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In this intimate, off-the-cuff solo episode, Cinnamon sneaks into the mic without Erin knowing—and we’re so glad she did. What starts as a quiet confession turns into a deeply moving reflection on sobriety, storytelling, and one unforgettable bear.

Cinnamon shares the story that helped her get sober in 2011—a darkly hilarious, soul-punching short story by David Sedaris that spoke to her in a way nothing else could. As she reads The Motherless Bear aloud, you’ll laugh, cringe, maybe cry—but more than anything, you’ll see yourself somewhere in the mess of it.

What hits hardest is what comes after: Cinnamon’s reflections on addiction, emotional numbing, and how sometimes the thing we’re avoiding is smaller than the wreckage we cause trying not to feel it.

This episode is more than a story. It’s a love letter to rock bottoms, raw truth, and the weird little moments that somehow end up saving us.

What You'll Hear:

• The story that helped Cinnamon get sober
• What addiction really protects us from
• Why humor can hit you straight in the gut
• The danger of getting stuck in your own story
• A reminder that healing doesn’t always look heroic—and that’s okay

Takeaway of the Week:

The pain you’re avoiding might be small, but the damage caused by avoiding it can be massive. Feel the thing. Don’t become the dancing bear.

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