Videos

💥 Compartmentalization is a Lie 💥 Jason Warn drops a truth bomb that we all need to hear: “Compartmentalization is a lie.” For years, we’ve been told we can "shut it off" when we leave work. But as Jason shares from personal experience, this just isn't true. Pushing trauma into a box and pretending it doesn't affect us doesn't work. It shows up in our relationships, our health, and our lives. Jason goes on to share how he checked every box—ignoring the signs, pushing through, only to have e…

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 inpatient treatment, r…

Part B of our 100th Episode Celebration is LIVE! 🎉 In this powerful continuation, we hear from Tim Sears, Jason Warn, Monica Braun, Michael Sugrue, and Vance Row as they share their stories of resilience, vulnerability, and the slow but steady journey toward real change in the first responder community. 🔥 From Tim’s decision to prioritize his wellness to Jason’s raw honesty about hitting rock bottom and rising again, this episode is full of heart and hard truths. We dive deep into why healing…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2145031/open_sms) 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 y…

In this heartfelt moment from our 100th episode, Brian Gillespie shares a profound realization that changed his life—vulnerability. Brian reflects on how opening up to himself was the turning point in his journey, and how that vulnerability has been the catalyst for the incredible work he's doing today. 💪 💬 “It all started here... I got vulnerable, and that changed everything for me.” Brian also reminds us about the power of small acts of kindness: "Hope is help one person every day." Never …

In this powerful moment from our 100th episode, AK Dozanti drops some wisdom we all need to hear. When we're feeling overwhelmed, it's easy to get caught up in doing, fixing, and trying to control everything around us. But AK reminds us that to be extraordinary, we must first master the ordinary—and that starts with initiating stillness. 🌪️💭 Sometimes, it’s not about moving faster or pushing harder, it’s about pausing to reconnect with our humanity. 🧘‍♀️✨ "Never forget your humanness." Watc…

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 to healing an…

🎙️ Celebrating 100 Episodes of After the Tones Drop! 🎉 We’re kicking off our 100th episode celebration with a powerful conversation about vulnerability, healing, and growth. In Part A, we’re joined by incredible guests who’ve shown us the strength it takes to heal from the toughest challenges—AK Dozanti, Brian Gillespie, Larry Turner, Kenny Mitchell, and Tommy Bolin. This episode is packed with insights on overcoming personal struggles and showing up for others. 💪 This is just the beginning—…

Send us a text (https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2145031/open_sms) 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 stor…

🔙🚨 Throwback Thursday: The Lost Files – Your Emotional Check Engine Light Ever get that tightness in your chest? That clenching in your jaw? That pit in your stomach? Yeah, your body’s trying to tell you something. In this lost file clip, we talk about how physical sensations are often the first warning signs that your emotional check engine light is on. Ignoring it? That’s like driving around with a flashing dashboard warning—eventually, something’s gonna break down. Your body knows before…

🚨 WATCH WITH CARE: This Might Hit Close to Home 🚨 Look, a critical incident isn’t just a call. It’s not just a “thing that happened.” It’s an object—a whole, solid thing that exists in your head. But inside that object? That’s where the real pain is. It’s not the structure fire—it’s the second you locked eyes with the kid trapped inside. It’s not the suicide call—it’s the sound of the mother’s scream when she realized her baby was gone. It’s not the shooting—it’s the feeling in your gut when …

🔥 NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🔥 🚨 WHEN THE JOB TAKES OVER—HOW DO YOU TAKE YOURSELF BACK? 🚨 First responders wear their job titles like armor—firefighter, medic, cop. But what happens when that armor becomes your identity? In Part 1 of our powerful conversation with Sean McCallum, we dig into the mental toll of the job, why trauma isn’t always about the incident itself, and the struggle to shift from work mode to home life without losing yourself in the process. 🔗https://www.afterthetonesdrop.com/mind-…

🚨🏀 MARCH MADNESS EARLY BIRD SALE! 🏀🚨 FIRST RESPONDERS—You train hard, you show up, and now it's your turn to take the shot. 🎯 🔥 From NOW until March 15th, score your spot at the 2025 Tactical Tools for Thriving Symposium for ONLY $50! 🔥 💡 12 powerhouse speakers 💪 Real-world mental health tools 👊 A room full of people who GET IT This is the ultimate huddle for first responders looking to thrive, not just survive. Don’t wait—when the buzzer sounds, the price goes up! ⏳ 🔗 Register NOW: https:…

