After The Tones Drop

with Cinnamon
  • 5.0 (34)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Embark on a journey that goes beyond sirens and flashing lights After The Tones Drop Podcast provides a safe haven to explore, demystify, and destigmatize mental health and wellness for first responders.  Join Cinnamon and her guests as they pull back the curtain, sharing powerful stories and expert insights that resonate with the heartbeat of those who run towards danger when others step back. It's more than just a podcast; it's a lifeline for the ones who dedicate their lives to saving others. In each episode, stories get unraveled and struggles behind the badges are shared, showcasing the human side of heroism. Discover the strength in vulnerability and the power in sharing. It's more than a conversation; it's a revolution—a revolution in mental health care for our first responders. So, tune in for candid conversations, practical strategies, and a sprinkle of humor—because healing begins with understanding, and understanding starts here.   Let's break down the barriers, one episode at a time. Because after the tones drop, the real conversation begins, and we're here to make sure it's heard loud and clear.

  1. The Responder Reset: 99 Ways to Regulate in Real Time with AK Dozanti

    1D AGO

    The Responder Reset: 99 Ways to Regulate in Real Time with AK Dozanti

    Send a text In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Cinnamon sits down with AK Dozanti, former deputy sheriff, victim advocate, wellness coach, and author of The Responder Reset: 99 Real-Time Tactics for Frontline Regulation. This conversation is for the people who do not have the luxury of slowing down when stress hits. The ones who need something that works in the moment, not after a weekend retreat or a six week program. AK breaks down how regulation actually works in the body, why most responders are taught to override it instead of support it, and how simple, science backed tools can help you reset without changing the facts of what you are facing. Together, Cinnamon and AK talk about burnout, skepticism, muscle memory, nervous system regulation, and why these tools are not “woo” but basic human biology. They also explore how these skills translate beyond the job into parenting, relationships, and breaking generational cycles. If you are burned out, running on fumes, or tired of being told to “just breathe” without being shown how, this episode will give you language, permission, and tools you can actually use. DISCLAIMER: After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74 https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    54 min
  2. Healing Language That Hurts: How Good Intentions and Bad Metaphors Undermine Recovery

    FEB 4

    Healing Language That Hurts: How Good Intentions and Bad Metaphors Undermine Recovery

    Send us a text Episode 143: Healing Language That Hurts Some of the most damaging things we say about healing are said with the best intentions. In this short solocast, Cinnamon takes a hard look at the phrases we casually throw around when someone is hurting. Let it go. Move on. Put it behind you. You should be over this by now. She explains why this kind of language doesn’t heal. It shames. It implies erasure. And it quietly tells people they’re doing recovery wrong if the past still shows up. Drawing from her work as a therapist and her own lived losses, Cinnamon breaks down why healing isn’t about forgetting, cutting cords, or turning pages like nothing happened. Trauma doesn’t disappear on command. It doesn’t come with scissors. And it doesn’t stay politely behind you. Instead, she offers a reframe that actually fits how nervous systems work. Healing is when the memory drops from face level to ankle level. It’s still there. You’re aware of it. But it no longer blocks your breath, your vision, or your ability to live. This episode is for anyone who still has waves. For anyone who remembers. For anyone who’s been told they should be further along by now. You’re not broken. You’re not failing at healing. And you don’t need better metaphors that ask you to disappear parts of yourself. You need language that tells the truth. DISCLAIMER: After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74 https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    13 min
  3. Frontline Strong and the Power of Peer-Led Mental Health Support

    JAN 28

    Frontline Strong and the Power of Peer-Led Mental Health Support

    Send us a text Episode 142: Frontline Strong Together – When Support Actually Shows Up In this episode, I sit down with Mike Mattern and Scott Taylor from Frontline Strong Together, a Michigan-based mental health program built by first responders for first responders. Here’s why this matters.  It’s free.  It’s state-funded.  And it works. Mike and Scott are retired first responders who didn’t find this work through theory or policy. They found it through lived experience. Years of normalizing stress. Years of unhealthy coping getting brushed off as “just part of the job.” Years of not realizing how much damage was piling up until something finally cracked. We talk about what changes when help comes from people who actually get it. Peer support that feels like a real conversation. Crisis lines answered by first responders. Training that happens before someone hits rock bottom, not after. Mike shares how teaching suicide prevention later saved a life he never expected to reach. Scott talks about the moment he realized slowing down was not weakness, it was survival. This episode is about breaking stigma, building support that lasts, and proving that taking care of first responders doesn’t have to be complicated. It just has to be human. If you’ve ever wondered what real mental health support could look like in this profession, this episode shows you. DISCLAIMER: After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74 https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    46 min
  4. What Did I Say? Internal Accountability in High-Risk Roles with Justin Atherton

