After The Tones Drop

with Cinnamon
  • 5.0 (36)
  • 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. Beyond the Uniform: What First Responder Families Really Need With LT's Daughter Katherine Boyle

    6D AGO

    Beyond the Uniform: What First Responder Families Really Need With LT's Daughter Katherine Boyle

    Send us Fan Mail In Episode 158 of After the Tones Drop, Cinnamon sits down with Katherine Boyle, founder of Beyond the Uniform with The LT’s Daughter, for a conversation about first responder families, law enforcement kids, parenting, values, and what it means to be present at home while serving in a demanding career. Katherine grew up as the daughter of a Philadelphia police lieutenant, and unlike many stories we hear in the first responder world, her childhood was protected, grounded, and deeply connected. That experience became the foundation for her work: helping first responders understand that they can have an incredible career and still build a strong, healthy, connected family. This conversation goes beyond the usual “leave work at work” advice. Cinnamon and Katherine talk about what children in law enforcement families may be carrying, why kids need age-appropriate explanations instead of fear-based parenting, how social media has changed the experience of being a first responder’s child, and why values can become a compass for the whole family. They also talk about Katherine’s Legacy Project Workbook, a practical tool designed to help first responder families create intentional memories, ask better questions, open conversations, and build connection before distance becomes the family norm. This episode is for the first responder who wants to do the job well without losing the people at home. It is for the spouse trying to protect the family rhythm. It is for the adult child of a first responder who is still making sense of what they carried. And it is for every leader who needs to remember that wellness includes the family, not just the person in uniform. Learn more about Katherine’s work at https://beyondtheuniform.co and follow her on Instagram at @theltsdaughter. 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: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DMhttps://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKEhttps://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPShttps://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    1h 12m
  2. Who Protects the Guardians? Awakening a Culture That Has Failed First Responders

    MAY 13

    Who Protects the Guardians? Awakening a Culture That Has Failed First Responders

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Cinnamon sits down with Ron Clark of Protecting the Guardian for a conversation that feels like a history lesson, a warning, and a call to action all at once. Ron has spent decades in and around law enforcement, nursing, peer support, employee assistance, suicide prevention, and first responder wellness. He has seen the evolution of this work from the days when officers were expected to experience trauma, say nothing, and go right back to work. And the part that hits hardest? Ron thought more would be in place by now. This conversation asks the question every agency, leader, and first responder culture should be asking: Who protects the people who protect everyone else? Ron and Cinnamon talk about the culture that has failed first responders, the difference between visible injuries and psychological injuries, the lack of real cradle-to-grave support, and why lip service is not a wellness program. They also get into toxic internal culture, PTSD, suicide prevention, family impact, leadership failure, peer support, and the need for real systems that protect police, fire, EMS, dispatch, and corrections. This is not just a conversation about what is broken. It is a reminder that first responders are people. They are not machines, symbols, or endless resources. They are human beings carrying the psychological cost of the job, often without the support, education, or protection they should have had from the beginning. Listen to the full episode, and learn more about Ron Clark’s work with Protecting the Guardian at https://protectingtheguardian.com 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: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DMhttps://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKEhttps://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPShttps://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    1h 28m
  3. When the Call Turns Critical: Mental Readiness for First Responders

    MAY 6

    When the Call Turns Critical: Mental Readiness for First Responders

    Send us Fan Mail Retired Las Vegas Police Captain Josh Bitsko spent 24 years in law enforcement and was one of the responding officers who breached the suspected shooter’s door during the 2017 Mandalay Bay mass shooting. In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Josh sits down with Cinnamon to talk about what happens when a critical incident does not end when the scene is cleared. Josh shares what it was like to respond to one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history, the emotional fallout that followed, and the hard truth that he did not cope with it at first. He avoided. He isolated. He went back to work. He kept functioning. And on the outside, that can look like strength. Until it starts eating at you. This conversation gets into what first responders are often not taught: how to regulate their nervous system in the middle of chaos so they can think clearly, make better decisions, and avoid practical paralysis when lives are on the line. Josh also talks about the mistakes he made, why he teaches from them now, and why crisis rehearsal, emotional regulation, and therapy should not be treated like emergency tools you grab after the wheels fall off. They should be part of the job from day one. This is a conversation about tactical mindset, trauma, therapy, retirement, purpose, and why first responders need support before, during, and long after the call. 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: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DMhttps://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKEhttps://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPShttps://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    1h 7m
  4. When Depression Comes Back: 3 Small Steps to Take Back Your Life

    APR 29

    When Depression Comes Back: 3 Small Steps to Take Back Your Life

    Send us Fan Mail In this solocast, Cinnamon responds to a listener who asked a question a lot of people are quietly carrying: if I’m doing all the right things, why did depression come back? Cinnamon takes that question seriously and goes straight at the lie sitting underneath so many depressive episodes: that if depression returns, it must mean you failed. She breaks down why depression is often cyclical, biological, and deeply convincing without actually telling the truth. She also talks about why first responders cannot outwork, outmuscle, or outdrink it, no matter how hard they try. More importantly, she shares 3 small steps to take back your life when depression comes back. Not fluffy advice. Not “just think positive” nonsense. Real, grounded steps for the person who feels like they have fallen backward, the one white-knuckling through the shift, and the one who needs to hear that needing help again does not erase the progress they already made. If depression has come back and started telling you all the familiar lies, listen to this episode to learn the 3 steps that can help you stabilize, reconnect, and start finding your footing again. 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: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DMhttps://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKEhttps://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPShttps://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    19 min
  5. Forgiving the Unforgivable with Rick Cheatham

