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Episode 128: From Burnout to Breakthrough — How Kory Pearn Built CRACKYL Magazine and a New Model for Firefighter Wellness

When passion becomes overdrive, the crash can be devastating. In this episode, Cinnamon sits down with firefighter, captain, and CRACKYL magazine founder Kory Pearn, who shares his story of burnout, recovery, and rebuilding from the inside out.

Kory opens up about the moment his body forced him to stop, how he redefined strength through boundaries, and why real resilience starts before crisis hits. Together, they talk about the slow boil of stress in public safety, the cost of self-neglect, and how CRACKYL is changing the conversation about firefighter wellness—one honest story at a time.

If you’ve ever given too much of yourself to the job (or to anyone), this episode will hit home.
 🎧 Listen now: afterthetonesdrop.co/kory-pearn

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

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In this powerful episode of After the Tones Drop, Cinnamon sits down with retired NYPD detective Tom Smith. Tom is a man who’s lived through the kind of calls most of us only read about. From growing up as the son of an NYPD cop to spending 30 years in service and leading on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Tom’s story is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and the next chapter after the badge.

Together, they talk about breaking the stigma around mental health in policing, the culture shift happening inside law enforcement, and why storytelling has become one of the most powerful tools for healing.

Tom also shares how his podcast, The Gold Shields Show, is giving detectives, veterans, and first responders a platform to speak their truth, and how conversations like these can change lives.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the mission changes but the heart to serve doesn’t, then this one’s for you.

https://www.afterthetonesdrop.co/tom-smith

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

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Let’s not pretend. Leading is hard! Especially when you’re carrying your own scars. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Davis, a law enforcement leader and former crisis negotiator who’s walked through the fire and lived to talk about it.

We get honest about mental health in law enforcement. The kind that sneaks up on you, fills your bucket drop by drop, until you’re drowning and nobody else can see it. Matt doesn’t sugarcoat his story. He talks about asking for help before hitting rock bottom, the messiness of relationships, and what it’s like to feel like an imposter even when everyone else thinks you’ve got it together.

We talk boundaries. The kind you set for yourself, not to keep people out, but to keep yourself whole. We talk about leadership that’s more than rules and rank. We talk about leadership that’s about showing up, being real, and building trust, even when it’s uncomfortable.

This is a conversation about the real work: facing your own pain, owning your story, and finding the courage to lead yourself first. Matt shares what he’s learned from crisis negotiation, from heartbreak, and from rebuilding his life one honest conversation at a time.

Let’s talk about what it means to lead the brave way.

No bullshit. Just truth, heart, and hope.

Connect With Matt Davis on Linked In HERE

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

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Healing isn’t some mysterious thing that happens “out there”; it’s built into who you are. In this solo episode, I talk about what I call The Stitcher: the part I play and how our body is always working to repair, reset, and bring us back to balance.

From my first set of stitches as a kid to the way our nervous system cries, sighs, and sleeps to restore itself, I share how healing shows up in everyday life—and why sometimes we need a little help bringing the edges together. Therapy, support, and even tools like ART don’t “fix” us. They create the conditions for our bodies and brains to do the healing they’re already wired for.

You are not broken... just wounded. And with the right support, you can mend.

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

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What if PTSD wasn’t a life sentence? In part two of my conversation with Dr. Eugene Lipov, we go deeper into what he calls PTSI—Post-Traumatic Stress Injury and the breakthrough treatment that’s changing lives around the world: the Stellate Ganglion Block, better known as the “God Shot.”

Dr. Lipov doesn’t just share the science. He brings real stories from first responders, military families, and trauma survivors who’ve found hope when nothing else worked. We talk honestly about the barriers, like insurance, stigma, and a system that still resists change, and why advocacy matters more than ever.

This episode also dives into the bigger picture and shares his opinions on treatments like ketamine and psychedelics, the importance of trauma-informed leadership, and what it will take to finally build a culture where healing is possible for everyone.

You’ll also hear about Dr. Lipov’s upcoming book, The God Shot, and how you can join the fight through his nonprofit, Erase PTSD Now.

If you care about the future of mental health, first responder wellness, or you’re just looking for proof that better days are possible, then this one’s for 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

Send us a text

What if the thing we’ve been calling a “disorder” is actually an injury that can heal?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Eugene Lipov, the board-certified anesthesiologist who pioneered the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)—better known by veterans and first responders as the God Shot. 

We talk about the benefits, the evidence, and why it’s changing the way Trauma is treated.

Dr. Lipov takes us from his early discoveries in pain management to clinical breakthroughs in PTSD, sharing both the science and the raw human stories of recovery. We also dive into the push to rename PTSD as PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury), why words matter when it comes to stigma, and what the future of trauma treatment could look like.

This is Part 1 of our conversation we explore: 

01:27 Our Personal Experience with Stellate Ganglion Block

02:39 Understanding Secondary PTSD

04:59 The Origin of the 'God Shot'

06:12 Gender Differences in PTSD

21:19 Challenges in PTSD Diagnosis

24:38 Advocating for PTSI

30:28 Alternative Treatments for PTSD

32:40 The Problem with Overprescribing Drugs

33:22 The Effectiveness of Stellate Ganglion Block

34:09 A Personal Story of Discovery

36:25 From Pain Management to PTSD Treatment

In Part 2 (Episode 124), we’ll explore 

Part 2 goes deeper into what it takes to bring this treatment into the mainstream. Dr. Lipov and I talk about who qualifies for SGB, how the procedure actually works, and the systemic roadblocks that still stand in the way of first responders getting real options for care.

