Stranger Than Fiction: 100th Episode Final Push-Part C

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Alright, friends, here we are—the final round of our After the Tones Drop 100th episode celebration. Part C, the big finish. And if Parts A & B took you on an emotional rollercoaster, this one is the comedy club you didn’t know you needed. We packed the room with some of our most legendary guests, and things got real fast—laughs, deep conversations, and maybe a few inappropriate jokes.

This episode brings back Chris Perry, the man behind Episode 70, Full Throttle Freedom, who’s still as patriotic as ever and pushing the needle on first responder mental health. William Young, from Episodes 48 and 59, Jailhouse Rock, is back reminding us why corrections officers deserve a seat at the table in the mental health conversation. Ricardo Martinez II, Episode 68, Call Me Maybe, and the voice behind Within the Trenches and the I Am 911 movement, joins us to talk about the power of storytelling in first responder wellness. And rounding out the guest list, Jason Callihan, the very first guest from Episode 1, Strength in Numbers, who played a huge role in launching this whole thing into existence, shares what peer support looks like when it’s done right.

We get into everything—what’s changed since these guests first joined us, what’s still frustrating as hell, and why the biggest obstacle to first responder wellness is often ourselves. We talk about how older generations might secretly be on board with mental health but are too stubborn to say it out loud, the importance of recognizing post-traumatic growth alongside PTSD, and how real change in first responder culture is happening, even if it’s moving at a crawl.

This episode is full of unfiltered, unscripted truth. It’s got heart, humor, and a room full of people who get it—people who have lived this work, fought through their own battles, and refuse to let the system stay broken. We love you. We see you. And we are so damn grateful for 100 episodes.

We’re Not Stopping Here. This isn’t just a celebration of 100 episodes—it’s a reminder of why we do this. We keep fighting, we keep lifting each other up, and we keep telling the truth, even when it’s ugly. Thank you for being part of this journey.

💬 Keep the Conversation Going: We’d love to hear your thoughts on this milestone episode! Tag us @AfterTheTonesDrop and share your favorite moments. Got a story to tell? We’re always listening.

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