Your Episodes

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's a rush. But somewhere along the line, it starts to change. See, when you're a first responder, the job becomes your life. It's not just a 9 to 5 gig where you punch in and punch out. It's 24/7, no days off, and the weight of the world on your shoulders. You're constantly ...

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 protective shield? It can actually blow up in your face. Avoidance can make you feel detached, numb, and even crankier than a caffeine-deprived cop on a Monday morning. So, here's the deal: after something traumatic happens, your brain goes into survival mode, trying to keep you f...

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, having served in 4 different fire departments. Tim was actively involved in water rescue, tillered ladder truck ops, safety committee, fire investigator, hazmat, PEER support, board member on KFFBA Benevolent Fund and active in his IAFF Union Local 2545. Tim retired in 2021...

"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 night sweats, then nightmares. Soon his sleep was effected, unable to sleep 4 nights out of the week...then the thoughts of being "Done" for good began to consume him. Tim's wife, who he still lovingly calls has "bride" begged him to retire believing it would help his symptoms....

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 responder workforce, the phenomenon of workplace survivor's guilt has emerged as a challenging emotional struggle for some individuals. With so many positions available as a first responder it opens up the power of choice to move departments for the sake of your mental health. I...

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, disrupt their thoughts, and evoke intense feelings of fear, anger, or sadness. The person may find it challenging to concentrate, experience irritability, or engage in avoidance behaviors to prevent triggering these distressing memories or reminders. In this episode ATTD hosts...

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 mental health conferences is crucial in today's world, where mental health issues, especially for first responders are becoming increasingly prevalent. These conferences provide a platform for mental health professionals, peer support, fellow first responders and advocates ...

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 officer, Brian Gillespie did. Brian, born and raised in Jersey City, came to terms with his own struggles with substance abuse more than eight years ago and hasn't looked back. Brian has been involved in the first responder world since 1982, when he joined the US Marine Corps fr...

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 offering them the support they desperately need. Isolation and withdrawal from loved ones, sudden changes in behavior or mood, persistent feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, expressions of wanting to die or a preoccupation with death, giving away prized possessions, an...

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 importance in diagnosing PTSD, and how it relates to traumatic experiences. Unfortunately, first responders are often impacted by the effects of the job that ultimately can cause PTSD. Little known fact, there are over 600,000 different ways that someone can be diagnosed with P...

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 health issues, and prevent people from learning more about or utilizing the services of trained mental health professionals. After the Tones Drop hosts spend some time filtering through and debunking some of the most common myths of therapy, such as: Only “crazy” or “mental” pe...

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 has done with the lessons from his personal experiences has created a domino effect. Listen and hear how he facilitated changes around mental health in his own department and many more in the surrounding Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana Tristate area. City of Hamilton’s (OH) career fi...