    APR 22

    Forgiving the Unforgivable with Rick Cheatham

    Send us Fan Mail What do you do when resentment makes perfect sense, but it is also slowly poisoning your life? In this episode, I sit down with Rick Cheatham for a raw conversation about forgiveness, bitterness, grief, and what it takes to heal when life has taken a blowtorch to everything you thought you knew. Rick shares how loss, trauma, addiction, and anger shaped his story, and why he eventually realized that holding onto resentment was costing him more than the original wound. This is not a soft conversation about “letting it go.” It is a real one. We talk about the poison of bitterness, the prison of victimhood, and the kind of forgiveness that is not about excusing what happened, but refusing to let it define who you become. If you have ever been hurt deeply, betrayed badly, or found yourself stuck in anger you know is eating you alive, this episode will hit home. 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: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DMhttps://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKEhttps://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPShttps://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    30 min
  6. Wrong Place, Right Time: How the Boston Marathon Bombing Shaped One Officer's Mission

    APR 15

    Wrong Place, Right Time: How the Boston Marathon Bombing Shaped One Officer's Mission

    Send us Fan Mail What if the worst day of your life became the thing that clarified your purpose? In this episode of After the Tones Drop, Cinnamon sits down with Michael Chase for a conversation about trauma, service, and the kind of perspective that only comes from living through the unthinkable. Michael shares how surviving the Boston Marathon bombing changed the course of his life, deepened his understanding of what it means to protect others, and ultimately shaped his mission as a school resource officer and advocate for trusted adult relationships.  This is not just a story about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is about being in the wrong place at the right time, and what happens when pain gets turned into purpose. Michael opens up about the bombing, the aftermath, his long road into law enforcement, and why he believes the strongest form of school safety starts with connection, not just control.  If you care about first responder mental health, trauma recovery, school safety, or the life-changing impact of one trusted adult, this episode will stay with you. Listen now: https://www.afterthetonesdrop.co/Michael-Chase 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: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DMhttps://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKEhttps://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPShttps://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    1h 16m
  7. The Rockstar of Mental Health: Mark DiBona’s Story of Survival

    APR 8

    The Rockstar of Mental Health: Mark DiBona’s Story of Survival

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with retired law enforcement officer and Protecting The Guardian founder Mark DiBona for a conversation about what really pushes first responders to the edge. We talk about accumulated trauma, bullying, alcohol, isolation, and the dangerous myth that suicide is always about one bad call. Mark shares his story with the kind of honesty that makes you stop and listen. Not because it’s polished, but because it’s real. This episode is about survival, speaking up, and the hard truth that sometimes what breaks people is not the incident everyone can point to. It’s everything that came before it. Listen now:  https://www.afterthetonesdrop.co/mark-dibona 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: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DMhttps://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKEhttps://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPShttps://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    1h 20m
  8. What Saves First Responders: Dena Ali on Peer Support, Belonging, and the Culture That Keeps People Alive

    APR 1

    What Saves First Responders: Dena Ali on Peer Support, Belonging, and the Culture That Keeps People Alive

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Dena Ali for a conversation that goes way beyond “one bad call.” We talk about firefighter suicide, peer support, belonging, bullying, leadership, and the culture inside first responder organizations that either helps people heal or quietly pushes them further into shame and isolation. Dena shares how her own difficult season led her into this work, why peer support became such a critical part of the solution, and why she now believes the real goal is bigger than training a few designated people. This episode is about what actually keeps first responders alive. Not just after the hard calls, but in the everyday culture of the job. Listen now:  https://www.afterthetonesdrop.co/dena-ali You can get Dena Ali's book Hope Out of Darkness: A Guide to First Responder Mental Wellness Here: https://a.co/d/00cKPzX4 Another book Dena recommends for Team Culture is The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle Here is the link to buy it: https://a.co/d/02eW1zws 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: ANJCYVHRMULSNKQRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/vens-adams/rise-of-the-hero License code: H4WTAGJZIXZCM8DMhttps://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/homewardLicense code: KO7FZAIJBAEAJLKEhttps://uppbeat.io/t/sonda/the-heart-grows License code: KAID0ITO96GJZAPShttps://uppbeat.io/t/philip-anderson/achievement License code: XZ4PMCKHW94GUR74https://uppbeat.io/t/tobias-voigt/nexus License code: MVMDRGHKHTJRABVRhttps://uppbeat.io/t/paul-yudin/breakthrough License code: FYPM3OJF0NQ4OGTE

    1h 10m
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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
    160
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 After The Tones Drop
  • Show Website
    After The Tones Drop

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