Scream Therapy

On episode 136, host Jason Schreurs talks to Mermaid Island vocalist/guitarist Alex MacDonald about channeling aggression and other strong emotions into punk rock. When Alex moved from Atlantic Canada to LA, she struggled to find likeminded musicians to satisfy her constant need for stimulation and expression. Starting from the ground up, Alex was able to rediscover her authentic self through punk...

On episode 135, host Jason Schreurs welcomes New York hardcore scene veteran Howie Abrams to talk about his documentary film, Heavy Healing. In the film, Howie interviews many familiar faces in the loud music world about their own experiences using the power of music to soothe, inspire, motivate, and ultimately heal. http://instagram.com/heavy_healing_film Featured song clips: Sick of It All - "Sc...

On episode 134, host Jason Schreurs welcomes indie filmmaker Landon Ramirez to talk about his short film, Pit. The film portrays how punks find connection and community within the mosh pit's swirling energy. Pit features a dance troupe depicting the surreal elements of the film, and realizes Landon's artistic vision for Voices with Impact, a film grant program and festival. https://www.citrine-pre...

On episode 133, Ollie Trip of Fire in Mountains Festival joins Jason Schreurs. Ollie explains how the festival, which takes place on the traditional lands of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, focuses on mental health and sobriety. Along with the Firekeeper Alliance, who provide education and health programs for Blackfeet youth, Fire in the Mountains creates a healthy environment for its attendees w...

Episode 132 features Jessie Bonney-Burrill of Philadelphia-based record label Cryptid Records. Cryptic was formed with the intention of centring mental health services for its artists. From wellness coaching to mental health stipends, Cryptid is setting an example to the music industry that artists come first. http://cryptidrecords.com Featured song clips: Hit Like a Girl - "Romanticize" from Burn...

On this episode, host Jason Schreurs is joined by solo artist and former Deap Vally member Lindsey Troy to talk about living with obsessive compulsive disorder. Lindsey has spent decades trying to manage obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. When she reached an impasse in her mental health, Lindsay turned to exposure and response prevention therapy, the gold standard for treating OCD. http...

Host Jason Schreurs talks to Nelson from Nelson about our newest classic punk album on Flex Your Head. Yes, it's already a classic! It's the one, the only, At Peace by Propagandhi! With its inventive—dare we say "daring"—additions of new textures and tempos, this album from Winnipeg's prized punks blew us both away. So, here we are, gushing about it! http://propagandhi.com Featured song clips: Pro...

Scream Therapy host Jason Schreurs and Flex Your Head all-star Mike Isacson delve into our favourite fuckups The Replacements and their career defining album, Let It Be. An unusually diverse album, equal parts rollicky punk rock and heart-wrenching ballads, Let It Be found the sweet spot of what would later be called "indie rock." rhino.com/article/the-replacements-let-it-be-deluxe-edition-remaste...

On episode 21 of the Flex Your Head special episodes, host Jason Schreurs welcomes back his friend Donald Kennedy. Together, they try to make sense of The Blood Brothers' 'Burn, Piano Island, Burn'. This truly bizarre album was poised for something big, yet was too unapproachable and downright oddball to be appreciated by "normal" people. Good thing we're not normal because this album is a classic...

Flex Your Head returns after a two-year hiatus for episode 20, featuring Poison Idea's Feel the Darkness. Host Jason Schreurs and special co-host Nelson from Nelson relive this absolute punk/hardcore/crossover/metal classic. Released in 1990, Feel the Darkness was a powerhouse of smooth, chunky riffs and punchy baritone screams about the tough and rough lives the band members lived. https://poison...

Host Jason Schreurs recaps episodes 121-130 of Scream Therapy. If you missed any of these episodes, it's time to catch up! Scream Therapy will be taking a break to make way for some new Flex Your Head episodes, where we talk about classic punk albums. This recap features a clip from a previous Flex Your Head episode, where we discuss Fugazi's classic 13 Songs. THE SCREAM THERAPY BOOK is now availa...

Chris Hyde of folk-punk band Pit Props joins host Jason Schreurs to talk about telling stories of mental health through music, film, and poetry. After years of playing punk, Chris found himself in the world of independent film. First, he received grants to make his own films, then Chris began managing the same mental health film grant, Voices With Impact. Chris also talks about how he's been able...

Nic Wood of UK melodic bands Tired of Fighting and Blame Yourself talks to host Jason Schreurs about the emotional pain of suicidal ideation. Nic has faced the lowest of lows and come out the other side, using music as a way to channel his struggles and triumphs. http://tiredoffighting.co.uk https://weareblameyourself.bandcamp.com Featured song clips: Tired of Fighting - "Night Dwellers" from And...

