The Hardcore Therapist

Send us Fan Mail On today's episode, we welcome Justin King, a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli. From motorcycle sales to punk-themed barbershops and bioplastics, Justin's journey has been anything but conventional. In 2019, he opened Ben & Esther’s in Portland, later transforming it into a fully vegan deli to align with his ethical...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re talking about something that touches all of us at some point in life—grief. Specifically, two big questions I hear a lot:   How do I cope with the loss of a loved one?  and   Can grief make you physically sick? Whether you’ve just experienced a loss, or the waves of grief are still catching you years later, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about the realities of gr...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist,  we have a special guest. Hailing from West Michigan, Sam Rottschafer has an incredible talent for capturing life through his lens—whether it’s the high-energy atmosphere of a concert, the breathtaking serenity of a landscape, or the raw emotion in a portrait. Guided by the art of storytelling, Sam’s photography isn’t just about taking pi...

Send us Fan Mail A trauma bond is when you’re deeply attached to someone who’s hurting you — emotionally, physically, or psychologically — and it’s that cycle of pain, then love-bombing, then pain again that makes you stick around.  You’re basically bonded through repeated betrayal and emotional chaos.  It’s that feeling of 'I know this is bad for me, but I can’t walk away.' Key signs: Y...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we have an incredible guest who embodies the true essence of music, art, and hardcore culture. Born and raised in New York, he's been immersed in creativity from an early age, coming from a family of musicians. As a teenager, he found his love for graffiti—a bold and expressive art form that exploded in the '80s—and quickly became part of a movement that blended s...

Send us Fan Mail  What happens when the entire family system bends over backwards to cater to the most toxic person in the room? I’m talking about the person who wrecks every holiday, throws emotional grenades at family events, and somehow... everyone else ends up apologizing to them . If this is ringing some uncomfortable bells for you, stick around.  You are absolutely not alone — and you’re not...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is an absolute powerhouse in the plant-based world. Natalie Slater is a Chicago-based vegan cookbook author, content creator, and all-around food industry badass. She’s the go-to expert for high-protein vegan eats and isn’t afraid to drop some hot takes on the plant-based food scene. As the Director of Sales and Marketing for Upton’s Naturals, she’s shaping the futur...

Send us Fan Mail “Can you really rewire your brain for positivity?” It sounds a little... woo-woo, right? Like something you'd see on a Pinterest quote board. But here's the thing—it’s not just a feel-good idea. There’s actual neuroscience to back it up. So today, we’re digging into how our brains work, why they’re wired to lean negative by default , and how we can shift that wiring towa...

Send us Fan Mail On this Episode of the Hardcore Therapist, I had the pleasure to speak with Joe Bando who will be sharing his journey, starting in the underground hardcore music scene of Cleveland, Ohio—a world of raw energy and defiance that shaped his path in comedy. Along the way,he has overcome a childhood marked by severe abuse, rebuilt his life through entrepreneurship, and embraced persona...

Send us Fan Mail Hey everyone, welcome back to The Hardcore Therapist ! I’m so glad you’re here. Today we’re diving into a question that hits close to home for a lot of us: “How do I set boundaries without feeling guilty—and what do I do if someone crosses my boundaries after I was clear about them?” Whew. This is a big one. And if you're anything like me—or like most of the people I work wit...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, Kyle Donovan and Tyler Hillman, members of the Michigan Hardcore band Suffer No Fools. They're celebrating the release of their debut album, "To Live Is To Suffer," which is out  now via Heroes + Martyrs. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re diving into a loaded, raw, and often painful topic—how to let go of people who don’t enhance your life—including family. I’m not here to sugarcoat this. I’m here to help you honor your mental health, even when it means making decisions that go against every message you've been taught about loyalty, tradition, or what it means to be a “good person.” Prompts for He...

Send us Fan Mail What an amazing collaboration episode of The Hardcore Therapist Podcast and Pit Therapy Podcast ! Kyle and Trevor were so much fun. Check out this hilarious episode chalked full of hardcore, family life, growing up and a wild thought about specific songs! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I was joined by Scott Crouse. Coming up through the thriving Syracuse, NY hardcore movement of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Scott helped shape the sound and message of a generation. As a founding guitarist of Earth Crisis, his work on albums like Firestorm and Destroy the Machines cemented their place as some of the most influential hardc...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, today we're diving into a powerful topic: self-abandonment. This is something so many of us struggle with without even realizing it—saying yes when we mean no, ignoring our own needs, or constantly putting others before ourselves. But what does it really mean to abandon yourself, and more importantly, how can we stop doing it?  Suppo...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I am thrilled to welcome Ray Harkins. Ray is the host of the influential podcast 100 Words or Less, where he dives deep into the stories of musicians, artists, and creatives. Beyond the podcasting world, Ray is also the lead singer for the melodic hardcore band Taken. We'll explore his journey through music, the evolution of the har...

Send us Fan Mail First, I just want to acknowledge how incredibly painful and confusing this must feel. To be in a marriage where one person has emotionally stepped away, while you’re still physically sharing a home and parenting together, is a deeply complicated experience. It makes sense that you’re struggling with what to do next. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail I'm beyond excited to welcome a fellow Detroiter and friend of the show, Monica Sklar, Ph. D.! Monica is an associate professor and director of the Historic Clothing and Textiles Collection at the University of Georgia, where she dives deep into the intersections of fashion, subculture, and technology in archival practice. She’s also the vice president of education for the Co...

Send us Fan Mail Mornings can feel hard—scrambling to get out the door, rushing through tasks, and starting the day already overwhelmed. That chaotic energy doesn’t just disappear; it lingers, affecting mood, focus, and stress levels. But what if small, intentional changes to your morning routine could set a completely different tone for the day? On the podcast, we’ll explore science-backed strate...

Send us Fan Mail I'm beyond excited about this episode with  Kulpa and Vasudeva from SOMA—Sacred Order of Mystic Apogees. This New Jersey-based ecstatic kirtan band brings a powerful fusion of their hardcore and metal roots into the world of devotional music. Blending traditional Indian kirtan with amplified instruments, folk influences, and raw energy, SOMA creates a sound that's as tra...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, we’re diving into something a lot of people don’t talk about: when self-help actually does more harm than good."\ We live in a world that tells us we should always be improving, leveling up, and becoming our ‘best selves.’ But what happens when the pursuit of growth turns into a never-ending cycle of self-criticism, anxiety, and burn...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist,  I am stoked to be  joined by Walter Schreifels, one of the most celebrated musicians, producers and songwriters in hardcore & punk. Walter is known for his time in legendary bands like Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, and Quicksand, Rival Schools, Vanishing Life, and Dead Heavens.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We hear these words all the time—narcissist, gaslighting, triggered—but are we really using them correctly? Ever heard someone say, 'My ex was a total narcissist,' but deep down, you wonder… were they really? Or is it just the go-to breakup insult now? In this episode, we’re breaking down the true meaning of these words, how they get misused, and why pop culture might be...

Send us Fan Mail J. Curtis Strickland. He’s a SAG-AFTRA actor bringing stories to life on screen, the host of The T&F Podcast where conversations get real, the mastermind behind Hellsheart Merch Co, and the bass player with the band Lockdown. IG: @thetandfpodcast @tenthcanto @hellsheatco Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I tackle the challenges of co-parenting with a narcissistic ex and answer your questions on how to navigate this difficult dynamic. I also clarify the important distinction between Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and narcissistic traits. Co-parenting with a high-conflict ex can be emotionally exhausting, but protecting your well-being starts with setting f...