🚨 New Episode Alert: Cool Story, Bro! How to Lose a Goal in 10 Excuses & the Power of YET 🎧 Listen now: https://www.afterthetonesdrop.com/cool-story-bro-how-to-lose-a-goal-in-10-excuses-the-power-of-yet/ Alright folks, let’s talk about that sneaky little gremlin in your brain—self-sabotage. You know, the one that whispers "Why even try?" or "You're just gonna fail anyway." Well, news flash: that voice is full of crap. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why self-sabotage happens & how to spot it ✅ How f…

🚨 2025 Tactical Tools for Thriving Symposium Speaker Spotlight! 🚨 📅 May 5, 2025 | Erlanger, KY | St. Elizabeth Training Center🎟 Register now: https://evenium.events/tactical-tools Meet William Young, a powerhouse in the world of corrections advocacy, mental health, and leadership! With three books under his belt, a mission to reshape how we support correctional staff, and the platform Just Corrections, William is a true champion for those behind the walls—on both sides of the bars. 🔥 What to…

🚨 New Episode: It’s Not About You! 🎙️ Taking things personally can wreak havoc on relationships—yet so many of us do it without even realizing it. This week on After the Tones Drop, we break down why we internalize others’ emotions and reactions—and how to stop. 💡 Inspired by The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, we dig into: ⚡ Why we feel the need to “fix” other people’s emotions ⚡ How pushing for answers can backfire ⚡ The power of giving people space instead of making it about us We get…

🎙️ New Episode: Brotherhood Betrayal with Captain Ed Monroe 🚒 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 in 2021. Ed shares the unimaginable day when a colleague took the lives of two firefighters and himself—and the lasting ripple effects on the entire agency. From navigating grief and leadership under pressure to embracin…

🔥🚔 On this episode of Fun Friday, we bring you: ‘Oh yeah, this job is super boring.’ 🙄☕ POV: Someone asks if first responder work ever gets dull… meanwhile, you’re knee-deep in non-stop adrenaline, chaos, and enough coffee to power a small city. ☕⚡ Boring? Only if your definition includes sirens, stress, and split-second decisions. 🤷‍♂️ #FunFriday #CalmIsRelative #AdrenalineJunkie #NotYourAverageOfficeJob #FirstResponderReality #EmergencyLife #firstresponders #silly #firefighters #medic #law…

On this clip of Throwback Thursday: The Lost Files 🎥: We’re taking a look at the all-too-familiar spiral of isolation. 🚪➡️🚫 Avoiding tough conversations, retreating to the bunkroom, and sitting in your own ‘pee pants’ 🩳 (yep, we said it). Avoidance might feel like control, but it only keeps you stuck in the spin cycle. 🌀 Let’s break the habit and find better ways to cope. 💪✨ #ThrowbackThursday #LostFiles #MentalHealthMatters #BreakTheCycle #FirstResponderWellness #IsolationIsntHealing #PeePa…

🔥 One Week Later: Reflecting on an Honor 🧠 It’s hard to believe it’s already been a week since we had the privilege of being the keynote speakers at the 28th Annual Jackson Fire Expo! 🙌 We were honored to deliver our ACEs in the Hole presentation, teaching first responders about the profound effects of childhood adversity. Even more humbling? We were the first-ever speakers to bring mental health to this incredible event. Thank you to the Jackson Fire Expo for trusting us to start this conve…

🧘‍♂️ Meditation: Not Just for Hippies 🌟 “Honestly, I used to think meditation was a total joke—just some hippie thing. But now? I get it.” Our guest, Brad, breaks down how he went from a skeptic to seeing all the real-life benefits of meditation. From calming the chaos in your head to handling stress better, it’s not about sitting on a mountain—it’s about finding your balance in the everyday grind. If Brad can give it a shot, maybe it’s time you do, too. #MeditationBenefits #StressRelief #N…

🛌 Sleep Hacks You Need 😴 Your body’s bedtime cues aren’t just about darkness. 🌡 Cool Down: Keep your room at 67-68°F and take a warm shower 1-2 hours before bed to trigger melatonin release. 🧠 Calm Your Mind: Balanced serotonin helps relax racing thoughts and ease you into sleep. 🕒 Reset Your Clock: Your circadian rhythm relies on specific chemicals that thrive when you’re well-rested. Set your body up for better sleep! #SleepBetter #RestIsRecovery #SleepHacks #CircadianRhythm #MelatoninMag…

In this heartfelt "drop-in/special release" episode, Erin and Cinnamon step into the deeply personal and universal experience of the Anniversary Effect—the way our bodies and minds hold onto grief, even when the calendar doesn’t remind us. 💔 The conversation weaves through: How grief and trauma live in the body (because, yes, the body does keep the score). The parallels between shared human experiences, like childbirth or the death of a loved one, and how personal significance amplifies the w…

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 …