Nicolle Maroulis of Hit Like a Girl joins Scream Therapy host Jason Schreurs to talk about forming No More Dysphoria, an organization that raises funds for trans people in need. Nicolle explains how being part of the punk scene, and putting on shows and playing in bands allowed them to take the next step toward helping others. http://hitlikeagirl.bandcamp.com https://nomoredysphoria.org Photo: Mol...

Rob David of Death of Youth joins host Jason Schreurs to talk about living on the spectrum and how it's affected his music, from hyper-fixation when writing songs to writer's block. Rob also reflects on how growing up with autism made him the target of bullies. The punk scene allowed him to open up and eventually feel comfortable being his authentic self. http://deathofyouthukhc.bandcamp.com Photo...

Nate Worrall of UK hardcore band Going Off comes onto the podcast to talk to host Jason Schreurs about receiving an ADHD diagnosis. Nate explains that acceptance and knowledge of his condition were keys to his mental health. Newly medicated, Nate says he's been better able to manage his swirling thoughts. http://goingoffhc.bandcamp.com Featured song clips: Going Off - "To Lose a Limb" from Kill Li...

male//gaze guitarist Hank Atherton joins host Jason Schreurs to talk about the link between creative expression and depression. When faced with times where he was unable to create music or be in a band, Hank found himself in darkness and isolation. Over the years, he has realized how important creativity has been to his mental health. http://malegazeband.bandcamp.com Featured song clips: male//gaz...

Host Jason Schreurs welcomes comedian and Arson Charge screamer Ben Roy to the podcast. Ben talks about how the sexual abuse he experienced as a child shaped his adult life. Punk rock and comedy were places where Ben had permission, and was encouraged, to speak out against the injustice he and so many others have faced. Over time, he has learned ways to process the pain of his past and channel it...

Matt Arbogast of The Gunshy joins host Jason Schreurs to talk about being accepted into the punk scene at an early age and how it accepted him without judgement. This acceptance gave Matt the freedom to explore his music on his own terms. Although he doesn't play traditional punk, instead leaning into the Americana/folk world, Matt will always consider the DIY/punk scene to be his home. http://the...

Host Jason Schreurs welcomes folk-punk singer/songwriter Black Guy Fawkes who talked about being bullied in school. Fawkes lives with trauma around his youth and other harassment he's faced in his adult life. Being accepted into the punk scene by some of the musicians he looked up to was a game-changer. http://blackguyfawkes.bandcamp.com Featured song clips: Black Guy Fawkes - "Glass Houses" from...

Host Jason Schreurs welcomes The Carolyn's Andrew Patrick to talk about his lifelong fascination with punk rock. Andrew explains how being part of the punk scene has brought him meaningful friendships and the permission to make music on his own terms. http://thecarolyn.bandcamp.com Featured song clips: The Carolyn - "I Thought You Were Dead" from Pyramid Scheme of Grief (59 X Records, 2025) Misfit...

Host Jason Schreurs recaps episodes 111-120 of Scream Therapy. If you missed any of these episodes, it's time to catch up! Also featuring a clip from his appearance on the Recovery Diaries In Depth podcast. THE SCREAM THERAPY BOOK is now available! Scream Therapy: A Punk Journey through Mental Health is a memoir-plus that has been heralded by New York Times best-selling authors. Like the podcast,...

Harry Bailey from UK queercore due Death Goals joins Scream Therapy host Jason Schreurs to talk about how punk rock has been the best AND worst thing in their lives. Harry explains that the anxiety, existential dread, and gender dysphoria they feel is outweighed by the joy of playing music and being part of the punk scene. http://deathgoals.bandcamp.com Featured song clips: Death Goals - "Tchotchk...

Host Jason Schreurs welcomes Spite House singer/guitarist Max Lajoie to the podcast. Max, also a music producer in Montreal, talks about losing both of his parents in a 10-year span and how he has processed his grief through that journey. http://spitehousemtl.bandcamp.com Featured song clips: Spite House - "Midway" from Desertion (Pure Noise Records, 2025) Defeater - "Bastards" from Letters Home (...

Host Jason Schreurs welcomes Sarinn Blawatt, singer of Vancouver punk band Alien Boys, to talk about the culture of care. Having worked in harm reduction services for more than 15 years, Sarinn links their involvement in the punk scene and its empathic ethos to the important work they do in health care. http://alienboys.bandcamp.com Featured song clips: Alien Boys - "The Lever" from The Weight of...