We also open up the conversation to new frontiers: ketamine, psychedelics, and other emerging treatments that are changing the landscape of trauma recovery. And for the skeptics? We talk about the importance of rigorous science, policy change, and advocacy—because breakthroughs only matter if they reach the people who need them.

👉 Listen now to Part 1, and be ready to come back for Part 2.

Listen Now: https://www.afterthetonesdrop.co/dr-lipov-1

Preorder Dr. Lipov's Book Here: The God Shot Healing Trauma’s Legacy: The Science, the Stories, the Solution. 

Visit Dr. Lipov's Website https://dreugenelipov.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: 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

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Episode 122

What happens when one deputy’s search for resources turns into a nationwide lifeline for first responders?

In this episode, Cinnamon sits down with Shawn Thomas, retired King County Sheriff’s deputy and founder of First Responder Conferences, to talk about what happens when someone decides that silence around mental health is no longer an option.

What started as a single event to meet a local need has grown into a movement—conferences across the country where first responders and their families can finally find the support, tools, and connection they’ve been missing.

🎧 Listen now: https://www.afterthetonesdrop.co/shawn-thomas

Together, Cinnamon and Shawn dig into the heart of why wellness matters in public safety:

• Real stories, real impact. Shawn shares powerful moments when conference attendees have said the event saved their life—or their marriage.
• No one-size-fits-all. From financial wellness to trauma recovery, nutrition to new treatments like stellate ganglion blocks and hyperbaric therapy, these events bring together a wide range of tools so no responder walks away empty-handed.
• Culture change in action. We explore the role of leadership, peer support, and everyday conversations in shifting the old “suck it up” mindset toward one where asking for help is seen as strength.

Shawn’s story is proof that one person’s determination can build something bigger than themselves—something that truly saves lives.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible when first responders stop pretending and start talking about mental health, this episode is for you.

🔗 Learn more about First Responder Conferences:

• Website: 1strc.org
  
  
• Upcoming Conferences: 1strc.org/conferences
  
  
• Connect with Shawn: LinkedIn
  
  

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

Send us a text

Episode 121: The Dudes Abide: First Responder Brotherhood, Resilience, and the Fight for Mental Health

What happens when two firefighters decide that health, wellness, and a little bit of humor can change the fire service for good? You get Nick Magoteaux and Jim Burneka Jr.—co-founders of the Firefighter Health & Wellness Conference and guests on this week’s episode.

Nick and Jim aren’t just talking theory. Between lived experience, advocacy, and more than a few battle scars, they’ve created a conference where firefighters and their families can show up, learn, laugh, and walk away with tools that actually save lives. And they’re doing it without the bloated price tags or the stale, cookie-cutter approach that too many conferences fall into.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Jim’s powerful journey from firefighter to cancer patient to advocate shaping state laws.
• Why Nick believes community and accessibility matter more than flashy stages and big egos.
• How the Firefighter Health & Wellness Conference is changing the game—making resilience training affordable, fun, and unforgettable.
• Why bringing your spouse might be the most important part of the whole experience.

Nick and Jim have created a wellness conference firefighters actually want to attend...  They are a good time, tune in to experience them yourself.

🎧 Listen now: afterthetonesdrop.co/nick-and-jim

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

Send us a text

Episode 120 With Scott L. Booth

What if the very thing you were taught to hide as a leader is the key to unlocking stronger teams and deeper trust?

In this episode, Cinnamon sits down with Scott L. Booth, Deputy Chief of Health and Safety and Peer Support Coordinator at Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One, to explore why vulnerability is not weakness—it’s a leadership superpower.

With over 35 years in the fire service, Scott shares his personal journey: from a childhood marked by trauma, to building a career devoted to public service, to championing emotional intelligence and peer support in his department. His story shows how authenticity, shared struggle, and presence can transform firehouse culture.

Together, Scott and Cinnamon talk about:

• Why vulnerability creates trust and resilience—even in high-stress environments.
• How childhood adversity shapes first responders more than most realize.
• The surprising role of shared struggle in building close, high-performing teams.
• Why “me too” might be the two most powerful words in the firehouse.
• The difference between being “fun to hang out with” and leading with true competence.

This isn’t about soft skills. It’s about survival, connection, and leadership that lasts.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to have all the answers, or wondered how to build trust in a profession that teaches silence, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in to learn how leaders like Scott Booth are proving that strength and softness are two sides of the same coin.

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

Send us a text

Episode 119: Adam Boyd – Rethinking Situational Awareness

We’re trained to protect others—sometimes so well that we forget to protect ourselves. 

In this conversation with Adam Boyd of Soleful Training, we talk about what it really takes to create resilient first responders—physically, mentally, and at home. 

Adam’s redefining “situational awareness” to include the one place we tend to ignore: our own lives. 

If you’ve been running on empty, putting your badge, your crew, and your community ahead of your own well-being, this one’s for 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