Into the Cave

🎙 “Hope you’ll remind me of a reason to stay, do you still watch me from far away?” In this episode, Eva from the emo/pop punk band Never Yours reflects on a deeply personal lyric from her song Spark , opening up about navigating mental health, connection, and how she found ways to process complex emotions and feel less alone. We also dive into Neck Deep’s The Grand Delusion, “Claustrophobic in my...

Jonjo, guitarist of LASTELLE, joins me to talk about two lyrics that capture the emotional core of his writing. We start with a line from La Dispute’s Woman (Reading) that evokes his fascination with abandoned places and the echoes of lives once lived. Then we dive into Tired Eyes , a LASTELLE song shaped by longing, grief in all its forms, and escape. We talk about writing as a way to communicate...

Violence, climate disasters, political turmoil. Every day, the news makes it feel like the world is spiraling out of control. But is it really getting worse, or are we just more aware of everything happening? In this episode, we dive into the anxieties of living in today’s world, the impact of fear on our decisions, and whether it’s still possible to hold onto hope. Has the state of the world chan...

“Don’t paint me black when I used to be golden,” sings Parker Cannon of The Story So Far in Clairvoyant. Why do we sometimes rewrite our past relationships, turning once-beloved people into distant, even negative, memories? In this episode, I explore this emotional shift. Why it happens, whether it’s healthy, and how we can move forward. From personal experiences to universal feelings of nostalgia...

"Question everything, including your own beliefs, and especially your own beliefs about yourself." That’s what Enter Shikari sing in Jailbreak, and that’s exactly what we’re exploring in this episode. We all get stuck in narratives about who we are: what we’re capable of, what we deserve, what we’ll never be good at. But what if those beliefs are just a prison we’ve built for ourselves?...

What keeps you going when things feel uncertain? In this episode, we dive into the many ways hope manifests in our lives. Through music, faith, signs from the universe, and even small superstitions. Inspired by The Devil Wears Prada’s lyrics, we explore how hope can push us forward, help us heal, and sometimes, even surprise us. Whether you’re into psychology, music, or just need a little optimism...

Losing a pet is losing a piece of your heart. In this episode, we explore the deep bond we share with our pets, the grief that comes with their loss, and the love that never fades. Opening the conversation with lyrics from Thornill's Lily & the Moon.

TW: trauma, SA In this episode, Mara, vocalist of Hamburg's hardcore band Glower, shares the inspiration behind two of their intense songs. The first track, Illusions, explores the struggles of being a FLINTA* person in a world full of expectations, where we often feel like being too much and not enough at the same time. We discuss self-acceptance, beauty and identity within the FLINTA* commun...

"How does it feel to be what you’ve become, what you said you would never be?" Big question, right? In this episode, we’re diving into How Does It Feel? by Citizen and unpacking what it really means to grow up, especially when we end up becoming things we swore we never would. From dad jokes to life choices, from small habits to deep-rooted traits we inherited from our parents… let’s tal...

"Take me back to older days ‘cause I'm afraid I’ll never be the same." Ever find yourself longing for the past, whether it’s childhood, teenage adventures, or just a time when life felt easier? In this episode, we dive into the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia, why we miss our old selves, and how it can keep us from enjoying the present. Are we remembering things as they really were, or just the g...

Searching for purpose can feel like an emotional rollercoaster: exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes even a little... desperate. In this episode, we dive deep into the complexities of finding and staying true to your purpose in a world that doesn’t always align with your values. From the pressures of society and capitalism to the challenges of balancing passion with practicality, we explore it al...

"Our heroes aren’t what they used to be." Those lyrics from Comeback Kid’s False Idols Fall set the tone for this episode as we dive into what happens when the people we admire, be they artists, athletes, mentors, or public figures, fall short of our expectations. Can we separate the art from the artist? Should we? (Spoiler: I have strong feelings about that.) Join me as we explore the complex emo...

"This is the new year, and I don’t feel any different." Inspired by The New Year by Death Cab for Cutie, this episode explores the delicate balance of setting resolutions without letting them weigh us down. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about finding joy in the process, being more open with ourselves and others, and focusing on what truly matters. Through personal reflections, I share my hope...

