectations aren’t met, and it’s a surefire way to create misunderstandings and conflicts in relationships. But here’s the kicker—understanding this can help you override those automatic responses and communicate more effectively....

Grab your headphones! In today’s episode, we sit down with Nicole Junkerman, whose incredible journey from police officer to certified Death Doula and Grief Recovery Specialist is nothing short of inspiring. She’s here to talk about her transformation and how she's helping others find peace in their final moments through her venture, Positive Passing, LLC. Nicole started her career wearing a badge, dedicated to serving and protecting. But after an injury forced her to hang up her uniform sooner...

Gear up for a stellar episode of After the Tones Drop where we're hanging out with Ryan Dedmon. Ryan isn't just any guy; he's a retired police dispatcher turned big-time educator at the 911 Training Institute. Back in 2012, he snagged the title of “Telecommunicator of the Year,” and since then, he's been all about teaching first responders how to handle the rough stuff that comes with the job. Ryan's got some serious creds with a Master's in Forensic Psychology, and he's out there teaching at G...

In this special solo episode, Cinnamon takes over the podcast, bringing energy and heartfelt insights. Reflecting on a whirlwind 2024 of travel and engagements, she shares the wisdom she's gathered. Cinnamon expresses initial nervousness but quickly finds her groove, enjoying the comfort of home and life's little joys. The episode centers on Cinnamon's top 25 life lessons, each a golden nugget of wisdom. She discusses the courage to quit when necessary, the peace in letting people do what they ...

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Hickory, a police sergeant who's spent over 20 years on the force, diving deep into his own struggles with addiction and trauma. Jonathan rose out of the dark and emerged a published author of a book turned movie entitled "Break Every Chain." Jonathan doesn't hold back on the tough stuff, emphasizing how vital mental wellness, resilience, and suicide prevention are for folks like him in law enforcement. Teaching a class at a regional academy, Jonathan ...

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 responders to prioritize action over excuses, emphasizing that if first responders are still suffering, no excuse is valid. Kenny, known for both his potent advocacy and his tech tips (he even taught our hosts a few iPhone tricks!), delivers invaluable guidance on how first responders...

While the hosts of After the Tones Drop are on their season break, they are excited to feature a compelling episode from the Just Corrections Podcast EP001 " Zombie Brain" with host William Young and his guest Sue Radcliffe. This episode dives deep into the complex world of trauma and its impact on correctional officers. Guest Spotlight: Joining the conversation is Susan Radcliffe, LCSW-C, RYT 200, a mental health therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience. Sue's professional journey h...

In a special feature during their season break, After the Tones Drop presents an insightful episode from "The Next Shift Podcast" entitled "YOU ARE NOT ALONE," hosted by Jess Flores. This episode delves into the complex emotions and experiences that many first responders face when transitioning out of active service. Jess, drawing from her personal journey of leaving law enforcement 7.5 years ago, shares the profound sense of isolation she encountered—an experience echoed by her former colleague...

While Erin and Cinnamon are taking a break trying to train their pet goldfish to sing the national anthem, they've put together a special bonus episode on After the Tones Drop, featuring Episode 18 : SPREAD HOPE NOT DARKNESS of the The Mindfulness Medic Podcast with the incredible Jason Warn. He was a guest on ATTD last winter on Episode 35, and the gems he dropped left them speechless multiple times. Imagine that level of wisdom packed into every episode of "The Mindfulness Medic." Jason knows ...

Grab your headphones and get comfy—Erin and Cinnamon are dishing all the deets in this season finale of "After the Tones Drop." They kick things off chatting about how they dove into podcasting without a clue and ended up with a hit show! They're super grateful for all the awesome peeps who've joined their podcast fam and the amazing changes they’ve seen. Highlights: Challenges & Growth: Jumping into podcasting was like hopping on a wild rollercoaster—lots of ups and downs but oh-so rewarding. ...

Okay, folks, strap in. We've got AK Dozanti on the show, a former Deputy Sheriff turned First Responder Coach & Specialist. AK's been through the ringer—burnout, depression, PTSD, adrenal fatigue—you name it. Now she's on a mission to help first responders not just cope with chronic stress but actually prevent burnout. That's right, PREVENT it. AK's done it all. She’s been a Deputy, a Criminal Court Victim Advocate, and even a yoga instructor. Yeah, yoga. Because first responders need something...

