After The Tones Drop

Send us Fan Mail Meet Edward Curtis, the law enforcement veteran with two decades of street smarts. Currently rocking the title of Corporal, he's the guy in charge on the patrol beat, answering calls and keeping the community vibe strong. But wait, there's more. Edward is no rookie when it comes to training. Certified by the Municipal Police Officers Training Commission, he's the br...

Send us Fan Mail You are about to embark on an uplifting journey with our extraordinary podcast guest, Jason Warn. Jason is a Firefighter Paramedic with 11 years of invaluable experience in the realm of Fire/EMS. Hailing from the distinguished career department of New Hampshire, his wealth of knowledge and unwavering resilience is set to ignite inspiration within every listener. But this leader ex...

Send us Fan Mail Note: This episode is in memory and honor of Captain Brian Durbin, EOW 11/19/2023. In this intriguing episode, a caller reaches out around, grappling with the mystery of why they've held onto a newspaper article about the recovery of a daughter and father's bodies for so many years. Despite attempts to discard it, the caller is unable to part with the clipping, and even...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, our hosts delve into the societal pressures surrounding the holidays, particularly the expectation to conform to a picture-perfect celebration. One of our hosts shares their experience of feeling immense pressure and the toll it takes on mental health, highlighting the anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, and the shadow of seasonal depression that often looms over the...

Send us Fan Mail We're often in this zone of anxiety, thinking it's just the norm. But guess what? It's possible that we're actually super hypersensitive and on high alert most of the time and aren't even aware of how it's affecting us.  Cinnamon shares her discoveries on a recent vacation that turned into a crash course in self-awareness. Erin chimes in, talking abou...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is a unique, unplanned and vulnerable episode delivered by Erin one sleepless evening. Erin shares her unexpected journey through the maze of personal relationships with those who "wear a uniform" for a living. It wasn't some grand plan; it's just a series of chance encounters that lead her down a path she never expected. Now, brace yourself for th...

Send us Fan Mail Allow us to introduce Jessica Wiederhold, a dedicated professional who has been making a significant impact in the field of emergency services and dispatch management. In this episode, Jessica offers a raw and vulnerable reality check pulling back the curtain of a day in the life of a dispatcher and the various hurdles they face. Jessica currently serves as the Director of the Cle...

Send us Fan Mail Over the course of these two episodes, we hope we've done a sufficient job in helping our listeners understand what Adverse Childhood Experiences are, how they impact our developing brain and how our childhood experiences affect our now with the nesting doll concept. In this final episode for our ACES series, we're really going to talk about, what to do about it now. Jus...

Send us Fan Mail Today we're diving deep into the twisted maze of our past, like we're untangling a bunch of Russian nesting dolls. You know, those dolls that hide one inside the other, like a secret within a secret. It's a metaphor that's so on point because life is like that—layer upon layer, each one representing a version of you from a different time. So, picture this: you&...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we embark on a journey to unravel the intricate web of childhood trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Delving into the long-reaching effects on first responders' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, we shed light on a crucial aspect often overlooked. Not all wounds wear visible scars. We discuss how some may deny having ACEs, highlighting the signif...

Send us Fan Mail "I don't want any other first responders to feel that they have to be stuck in that darkness and that there is hope that you can get out of that and get help." Grappled with a range of challenges, including addiction, mental health issues, trauma, and even contemplating suicide. Monica's chaotic journey and its impact on her personal and professional life reach...

Send us Fan Mail Desensitization is an unconscious psychological process that occurs when individuals are repeatedly exposed to traumatic or distressing events. For first responders, who encounter death and traumatic incidents on a regular basis, desensitization becomes a coping mechanism. It allows them to compartmentalize their emotions and focus on the tasks at hand, ensuring the safety and wel...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we embark on a journey to wrap up the vital criteria we've explored over the past five months. As we delve into the world of PTSD, we revisit Episode 3, where we confronted the stark reality of Direct Exposure to trauma. We encountered the haunting specter of witnessing the trauma, learning of its impact on loved ones, and the heavy burden carried by first responders a...

Send us Fan Mail In the realm of outdoor adventures and hunting, the image that often comes to mind is rugged, macho, and testosterone-driven. But what happens when someone not only challenges these stereotypes but thrives in a world where masculinity reigns supreme? Enter Zach Ferenbaugh, a remarkable individual associated with The Hunting Public. In this episode, we will explore the challenges Z...

Send us Fan Mail In the realm of first responders, bravery is valuable, and fortitude is required. As we embark on the compelling journey of his victory over post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI), one resounding message reverberates: the ghost of childhood trauma, often shrouded in silence, casts a formidable shadow over those who rush to our aid in times of crisis.  Today, we have Michael Sugrue, a...

Send us Fan Mail In a world where first responders are often celebrated for their bravery and sacrifice, there is a group of heroes who often go unnoticed and unappreciated – dispatchers. These unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes, handling emergency calls and coordinating the response of police, fire, and medical personnel. They are the calm voices on the other end of the line, providi...

Send us Fan Mail So, let's dive in, again, to this whole PTSD thing, specifically Criterion E. It may feel like you're on the rollercoaster in your mind, and suddenly, boom! You're hit with a wild loop-de-loop of symptoms. Your  mind is like a super-sensitive car alarm, triggered by the smallest things. That's hyperarousal and reactivity for you. It's like they're on...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine you're in a high-pressure situation, making split-second decisions. Wouldn't it be nice to hone a tool that encourages you to recognize any negative thoughts that might be clouding your judgment? These could be thoughts like "I can't handle this" or "Everything is going to go wrong." The first step is to identify them. Then comes the powe...

Send us Fan Mail Guest Molly Jones joins your ATTD hosts to share her insights, expertise and experience as the clinical outreach coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems and the Center of Excellence. Molly is the IAFF 9th District Peer Support Team Clinical Coordinator as well as assists first responders and their family members with accessing and navigating vetted first responder treatment prov...

Send us Fan Mail Tommy Bolin, a 28 year veteran in the fire service in Columbus, Ohio.  Tommy currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. Tommy joins ATTD to talk about his experience in turning his "mess into a message." Tommy's journey is like so many others, but he has come through the other side and believes in the importance of sharing his  story with the hope of letting others kno...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of ATTD your host, Erin, delivers various tools and emphasizes the importance of practicing being present.  We all know that first responders have incredibly demanding jobs. You face high-stress situations day in and day out, and it's crucial for you to find moments of peace amidst the chaos. That's where a mindfulness routine comes in. It's like a m...

Send us Fan Mail Negative alterations in your mind and mood are par for the course when you're a human begin. A lot of us know that these experiences will pass as quickly as they came. Unless these alterations are a direct result of experiencing a stressful life experience.  After experiencing a traumatic event, these alterations may exist like a storm that brews inside your head, messing wit...

Send us Fan Mail Kerrie understands the culture of first responders from her upbringing as a daughter of a firefighter, and growing up with first responders. Kerrie’s brother was also a firefighter for 11 years before his death in 2012. Kerrie’s personal and professional experience allows her to offer understanding and compassion in her therapist role. Kerrie Murphy, LMSW has been a social worker...

Send us Fan Mail Guest, Sean Woods has dabbled in various opportunities in the law enforcement world.  He joins our show to share in the steps and successes of creating a wellness program within his department. This program has helped many of his fellow officers and he bestows its successes to the many hands involved and the nature of the program remaining a trusting and confidential atmosphere. ...

Send us Fan Mail 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 t...