Body image struggles don’t take a holiday, especially during Christmas. In this episode, we dive into the raw and sometimes overwhelming feelings we have about our bodies, inspired by the brutally honest lyrics of Panucci’s Pizza’s “Aesthetic? More Like Ass Pathetic.” Why is it so hard to see ourselves clearly? How does the patriarchy and social pressure shape the way we look at our bodies, regard...

Do you overanalyze your emotions instead of truly feeling them? In this episode, inspired by the lyrics from Movements' Protection "There's a solace in introspection, 'cause living in my mind is easier", we dive deep into the mind of an overthinker. From the comforting illusion of "solving" emotions through analysis to the unexpected cost of bottling up both the good and the bad, we uncover the tr...

"I can’t wait not to go home," as we can hear in hey, nothing's song Main. Home isn’t always where the heart is. Or at least, not anymore. In this episode, we dive deep into the shifting concept of home, the emotional weight of family gatherings, and the guilt of living far away. As Christmas approaches, many of us are grappling with the bittersweet realities of returning to places and people that...

“ So scared that you don’t want me here ”, a line from Hot Mulligan’s song “How Do You Know It’s Not Armadillo Shell,” speaks to a feeling so many of us know: social anxiety and the fear of not belonging. Whether it’s overthinking at a party, worrying about saying the wrong thing, or replaying awkward moments in your head, you’re not alone in these struggles. In this episode, we explore the highs...

'It was time this whole time,' sings Touché Amoré in Flowers and You, a line that cuts deep when we think about waiting for the 'perfect' moment. In this episode, we explore the idea of missed opportunities. Whether it’s starting a project you’ve been dreaming about or having those tough but important conversations with the people in your life. Are we waiting too long, only to realize it’s too lat...

'I don’t wanna to sleep, have a dream I lose my teeth,’ sings KennyHoopla in ONE TULIP//. Ever had a dream so strange or vivid you just had to know what it meant? In this episode, I dive into some of the most common recurring dreams, including mine, like losing teeth, falling, or running late, and explore what they could reveal about our lives. Whether you’re a big dreamer or just curious, join in...

In this episode, we sit down with Berto, the vocalist of Lonesome Crowd , to explore the deeply personal stories behind his songs "Fight" and "This Dark." Berto opens up about the grief and shock of losing a close friend, reflecting on how life’s battles can be invisible. He shares the painful paradox of cherishing family moments, knowing they won’t last, but often taking friendships for granted,...

‘I hate the way I spend my time in summer now,’ sings Gleemer in their song Dragging. If FOMO is hitting hard, you’re not alone. In this episode, we explore the pressure to make every moment count, why social media amplifies our fear of missing out, and how the sunny season can make us feel like time’s slipping away. Join this safe space as we talk about finding balance, letting go of the need to...

In this episode, we dive deep into FEVER 333’s powerful lyric: “Now I know how to fall in love when I can’t love myself.” 🎶 Join me as we unpack the real meaning of self-love, how it shapes our relationships, and why falling in love when you’re still learning to love yourself can be both beautiful and challenging. ✨ Whether you’ve stayed in toxic relationships or struggled with self-worth, this...

In this episode, we explore Turnover’s powerful lyric, “Adolescent dreams gave to adult screams,” from their song "New Scream." Join me as I dive into how this line perfectly captures the transition from youthful idealism to the harsh realities of adulthood. We’ll discuss the fading of excitement as we grow older, why chasing that same spark can leave us frustrated, and how to find joy in both the...

In this episode, I’m joined by my first guest, Arash, as we dive into the lyrics of Baraye by Shervin Hajipour and Read My Name by Chris de Burgh, using them as a lens to explore Arash’s unique journey growing up between Iran and the rest of the world. We’ll talk about the Iranian protests, what it means to grow up amidst political turmoil, and the experience of constantly navigating different cul...

In this episode, we dive into Tate McRae’s lyrics in "she’s all i wanna be." We explore our natural tendency to compare ourselves to others, and how it often leads to feelings of inadequacy. Join me as we unpack these emotions and dig into why comparison can be so damaging. We'll talk about its impact on self-confidence, relationships, and personal growth, and how social media, child...