    JAN 21

    What Did I Say? Internal Accountability in High-Risk Roles with Justin Atherton

    Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by Justin Atherton for a conversation every first responder and leader needs to hear. Justin spent twenty years in law enforcement as a SWAT breacher, detective, and training lieutenant. But it was a nine-week internal affairs investigation and the identity crisis that followed that nearly broke him. That season forced him to confront a truth many of us avoid: I am not the job. The job is not me. We talk about how internal stress, administrative processes, and isolation often cause more damage than the calls themselves. Justin shares how shame, silence, and powerlessness can quietly erode emotional regulation and leadership if they go unaddressed. Justin introduces his WAVE Method, a framework built on statement analysis that shows how our words reveal our level of commitment, avoidance, and accountability. We explore how language impacts trust, leadership, and follow-through and why emotional intelligence, literacy, agility, and resilience matter more than rank. Episode 141 is about accountability without self-punishment, leadership without ego, and learning to hear what you’re really saying to yourself and others. 🎧 Listen to Episode 141 of After the Tones Drop. DISCLAIMER: After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74 https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    1h 24m
  5. It Takes 15 Years to Get 15 Years: Cinnamon's Sobriety Anniversary Episode

    JAN 14

    It Takes 15 Years to Get 15 Years: Cinnamon's Sobriety Anniversary Episode

    Send us a text Episode 140: It Takes 15 Years to Get 15 Years – Cinnamon’s Sobriety Anniversary Solocast Fifteen years ago, my life split into a before and an after. In this deeply personal solocast, I’m marking 15 years of sobriety and reflecting on what time alone does not teach you, and what staying and doing the work slowly, humbly, and honestly does. This episode isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a conversation about what really changes over long-term recovery, and what doesn’t. I talk about the early years when I wanted peace, clarity, and joy immediately, and how I misunderstood what time was supposed to give me. I share why sobriety by itself doesn’t fix character, heal relationships, or make you emotionally safe for other people, it just exposes what’s already there. Growth comes from responsibility without shame, learning from mistakes instead of living inside them, and choosing to stop waiting for someone else to fix what hurt you. This episode is for anyone at day one, year one, year five, or year fifteen. For the people who are sober and still wondering why it feels hard some days. For those learning the difference between fault and responsibility, between accountability and self-punishment. I share how relationships change, why some people stay and others don’t, and what it means to build a life rooted in honesty, boundaries, and self-respect. You’ll hear about the slow work of rebuilding trust, letting go of resentment, and accepting consequences without becoming bitter. About collecting evidence through lived experience that doing things differently actually leads somewhere better. If you’re early in your journey, hear this clearly: you are not behind. If you’re years in and still learning, that means you’re doing it right. You can’t shortcut wisdom. You earn it by staying.  One honest day at a time. DISCLAIMER: After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74 https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    14 min
  6. Accountability, Leadership, and the Cost of Avoidance

    JAN 7

    Accountability, Leadership, and the Cost of Avoidance

    Send us a text Episode 139 | Doug White on Accountability, Leadership, and the Cost of Avoidance In this episode of After the Tones Drop, I sit down with Doug White for a conversation that isn’t comfortable, polished, or performative and that’s exactly why it matters. We talk about accountability in a culture that often rewards avoidance. About leadership that looks strong on the outside but collapses when it’s not rooted in moral courage. About vulnerability that isn’t about oversharing or emotional display, but about taking ownership of your choices, your impact, and your healing. Doug challenges some of the narratives we hear a lot in trauma spaces. That pain explains behavior, but it doesn’t give us a lifetime pass to stay stuck. That crying doesn’t make you weak, but refusing responsibility does. And that real leadership, whether in uniform or out of it, starts with integrity, not rank. This episode is for first responders, veterans, leaders, and anyone who’s tired of surface-level conversations about healing. We talk honestly about identity, victimhood, personal responsibility, and what it actually takes to move forward without minimizing what you’ve been through. If you’re looking for motivation, this might not be it. If you’re looking for truth, accountability, and a path toward real change, this conversation will meet you there. 🎧 Listen to Episode 139 of After the Tones Drop. DISCLAIMER: After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74 https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    59 min
  7. New Year, Same You – And Why That’s Not a Bad Thing

