This one has been a long time coming, and so worth the wait.
Conrad Weaver is not just a filmmaker. He’s not just a podcaster. He’s a storyteller for the soul of public service. A man who took his lens and his heart straight into the fire of our first responder world and came out carrying the stories we didn’t know how to tell ourselves.
In this episode, we dig deep with Conrad about his journey from filming agriculture documentaries to capturing the gut-wrenching, raw realities of PTSD in the 911 world. From ride-alongs gone real to that pivotal overdose call that cracked him open, Conrad shares how the powerful documentary PTSD911 was born. Not from theory, but from lived experience, heartbreak, and a cop named Desiree who said, “If you wanna make a movie about this, I’ll help you.”
We talk about the resistance that comes with telling the truth, especially in a culture that still whispers (or shouts) “suck it up.” We also talk about what happens when someone finally lets the story out—and how healing doesn’t always come in silence, but in sharing.
Whether you’re an admin still clutching your “this doesn’t happen here” badge or a responder carrying your weight in silence, this episode is your sign. Pull up a chair. Let this one sink in. The power of storytelling might just be what saves us all.
In this episode, we cover:
- The behind-the-scenes making of PTSD911
- Pushback from leadership—and why some still won’t “get it”
- How storytelling creates healing and accountability
- Why the suck-it-up culture is a public health crisis
- Leadership, legacy, and why it all starts at the top
- What’s next for Conrad (spoiler: he’s just getting started)
Want to host a screening of PTSD911?
Visit: https://www.ptsd911movie.com
(And bring tissues. And maybe a chief or two.)
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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