Welcome to today's episode where we explore the lives of Samie and Ryan, a couple who both serve as first responders, balancing their demanding careers with raising a young family. They share their story from how they met and got engaged, to the conscious decision to prioritize their relationship and family life above all else. Communication, trust, and understanding play pivotal roles in their relationship, especially given the unpredictable nature of shift work and the intense demands of their...

Strap in for a whirlwind tour of the ADHD universe, where every day is an adventure and executive dysfunction is just the tip of the iceberg. This episode dives into the nitty-gritty of living with ADHD, from the thrill of hyperfocus to the challenges of rejection sensitivity dysphoria and everything in between. Imagine your brain constantly flipping channels at breakneck speed – welcome to the ADHD experience. Your guides on this journey debunk myths left and right, revealing ADHD as the compl...

In this raw and unfiltered episode, Kenny Mitchell, a battle-tested firefighter and the force behind Operation Yellow Tape, tackles the tough topic of mental health in the first responder community with a Denis Leary-like straight talk. Kenny doesn't sugarcoat the reality; he shares gripping personal stories to spotlight the dire need for mental health support among those who face danger daily. With a fervor that commands attention, he urges his comrades to seek help boldly and smash the stigma ...

Imagine swapping handcuffs for yoga mats—that's exactly what Vance Rowe did. From tackling law enforcement's high-pressure cooker to embracing the zen of yoga, Vance's journey is nothing short of inspiring. He gets real with us about his battle with alcohol, a moment caught on video that jolted him awake to the need for change. It's all about hitting rock bottom and finding that ladder to climb out. Vance dives into the deep end, talking about the importance of looking after your mental and phy...

Dive into our latest episode where we get into the nuts and bolts of Behavior Chain Analysis. Think of it as the ultimate detective work for figuring out how a simple event can send us spiraling into a whirlwind of emotions without any clue how we got there. It's all about peeling back the layers of our reactions, from that knee-jerk "I don't know" to the deeper, sometimes hidden reasons behind our behaviors, feelings and actions. We share stories from our own journeys of self-discovery, talkin...

In our latest episode of Erin and Cinnamon kick things off with a real-life snippet of gallows humor so perfectly timed, it could only come from a place of deep understanding and shared experience. But don't worry, the details are our little secret. As we unpack the topic, it's clear that gallows humor sits in a unique spot—it's like walking a tightrope between what helps us cope and what might just be a band-aid on a bullet wound. They delve into the heart of why this kind of humor isn't just ...

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of corrections with none other than William Young, a seasoned pro who's been navigating the complex corridors of correctional facilities since way back in 2005. Imagine working everywhere from the sanitation details to the tense atmosphere of segregation - William's done it all. But that's not where his story ends. He's on a new mission these days, shaping up to be the go-to guy for Wellness and Retention within his agency. Yeah, you heard that right, he'...

Today's episode is a must-listen. We're talking with Larry Turner, a man whose life reads like an adventure novel. After serving in the U.S. Army and the Columbus Division of Police, Larry faced a turning point with the loss of a close friend. But instead of letting it defeat him, he channeled his grief into action. Larry's now the proud owner of Killbuck Creek Distillery, where every bottle tells a story of honor and remembrance. His journey took a transformative turn with Save A Warrior, an e...

This week, we're diving back into the deep end with Part Two of our attachment styles saga. If you missed the last episode, hit pause, scoot back, and catch up. We're zoning in on our first responder and how those deep-rooted attachment styles play out under the neon lights and sirens. It's all about the love, the leadership, and the life-saving in between. Attachment Styles 101: A Quick Recap Remember, folks, we've got secure (the cool, calm, collected type), anxious (the 'please text back' s...

Get ready for this episode where we're diving deep into a topic that's been high on your request list: attachment styles. Following our chats on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and boundaries, we're thrilled to tackle how attachment styles tie into these themes. Attachment styles? What are they exactly? Well, they're basically the emotional blueprints we pick up early on in life from our main caregivers. We'll take you back to the roots of attachment theory, pioneered by folks like Bowlby ...