    12/31/2025

    New Year, Same You – And Why That’s Not a Bad Thing

    Send us a text January tells us to reinvent ourselves. Your body tells a different story. In this New Year’s solocast, Cinnamon pushes back on the pressure to start strong, fix everything, and become someone new just because the calendar flipped. January was never meant to be a season of blooming. It’s a season of rooting, resting, and rebuilding under the surface. This episode is for anyone who feels behind before the year even starts. Especially first responders who are already running on disrupted sleep, chronic stress, and a nervous system that never fully stands down. Cinnamon breaks down why January motivation so often fails, how cultural pressure sets us up for shame, and the difference between survival years and growth years. She offers a more humane way forward. One built on minimum viable habits, honest self-assessment, and small choices that actually stick. You’ll hear why comparing yourself to who you “should be” is a losing game, how to stop judging a survival season by growth-year standards, and what it really means to move forward without burning yourself out. Cinnamon also shares two simple end-of-year rituals you can use anytime. A burn list to release what you’re done carrying, and a 90-day letter to set intentions without overwhelming yourself. This isn’t about reinvention.  It’s about becoming.  Gently. Intentionally. In your own time. If January feels heavy, slow, or quiet, this episode will help you understand why and remind you that nothing is wrong with you. Episode 138 of After the Tones Drop is available now. DISCLAIMER: After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74 https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    13 min
  8. When the Magic Feels Missing – Navigating Numbness and Disconnection During the Holidays

    12/24/2025

    When the Magic Feels Missing – Navigating Numbness and Disconnection During the Holidays

    Send us a text Christmas Eve is supposed to feel magical. For a lot of first responders, it just feels flat. In this solocast, I’m talking about the numbness that so many of you experience during the holidays and why it doesn’t mean you’re broken, ungrateful, or doing something wrong.  You’ll hear practical, doable tools you can use right now, including:  • How to use micro presence to gently reconnect without forcing feelings  • A simple pre entry reset to help your nervous system shift before family time  • How to adjust expectations so connection replaces perfection  • When taking a break is healthy regulation, not avoidance  • Why small moments of real presence matter more than one perfect day If the holidays feel heavy, quiet, or emotionally distant this year, this episode is for you. You are not broken. You’re human. And sometimes the most honest thing you can do is show up for one real moment at a time. 🎧 Listen to Cinnamon’s solocast now. DISCLAIMER: After the Tones Drop has been presented and sponsored by Whole House Counseling. After the Tones Drop is for informational purposes only and does not constitute for medical or psychological advice. It is not a substitute for professional health care advice diagnosis or treatment. Please contact a local mental health professional in your area if you are in need of assistance. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/adventure-is-calling License code: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQR https://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DM https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKE https://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPS https://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74 https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVR https://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    16 min
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About

Embark on a journey that goes beyond sirens and flashing lights After The Tones Drop Podcast provides a safe haven to explore, demystify, and destigmatize mental health and wellness for first responders.  Join Cinnamon and her guests as they pull back the curtain, sharing powerful stories and expert insights that resonate with the heartbeat of those who run towards danger when others step back. It's more than just a podcast; it's a lifeline for the ones who dedicate their lives to saving others. In each episode, stories get unraveled and struggles behind the badges are shared, showcasing the human side of heroism. Discover the strength in vulnerability and the power in sharing. It's more than a conversation; it's a revolution—a revolution in mental health care for our first responders. So, tune in for candid conversations, practical strategies, and a sprinkle of humor—because healing begins with understanding, and understanding starts here.   Let's break down the barriers, one episode at a time. Because after the tones drop, the real conversation begins, and we're here to make sure it's heard loud and clear.

Information

  • Creator
    with Cinnamon
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    146
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 After The Tones Drop
  • Show Website
    After The Tones Drop