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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