After The Tones Drop

Send us Fan Mail

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 is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

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 is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

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 is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

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 is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

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 is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

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 is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

Faith doesn’t always survive the job.

 For a lot of first responders, it’s not that you don’t want to believe anymore—it’s that after what you’ve seen, you can’t reconcile the idea of a loving higher power with the chaos, pain, and loss you’ve witnessed.

In this solocast, I’m talking about what happens when the faith you were handed—Sunday school, stained glass, perfect attendance—stops working. And how sometimes, the only way forward is to build your own version from scratch.

This isn’t about religion. It’s about finding something that can sit with you on the kitchen floor at 2 a.m., pass you a tissue, and say, “Yeah, this is awful. But you’re not alone.”

If your faith looks more like a patched-up Build-A-Bear than a bearded man in the sky, this episode is for you.

DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

Episode 117 — Vickie Speed: 

When Cancer Comes for One of Our Own

Let’s stop pretending cancer is a retirement problem. It’s not. It’s a right-now problem—and it’s gutting the law enforcement community while too many departments still think a “pink patch” is enough.

In this raw, deeply human episode, Cinnamon sits down with Vickie Speed, widow of Detective Mitch Speed and founder of Blue Cancer Connect—the first national organization built to support officers and families navigating cancer.

Vickie’s story isn’t just one of loss. It’s one of clarity, purpose, and a blueprint for what real support should look like.

They talk about:

• Why early detection needs to be more than a suggestion
• What most families are missing when cancer hits
• How Blue Cancer Connect is giving departments an actual plan—not just “awareness”
• And why spouses and partners deserve to be seen and heard, too

This one will challenge you. And it’ll move you. Because it’s not just about cancer—it’s about what kind of community we want to be when things fall apart.

🎧 Listen now.
https://www.afterthetonesdrop.co/vickie-speed

DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

Episode 116 – “Tones Dropped. So Did He.” The fall—and rise—of Matty Fiorenza

We Don’t Need Awareness. We Need a Damn Roadmap.
with Matty Fiorenza

Let’s stop pretending awareness is the goal. First responders don’t need another campaign... they need real help, real tools, and a system that doesn’t collapse the minute someone says, “I’m not okay.”

In this raw and honest conversation, Cinnamon sits down with retired Anaheim firefighter/paramedic Matty Fiorenza—founder of the First Responder Peace and Refuge Foundation and a man who knows what it means to rebuild a life from the inside out. From addiction and trauma to faith, brotherhood, and post-retirement purpose, Matty shares what actually helped, and what didn’t.

They dig into real-deal interventions like the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), EMDR, ART, neurofeedback, and the daily work it takes to keep showing up for yourself. This episode isn’t about breaking stigma. It’s about building systems that work.

If you’re serious about supporting first responders, this is the conversation.
And if you are one, then this might just be the permission slip you’ve been waiting for.

Looking for professional support that understands the job?

Email Cinnamon: [email protected]

Contact us: https://whole-house.com/contact

Contact Information for Matty Fiorenza

FRPR Website:  https://frprfoundation.com

Email Matty: [email protected]  

DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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 Fan Mail

What happens when a first responder doesn’t just hit rock bottom—but takes responsibility for the impact of the fall?

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Cinnamon sits down with John Kelly, a retired deputy, author, and coach who has turned his personal reckoning into a mission to help others avoid the same crash. Together, they explore what accountability really looks like after the damage is done—and what it means to choose healing before you burn everything down.

John shares the moment a friend’s tough-love confrontation changed his life, the complicated reality of repairing relationships even while doing better, and the difference between compartmentalizing and suppressing the truth. They also talk about the emotional labor of leadership, the silent resentment of people-pleasing, and the trap of staying silent because "you’re supposed to be the strong one."

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll deal with it later”—this is your reminder that later has a cost. And you’re the one who pays it.

🎧 Listen now to hear a story of grit, grace, and what it really takes to live for your family—not just be willing to die for them.

John Kelly

Email: [email protected] 

Website / Coaching Programs: Law Enforcement Life Coach – Sometimes Heroes Need Help https://www.lawenforcementlifecoach.com

Book by John Kelly:
Surviving Self‑Inflicted Wounds: A Deputy’s Life of Redemption

DISCLAIMER:
After the Tones Drop is shared for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes. It does not provide therapy, medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, and listening does not create a therapist-client relationship. The views expressed are those of the individual speaking. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified professional or emergency services in a crisis. You can also visit our shows resources page for an abundance of helpful information. 

ATTD Music Credits (Music from #Uppbeat): 

•  Our theme music is Intentions by Abby Noise, licensed through Upbeat
•  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