Your Episodes

Send us a text This one has been a long time coming, and so worth the wait. Conrad Weaver is not just a filmmaker. He’s not just a podcaster. He’s a storyteller for the soul of public service. A man who took his lens and his heart straight into the fire of our first responder world and came out carrying the stories we didn’t know how to tell ourselves. In this episode, we dig deep with Conrad about his journey from filming agriculture documentaries to capturing the gut-wrenching, raw realitie...

Send us a text You’re gonna need a box of tissues, because this episode with Captain Chris Moore is equal parts gut-wrenching and soul-restoring. Chris has over 30 years in the fire service—he’s seen it, lived it, and most importantly, survived it. From hurricanes to heartbreak, Lewis the legendary service dog to losing everything but finding himself—this isn’t just a story about calls and chaos. It’s a testimony of what happens when you finally stop trying to hold it all together and admit y...

Send us a text This week, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes pass to the Tactical Tools for Thriving First Responders Symposium. (And spoiler alert—it’s not just another conference.) Erin and Cinnamon pull Kenny Schroeder—firefighter, peer supporter, all-around behind-the-scenes wizard—into the studio to talk about how this event was born, why it still matters, and how it's changing lives four years later. We get real about the explosion of first responder wellness events lately—(which, yes, w...

Send us a text This week, we sat down with our friend Giovanni Rocco, the undercover FBI agent who infiltrated the real-life DeCavalcante crime family—the same mob crew that inspired The Sopranos. But let us be clear: this episode is not just about mob takedowns and wiretaps. This is about what happens after the mission is over—when the badge comes off, the ring comes off, and the world you thought you were serving forgets your name. From the moment Giovanni joined us, he pulled back the curtain...

Send us a text In this intimate, off-the-cuff solo episode, Cinnamon sneaks into the mic without Erin knowing—and we’re so glad she did. What starts as a quiet confession turns into a deeply moving reflection on sobriety, storytelling, and one unforgettable bear. Cinnamon shares the story that helped her get sober in 2011—a darkly hilarious, soul-punching short story by David Sedaris that spoke to her in a way nothing else could. As she reads The Motherless Bear aloud, you’ll laugh, cringe, mayb...

Send us a text This week on After the Tones Drop , we’re sitting down with someone who tells it exactly like it is—retired NYPD officer Vincent Scotto. With 20 years of experience in one of the most intense law enforcement environments in the country, Vin brings a level of honesty, grit, and self-awareness that hits different. He doesn’t just talk about the job—he talks about what happens after the job, when the structure disappears, the camaraderie fades, and you’re left to sort through the emo...

Send us a text Alright, let’s get real. How many times have you sat there, paralyzed by a decision, convinced that one wrong move is going to send your entire life into a downward spiral? (Looking at you, late-night overthinkers.) Well, Cinnamon’s taking the wheel in this episode, and she’s bringing some serious perspective shifts. What if there’s no such thing as a “right” or “wrong” decision? What if every choice—good, bad, or straight-up questionable—just leads you down a different road with ...

Send us a text Alright, friends, here we are—the final round of our After the Tones Drop 100th episode celebration. Part C, the big finish. And if Parts A & B took you on an emotional rollercoaster, this one is the comedy club you didn’t know you needed. We packed the room with some of our most legendary guests, and things got real fast—laughs, deep conversations, and maybe a few inappropriate jokes. This episode brings back Chris Perry, the man behind Episode 70, Full Throttle Freedom , who’s s...

Send us a text Welcome back to Part B of our 100th episode celebration! If you thought Part A was powerful, you’re in for a real treat here. This episode dives even deeper into the struggles, the triumphs, and the raw honesty that our guests bring. We’re talking real change in the first responder world—personal transformation, shifting the culture, and the tough work of showing up even when it feels like the world’s against you. We’re joined by Tim Sears , who shares his journey through inpatien...

Send us a text We made it to our 100th episode, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with you all! For this milestone, we’re bringing back 14 incredible guests in a 3 part series who have each made a significant impact not just on our show, but in the lives of many. These individuals are true advocates—those who’ve walked through the fire and emerged with the strength, wisdom, and compassion to help others. Their stories are proof that vulnerability, resilience, and community are the key...

Alright, folks—we’re back with Part 2 of our powerhouse conversation with Sean McCallum, and if you thought last week’s episode was a game-changer, just wait. If you missed Part 1, go back and listen because we laid the groundwork for this one—identity shifts, trauma integration, and why first responders get stuck in old patterns. Now, we’re diving straight into the COPE Stress Management Model, aka the CPR for Stress . Sean and his colleague, Johnny Ward, developed COPE as a simple but powerful...

Get buckled up because this episode is a big one. We’re kicking off a two-part series with the one and only Sean McCallum, and let’s just say—this guy gets it . Sean isn’t your average firefighter. Sure, he’s spent 22+ years in the fire service and serves as an operational watch manager with the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service in the UK. But beyond that? He’s a veteran, crisis intervention specialist, trauma consultant, and children’s author who’s developed innovative mental health frame...

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 confl...

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 under ...

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 p...

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 batt...

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 episod...

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 wi...

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...